The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, together with the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, have today issued a joint statement, in response to a report to their Churches. The report, entitled The Challenge of the Covenant, recommends that both Churches take action to enhance unity between them, with the work being fully embedded in Church structures. The report also encourages the Church of England to address the question of interchange ability of ordained ministries between the two Churches, and the Methodist Church to consider the possibility of a form of Episcopal ministry (such as a 'president bishop'). The statement from the Archbishops and Methodist Presidency welcomes the report, stating: ‘The time has now come for our Churches to take further, significant steps to achieve that level of reconciliation between us and partnership in the gospel that will enhance our mission together in local communities and our shared witness to the whole of society.’