Theme 4 Part D
Ecumenical Movement
Edinburgh World Missionary Conference 1910
170 Protestant Christian missionary societies sent 1215 delegates, no Orthodox or Roman Catholic missionary organisations
focus of unity to achieve cooperation within the official framework for evangelising to the world
Result
International Missionary Council 1921
Faith and Order Movement 1927 to discuss doctrinal and worship differences. Members of the Orthodox Church, but not the Roman Catholic Church, attended as observers
The Life and Work Movement, Stockholm, 1925
World Council of Churches
1920 - ecumenical patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church wrote a letter addressed to all Christian Churches, suggesting a League of Churches
1937 - more than 100 churches voted to found a WCC, merging Faith and Order Movement and Life and Work Movement, act delayed by WW2
1948 - 147 member churches landed the WCC at an assembly in Amsterdam
1961 - The International Missionary Council merged with the WWC
WCC do not want to form a 'super' church, but recognises all faiths common in Jesus Christ as head of the church
Member churches are called towards the goal of visible unity in one faith
confession of faith in Christ
mutual recognition of the life and work of member churches
promotion of their common faith together in worship, mission, service, and evangelism
engagement in Christian service by serving those in need
work of WCC split into 3 areas
Unity, mission, ecumenical relations
all people should be united, not only spiritually, but politically and socially too
‘fostering respect for people’s dignity’
WCC is involved in social justice
projects, supporting migrant communities, the disabled and indigenous people
strengthening relationships with other churches
groups within the WCC work hard to build relationships with the Evangelical and Pentacostal churches that are not apart of the group
Public witness and diakonia
‘Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry’
explores the growing agreements and remaining disagreements within these aspects of Christian Life
recognises that Christians share
many areas of social responsibility
promoting peace and supporting churches in areas of
conflict
WCC help by sending observers and members to these ‘priority countries’ and through seeking influence at the UN
Diakonia (service): Christians see it as their responsibility to care for the poor and oppressed, , and the WCC
believes this objective can unify the worldwide church
e.g. activities around climate change, water rights, women rights and HIV and AIDS work
ecumenical formation
WCC institute in Switzerland has a teaching faculty residential study facilities and grants connected to the University of Geneva in Switzerland
offers training and education around the world
through member churches
e.g. youth training in peace
and justice issues in Indonesia