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Submit Your Reflection about "Living Reconciliation: Two Ecumenical Pioneers."

Evangelicalism and Ecumenism (November 9, 2005)
Excellent program! I am intrigued by two articles in the "Particulars" and "Resources" sections for this interview. First, that it was a 1910 Edinborough missionary conference that got the ecumenism-ball rolling, and second, that the Orthodox Church in America has recently discussed rescinding its membership to the World Council of Churches and National Council of Churches. If the impetus for ecumenism's genesis was the urgency of the task of worldwide evangelization, how is it that in 90 years — mere seconds in church history — it is the modern evangelical church who is excluded from these two ecumenical bodies? Could it be that the political advocacy and universalist theology of the WCC/NCC is indeed incompatible with both the theology and praxis of its evangelism-minded forefathers?

While Joan Brown Campbell asserts that ecumenism has achieved victory, she cannot rightfully claim that it has been completed until unity with Evangelicals/Pentecostals/Charismatics have been better represented at the table. At the same time, we Evangelicals would do well to get off of our moral high horses and sit down for a nice family dinner, too. Furthermore, while relating to people of other faiths is paramount to the gospel commission, I disagree that ecumenism's next goal should be inter-faith union. The oikos is a house in which all are welcome, but the master of the house goes out to invite people into his home, not convince them that they are already inside.

Adam Hoyt
Norcross, GA (WUEV, 90.1 FM)

A Dream Yet to Be Realized (November 5, 2005)
Thank you for your outstanding programs! As a white United Methodist, I find it important to keep our history clear. Your statement that Methodists confessed their sins of race glosses over a century of segregation and ongoing racism. After the Civil War, Methodists remained split into North and South for 75 years. In 1939, white Methodists of North and South institutionalized racism in the name of "unity" by creating a segregated, nationwide "Central Jurisdiction." After decades of struggle the Central Jurisdiction was disbanded in 1968. It was not until 2000 that a service of racial reconciliation was held at our General Conference. Many white United Methodists do not know the history of segregation in the United Methodist Church and still hesitate to relate across racial lines. True reconciliation is still a dream to be realized.

J. Ann Craig
Executive Secretary of Spiritual and Theological Development, Women's Division
General Board of Global Ministries
United Methodist Church
New York, NY (WNYC, 93.9 FM)

Eastern Origins of Ecumenism (November 4, 2005)
The first Asian ecumenical conference occurred in 1924 in China and originated from Omoto, a Shinto sect, and in particular upon the initiative of Onisaburo Deguchi, co-founder of Omoto. Westerners often tend to think of ecumenism as a European phenomenon rather than an emerging world spiritual movement in which Bah'ai (Iran) and Oomoto (Japan) have played leading roles and continue to do so.

Bill Leicht
Ancramdale, NY (WNPR, 89.1 FM)

Coming from the Wrong Angle (November 4, 2005)
It has always struck me that churches seem to approach ecumenism from a negative viewpoint. We emphasize our differences, when we should start with our common ground. It seems to me that we might get farther. The gospel speaks of love which is positive and not negative.

William Siarny
Charlotte, MI (WUOM, 91.7 FM)