Ecumenism

==Purpose and goal==
The term ecumenism as it is now commonly used refers to interdenominational cooperation between different [[Christian Church|Christian church]]es. These initiatives can range from local churches of different denominations operating a soup kitchen for the poor, hosting an ecumenical Bible study with participants from different Christian traditions, inviting all baptized Christians to partake in a [[Lovefeast]] when churches celebrate them, to holding an ecumenical Stations of the Cross service on Fridays during the Christian liturgical season of [[Lent]] with the service being held at a different local church each Friday (e.g. Catholic, Lutheran, Moravian, Anglican, Reformed and Methodist).<ref name="Falardeau2000">{{cite book |last1=Falardeau |first1=Ernest R. |title=That All May be One: Catholic Reflections on Christian Unity |date=2000 |publisher=[[Paulist Press]] |isbn=978-0-8091-3925-5 |page=39 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Lechtreck2018">{{cite book |last1=Lechtreck |first1=Elaine Allen |title=Southern White Ministers and the Civil Rights Movement |date=29 May 2018 |publisher=University Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-4968-1754-9 |language=en}}</ref> The ultimate goal of ecumenism is the recognition of sacramental validity, eucharistic sharing, and the reaching of [[full communion]] between different Christian denominations.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Norgren |first1=William A. |last2=Rusch |first2=William G. |title="Toward Full Communion" and "Concordat of Agreement": Lutheran-Episcopal Dialogue, Series III |date=10 September 2001 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-57910-746-8 |page=14 |language=English}}</ref> There are a variety of different expectations of what that Christian unity looks like, how it is brought about, what ecumenical methods ought to be engaged, and what both short- and long-term objectives of the ecumenical movement should be.

[[Baptism]] according to the [[Trinitarian formula]], which is done in most [[mainstream Christian]] denominations, is seen as being the grounds for Christian ecumenism, the concept of unity amongst Christians.<ref name="Pizzey2019"/><ref name="WCC1997"/> With respect to ecumenism, [[A. W. Tozer]] maintained that "Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved; it is something to be recognized."<ref name="Tiegreen2011"/> Ecumenists cite {{Bibleverse|John|17:20-23|NRSV}} as the Biblical basis of striving for church unity, in which [[Jesus]] prays that Christians "may all be one" in order "that the world may know" and believe the [[kerygma|Gospel message]].<ref name="ChilcoteWarner2008">{{cite book |last1=Chilcote |first1=Paul W. |last2=Warner |first2=Laceye C. |title=The Study of Evangelism: Exploring a Missional Practice of the Church |date=13 February 2008 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=978-0-8028-0391-7 |page=331 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Tiegreen2011"/> As such, ecumenism has a strong implication for the Church's mission of [[evangelism]], which is referenced in {{Bibleverse|John|13:35|NRSV}}: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another".<ref name="Yong2005">{{cite book |last1=Yong |first1=Amos |title=The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh: Pentecostalism and the Possibility of Global Theology |date=2005 |publisher=[[Baker Academic]] |isbn=978-0-8010-2770-3 |page=168 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Tiegreen2011">{{cite book |last1=Tiegreen |first1=Chris |title=At His Feet |date=28 March 2011 |pages=24–25, 34 |language=English}}</ref> Additionally, Jesus emphasized that the ties of Christians to one another are much greater than those to blood relatives.<ref name="Mosler2002">{{cite book |last1=Mosler |first1=David |title=Australia, the Recreational Society |date=2002 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-275-97232-5 |page=134 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Tiegreen2011"/>

Historically, the term "ecumenism" was originally used in the context of the larger ecumenical councils organised with the support of the [[Roman Emperor]]. The aim of these councils was to clarify matters of [[Christian theology]] and doctrine, leading to the meaning of unity behind the term "ecumenical". The ecumenical councils brought together bishops from across the Roman Empire, with a total of seven ecumenical councils accepted to have been held by both the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic church]]es before the [[East-West Schism|Great Schism]] dividing the two churches; the first four ecumenical councils are recognized by the Lutheran Churches, [[Anglican Communion]] and Reformed churches though they are "considered subordinate to Scripture".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Olson |first1=Roger E. |title=The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition Reform |date=1 April 1999 |publisher=InterVarsity Press |isbn=978-0-8308-1505-0 |page=158 |language=English}}</ref> The [[Assyrian Church of the East]] acknowledges the first two ecumenical councils,<ref name="Cook2020">{{cite book |last1=Cook |first1=Chris |title=The Routledge Companion to Christian History |date=21 April 2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-60388-4 |page=1997 |language=English}}</ref> while [[Oriental Orthodox Church]]es accept the first three ecumenical councils.<ref name="Loon2009">{{cite book |last1=Loon |first1=Hans van |title=The Dyophysite Christology of Cyril of Alexandria |date=7 April 2009 |publisher=[[Brill Academic]] |isbn=978-90-474-2669-1 |page=46 |language=English}}</ref>