Ecumenism is the movement toward unity among Christian denominations. The word comes from the Greek oikoumene, meaning the whole inhabited world. It is the effort to overcome divisions. It is the prayer of Jesus. He prayed that they may all be one. The church has been divided for centuries. East and West. Catholic and Protestant. Denominations and non-denominations. Ecumenism seeks to heal those divisions. It seeks common ground. It seeks cooperation. It seeks unity.

The modern ecumenical movement began in the 20th century. The World Council of Churches was founded in 1948. It brings together over 350 churches. The Catholic Church participates in some dialogues. The Lutheran-Catholic dialogue produced a Joint Declaration on Justification in 1999. It resolved a 500-year-old dispute. Progress is slow. But it is real. Christians are praying together. They are working together. They are serving together. They are recognizing each other's baptisms. They are recognizing each other's ministries. They are moving closer.

Ecumenical efforts

• World Council of Churches: global fellowship.
• Lutheran-Catholic dialogue: resolving disputes.
• Taize community: ecumenical monasticism.
• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: annual event.
• Joint theological statements: common ground.

Ecumenism is not about compromise. It is not about ignoring differences. It is about dialogue. It is about understanding. It is about love. It is about obedience to Christ. Jesus prayed for unity. Unity is not optional. It is a command. It is a gift. It is a task. The church is one. But it is divided. The division is a scandal. It is a wound. Ecumenism is the healing. It is the bandage. It is the medicine. It is the hope. The church will be one. It must be one. It will be one. When Christ returns, he will gather his people. From every tribe and tongue and nation. From every denomination. From every tradition. They will be one. They will be his. They will be the church. That is the vision. That is the prayer. That is ecumenism.