I intend to develop the theme of mutuality further but before I do that, perhaps this is a good point to step back and ask why it is important to ecumenism.
Throughout this blog I am developing a theology of ecumenism based upon oikoumene, the reconciliation of all things to God, rather than the ecumenism which focuses upon reconciliation of the churches. After the failure of the English Covenant during the early 1980s, the enthusiasm for structural unity began to fall away. In 1987, the Swanwick Agreement led to the Churches Together approach, an approach based on relationships rather than structures. Here we are 20 years on and it seems Swanwick was ahead of its time. The mainstream churches still cling to the old vision whilst other churches and younger generations have abandoned structural unity and are developing their own approach to relational unity.
We need an approach which contextualises ecumenism within the world as we find it. My approach is to develop a theological approach to conversations.
Clearly if we understand conversations to mean simply talks between churches we will not progress very far. This is where Kahane's typology of conversations and particularly his generative type of conversation is so important.
Generative conversations embody a collective commitment to act according to a shared vision. So does mutuality as a shared economic vision. Mutuality is a word we use to describe generative conversation.
At some time in the future I will introduce the theme of post-Christendom to this blog. Some churches see their calling as a return to the authentic witness of the first century church. This is a view with which I have some sympathy but my question is whether it goes far enough. It is easy for a small congregationalist church to claim authenticity. Maybe they are right but if they are it is still not good enough.
Why not? Because our call is not to simply save ourselves but the transformation of the whole of creation. When the churches ignore this greater calling, called sanctification by Wesley, then things go wrong for everyone.
The reason I focus on issues such as the economy is that I believe it is by focusing on these issues together, the churches will be much more effective than attempting to be authentic alone.
I have called this dimension of ecumenism transformational reception.
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