Reverend G. Carl Gaston began with his story of seminary education leading to his becoming ordained. HIs jouney gave him insights into several denominations and an understanding of the definition of Ecumenical. Definitions of “Ecumenical” include:
- “Representing a number of different Christian Churches;”
- “Promoting or relating to unity among the world’s Christian Churches;”
- “Of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches;” and
- “Promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation.”
Reverend Gaston provided a handout which gives helpful information on the concept of VdC as an ecumenical movement.
The Mission Statement of Via de Cristo (National) reads: “By grace, with the Holy Spirit, we challenge leaders to discover and achieve their personal calling, assisting them to influence their environments with the Gospel.”
The Tennessee Lutheran Via de Cristo Statement of Position reads: “Via de Cristo, by its original structure, an ecumenical movement – ecumenical being an environment where varying denominational perspectives come together to celebrate our commonality as opposed to getting caught up in our differences. With that as our guide we present our statement of position around that commonality.”
“We welcome all baptized believers active in congregational life. We place great trust in the Holy Spirit and prayer. Trusting this process, we can welcome Christians appoved by their sponsor and endorsed by a member of the clergy (preferably, their own pastor). We trust the Spirit has brought them to the weekend through the sponsor and the clergy approving them for attendance. Once an individual attends a weekend they may be offered the opportunity to serve on weekends as called by the prayerful Spirit-led urgings of the Rector.”
Reverend Gaston also provided a handout from ELCA regarding full communion partners.
Discussions commenced on our commonalities, such as grace, baptism, and our savior Jesus Christ.
A wonderful example of the concept of differences and commonalities was provided by one of the participants in the discussion. He said that at a VdC weekend, the spiritual director asked everyone to shout out the name of their church. A lively cacaphony of sound occurred as all the different churches were named at the same time. Then the spiritual director asked for everyone to shout out “Who is your Savior?” All shouted in unison, “Jesus Christ.
It was discussed that although there are differences between the various denominations in VdC, we are all coming from the same place, in cooperation, rather than in competition. VdC being ecumenical is one of the keys to VdC longevity and success in its mission and for our people.
The session ended with a closing prayer, giving thanks and praise to God.
Submitted by Kathy Kingston
