In addition to their work with the Arizona Ecumenical Council, many of our members engage in bi-lateral negotiations with one another. In order to learn more about the individual ecumenical activities of our member, please scroll down, or select the denomination you would like to learn more about from the list below:
African Methodist Episcopal Churches
American Baptist Churches
Byzantine Catholic Church
Christian Church (Disciples)
Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee
Church of the Brethren
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Greek Orthodox Churches
Mennonite Churches
Presbyterian Church USA
Reformed Church in America
Religious Society of Friends
Roman Catholic Church
Salvation Army
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
African Methodist Episcopal Churches
The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) is a member of the Church re-unification effort Churches Uniting in Christ (CUiC)
The AME is currently deciding whether or not to become a full member of the Church re-unification effort Christian Churches Together (CCT)
The AME maintains dialogue and engages in ecumenical cooperation with the worldwide body of Methodism through participation in the World Methodist Council (WMC)
Nationally, the AME is a member of the Pan-Methodist Commission, which is an attempt “to gather at a table to worship, plan, serve and vision toward a future with greater understanding and cooperation” between the AME and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the African Union Methodist Protestant Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, and the United Methodist Church.
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American Baptist Churches
Their Ecumenical Office is called the “American Baptist Office of Cooperative Christianity (OCC),” homepage: http://www.abc-usa.org/unity/default.aspx/
The OCC is in an interchurch dialogue with the Church of the Brethren- they are currently in an “associated relationship” and work very closely with one another, and are considering moving toward a “full merger.” In 1976 both the ABC and the COB adopted the “Resolution Regarding Mutual Recognition of Membership and Ministry of American Baptist Churches in the USA and the Church of the Brethren,” since which there has occurred the creation of seven dually-aligned congregations, which identify as both ABC and COB congregations. For more information consult: http://www.brethren.org/genbd/CIR/relationship.htm
The ABC are members of the ecumenical association Christian Churches Together, homepage: http://www.christianchurchestogether.org/
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Byzantine Catholic Church
The Byzantine Catholic Church, as a rite of the Catholic Church and Church in full communion with Rome, is involved in all the ecumenical dialogues of the Roman Catholic Church through its connection with the Vatican. Therefore, for more information, please see the bilateral dialogues of the Roman Catholic Church. However, due to there connection with the Churches of the East, the Byzantine Catholic Church has a very active role in the ongoing Catholic-Orthodox dialogue, specifically in the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation.
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Christian Church (Disciples)
Their Ecumenical Office is called the “Council on Christian Unity (COC),” homepage: http://www.disciples.org/ccu/
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is engaged in four ecumenical dialogues and two church unification efforts
-The four dialogues are:
-with The Roman Catholic Church. The Christian Church (Disciples) and the Roman Catholic Church have engaged in four “phases” of dialogue, with the most recent phase having been begun in 2004 under the theme of “The Presence of Christ in the church, with special reference to the Eucharist.” The fifth and final session of this phase of dialogue just took place in Vienna in June, 2008. For more information: http://www.disciples.org/ccu/programs/romancatholic/
-The Stone-Campbell Dialogues, taken place between the three parties of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Churches of Christ, and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. This is an attempt to develop a relationship between “the three streams of the Restoration Movement that tie their origins to Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton Warren Stone.” For more information:
http://www.disciples.org/ccu/programs/stonecampbell/
-with the Baptist Alliance.
-with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, with the express goal of …comprehensive partnership in pursuit of the visible unity of the church.” For more information, consult the pdf documents available at http://warc.jalb.de/warcajsp/side.jsp?news_id=883&part_id=59&navi=38#6
-The two church union efforts are:
-Churches Uniting In Christ (CUIC), homepage: http://www.cuicinfo.org/
- Disciples-UCC Ecumenical Partnership, information here: http://www.ucc.org/ecumenical/ucc-disciples-ecumenical.html
The Christian Church (Disciples) and United Church in Christ are in full communion, mutually recognizing each others sacraments and ministry. There are more than 30 “federated” congregations which belong to both denominations, ministers from one denomination will regularly serve the congregations of the other, and the “Common Global Ministries Board” jointly coordinates the international mission work of the churches.
