Receptive Ecumenism For Individuals Small groups and Local

Receptive Ecumenism For Individuals Small groups and Local Churches

The essential principle behind Receptive Ecumenism is …. to ask not “What do the other traditions first need to learn from us? ” but “What do we need to learn from them? ” The assumption is that if all were asking this question seriously and acting upon it then all would be moving in ways that would both deepen our authentic respective identities and draw us into more intimate relationship. From Durham University Receptive Ecumenism webpage https: //www. dur. ac. uk/theology. religion/ccs/projects/receptiveecumenism/

RE is therefore something for Church leaders: Bishops, Archbishops, Popes and Ecclesiastical Politicians, Theologians , Ecumenical Practitioners, Movers and Shakers

But more importantly It is for Christians relating to one another within their local communities and exploring what it means to grow in the faith together.

The Story of Mary and Ruth A Heart -warming Scenario

Exercise point How could we imagine that story being continued? in a year's time in five years' time in ten years' time

Mary and Ruth: alternative endings. . . Mary and Ruth find each other's traditions so discomfiting they agree never to talk about religion When they come home their friends in their respective churches tell them that the other isn't a proper church. 'We' have it right and 'they' have it wrong. Mary finds the use of written liturgy spirit dampening and unscriptural calling it 'vain repetition'. Ruth is afraid of the emotionalism of Mary's worship and finds it anarchic and superficial.

If we are going to do RE and make it work we need to establish a basic understanding

Receptive Ecumenism is primarily about Spirituality and it involves Encountering others Loving others Having deep self-understanding Listening Receiving Changing and. . (beware of complete lists, there is always room for something else. . . )

It may seem very obvious to say it but; groups are made up of individuals; local churches are made up of individuals and of smaller groups.

As individuals we may reflect the culture and beliefs of the tradition we were brought up in or have adopted. We reflect the influence of experiences we have had both negative and positive. Even in the same tradition there are differences between individuals, sometimes subtle, sometimes great. That means that the same principles should operate in all our encounters: • listening to one another and perhaps being challenged by what we learn • receiving the gifts that we have to share • being changed by the encounter and the gifts

An exercise in exploring RE What have you received from another spiritual tradition in your spiritual journey? What would you like to receive? What do you think your church might benefit from receiving?

Then consider: What are the obstacles to receiving these things? How might the obstacles be overcome?

What initiatives might we want to take?