An historic pact between the Churches of Scotland and England committing them to cooperate and work together in an unprecedented move has been published.

The Columba Declaration has been billed as the biggest shake-up in relations between the two churches since the Reformation in the 16th century.

It will now be debated by the respective churches’ ruling bodies before the partnership can be officially sanctioned.

The 20-page document outlines the common history of the churches and explains how this shared experience can be built on for the two bodies to foster a closer relationship.

Specifically it sets out how members and clergy will be allowed to worship and exercise ministry in each other's churches and how geographically close churches can work together.

Under the terms of the agreement – named after the fifth-century Irish missionary St Columba credited with introducing Christianity to Scotland – it is hoped the churches will be able to speak and act together "more effectively in the face of the missionary challenges of our generation".

Joint author Rev Dr John McPake said the agreement acknowledged the distinct identities of both churches but recognised the challenges and difficulties of ministry faced in the 21st century "cannot be addressed in isolation from one another".

The proposed new relationship between the two institutions has led to a rare offer to the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev Dr Angus Morrison, to address the Church of England’s General Synod.

Rev Alison McDonald, convener of the Church of Scotland's ecumenical relations committee, said: "The joint report sets out clearly the shared foundations of faith of the Church of England and the Church of Scotland, which enable us to recognise one another formally for the first time.

"This provides a sound basis for our ongoing co-operation and for exploring future partnership."

The document, prepared by a joint study group, is arranged in four chapters and lays out the opportunities for formal and informal congregational partnership.

It states: "The new arrangements we are proposing are modest and 'light touch' with a small contact group meeting yearly and reporting to the ecumenical bodies within each church."

Rev Dr Jeremy Worthern, Church of England secretary for ecumenical relations and theology, said: "We value our ecumenical relationship with the Church of Scotland and our relationship within the Anglican Communion with the Scottish Episcopal Church.

"There are opportunities for deepening both relationships as this report continues to be discussed and received by the churches."

The Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan, acting convener of the faith and order board of the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said: "The Scottish Episcopal Church is pleased to have been asked to respond to this document which we will do through our normal ecumenical relations process.

"We look forward to building on the warm relations we already enjoy with the Church of Scotland and to strengthening our relationship and mutual regard with the Church of England within the Anglican Communion."

But earlier this year David Chillingworth, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said the document has caused “deep hurt” and called for it to be scrapped.

It will be debated by the Church of England's General Synod next month and at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in May.