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Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee
The Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) has been involved as a member in the ongoing "International Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and some Classical Pentecostal Churches and Leader." The most recent document produced by the dialogue, entitled "Evangelization, Proselytism, and Common Witness," is available here.
The Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) is currently deciding on whether or not to join the Church re-unification effort Christian Churches Together.
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Church of the Brethren
Their Ecumenical Office is called the “Committee on Interchurch Relations (CIR),” homepage: http://www.brethren.org/genbd/CIR/
The CIR is in an interchurch dialogue with the American Baptist Churches- they are currently in an “associated relationship” and work very closely with one another, and are considering moving toward a “full merger.” In 1976 both the ABC and the COB adopted the “Resolution Regarding Mutual Recognition of Membership and Ministry of American Baptist Churches in the USA and the Church of the Brethren,” since which there has occurred the creation of seven dually-aligned congregations, which identify as both ABC and COB congregations. For more information consult: http://www.brethren.org/genbd/CIR/relationship.htm
The COB is considering pursuing re-unification dialogue with the Brethren Church; the COB and the BC divided from one another in 1883. To read the COB’s “Resolution on the Brethren Church,” go to: http://www.brethren.org/genbd/CIR/resolution.htm
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Episcopal Church
Their Ecumenical Office is called the “Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations of the Episcopal Church (EIR),” homepage: http://ecusa.anglican.org/eir.htm
Full Communions: The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America is in full communion with:
-The Old Catholic Churches of Europe
-The Philippine Independent Church
-Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, India
-The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
-Churches created as a result of the merger of the Anglican Communion with other churches, including the Church of Bangladesh, the Church of North India, the Church of Pakistan, and the Church of South India.
Ecumenical Dialogue: The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America is currently engaged in ecumenical relationship and dialogues with the following churches:
-The Orthodox Churches
-The Eastern Orthodox Churches- The Eastern Orthodox Church is the oldest official dialogue partner of the Episcopal Church, with contacts dating back to 1862. To read the EIR Handbook on Anglican-Orthodox Dialogue, go to: http://ecuse.anglican.org/6947_9598_ENG_HTM.htm
-The Oriental Orthodox Churches- To read the EIR Handbook on Anglican-Oriental Orthodox Dialogue, go to: http://ecusa.anglican.org/6947_9622_ENG_HTM.htm
-The Roman Catholic Church- The Episcopal Church participates in the international Anglican-Roman Catholic International Consultation (ARCIC) sponsored by the Anglican Communion Office as well as the Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue in the United States (ARC-USA). To read the text of ARCIC agreed statements, go to: http://www.prounione.urbe.it/dia-int/arcic/e_arcic-info.html
-The Moravian Church- The Episcopal Church participates in ongoing dialogue with the Moravian Church, with the goal of full communion. The Moravian Church currently is in full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, whom the Episcopal Church is also in full communion with, and such close relationships provide a very positive sign for the Moravian-Episcopal communion efforts. For more information, go to: http://ecusa.anglican.org/6947_9026_ENG_HTM.htm
-The Presbyterian Church USA- Following some obstacles which occurred in Episcopal dialogues with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Episcopal Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations (SCER) proposed beginning a bi-lateral dialogue with the Presbyterian Church USA, focusing on the historic episcopate. These dialogues began in 2000. For more information, go to: http://ecusa.anglican.org/6947_9030_ENG_HTM.htm
-The United Methodist Church- For information, go to: http://ecusa.anglican.org/6947_9034_ENG_HTM.htm
For the 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution concerning dialogue with the Methodist Church, go to: http://www.lambethconference.org/resolutions/1998/1998-4-17.cfm
-The Reformed Episcopal Church and Anglican Province of America- Dialogue between the Episcopal Church and these two churches is currently at a stand still- however, the EIR Office has initiated contact with these churches with the hope of re-establishing dialogue in the near future. For more information, go to: http://ecusa.anglican.org/6947_9036_ENG_HTM.htm
The Episcopalian Church is involved in the Church Reunification organization Churches Uniting in Christ (CUiC). To read the EIR Handbook on Episcopal Church participation in the CUiC, go to: http://ecusa.anglican.org/6947_10354_ENG_HTM.htm
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Their Ecumenical Office is called the office for “Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations (EIRR),” homepage: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Ecumenical-and-Inter-Religious-Relations.aspx
Full communions: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is in full communion with:
-The Moravian Church
-The Episcopal Church
-The Presbyterian Church (USA)
-The Reformed Church in America
-The United Church of Christ
Ecumenical Dialogue: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is currently engaged in ecumenical relationship and dialogues with the following churches:
-African Methodist Episcopal
-Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
-Mennonite
-Orthodox
-Roman Catholic
-United Methodist
The ECLA is a member of two church re-unification efforts-
-Christian Churches Together (CCT)
-Churches Uniting in Christ (CUiC)
The ECLA also keeps in dialogue and ecumenical partnership with many of other Lutheran Churches through membership in the Lutheran World Federation.
