Purpose
In recent years, discussions about the effects of the changing world on the ecumenical movement and its vision for the future have taken place in different forums, including a consultation on "Ecumenism in the 21st Century" convened by the WCC in 2004. The process is continuing with a stronger theological emphasis through the Continuation Committee.
Ecumenical activities today are carried out at different levels by churches acting through conciliar bodies (e.g. the WCC, regional ecumenical organizations, sub-regional fellowships and national councils of churches). Christian world communions, specialized ministries, international ecumenical organizations, ecumenical communities, mission agencies, theological colleges and associations, ecumenical academies, lay training centres and many other ecumenical bodies. The number of ecumenical organizations constitutes a real challenge for churches and funding partners who are expected to participate in these bodies and support them.
While it is obvious that this movement is far broader than any one institution, the WCC has a privileged role in ensuring the coherence of the ecumenical movement.
The process on Ecumenism in the 21st century should re-vitalize the ecumenical movement, articulate more clearly the common vision, and ensure greater coherence of the ecumenical movement in response to the changing global realities.
Structure
The Continuation Committee is composed of 15 representatives of different constituencies, including member churches, the Roman Catholic church, Pentecostal churches, ecumenical youth organizations, regional ecumenical organizations, Christian world communions, national council of churches, specialized ministries, international ecumenical organizations and ecumenical renewal communities.
Methods
The continuation committee
- reflects on new initatives, such as the Global Christian Forum and the ongoing debate on an expanded WCC assembly;
- develops a network of experts from different regions and traditions for a common analysis of the changing face of Christianity and the changing context;
- pursues the mapping of programmatic work of the ecumenical movement.
Related documentsReport on the second meeting of the Continuation CommitteeInterim report prepared by the committee at its 10-17 January 2009 meeting in Belém, Brazil.
Report on the first meeting of the Continuation Committee on Ecumenism in the 21st CenturyThe Continuation Committee on Ecumenism in the 21st Century met for the first time in November 2007 (Bossey) to discuss the effects of the changing world on the ecumenical movement and its vision for the future.
Final statement from the consultation Ecumenism in the 21st CenturyChristians face new challenges in the world and new and effective ways of working together are required in order to respond to the demands of the world from the perspective of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A WCC consultation on “Ecumenism in the 21st Century†was held in Switzerland in 2004 to reflect on this question.
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