By Kate Hanch
Do we really want to experience ecumenicalism or diversity? We say we do, but maybe we are afraid of being changed.
Most ecumenical events today bring together persons who are like-minded from the start. They may belong to different churches, but most are similar in convictions or political alliances, either spoken or silent. Some churches in our Baptist fellowship appear more similar to different denominations than other Baptists. It’s interesting to see who’s missing at the table.
What could these missing voices offer?
I grew up in a church wrestling in the middle of the Southern Baptist controversy. Churches that had once partnered in youth and community events did not associate with one another. It was as if questions of whether women could preach or how monies were to be designated superseded the Great Commission.
I still maintain dear friendships on both sides of the aisle. Both sides have reason for maintaining such affiliations. My heart hurts when I hear “misguided liberals” and “crazy fundamentalists” thrown around as derogatory stereotypes. Isn’t it possible that both sides have a sincere sense of the Great Commission, of caring for the poor, as representatives of Jesus Christ?
Is there anything we can still learn from one another?
I experienced a truly ecumenical event the beginning of this year. Jan. 6-8, I, along with 130 young preachers, attended the National Festival of Young Preachers in Louisville, Ky. Founded by Dwight Moody with help from the Lily Endowment, this annual festival encourages and empowers young persons of all denominations who feel called to ministry and gives them an opportunity to preach.
At 26, I was one of the older preachers in attendance. My peers included Roman Catholics and Pentecostals, 14 year-olds and 28 year-olds, high-school students and seminary graduates. Baptists of all stripes sat together during meals. I heard sermons from students at Morehouse College, Harvard Divinity School and Baptist Seminary of Kentucky.
In some ways, we did not feel that different. After listening to an Orthodox college student preach, I expressed to him that I wanted to hear his sermon in particular because his denomination was so unlike mine. He replied, “You know, it’s not really that different.”
So what has made us feel so different? What has made us unable to maintain civility to one another?
My Orthodox friend, like many other preachers at the festival, had preached the Good News of God in flesh. Many young preachers possessed an inviting presence and thoughtful insight beyond their years. They discussed with one another matters of social justice and care for the overlooked and outcast.
In small talk, I did discover some theological differences and even a few disagreements. However, I never heard a hateful comment or personal attack made about someone’s particular denomination or background. It is hard to hate someone you have befriended. It is difficult to maintain a sour composure toward one with whom you have shared a meal.
There were still some who were missing at the table. Most of the young preachers were either African-American or Anglo. There were few, if any, Asian or Hispanic preachers in attendance. What might their voices have to offer? How could we have been better persons for hearing their voices?
The National Festival of Young Preachers demonstrated that ecumenical dialogue can be done. We celebrated one another, affirmed one another and enjoyed one another’s company.
The festival gives hope for the church in the United States. Some young persons have not been caught up in denominational debates and competing ecclesial alliances. They do not know why some churches won’t work together.
Celebrating commonalities and doing what Jesus commanded may be the starting point in ecumenical dialogue. A variety of voices can help us grow in our discipleship and give us a deeper sense of mission.
Perhaps today’s young leaders can lead the way. I hope we continue this hard, but necessary task of ecumenicalism.
