What does it mean to be 'Ecumenical'?

Yesterday I was part of a ministry training class/discussion on the topic of Ecumenism. If you've been a part of a church for any significant period of time, its likely you've heard of the term 'Ecumenical' or if not what it means to be in 'unity' or be 'the Body of Christ'.

So what does it mean to be Ecumenical?

Well first there are the official committees or organisations around the place that are focused on Ecumenism, for example the World Council of Churches. Many denominations are a member of that council, or members of similar national or regional bodies focused on unity. But many are not. Many who work very well with other denominations, movements, and types of churches.

Then on a local level, many cities or suburbs or towns have ministers 'fraternals' (until a women minister moves to the area that is!) where pastors/minsters/priests pray together, hang out together, plan events and projects together, share ideas, etc. etc. But rarely is EVERY denomination or church represented at these groups.

Then there are events. Church Together is a big one in Perth, WA. There are a variety of prayer meetings that are non-denominational. Many big conferences attract believers from a large number of differents expressions of church and even different theologies. But still, when events are run by a select group of churches or people, the style, emphasis, theology or even venue is going to deter many.

So what would it take for us ALL to really become 'Ecumenical'. To really become united.
Well one thing that it seems the World Council of Churches and other similar bodies have learnt over time, is that the answer is not becoming one BIG church. One name, one denomination, one hierarchy. That would, after all, not be unity, but uniformity.

I love how Eugene Peterson translates what Paul says to the Corinthians in his Message bible. Paul is using the analogy of the body, how we - the Church, are like a body with different parts which much work together. Peterson translates one verse in 1 Corinthians 12 this way:
"An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster."
And its true. The Church is meant to be diverse. Denominations can continue. Independant churches can and SHOULD continue to be planted. Programs and comissions and councils should be formed for all sorts of reasons.

But Paul continues...
"What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, "Get lost; I don't need you"? Or, Head telling Foot, "You're fired; your job has been phased out"?"

So if the way we have always thought of being ecumenical is "If only everyone else would agree with the way WE do things", then surely something needs to change....

Instead, I think we need to turn to what some have called "receptive ecumenism" which is all about having the attitude: "What can we learn from you?".

"But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of." (1 Corinthians 12:19)

I don't know the full answer to how we reach true unity, but I think we all having a calling to take seriously what it means to be the body of Christ, and pray that God will teach us what it really means to be 'Ecumenical'.

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