Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Past, Present, and Future (Part 4 of 5) by Amos Yong
It is also evident that the charismatic explosion in the mainline churches opened the door for Pentecostal participation in formal ecumenical activities. Beginning in 1961 when the Iglesia Pentecostal de Chile and the Misión Iglesia Pentecostal (also of Chile) joined as member churches of the WCC, there has been a slow trickle of Pentecostal churches into the ecumenical movement. Today, Pentecostal churches from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Argentina, and various sub-Saharan churches have taken out WCC memberships. In addition to WCC involvement, various Pentecostal churches have established long-term relationships with mainline denominations, and individual Pentecostals have been active at national, regional, and other levels of ecumenical activity. Some have even served on the staffs of the WCC, the National Council of Churches (NCC), and other regional ecumenical organizations like the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI).18
It is undeniable that the charismatic renewal in the mainline churches has served to raise the consciousness of its members to the centrality of the Spirit’s presence and activity both in the Church and in the world. This was nowhere more evident than in the seventh WCC convocation held in Canberra, Australia, in February 1991. The theme of this gathering was “Come Holy Spirit, Renew the Whole Creation” (cf. Ps. 104:30). Work sections were formed under the headings “Giver of Life—Sustain Your Creation!,” “Spirit of Truth—Set Us Free!,” “Spirit of Unity—Reconcile Your People!,” and “Holy Spirit—Transform and Sanctify Us!” Reports from those who attended testified of the powerful spirit of unity present as Christians from all over the world gathered to worship, pray, sing, dance, and rejoice together in Jesus’ name. Clearly, such an event would not have been possible apart from the charismatic renewal and the Pentecostal presence in the WCC. It is further arguable that events exactly like these—recall Toronto, Brownsville, Pensacola, etc.—are what transform the lives of delegates and, by extension, the congregations to which they belong.
Certainly, however, not all that has flown under the banner of charismatic renewal in the ecumenical movement can or should be endorsed by Pentecostals. Even as Pentecostals have “dropped the ball” with regard to specific issues in their own history, so have ecumenists as well. Thus, it was clear that when one of the plenary speakers of the Canberra conference invoked the spirits of war-torn and destitute Korean people and prayed for healing, that went too far for most participants and delegates.18
Category: Fall 2001, Ministry, Pneuma Review
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