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Living Theology inthe Metropolitan ChicagoSynod
Volume 9, Number 1
Spring 2004
The Vocation of the Laity

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Andrew Leahy,"On the Way…"

Vision forEcumenism

I write this on the Feast of the Epiphany, which is thecelebration of the birth of Christ “epiphanied” –manifested – to the Gentiles. One of thethemes of this celebration could be stated as “bringing in the outsiders.” Over the centuries prior to Christ’s birthGod had spoken to the descendants of Sarah and Abraham in many ways, throughprophets, judges, priests, and monarchs. Sometimes the message was directed to outsiders, such as the messagegiven to Jonah for the people of Nineveh.  But often the message was to the people of Israel.  That was clearly necessary as we Christiansunderstand it. God was preparing thisset-apart people to receive the Messiah, the Anointed One, who would be “alight for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” as theprophet Simeon foretold.

When we think about ecumenism it might be helpful to considerall Christians as outsiders who have been led by the Spirit to Christ toadoption as children of God. The Churchof Jesus Christ belongs to Christ. It is“our” Church only in the sense that we are members of it. It is not “our” Church in the sense ofownership.

The call of the Holy Spirit leading to Christ may come inmany ways. The famous Gentiles from theEast were led by astrology – hardly an “orthodox” theology. We certainly believe that the Holy Spiritleads people into a deeper understanding about Jesus, the Triune God, and ourrelationship with God and with others. But the historical evidence is that the Spirit leads people to Christ bymany paths.

What are your experiences with ecumenism? What have you found helpful as you discussdifferences among Christians? How do youpreach and teach about ecumenism? Writeto me at pandyhl@aol.com. ThisJournal is about conversation. Let’sconverse.