National Workshop on Christian Unity
Equipping Church Leaders in the Quest for Christian Unity
Sponsored by the National Ecumenical Officers Association

National Workshop on Christian Unity 2010 Seminars

Seminar 2 Ministry: A Retrospective on the Impact of Baptism, Eucharist & Ministry, Level 1

The Rev. Dr. Joe Small (Presbyterian)

This seminar is the third in a three-year series on “Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry,”  Faith and Order Paper No. 111 issued by the World Council of Churches in 1982. This year’s focus will be on the theological and practical implications of Ministry. Among items to be discussed is whether increased mutual understanding expressed in the statement may allow some churches to recognize each others’s order(s) of ministry and exchange ministers when such might further the mission of the church.

Seminar 3 - Racism as an Impediment to Ecumenism, Level 2

The Rev. Curtis Kearns (Presbyterian), the Rev. Jane Oasin (Episcopal) and the Rev. Marilyn Miller (ELCA)

This seminar is the second of a multi-workshop series on dismantling racism in our churches as we seek to live faithfully into God’s gift of unity.

It will explore the implications of racism to Christian unity from the Caucasian perspective and the various resources our communions have to share as we seek to live into God’s admonition to act justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

Seminar 4 - The Origin of the Modern Ecumenical Movement - The 100th Anniversary of the EdinburghConference, Level 3

Rev. Dr. Steven Bevans, SVD (Catholic)

This seminar highlights the 1910 World Missionary Conference, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, convened to study missionary endeavors in light of the circumstances of the day. By creating the International Missionary Council, the Conference affirmed the ideal of evangelization of the world in its generation, as stated by the conference organizer, J. R. Mott. Over 1200 delegates from around the world participated, representing many Christian bodies, including 160 Missionary Boards or Societies. Conference subjects included: carrying the Gospel to the non-Christian world, the local church in situations of mission, education, non-Christian religions, missionary training, church-state relations, and Christian unity. Many see the Conference as the beginning of the modern Ecumenical Movement.

Seminar 5 - Interfaith Relations: Current Status from a Christian Perspective, Level 3 (Sessions I & III)

 
Dr. John Borelli (Catholic)

How do Christians relate in a pluralist, interreligious world?  This seminar looks at current issues and the status of relations between Christians and Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists and the current relationship between ecumenical and interfaith relations in general.

Broader topics were raised for discussion such as legitimacy, authority, consensus, religious pluralism, and dialogue.

Seminar 6 - Ecumenical Consultation on Ethical Decisions: Panel, Level 2 (Sessions II & III)

 
Fr. John Crossin (Catholic), Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke (ELCA), Rev. Dr. Timothy Sedgwick (Episcopal)

 
Ethical and moral issues are challenges to ecumenical relationships. How should there be ecumenical consultation as a church body in considering a decision on moral and ethical issues?

Each presenter provided a framework for approaching ethical and moral concerns from their theological, ecclesiological, and ecumenical tradition.

Seminar 7: Catholic Women's Ordination: the Ecumenical Inplications of Women Deacons in the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Orthodox Church of Greece, and the Union of Utrecht Old Catholic Churches, Level 2Dr.

Phyllis Zagano (Catholic)

Dr. Phyllis Zagano (Catholic), Senior Research Associate-in-Residence and Adjunct Professor of Religion at Hofstra University, and Visiting Professor of Theology at St. Leo University, Florida (Spring 2010), graciously stepped in when Dr. Dennis McManus was unable to be with us at the Workshop.  She shared with us the contents of an update to an article that appeared in the Winter 2008 issue of the Journal of Ecumenical Studies.  The corrected copy of this article can be downloaded by clicking on the following link : Phyllis Zagano link

Seminar 8: Preaching Ecumenism, Level 2 (Sessions II & III)

 
Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon (Disciples of Christ)

This workshop examined the important task of preaching ecumenism, asking how Christians can best communicate the Good News of God’s reconciling, community-forming love, made known in Jesus Christ.

Participants 1) read various sermons (emailed in advance) that are explicitly ecumenical in focus, exploring if and why they are effective; 2) developed outlines for possible sermons based on scriptural and patristic texts; and 3) suggested principles or guidelines for preaching that is intentionally ecumenical.

Seminar 9: The Holy Spirit and Christian Unity, Level 3 (Sessions II & III)

 
Dr. Despina Prassas (Orthodox), Rev. Dr. Robby Waddell (Church of God)

The Orthodox and Pentecostal traditions converge on the gift and role of the Holy Spirit for Christian Unity. For the Orthodox, the gift of the Spirit brings about a liberation of life’s possibilities, which in no way is supernatural or unique. The Spirit descends on human nature in order to transform the way in which we do what we do, thus harmonizing our existence with God’s will and renewing our understanding of our abilities.

In the Pentecostal tradition, the Spirit’s role is the empowerment of Christian witness. The inspiration of speech in glossolalia is paradigmatic. The Spirit also empowered a change in the way early Christians acted, e.g. hospitality, prayer, and common welfare. It is in the Spirit of hospitality that Christian unity naturally develops.

Seminar 10: CCT Domestic Poverty Initiative, Level 3 (Sessions I & III)

 
Rev. Dr. Richard Hamm (Disciples of Christ)

Christian Churches Together (CCT) represents faith families of the historic Protestant, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and Orthodox Churches.

The major social issue that CCT is addressing is domestic poverty. This initiative unites the efforts of Christians in addressing this humanitarian need.

Seminar 11: Building New Fire, Level 2 (Sessions I & II)

 
Jordan Blevins (Church of the Brethren) and Shantha K. Ready (Catholic)
 

When more young adults than ever are disenfranchised from the Church, the New Fire movement is seizing the opportunity to connect and organize young adult ecumenical leadership to re-invigorate and re-envision cooperative Christian community.  A new generation has discovered the transforming work of Christian unity amidst the many diverse and wonderful expressions within the body of Christ. Through the sharing of story, tradition, education, and resources, young adults are finding new ways to witness to the reconciling love of Christ at work in the world. At its core, “New Fire is movement-building work to call the Church to re-imagine its mission to live out the God-given mandates of love, justice, unity, and peace on a global, regional, and local level.”

Seminar 12: JustFaith Curriculum, Level 2 (Session I)

 
Jack Jezreel (Catholic)
 
JustFaith is an extensive, conversion based process that provides a context in which participants can grow in their commitment to care for the vulnerable and to become advocates for justice. This program serves to strengthen the growing commitment of churches to be agents of social transformation, mercy and compassion. JustFaith was first conceived and distributed within Roman Catholic parishes.

However, broader interest within the Christian community has prompted an ecumenical version, offered in partnership with Bread for the World, a nationwide Christian movement that seeks justice for the world’s hungry people by organizing churches to lobby our nation’s decision-makers.