Upon my return from the central committee of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland, I read a rather interesting comment from a Presbyterian minister friend, written in response to the newly elected WCC moderator, which spoke about the need for “new life” in the ecumenical movement. My friend wrote, “Like a probe sent to Mars, finding life may be a product of where you look for it. I see it all about me in my city. It is here that I see so much vitality and growth in ecumenism, along with growing acceptance and sharing.” After all, he suggested, the local expressions of ecumenism, in his city, are vibrant and healthy. People of different backgrounds regularly worship together, work on issues of common concern and have, through those involvements, broken down many of the historic divides in the Body of Christ. What more is needed on a national or international scale?
My friend's comments are representative of the experiences that most of us in Canada enjoy. But we should never forget that our experience, in this country, is not enjoyed by many of our brothers and sisters in faith. Rather, lines of conflict and division continue to mar the relationships that exist between Christians in many other countries.
The stated priorities of the World Council of Churches, for the coming seven years, will focus on many of these issues which seek to provide help and support to individual denominations and congregations in their own work towards greater understanding and unity. And so it is that the WCC continues to develop inter-religious dialogue and cooperation, ecumenical and faith formation, while at the same time working on giving voice and witness to the world and addressing issues of power and affirming peace.
As individuals and as local congregations, we need to celebrate and strengthen local ecumenical commitments; but, there is also a need for us to continue to celebrate and strengthen the quest for unity among the Body of Christ throughout the world.
I conclude with a quotation from the report of the WCC General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, to the recent WCC Central Committee meeting. His words remind us that our relationship with the rest of the Body, both locally and globally, is meant to be rooted not in suspicion or in institutional structures, but rather in friendship. He wrote:
I have called you friends, Jesus told his followers, (John 15:15) prior to his prayer that we may all be one. (17:21) Friendship is at the heart of all we do. In the end, our talk of a fellowship of churches, integrated models of working, interactive programmes and new patterns of ecumenism, depends on the formation of friendships that will abide.
It is true that there remain some honest differences among the churches represented here. But we have a friend in common. So let us welcome one another, build relationships of trust and love, and continue our journey together to the glory of the Triune God. – Rev. Will Ingram is the PCC's representative to the World Council of Churches and minister at Morningside-High Park, Toronto. To learn more about the WCC please visit: www.oikoumene.org. Ingram's blog about his visit to Geneva can be found at www.morningsidehighpark.com.
