Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee

The Presbyterian Church in Canada believes in the importance of our ecumenical work and partnerships. Ecumenical work happens in many different contexts, from local ecumenical gatherings to large international organizations. Many Canadian Presbyterians dedicate a significant amount of time and energy to the work of ecumenical bodies in local, national and international settings.

In an attempt to support and foster that ongoing ecumenical involvement, the Ecumenical Relations Committee is a standing committee of the General Assembly with certain responsibilities. The following pages are intended to offer an overview of the work, partnerships and issues that are presently facing the PCC Ecumenical Relations Committee.

We hope that this online introduction to the work of the Ecumenical Relations Committee will enhance your understanding and encourage your participation in the wider work of the Body of Christ. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the members of our Committee.

Our Mandate

The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a member of the following ecumenical bodies:

General Assembly Reports from the Ecumenical Relations Committee

Ecumenical Relations Commitee Report to the 127th General Assembly, 2001
Ecumenical Relations Committee Report to the 128th General Assembly, 2002
Ecumenical Relations Committee Report to the 129th General Assembly, 2003

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations

So What Does 'Ecumenical' Mean?: Our Understanding of Ecumenism
Responsibilities and Mandate of the Ecumenical Relations Committee
Is there a difference between 'ecumenical' and 'interfaith'?

So What Does 'Ecumenical' Mean?: Our Understanding of Ecumenism

One author has written:

"The word 'ecumenical' is derived from the Greek term 'oikoumene', which many be translated as 'the whole inhabited world'. It is in seeing this world as God's that we see ourselves as one. It is in seeing all the world's people as made in God's image that we are called to protect the welfare of every one."

Another author has written that:

"Ecumenism calls us to name what we believe in common and to celebrate that common faith, as well as to name our differences and to work to overcome obstacles to a united witness to Jesus Christ."

The following statement and definition on ecumenism was presented and adopted by the 123rd General Assembly (1997):

"The word OIKOUMENE (the whole inhabited world) was first used to describe the great councils of the early centuries of the Christian Era which brought together the leaders of the Christian movement from every community in which the new faith had taken root. Their purpose was to seek convergence on the doctrines and creeds by which the Gospel could be expressed and proclaimed.

The unity of the Church, the whole community of people of all races, tongues and classes, was an essential part of the good news proclaimed by the New Testament writers. Christ prayed that all who believe in Him might be one (Jn. 17:21). The modem ecumenical movement is an effort to reverse the fragmentation of the Christian Church which began with the split between Eastern and Western churches in the eleventh century. In the past hundred years, Christians have become increasingly troubled by the scandal of disunity among churches. The Canadian Council of Churches was formed in 1944, with The Presbyterian Church in Canada as one of its charter members. The World Council of Churches, which began several years later, defined the term ?ecumenical? to describe ?everything that relates to the whole task of the whole Church to bring the gospel to the whole world?.

The ecumenical vision seeks to draw together a commitment to the unity and renewal of the church and a commitment to the reconciliation of God's world. Fundamental to its basis is the conviction that God's covenant includes "every living creature that is on the earth" (Gen. 9:16) and that it is God?s "plan for the fullness of time, to gather all things in Him, things in Heaven and things on Earth? (Eph. 1:10). The purpose of ecumenism, from its beginning in the ancient Greek speaking church, was to advance the proclamation of the Gospel in worship, evangelism and service that all may be one so that the world may believe. The church is called to serve as a credible sign of God?s unifying purpose for the whole world.

From its union in 1875, bringing together the Presbyterian and Church of Scotland denominations of the Maritime Provinces and central Canada, The Presbyterian Church in Canada has actively worked for the unity of Christ?s church. We recognize the common calling in Christ which we share with all Christians and we seek ways of making visible the unity which God has given us. We affirm one church, one faith, one Lord, sharing in worship, witness and service to the world. As part of the Church Universal, we strive to listen to and learn from one another, to break down the barriers which divide people and to promote justice and peace in the whole human family and the integrity of all creation.

We work toward a church which shares one baptism, celebrates one eucharist and recognizes one ministry. At the same time, we acknowledge that unity is not the same as uniformity and that diversity of polity and practice can be faithfully sustained within Christ?s church.

We confess that the history of evangelical mission of many Christian communities including our own has been clouded by cultural imperialism which has distorted Christ's word for all humanity and we commit ourselves to witness to the gospel in the spirit of humility and respect for others, recognizing that truth and goodness we encounter in people of other faith traditions than our own are the work of God's Spirit, the author of all truth. "As beggars telling others where food is to be found, we point to life in Christ" (Living Faith, 9.2.1).

Responsibilities and Mandate of the Ecumenical Relations Committee

The Ecumenical Relations Committee seeks to fulfill the following responsibilities on behalf of our denomination:

to provide information on and co-ordination for ecumenical matters
to maintain and strengthen relationships with ecumenical councils, committees and consultations, and to recommend to General Assembly the establishing of new ecumenical relationships
to articulate the Church's ecumenical vision
to endeavour to develop strategies concerning ecumenism
to educate members and adherents of the Church about national and international ecumenical involvements
to appoint delegates to ecumenical bodies and to enable those delegates to represent The Presbyterian Church in Canada
to establish and maintain grants to ecumenical councils

We live in a pluralistic society. From our schools, to our workplaces, to our homes, we interact with people of different faiths — and of no faith at all — on a daily basis. But do these relationships fall under the category of 'ecumenical'?

Although these terms are sometimes used synonymously, we tend to use the term "ecumenical" to refer to our relationships and our partnerships with other Christian individuals and groups; and we use the term 'interfaith' to denote those interactions and relationships with individuals and groups which would not describe themselves as 'Christian'.

It is likely that an increasing amount of our focus, in the future, will be on "interfaith" issues as well as on 'ecumenical' issues.

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee

Recent Documents

General Assembly Reports from the Ecumenical Relations Committee

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations