Govada Dyvasirvadam, b. 1951, General Secretary, Church of South India; contributed articles.

What is Ecumenism? Is Christian unity a legitimate hope or just a pious illusion? The aim of this book is to analyze the real obstacles that stand in the path to unity and to propose solutions, where these are possible. Distinguished authors from the main Christian denominations offer a unique insight into the problem of Christian divisions and the relationships between Christian communities. This work is not a politically correct exercise in diplomacy; rather, it informs the reader about the actual state of the ecumenical dialogue.

Ecumenism: A Guide for the Perplexed is a comprehensive introduction to the methods, achievements, and future prospects of the modern ecumenical movement. The authors begin the volume by charting out a serviceable definition of ecumenism, a term that has long been a source of confusion for students of theology and church history. They review the chronology of the modern ecumenical movement and highlight the major events, figures, accomplishments, and impasses. This historical survey is followed by critical examinations of three significant challenges for contemporary ecumenical theology and practice. Along the way, the authors provide commentary upon the difficulties and prospects that the ecumenical movement might anticipate as it enters this new millennium.

This book contains fresh insights into ecumenism and, notwithstanding claims of an “ecumenical winter,” affirms the view that we are actually moving into a “new ecumenical spring.” It offers new theological insights in the areas of Christology, Pneumatology and Trinitarian theology, and discusses developments in ecumenism in the USA, UK, Australia, India, and Africa, as well as in ecumenical institutions such as the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission (ARCIC).

Included in this collection of documents from the twentieth-century ecumenical movement are passages from texts produced by assemblies, conferences, and studies of the World Council of Churches and similar bodies, covering three areas of historical concern within modern ecumenism: faith and order, life and work, and mission and evangelism.

This book is a response to the growing recognition of Receptive Ecumenism as a concept and process that has the potential to bring about the greater flourishing of the Church, both within denominations and across the Church universal.

The Ecumenical Movement of the 20th century saw the formation all around the world of voluntary associations of separated and autonomous Christian churches in a defined geographical area which have sought to manifest their fellowship with one another, engage in common witness and service, and advance towards the goal of visible unity. At the dawn of the 21st century, many of these councils of churches face difficult times. This lively introduction describes the history and theological basis of these bodies, notes the tensions often arising within them and discusses three specific contemporary challenges: the proposal that ecumenical organisations should expand to become inter-religious bodies, the development of ecumenical leadership, and the relationship between spirituality and ecumenism. This book is about councils of churches and the people who are part of them. How do councils look when they correspond to the ecumenical vision? What qualities are desirable in volunteer and professional ecumenical leaders? What are the spiritual marks and fruits of ecumenical commitment? In what ways should councils address the relationship between Christian churches and people of other faiths? Here is a book that will help in the ongoing process of calling Christians to reframe their picture. Shared life is the norm. Division demands explanation. A unique resource for anyone interested in ecumenism.

At the end of a century which saw the rise of a world-wide movement for church unity, many observers would say that ecumenism has fallen on hard times. Among the churches which have historically been the mainstay of the ecumenical movement, many face the new millennium with uncertainty about their own identity and mission. This challenging book by the former general secretary of the World Council of Churches weaves together concerns and hopes he has heard expressed by church leaders around the world, insights that have emerged from ecumenical reflection on the church and on the world, and biblical images of the nature of the Christian community. The author outlines a vision of how the dynamism of the movement towards a world-wide fellowship of churches and of its institutional expression in bodies like the World Council might be rekindled in the face of the daunting challenges of the years ahead.