- Jun 12, 2009
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One hundred years ago, in June of 1910, 1,300 representatives of Protestant denominations and mission societies met in Edinburgh, Scotland, for a conference that is often described as the beginning of the modern ecumenical movement. Of course, the conviction that Christians are one body, reconciled to one another because of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, is a central theme of scripture, and has been lifted up at various movements in the history of the church. But in the early 20th century, the call to overcome out tragic and sinful divisions took on a new urgency.
One major reason was the missionary movement. Christians from different churches found themselves fighting over souls in the mission fields - and, thereby, damaging the gospel. For how can we witness effectively and faithfully to the Prince of Peace when those who bear his name do not live at peace with one another? How can we proclaim the reconciliation accomplished in Christ when those who call themselves Christians are so visibly not reconciled?
The World Mission Conference in Edinburgh one hundred years ago asked those questions, thus showing that unity and mission are linked as the heart of ecumenism. The essential insight is this: We, followers of Christ, bear witness to him not just by what we do and say, but by what we are -by the way we live with one another. IN some sense, unity is an end in itself; it is our essential nature as the body of Christ. In another sense, however, unity is always in the service of our witness. We betray the Gospel when we do not embody - not just proclaim, but embody - the Good News of God's healing, forgiving love.
In some ways, the Edinburgh conference held a century ago does not appear very ecumenical to our contemporary eyes. The representatives were almost all white, western, Prostestant men. The intent of the conference was to discuss the global church, but only seventeen of the participants actually came from outside Europe and North America. One of them, V.S. Azariah of India, asked the western mission bodies to give more than goods and foreign personnel. "Give us Friends!!!"
In June of this year, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant representatives from six continents will meet in Edinburgh to remember this history and to chart the ecumenical future. Please pray for this gathering. The call to unity will look more inclusive in our era - thanks be to God! But the call is no less urgent.
-Rev. Michael Kinnamon
National Council of Churches of Christ
One major reason was the missionary movement. Christians from different churches found themselves fighting over souls in the mission fields - and, thereby, damaging the gospel. For how can we witness effectively and faithfully to the Prince of Peace when those who bear his name do not live at peace with one another? How can we proclaim the reconciliation accomplished in Christ when those who call themselves Christians are so visibly not reconciled?
The World Mission Conference in Edinburgh one hundred years ago asked those questions, thus showing that unity and mission are linked as the heart of ecumenism. The essential insight is this: We, followers of Christ, bear witness to him not just by what we do and say, but by what we are -by the way we live with one another. IN some sense, unity is an end in itself; it is our essential nature as the body of Christ. In another sense, however, unity is always in the service of our witness. We betray the Gospel when we do not embody - not just proclaim, but embody - the Good News of God's healing, forgiving love.
In some ways, the Edinburgh conference held a century ago does not appear very ecumenical to our contemporary eyes. The representatives were almost all white, western, Prostestant men. The intent of the conference was to discuss the global church, but only seventeen of the participants actually came from outside Europe and North America. One of them, V.S. Azariah of India, asked the western mission bodies to give more than goods and foreign personnel. "Give us Friends!!!"
In June of this year, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant representatives from six continents will meet in Edinburgh to remember this history and to chart the ecumenical future. Please pray for this gathering. The call to unity will look more inclusive in our era - thanks be to God! But the call is no less urgent.
-Rev. Michael Kinnamon
National Council of Churches of Christ
