Great Things Come from Ecumenical Moments

The first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which this year celebrates its 1700th anniversary, was a defining moment in the life of the Church Universal. Convened in 325 A.D. as the first gathering of Christians from both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, the Council of Nicaea set out to gather church leaders from across the known world. Out of this historic meeting came one of the most important and fundamental statements of faith. The Nicaean Creed is recited every week by millions and millions of people who believe Jesus Christ is fully God, "not made, being of one substance with the Father."

The Council was convened in response to what is called the Arian controversy, which denied the full divinity of Christ. In opposition to that heresy, the global Church boldly declared with one voice that the Son is "God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God"

The Global Methodist Church stands firmly with the Church Universal in continuity with this historic confession. Our Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith, along with our Catechism, affirm the truths upheld at Nicaea concerning the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the eternal divinity of the Son, and the unity of God’s being. These are not optional theological preferences but essential truths that shape our worship, discipleship, and mission in the world.

We also recognize the destructive power that various types of false teachings have caused throughout history to the unity of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Nicene Council is proof that profound accomplishments can emerge from ecumenical efforts, and that theological unity is important to the Church. As a denomination, we hope to focus our ecumenical efforts on supporting the Church wherever it is persecuted, and on standing together with other

denominations in teaching and preaching an orthodox faith.

With thanks to God for those early bishops and confessors who bore witness to Christ with faith and courage, we who serve with the Ecumenical Relationships Commission joyfully commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea as we proclaim the faith of our fathers and carry their convictions into this new movement. We renew our own commitment to proclaiming this apostolic faith—not in abstraction, but as the very heart of our life together in Christ.

As Wesley declared in his sermon Catholic Spirit, "Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? Then give me thy hand." United in the truth of Christ, we extend our hands and hearts to the global body of believers who share this ancient and living confession.

May the Spirit who led the Church at Nicaea continue to guide the Church today. And may we, the people called Methodist, remain faithful to the One who is "the radiance of God’s glory and

the exact representation of His being" (Hebrews 1:3).