Ekklesia and Ecumenism in the Body of Christ: Unity from the Ground-Up

Anastasia Wendlinder

doi:10.3390/rel9120390

Abstract

This article explores the implications for Christian unity from the perspective of the lived faith community, the ekklesia. While bilateral and multilateral dialogues have borne great fruit in bringing Christian denominations closer together, as indeed it will continue to do so, considering how the ecclesiological identity of the faith community both forms and reflects its members may be helpful in moving forward in our ecumenical efforts. This calls for a ground-up approach as opposed to a top-down approach. By “ground-up” it is meant that the starting point for theological reflection on ecumenism begins not with doctrine but with praxis, particularly as it relates to the common believer in the pew. The ecclesiological model “Body of Christ” provides a helpful vocabulary in this exploration for a number of reasons, none the least that it is scripturally-based, presumes diversity and employs concrete imagery relating to everyday life. Further, “Body of Christ” language is used by numerous Christian denominations in their statements of self-identity, regardless of where they lie on the doctrinal or political spectrum. In this article, potential benefits and challenges of this ground-up perspective will be considered, and a way forward will be proposed to promote ecumenical unity across denomination borders.

Highlights

Recent decades have witnessed extraordinary ecumenical achievements such as the “Formula of Agreement” providing for the sharing of ordained ministers between several mainline Christian churches (Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA) 2000).1 This gives the ChristianChurch a great deal of hope in the promise of full unity
In this paper I have endorsed an approach to ecumenism that will not replace but rather support and increase the effectiveness of conventional bilateral dialogue
A “ground-up” approach works, practically and theologically, from “within” in a manner that more deeply connects leaders as representatives to their local ekklesia, which is always in the process of forming itself in authenticity and in dialogue with other faith communities, because it begins with the experiences of the community and not with the official conversation

Summary

Introduction

Recent decades have witnessed extraordinary ecumenical achievements such as the “Formula of Agreement” providing for the sharing of ordained ministers between several mainline Christian churches (Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA) 2000). This gives the Christian. Recent decades have witnessed extraordinary ecumenical achievements such as the “Formula of Agreement” providing for the sharing of ordained ministers between several mainline Christian churches (Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA) 2000).. Recent decades have witnessed extraordinary ecumenical achievements such as the “Formula of Agreement” providing for the sharing of ordained ministers between several mainline Christian churches (Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA) 2000).1 An ecclesiological approach reveals the necessity of attending to how the faith community concretely operates and changes in response to ecumenical practices as well as to other forces affecting its sense of identity and well-being The intention of this focus is to assist the local ekklesia in recognizing and sharing its particular gifts in building up the body of Christ from its “ground,” where Christians “live. Religions 2018, 9, 390 and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).” Ecumenical communion can happen most authentically through the internal transformation of the ekklesia

The Lateral Approach to Ecumenism

From the Ground versus From the Top

The Body of Christ

A Way Forward

A Formula of Agreement