FOCUS ON LOCAL ECUMENISM
Local or informal ecumenism can be seen as any partnership between local churches seeking to witness together to their common faith in God, and to act together in matters of common interest in and for their communities.
Formal representative bodies such as the National Council of Churches in Australia and the NSW Ecumenical Council engage in dialogue to explore common ground in theology and practice, undertake joint action and advocacy in areas of shared concern in society, and promote the expression of ecumenism through their member churches. This is a vital element of these churches’ commitment to seek a more complete communion with one another on the journey to rediscovering the visible unity of the Church.
Meanwhile, however, at the local level, all sorts of churches are learning and working together – formally and informally – in all sorts of ways: supporting the World Day of Prayer and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, praying for one another, swapping information, sharing worship on special occasions, pooling resources for a Taizé-style or Messy Church service, organising joint outreach and service programmes, jointly promoting local churches in the community, meeting together as planning groups and fellowship groups and study groups and social action groups. Relationships happen. Shared commitments – and mutual commitments – grow. Sometimes, these commitments are formalised in fellowship agreements, inter-church councils or local covenants; sometimes not. We journey together. We pursue deeper unity in faith, co-operation in mission, renewal in fellowship and integrity in witness. We journey together in and for our local communities.
In a 1999 forum on local ecumenism, Bishop Roger Herft, then Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, stressed ‘the important, indeed essential, character of local ecumenism… If we are not engaged in ministry ecumenically in our local faith communities – where we live our Christian belonging – then there is little point to the theological dialogue and to all else that happens in council of churches and at other levels in the churches’ life’. Strong stuff!
The NSW Ecumenical Council has consistently held among its core priorities the promotion, support and resourcing of local ecumenism – and particularly, the deepening of mutual co-operation and commitment toward the formalisation of Local Covenants. From 2004–2011, a dedicated Local Initiatives Commission of the Council worked on this priority: gathering and disseminating stories of local ecumenism through visits and workshops; keeping local ecumenism visible in Sharing; producing resources to support those starting out or wishing to go further (including the substantial Local Ecumenism Information Kit, 2005); supporting local ecumenical groups with information, advice and event speakers; and acting as an interface between the formal work of the NSW Ecumenical Council and the local and informal expressions of ecumenism ‘on the ground’ throughout the state.
Looking back now on the work of the Commission, its original convener, Salvation Army Major Paul Kinder, wants to affirm that local ecumenism is still a priority for the Council, and at the heart of the ecumenical endeavour – but that this need not mean the re-convening of a dedicated Local Initiatives unit within the Council. After all, he argues, ‘a visible witness to unity in faith and mission – if it is to be genuine and sustainable – is ultimately the work of the churches in and for their communities: it cannot be accomplished solely by symbolic activity done on their behalf at a representative level. We are a council of churches, not a council for churches. A central body can’t “do” local ecumenism: it has to be local!’
As President of the NSW Ecumenical Council, Rev John Barr, wrote in his report to the December 2015 Heads of Churches meeting, ‘the NSW Ecumenical Council does not exist for itself and our intention is not to promote a “top-down” approach to ecumenism. Rather our purpose is to provide a context, a place where member churches can meet, share, learn from one another, discern the leading of the Holy Spirit together and both encourage and inspire one other.’
There is still a need for an effective interface between the work of ecumenism at the formal representative level (the work of the Council and its Commissions) and informal local level (churches working together in their communities): ensuring that information and encouragement flow from the one to the other – in both directions. Former President Ray Williamson wrote as long ago as 1986 that ‘the role of the state council is to be the bridge to local churches, forging links… at the local level, seeking to interpret the wider ecumenical vision… and encouraging the churches to work more co-operatively together in their mission to share the vision of Christ in their own situations’ (An Ecumenical Journey, page 4).
A centralised ‘local ecumenism champion’ at the Council level cannot seek to co-ordinate or control the local ecumenism that is happening on the ground – but there is still a need to advocate, resource, facilitate, affirm, celebrate and communicate. A central body cannot seek to undertake local ecumenical activities, or witness to unity, for member churches – but there is still a need to provide a supportive ‘ecology’ within which such activities and witness can be undertaken by them. Paul Kinder sees the work of the former Local Initiatives Commission, particularly in developing resources and gathering and sharing stories, as valuable contributions to such an ecology, which must now be renewed and taken forward – but perhaps in a different way.
What, then, might this look like in practice? How can the Council stay in touch with local ecumenical groups and ‘how they are doing’? What information and support would be most helpful – and what would be possible, given the limited resources of the Council? Might the Council provide some kind of ‘hub’ – a hospitable gathering place – for groups throughout the state to share their own information and ideas, make contacts, promote events and swap stories? Would such a resourced (and resourcing) ‘space’ be welcomed? How would it function? Would it be used?
One proposal currently being considered by the Theological Reflections Commission (within whose mandate local ecumenism falls) is to create what Paul Kinder defines as a hospitable, shared, curated, digital space for local ecumenical groups to inform, support, equip and encourage one another.
- ‘Hospitable’ – because the NSW Ecumenical Council would host and hold the space for local ecumenical groups to communicate and interact with one another – rather than merely provide content or leadership itself
- ‘Shared’ – because, while we might make available a range of useful tools and resources (such as the Local Ecumenism Kit or sample ecumenical liturgies) we would hope that users would contribute their own stories and events, ideas, information, advice and resources
- ‘Curated’ – because we would undertake to select and maintain useful content, and to moderate discussions and contributions (to ensure that the space remained both helpful in content and safe and respectful in tone)
- ‘Digital’ – because this is the only way we can see to make such a space user-friendly, accessible to everyone (especially in rural areas), and sustainable to manage and maintain.
When it comes down to it, this means a web site. What would such a site look like? We are envisaging a forum, where local ecumenical groups can post information, stories, photos and ideas – and publicise their up-coming ecumenical services and events. A Resource menu, where you could download the Local Ecumenism Kit, Lenten studies, sample liturgies and so on – and also follow links to various ecumenical action and advocacy projects supported by the Ecumenical Council and member churches. A Taizé page, with up-to-date listings of all Taizé-style services in ACT and NSW, as well as other Taizé news and information. And perhaps a blog, so we can share some of our own journeys and insights into local ecumenism from time to time.
Would you welcome such a site? Would you use it? What would you find most helpful? Are we planting a new seed – or barking up the wrong tree? How else might we support and celebrate your efforts in local ecumenism?
Let’s talk.
Please email any feedback, comments or suggestions to General Secretary
Claire Wright