Ecumenical conferences then and now

In taking a course on Ecumenical Ecclesiology I was given the opportunity to read up on how the great missionary efforts of the 19th century eventually turned into increasingly more structured conferences that eventually became the World Council of Churches.

The movement was initially prompted by the newly converted being shocked and disheartened by the visible division of churches. In response comity agreements were made to divide up territories, later groups tried to figure out how to pool resources and evangelize together, and then regular meeting on coordination efforts were held.

Eventually in 1927 the first World Conference of Faith and Order convened to discuss actual doctrinal issues. Catholics did not come, but the Orthodox did (pictured above right) and this is where this amusing little gem comes from:

"Some vigorously worded opinions were heard during the first meeting and a good deal of heat was generated. 'We must declare our loyalty to the Nicene Creed,' said an Orthodox, to which a Congregationalist replied, 'Well, I think we should clear all the old lumber out of the way.' Many differences were expressed on the authority attaching to the Scriptures, the creeds, tradition, and various confessions of the Reformation period. During an interval one member approached another and asked, 'Can you tell me of any volume in which I could read one of these old creeds they have been talking about?' He was delighted at the immediate loan of a Book of Common Prayer."

A new century and the same discussion continues.