"The concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity."
Exploration of the various organizations and movements that have been involved in promoting ecumenism.
Historical background of Ecumenism: Understanding the origins of Ecumenism, including key events and figures that have influenced the Ecumenical movement over time.
Theological and doctrinal differences among Christian denominations: Understanding the differences in beliefs and practices among various Christian denominations and how these differences can influence Ecumenism.
Key Ecumenical organizations and movements: Understanding the different Ecumenical organizations, such as the World Council of Churches, and movements, such as the Charismatic movement.
The role of the Holy Spirit in Ecumenism: Understanding the significance of the Holy Spirit in bringing unity among Christians of different denominations.
Theology of Unity: Understanding the theology that underpins Ecumenism, including the principles of ecumenical dialogue, the principles of unity and diversity, and the principles of mutual recognition.
Interfaith dialogue: Understanding the importance of conversations between Christians and people of other faiths.
Ecumenical relations with the Roman Catholic Church: Understanding the history and current state of relations between different Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church.
Ecumenical relations with other Christian denominations: Understanding how Ecumenism is practiced in different Christian denominations, such as Evangelical and Protestant churches.
The Ecumenical movement in different parts of the world: Understanding how Ecumenism is practiced in different regions, such as Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Ecumenical Worship: Understanding how Ecumenical worship is practiced, including the use of different liturgical styles, prayers and symbols across Christian denominations.
The Ecumenical movement and social justice: Understanding the role of the Ecumenical movement in addressing issues of social justice, such as poverty and inequality.
Ecumenical evangelism and mission: Understanding how Ecumenical organizations and movements engage in evangelism and mission work across the world.
The impact of Ecumenism on Christian spirituality: Understanding how the Ecumenical movement has influenced the practice of Christian spirituality, including prayer, worship, and discipleship.
The challenges and controversy of Ecumenism: Understanding the criticisms and controversies surrounding the Ecumenical movement, including challenges related to theological diversity, power imbalances, and the role of the church in society.
National Councils of Churches: These are ecumenical organizations that promote dialogue and cooperation among different Christian denominations within a particular country.
World Council of Churches: This is a worldwide ecumenical organization that promotes Christian unity and cooperation among different churches and denominations.
Local Ecumenical Partnerships: These are groups of churches that come together to work collaboratively on local issues, such as service projects or survival efforts.
Interfaith Dialogue Groups: These are organizations that bring together representatives from different faiths to promote mutual understanding and respect.
Ecumenical Youth Organizations: These organizations focus on bringing together young people from different Christian denominations to promote unity and understanding.
Christian Peacemaker Teams: These are organizations that work for peace and justice in conflict zones around the world, often with a focus on interfaith cooperation.
Ecumenical Social Justice Organizations: These organizations work to promote social justice within Christian communities, often with an interfaith and/or international focus.
"The fact that all Christians belonging to mainstream Christian denominations profess faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour over a believer's life, believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God (John 1:1), and receive baptism according to the Trinitarian formula."
"John 17:20–23 as the biblical grounds of striving for church unity, in which Jesus prays 'may all be one' in order 'that the world may know' and believe the Gospel message."
"In 1920, the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Germanus V of Constantinople, wrote a letter 'addressed 'To all the Churches of Christ, wherever they may be', urging closer co-operation among separated Christians, and suggesting a 'League of Churches', parallel to the newly founded League of Nations'."
"In 1937, Christian leaders from mainstream Christian churches resolved to establish the World Council of Churches, to work for the cause of Christian unity."
"The World Council of Churches today includes churches from most major traditions of Christianity as full members, including the Assyrian Church of the East, the Old Catholic Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the Anglican Communion, the Baptist World Alliance, the Mennonite churches, the World Methodist Council, the Moravian Church, the Pentecostal churches and the World Communion of Reformed Churches."
"The Roman Catholic Church participates as an observer, sending delegates to official gatherings."
"Many regional councils affiliated with the World Council of Churches, such as the Middle East Council of Churches, National Council of Churches in Australia and Christian Churches Together, work for the cause of Christian unity on the domestic level."
"Member denominations include churches from the Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, Anglican, and Reformed traditions, among others."
"The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity."
"The World Council of Churches coordinates the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity."
"The terms ecumenism and ecumenical come from the Greek οἰκουμένη (oikoumene), which means 'the whole inhabited world'."
"The ecumenical vision comprises both the search for the visible unity of the Church (Ephesians 4:3) and the 'whole inhabited earth' (Matthew 24:14) as the concern of all Christians."
"The qualification ecumenical was originally and still is used in terms such as 'ecumenical council' and 'Ecumenical Patriarch', in the meaning of pertaining to the totality of the larger Church."
"Used in this sense, the term carries no connotation of re-uniting the historically separated Christian denominations but presumes a unity of local congregations in a worldwide communion."