what is the future of ecumenism?

Dear Presidents of Churches Together in England,

I have just read John Rackley's article in the Baptist Times on the week of prayer for Christianity Unity, where he speaks of running out of hope for the ecumenical movement. I read this in the context of having been to Geneva last September to visit the WCC and the Bossey Network. Myra Blyth was there with us and she commented that most of the WCC staff seemed tired. It certainly is true that the ecumenical networks both internationally and nationally are facing tough futures. I'm aware that the number of staff working for the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland has shrunk. I read this also in the context of Steven Harmon's (enthusastic) involvement in the BWA conversations with the Roman Catholic church and also Faith and Order for WCC, and his recent calls for ecumenical engagement theologically, especially for those training for ministry.

The great hopes for Christian unity during the 20th century were perhaps too big, but we should not lose sight of what has been achieved. There were many (and now perhaps too few) who have been profoundly changed theologically through the ecumenical initiatives. What is now needed I think is a new generation to respond to the pray of Jesus that we may be one. I think it will require new methods, means and structures of relating.

Those of us who went on that visit to Geneva, which included Anglican, Methodist, URC and Baptist, all agreed that there was a lack of awareness of those being prepared for ordination of the global ecumenical scene (and arguably also the national and local ecumenical scene).

I believe it is important that a new generation of ministers (and all Christians) become committed to ecumenical engagement that goes beyond local churches working together (vital though this is). For this reason I would want to encourage initiatives and opportunities for more people to have exposure of this kind of experience as part of formation for ordained ministers.  This at a fundamental level will require financial support. In addition I think we need to see more attention within theological training given to the work and activities of the WCC and other such bodies. I would like to see our respective denominations committed to representation of young people on national and international bodies: both as an opportunity to learn and also to contribute to the work of making our unity in Christ visible.

Best wishes

Andy Goodliff

Comments

[wordspeaker]

As long as people insist that others believe like they do there is no hope. And as long as Christians keep insisting that Jesus is God and that those who do not belive this will go to hell then how can we ever expect the people of other world religions to like and respect Christians who are condemning people if they do not accept Jesus as Christ-God.

[John]

How can you possibly have Christian unity when there are how many thousands of sects, large and small, who are ALL competing for market share.

[Craig]

There's a whole chapter on polyphonic ecumenism in my gathering dust PhD, and I agree about the need to heighten awareness and representation at such bodies. Sadly our baptist ecclesiology is often interpreteed in a way that makes us very parochial and unengaged with the wider chruch and indeed often suspicious and condescending of it: alot of baptists will only see value in ecumenical cooperation if it is a joint project to do something. All that said what i preached about yesterday was the unity that is found through missional engagment and practical cooperation: if there is a future, and i hope there is, then perhaps the doctrinal and liturgical materials will emerge from a newed missional endeavour.