The statement published here marks a major advance in the ecumenical journey. The result of a fifty-year process of study and consultation, this text on baptism, Eucharist and ministry represents the theological convergence that has been achieved, through decades of dialogue,. under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Over one hundred theologians met in Lima, Peru, in January 1982, and recommended unanimously to transmit this agreed statement -- the Lima text -- for the common study and official response of the churches. They represented virtually all the major church traditions: Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed, Methodist, United, Disciples, Baptist, Adventist and Pentecostal. The churches' responses to this agreed statement have played a vital part in the ecumenical process of 'reception". This 2007 printing includes an additional introduction and is issued in observance of the 25th anniversary of the original publication of "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry".