The Changing Face of Ecumenism

The membership of the World Council of Churches is normally identified with the historical Protestant churches of the Reformation and the Orthodox families of churches. Together they constitute more than a quarter of all the world’s Christians.

The Catholic Church, which constitute around a billion members, has remained outside the WCC. Although since Vatican II, a close working relationship has been forged by the setting-up of a “Joint Working Group”.

The overwhelming majority of Evangelical and Pentecostal churches, have little contact with the WCC, and, in some cases, are antagonistic towards the historical ecumenical movement.

Arising from the WCC reflection process in the 1990’s, under the theme “Common Understanding and Vision of the World Council of Churches”, there emerged a feeling that ecumenism is not complete without an initiative to foster possible relationships with Catholics, Evangelicals, Pentecostal, Independent churches and other parachurch organizations.

In 1998, at a consultation that was held at Chateau de Bossey, near Geneva, the idea of organizing a “Forum of Christian Churches” was proposed and a small continuation committee was formed.

The proposal received support and encouragement at the Eight Assembly of the WCC that was held in 1998 in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Since then, and in subsequent meetings of the Continuation Committee, regional and global meetings were held, always trying to draw the widest possible spectrum of Christian traditions.

The most recent was the meeting held in New Delhi, 8-11 November, 2008. It brought together 50 Christian leaders, coming from 30 nations and six continents.

The participants were optimistic of the potential of such ecumenical gathers, apart from the auspices of the World Council of Churches.

The Statement that emerged from the Forum underscores the fact that the “Forum process continues to be a renewal movement based explicitly in relationship, seeking to discover the guidance of the Spirit for the sake of the whole Christian community, and for the world... It went on to emphasize the basis of the unity the Forum seeks; expressed in the interdependence we share, even as the Forum maintains its autonomy (from the WCC) within the wider search for Christian unity”.

Central to the spirit of the Forum over the years has been the dimension of mutual acceptance, respectful listening and equal ownership of the process among all participants.

Evaluating and looking ahead of the last Global Forum that was held in Nairobi, Kenya, 6-9 November 2007, the participants of the New Delhi Consultation felt that the momentum of the process be kept up with various regional gatherings, leading to the next Global event scheduled for 2011.

Jesus prayed for his disciples in the Upper Room before his impending death that; “they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me...” (John 17:23)

The Forum process is evidence of another face of ecumenism that is drawing varied church traditions together, by seeking the path towards Christian unity, in common obedience of the Gospel, by fulfilling the prayer of Christ.