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Greek Orthodox Churches
Their Ecumenical Office is called the Office of “Inter-Christian Relations,” homepage: http://www.ec-patr.org/docdisplay.php?lang=en&cat=42. The Ecumenical Office for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is called the “Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical and Inter-Faith Relations,” homepage:
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/ecumenical/
The Greek Orthodox Churches, represented by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, is in dialogue with the following Churches. To view the most recent documents and press-releases relating to a specific dialogue, click on the links below. The dialogues below without a link have no additional information.
-The Roman Catholic Church- To view the homepage for the 2006 Papal Visit to Constantinople, go to: http://papalvisit.ecupatriarchate.org/
-The Anglican Church
-The Old Catholic Churches
-The Lutheran and Evangelical Churches
-The German Evangelical Church
-The American Lutheran Church
-The Reformed Churches
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is also a member of the Church re-unification effort Christian Churches Together (CCT)
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Mennonite Church USA
Their Ecumenical Office is called the Office for “Interchurch Relations,” homepage: http://www.mennoniteusa.org/Home/InterchurchRelations/tabid/336/Default.aspx
The following denominations are considered “sister denominations,” and carries a relationship similar to that of full communion:
-Brethren in Christ General Conference
-Church of the Brethren
-Conservative Mennonite Conference
-Mennonite Brethren Churches, US Conference
-Mennonite Church Canada
The Mennonite Church USA is in dialogue with:
-The Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee
-The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Mennonite Church USA is a member of the ecumenical organization Christian Churches Together (CCT), homepage: http://www.christianchurchestogether.org/
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Presbyterian Church USA
The Presbyterian Church USA has two bodies responsible for overseeing different aspects of their ecumenical activities. The first is called the “General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations (GACER),” homepage: http://www.pcusa.org/ecumenicalrelations/. The second is called the “Department of Ecumenical and Agency Relationships (DEAR),” homepage: http://www.pcusa.org/dear/.
The Presbyterian Church USA has passed “A Formula of Agreement” (which implements a Full Communion relationship) with:
-The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
-The Reformed Church in America
-The United Churches of Christ
The Presbyterian Church USA has been an active member in the ongoing “Reformed-Catholic Dialogue,” which has had seven rounds of dialogue since its inception in 1965. The dialogues are formed around finding a common vision of full communion, and in creating documents expressing aspects of the Church that have a shared understanding between the two traditions. For a summary of the individual dialogue sessions or to read individual documents, go to: http://www.usccb.org/seia/journey.shtml
The Presbyterian Church USA is also in active dialogue with the Episcopal Church, the Moravian Church, the Korean American Presbyterian Church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America
The Presbyterian Church USA is involved in the Church re-unification effort Churches Uniting in Christ (CUiC), and in Christian Churches Together (CCT), and participates in international dialogues as a member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC).
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Reformed Church in America
Their Ecumenical Homepage can be reached at: http://www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=427&srcid=2225.
You can view the RCA’s Sourcebook on Ecumenical Relations at: http://www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/page.redir?target=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.rca.org%2Fdocs%2Farchives%2Fecumenics1.pdf&srcid=1851&erid=0
The RCA has agreed to “A Formula of Agreement” (which implements a Full Communion relationship) with:
-The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
-The Presbyterian Church USA
-The United Church of Christ
The RCA is also in a denominational partnership with the Christian Reformed Church
The RCA is a member of the “Lutheran-Reformed Dialogue,” a dialogue which has been going on for the last 20 years, and which has the goal of bringing these two families of churches closer together. For more information on the Lutheran-Reformed Dialogue, go to: http://www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=431&srcid=432
The RCA is also a member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and thus a member of the WARC’s “Reformed-Orthodox Dialogue.”
