Ecumenism

• John 17:21

  "That they might be one. As you Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us."
• The Ecumenical Movement

  Strives to create unity amongst the many denominations that make up Christianity. From the Greek word: Oikumene
• Since the Reformation and the splintering of Protestantism in 1054, the Christian Church has developed widely different practises and theologies.
• The World Missionary Conference

  In 1910, brough together 1200 missionaries from 160 missionary boards in an attempt to build cooperation.

  Their slogan was: "Doctrine divides, but service unites".

  This was soley an evangelical Protestant event, neither the RCC or Orthodox churches were invited.
• The World Missionary Conference had 4 priorites:

  1. Common Service
  2. Common Fellowship
  3. Common Witness
  4. Common Renewal
• The World Council of Churches which was formed in 1948

  Originated from three earlier movements from the World Missionary Conference:

  1. Faith and Order movement which focused on the doctrinal differences.
  2. Life and Works, promoting social responsibility.
  3. The International Missionary Council
• The World Council of Churches

  Defined themselves as a 'fellowship of churches' and today there are 350 church bodies involved, such as Orthodox and Anglican, however the RCC is not a member but still participates with the faith and order movement and evangelical commissions.
• The World Council of Churches

  Mission of 'visible unity of the church, striving for a common confession, sacramental life, mission and service
• Three main areas of the Council of Churches are:

  1. Unity, Mission, Ecumenical Relations
  2. Public Witness and Diakonia
  3. Ecumenical Formation
• Unity, Mission and Ecumenical Relations

  Related to the prayer of Jesus which has resulted in the BEM

  Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. It discusses strengths and weaknesses within this area.
• Public Witness and Diakonia

  Carries on from the Life and Work movement. They raise awareness of the church in troubled areas, advocating for rights of women and health, for example.
• Ecumenical Formations

  Education of Christian unity around the world
• The WCC as a success

  The WCC is only 70 years old and has achieved so much, which is relatively young in the life of Christianity.

  For example, it represents half a billion Christians worldwide and some Catholics participate in the faith and order movement and Evangelical commissions.

  Ecumenism is not a destination, it is a journey and so it is successful since there has been nothing like this is religious history.
• The WCC as a failure

  RCC are not members, impossible to achieve full Christian unity.

  Although the RC declaration (Unitatus Redintergratio) recognises that there are Christians outside of the WCC, they also declare that the RCC is the "true" church, contradicting it's absolutist nature.

  Tensions within the WCC threaten it, for example some Protestant and Orthodox members consider 'missions' as 'inter-faith' dialogue and human rights rather than commission.