Some Christian communities decline formal membership of ecumenical organisations, although their reasons differ.
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, for example, carefully distinguishes between cooperation and institutional membership when it comes to relations with other churches. Adventists regularly collaborate with other denominations in education, health care, humanitarian relief, disaster response, and the defence of religious liberty. They have also maintained cordial relationships with the World Council of Churches and have occasionally participated in ecumenical gatherings as observers or dialogue partners.
However, the Adventist Church has generally declined formal membership in ecumenical bodies because it believes such membership could create confusion regarding its distinctive theological convictions and prophetic self-understanding. For Adventists, historic doctrines relating to interpretation of the Book of Revelation prevent closer relations with other churches viewed by many Adventists as “apostate.”
Similarly, attitudes within the Plymouth Brethren tradition vary considerably. Many assemblies within the Open Brethren tradition cooperate readily with other evangelical churches in local ministry while remaining outside formal ecumenical organisations. This was evident, for example, in Open Brethren cooperation with other Churches in the Billy Graham evangelistic crusades.
By contrast, Exclusive Brethren groups have historically maintained a stronger doctrine of ecclesiastical separation, believing that Christian unity must be grounded in complete fidelity to apostolic doctrine and that institutional association would erode the spiritual authority of Brethren leaders. These differing practices reflect different ecclesiological convictions rather than simple hostility toward other Christians.
Challenges facing ecumenism
Ecumenism continues to face genuine theological and practical challenges. Critics sometimes argue that it risks doctrinal compromise, theological relativism, excessive institutional bureaucracy, or the erosion of denominational identity. Others fear that dialogue may become an end in itself without producing meaningful theological convergence.
These concerns deserve serious consideration. Indeed, they have shaped the cautious participation of many churches.
Supporters of ecumenism respond that authentic dialogue does not require abandoning conviction. On the contrary, meaningful dialogue depends upon theological honesty, careful scholarship, respectful listening, and the willingness to acknowledge both agreement and disagreement. Genuine ecumenism does not seek the lowest common denominator but deeper faithfulness to Christ through mutual understanding and patient conversation.
A shared calling
Christian traditions cooperate differently because they understand the Church, authority, doctrine, ministry, and sacraments differently. Some seek restored visible communion in faith, sacraments, and ministry. Others emphasise reconciled diversity among churches. Still others prioritise spiritual fellowship or practical cooperation in mission and service. Each approach reflects a particular theological vision of the Church.
Despite these differences, virtually every Christian tradition affirms that divisions among believers diminish the Church’s witness and that Christians are called to love one another, pray for one another, and seek peace wherever possible. The challenge is not to erase theological convictions but to hold them together with humility, charity, and truthfulness.
Christian unity is therefore both a gift already given in Christ and a calling that remains unfinished. At its best, ecumenism is not an instance of the abandonment of theological distinctiveness but a patient search for deeper faithfulness together with others who sincerely and earnestly seek to follow Jesus. Ecumenism calls Christians to pursue truth without triumphalism, conviction without hostility, and cooperation without compromise, so that the reconciling work of God in Jesus Christ may be more clearly reflected in the life and witness of the Church.
Rev Dr Rod Benson is General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council and a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia serving at North Rocks Community Church in Sydney.
Image source: Australia’s Christian Heritage
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