Ecumenical Christianity Empowers Us With Unity
- Elaine R Kelly
- Mar 18
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 10
This year during Lent, I have been pondering the divisions in our world and the potential unity of our foundation in Jesus. Since Lent is an ecumenical practice, observed by Christians of many traditions, I've been looking at how ecumenical Christians can build unity for God's glory. Seeing shared worship songs and shared goals, I've uncovered five keys to strengthening Christian unity.
As we enter the 40 days of Lent, we think of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert, fasting and praying. He resisted the temptation of power and authority. Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Instead, he humbled himself, became a human, and took the curse of being lifted up on a pole so that anyone who believed in him might have a new life.
Most Evangelicals and Fundamentalists reject the practice of Lent as a Catholic thing or man-made ritual. If only Evangelical Christians could resist the temptation to make their own practices and rituals the only valid ones, usurping of authority and power in their desire to rule.
What is Ecumenical Christianity?
Ecumenical Christians follow their own tradition or denomination in addition to cooperating with Christians of other traditions. Our continuing differences in doctrine do not have to prohibit us from cooperating. Ecumenical Christians focus on our common belief in Jesus as Lord and our common call to seek justice and love one another. Ecumenical Christians share many common practices and worship songs. Ecumenical Christians work together with a common purpose "that all may be one... so that the world may believe" (John 17:21).
While Orthodox, Catholic, and most Protestants observe Lent, most Evangelicals and Fundamentalists today reject Lent as a corrupt, man-made ritual. Most Protestants held onto the practice of Lent since it is a good way to encourage spiritual self-discipline (fasting, giving up meat, giving up a luxury), almsgiving (helping the poor), prayer and meditation on Jesus in the 40 days leading up to Good Friday and Easter. It's an optional spiritual discipline to focus on Jesus.
Ecumenical Movement Has Positive Impact:
the practice of Lent
the World Day of Prayer, a global ecumenical movement of Christian women held annually on the first day of Lent
The Nicene Creed, an ecumenical statement of faith accepted by Orthodox, Catholic, and many Protestant traditions
The World Council of Churches, formed in 1948, is the leading ecumenical fellowship of Christian churches.
global social action for human rights (opposing apartheid)
advocating for religious freedoms in authoritarian regimes.
Common, shared 3-year liturgy of church readings
Ecumenicals Share World Day of Prayer
Ecumenical comes from the Greek word meaning "inhabited earth" and its goal is unity and cooperation among Christians worldwide.
I was an adult before I realized that most Evangelicals reject Lent along with most ecumenical initiatives. Evangelicals and Fundamentalists tend to not to respect other Christian traditions as valid, and they don't want to align with groups they consider "Non-Christian".
My mother attended World Day of Prayer events where they prayed and discussed actions towards peace and justice.
"Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action"
Ecumenicals Advocate Against Gender Violence
What could you do when you see "Mothers of the Disappeared" in Argentina, wearing black sashes and walking around the Plaza de Mayo every Thursday to protest the disappearance of their loved ones under the military dictatorship of the 1970s?
You could wear black in Solidarity.
What can we do about the continued gender-based violence today around the world and at home?
We can wear black in Solidarity.
Thursdays in Black is a global movement to raise awareness about gender violence and call for a world free from rape and abuse. We stand in solidarity with survivors and victims of violence.
Since Lent is an ecumenical practice, observed by Christians of a varoety of traditions, I've been spending time the Lent to think about how ecumenical Christians can work together.
Thursdays in Black is an ecumenical practice shared by Christians of many traditions.
It's worth asking why Evangelicals avoid participating in ecumenical programs like this one against gender discrimination.
Thursdays in Black is a program of The World Council of Churches, a fellowship of over 300 church denominations from more than 120 countries who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and seek to fulfil our common calling to the glory of God.
It's a simple campaign to advocate for those who are silenced.
Wear black on Thursdays.
