Definition

 Ecumenism refers to the movement towards

religious unity amongst Christian denomination
 Unity does not mean uniformity.
 Ecumenism is not about combining all
denominations, rather it is unity in Christ
outweighs their diversity in practice and beliefs.
“We’re coming together, as one, as whole, as
Christians”
Ecumenism term

 Ecumenism comes from the Greek word

“Oikoumene”
 Oikou = the household.
 Mene = the one whole.
 Not interfaith - This is not to be confused
with interfaith dialogue which seeks unity
outside of the Christian churches.
Scriptural foundation

 The New Testament emphasises that the

visible unity of Christians is an essential
aspect of their witness as followers of Jesus
Christ .
1. John 17:21 : “that they may all be one. As you,
Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also
be in us, so that the world may believe that you
have sent me”
Scriptural foundation

2. Corinthians 12:12 : “For just as the body is one

and has many members, and all the members of
the body, though many, are one body, so it is
with Christ. ”
3. Galatians 2:27-28: “As many of you as were
baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves
with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek,
there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer
male and female; for all of you are one in Christ
Jesus. “
Catholic Catechism

 Catechism 821 - Certain things are required in

order to respond adequately to this call:
1. a permanent renewal of the Church in greater
fidelity to her vocation;
2. conversion of heart as the faithful "try to live
holier lives according to the Gospel“;
3. prayer in common
4. fraternal knowledge of each other
5. ecumenical formation of the faithful
Catholic Catechism

6. - dialogue among theologians and meetings

among Christians of the different churches and
communities;
7. - collaboration among Christians in various
areas of service to mankind.286 "Human
service" is the idiomatic phrase.
History of Ecumenism

 Ecumenism began as a grass

roots movement, riven
largely by the experiences
of individual believers who
recognised that what
Christians have in common
is more significant than the
things that divide them.
History of Ecumenism

 Since the 1970s, in

particular there have bee
many conversations
between different groups
and denomination dealing
with doctrinal matters and
areas o cooperation.
 The scandal of Christian disunity.
 Ecumenism is the opposite of sectarianism
Nature of Ecumenical Initiatives

 Highest level - formal ecumenical bodies

(Churches) –
 “Seek to find official agreement on issues that
have often divided denominations”.
 Practical Level – Churches cooperate on
common issues of need – social justice.
 Local level – Parishes – Education/Prayer
services
Examples / Initiatives
Ecumenical Bodies

 Uniting Church founded in 1977

 Merger of all Methodists, 65% of Presbyterians and
95% of Congregationalists.
 “Seeking to bear witness to that unity which is both
Christ's gift and will for the Church”
Uniting Church Logo

 The emblem of the Uniting Church in Australia

shows:
 The cross of Jesus Christ, in its light and love,
 Standing over a darkened world - redeeming it
through grace and truth.
 The Holy Spirit, symbolised by the dove with the
wings of flame,
 The wide U at the bottom points to the fact that we
are uniting; as a semicircle it also reminds us that the
renewing of both church and world are as yet
incomplete.
Examples / Initiatives
Ecumenical Bodies

 The National Council of Churches in Australia

(NCCA)
 Formed after WWII
 Seeks to strengthen the cause of Christian unity in
Australia.
 Work together, pray together and grow together.
 15 member Christian churches that dialogue and
collaborate
 The NCCA also provides resources for the annual
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Examples / Initiatives
Ecumenical Bodies

 The NSW Ecumenical Council

 Formed 1982
 16 Churches
 11 Catholic Church dioceses
 Reflects upon theology
 Grass roots level –
 Social Justice
 Education
 Advocacy
Christmas Bowl
Local Initiatives

 An appeal of the National Council of Churches in

Australia
 Operated for past 60 years. 
 Funded by donations
 Funds programs in 22 countries in Africa, the
Middle East, Asia, the Pacific
and Australia. 
 Partnering local
organisations.
Christmas Bowl
Local Initiatives

 $10 ensures a child in Gaza has access to a

doctor.
 $20 provides a month's salary for a senior health
worker in Sri Lankan refugee camps
 $65 buys one midwife's delivery kit in India 
House of Welcome
Local Initiatives

 A project of the New South Wales Ecumenical

Council.
 Was initially established in 2001
to provide assistance
to asylum Seekers who
were released from
detention on
Temporary Protection
Visas.
House of Welcome
Local Initiatives

 Services:
 is a safe and convivial Drop In Centre for Asylum
seekers and refugees.
 first contact for assessment of needs, and
identification of services required
 accommodation, employment, education, language
classes, computer classes, volunteer visitors, respite
holidays and outings, newsletters in english
Weekly Prayer of Christian Unity
Local Initiatives

 Began in 1908
 8 days leading up to Pentecost.
 “Pray without ceasing”  (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
 Encourages churches to worship together locally,
to witness to their unity in Christ, and to pray
and act for the greater visible expression of that
unity.