The RCA is also a member of the Church Re-unification effort Christian Churches Together (CCT).
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Religious Society of Friends
As a non-creedal Christian tradition, the Religious Society of Friends engages less in bi-lateral dialogue than many other Christian denominations that belong to the Arizona Ecumenical Council. However, they are often engaged in many cooperative ecumenical relationships. The Religious Society of Friends, coming from the Historic Peace Church tradition, often cooperates closely in ministry with both the Church of the Brethren and the Mennonite Church USA; an example would be the way in which the three traditions helped found the Christian Peacemaker Teams ministry. Recently a group of religious leaders, led by the Historic Peace Churches, visited Iran for a Ecumenical and Inter-religious visit. The American Friends Service Committee helped arrange the trip and sent several members.
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Roman Catholic Church
Their Ecumenical Office in the Vatican is the “Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU),” homepage: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/index.htm - this site provides a list of the main dialogues the Roman Catholic Church is engaged in, including with (click on a link below to see a list of recent activites and documents):
-The Orthodox Churches of Byzantine Tradition
-The Oriental Orthodox Churches
-The Assyrian Church of the East
-The Anglican Communion
-The Lutheran World Federation
-The World Methodist Council
-The World Alliance of Reformed Churches
-The Baptist World Alliance
-The Christian Church - Disciples of Christ
-The Pentecostals
-The World Evangelical Alliance
The Primary Ecumenical Document put out by the PCPCU, which provides the over-arching guidelines for Roman Catholic Ecumenical Relations, is Unitatis Redintegratio, and is available here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html
A more recent ecumenical documents, the encyclical Ut Unum Sint written by Pope John Paul II, is available here:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25051995_ut-unum-sint_en.html
Nationally, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops also has an ecumenical office, the “Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (SEIA),” homepage: http://www.usccb.org/seia/index.shtml
The USCCB conducts national consultations with the following denominations:
-Orthodox
-Oriental Orthodox
-Polish National Catholic
-Anglican
-Lutheran
-Reformed
-Methodist
-Southern Baptist
-Evangelical
The USCCB also has membership in the Church re-unification organization Christian Churches Together (CCT). The CCT homepage is available here, and a summary of USCCB participation in the CCT is available here.
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Salvation Army
At this time, the Salvation Army is involved in many Ecumenical Councils, but is not involved in any formal bi-lateral ecumenical discussions or dialogues. However, the Salvation Army has done a number of acts of ecumenical goodwill, including sending a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury and all the Bishops of the Anglican Communion and attending the innauguration of Pope Benedict XVI.
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United Church of Christ
Their Ecumenical Office is called the Office for “Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations (EIR),” homepage: http://www.ucc.org/ecumenical/
Full Communion:
The UCC has full communion relationships with:
-Christian Church (Disciples)
-The Union of Evangelical Churches (Germany)
And has agreed to the “Formula of Agreement,” creating a Full Communion relationship with:
-The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
-The Presbyterian Church USA
-The Reformed Church of America
The UCC is also in Full Communion with the worldwide body of Reformed Churches through the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC).
Other Ecumenical Relationships:
The UCC is currently in a bi-lateral, but not Full Communion, relationship with:
-The Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa
The UCC is exploring a closer relationship, through continued dialogue, with:
-The Alliance of Baptists
The UCC is a member of the Church re-unification effort Churches Uniting in Christ (CUiC).
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United Methodist Church
Their Ecumenical Office is called the “General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (GCCUIC),” homepage: http://www.gccuic.org/
The United Methodist Church, through the offices of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, is currently engaged in bilateral dialogues with:
-The Roman Catholic Church
-The Episcopal Church
-The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
The United Methodist Church is also currently engaged in an attempt to create greater unity between the various Methodist/Wesleyan Churches. It’s efforts include:
-Internationally- UMC Membership in the World Methodist Council.
-Nationally- UMC Membership in the Pan-Methodist Commission, which is an attempt “to gather at a table to worship, plan, serve and vision toward a future with greater understanding and cooperation” between the UMC and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the African Union Methodist Protestant Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church.
The United Methodist Church is a member of the Church re-unification effort Christian Churches Together (CCT)
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