Traditional Ecumenical Hymns Reflect Strength in Unity:
The Church's One Foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord, is an 1866 hymn based on the Apostle's Creed and various biblical concepts. Samuel Stone wrote it in response to a dispute at that time about how to determine the date and authorship of certain books of the Bible. Remembering that the church is the one foundation for all Christians is the key to ecumenical dialogue. We can hold different biblical interpretations, yet respect each member of Christ's body. With Christ as the foundation, we are one church, with one Spirit, one Lord, one Baptism (Ephesians 4:4-5). In Christ, there is no favouritism based on nation, race, or gender (1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11). Video Short: The Church's One Foundation.
Crown Him with Many Crowns is an ecumenical hymn, with half the verses written by a Catholic, and half by a Protestant. It illustrates the way Catholics and Protestants can each bring different and valuable perspectives to the faith.
The Catholic verses may focus on the suffering of Christ (the crucifixion) while the Protestant verses focus on the resurrection (the empty cross). Both are important things to remember about Christ.
Protestant verses focus more on male imagery of God while Catholic verses may honour the Virgin Mary. Both are valid.
Crown Him with Many Crowns is based on the Bible, showing the many roles and titles of Jesus: the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Virgin's Son, and the fruit of the mystic rose. Video Short: Crown Him with Many Crowns.
Check out my article on Christian worship songs of the 60s and 70s which promote unity:
What's the Problem with the Ecumenical Movement?
Evangelicals were part of the ecumenical movement in the 1970s, but since the conservative resurgence, evangelicals and fundamentalists have defined themselves as the only true Christians, creating more division. Many Evangelicals do not consider other Christian traditions to be valid and avoid working or worshipping together.
Evangelical leaders teach that the Catholic church or Progressive Christians have man-made practices, are not real Christians and are not saved. As a progressive Christian, I've felt excluded in evangelical circles or been welcomed so that they may change my thinking. But loving like Jesus means mutual respect, despite our differences. We love one another because anyone who knows God is filled with love to overflowing; those who do not love other people do not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:7-8).
Evangelicals may say that unity or cooperation with non-Evangelical churches might dilute or compromise their Evangelical beliefs. They may falsely claim that those churches are not Bible-believing churches. They warn followers not to participate in ecumenical practices like Lent or meditation. It's ironic that Protestants left Catholics in part because of their man-made teachings, and now Evangelical Protestants hold man-made teachings.
The Catholic Church of the 1500s was a Christian Nationalist religion that enforced corrupt practices through government laws. The Protestant Reformation tossed out these corrupt practices (as did the Catholics, in the Counter-Reformation). Today, many Evangelicals support a Christian Nationalist religion that would enforce their teachings with laws.
How Can Christians Work Together?
This year during Lent, I have looked at ecumenical practices, shared worship songs and shared goals. Ecumenical Christians focus on Jesus and the Bible and putting God's word into action. I've uncovered five keys to strengthening Christian unity and cooperation.
Acknowledge that other Christian traditions believe in Jesus as Lord and respect the Bible. Being a Christian does not require belief in a long list of doctrines of a particular tradition.
Agree on the basics: with Jesus as Lord, we obey Jesus's command to love one another above all. If deciding between a belief or love, choose love.
Accept other traditions as valid. Our love will show others that we are Christians. If someone hates me or calls me a non-Christian, we cannot work together in unity.
Allow other Christians to hold their beliefs and continue their practices. While not agreeing with other traditions, I can respect that they may be sincere in trying to discern what the Bible says and what traditions help their spiritual life.
Advocate for justice. If we see practices that result in an imbalance of power, where respect goes only one way and people are marginalized, ignored, or controlled, the Bible tells us to seek justice. Jesus stands with the weak, marginalized, and oppressed.
Follow my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ERK4Canada for more meditations on ecumenical songs that unite us.
Elaine Ricker Kelly Author is empowering women with historical fiction about women in the Bible and early church and Christian blogs about women in leadership, church history and doctrine. Her books include:
Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold, Book 1 (2022)
The Sword A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role (2023)
Because She Was Called: from Broken to Bold, Book 2, A Novel of the Early Church, imagines Mary Magdalene's trip to testify before the emperor (2024)
Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey: 21 Steps to Emotional Resilience (2024)
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