The Most Important Ecumenical Question Today
Ecumenism is a term that derives from the ancient Greek word (οἶκος ) oikos, which means house or household as the basic unit of society. From that term, we derive today's concepts of economy and of the word oikouménē or ecumenism. Ecumenism precisely means: "The inhabited, or civilized world," but is used today to describe the Christian church as a world wide unified body of believers, both clergy and laity, but spread and distributed in various forms of what we know as churches, denominations or parachurch organisations.
By the same name, ecumenical, we are calling the early church councils such as the Constantinople-Nicaea council (whose 1700th anniversary we celebrated last year), because they have a general importance and codified the beliefs of the universal church that was spread through the whole known world of that time. Today the creeds from the early councils are part of the core beliefs of the churches that we know as orthodox, catholic and protestant.
In modern times, the concept of ecumenism has gained new relevance and began among Protestants. In 1846, the Evangelical Alliance was founded in England, bringing together Protestant churches such as the Anglican, Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist and others. At the founding conference of this alliance, held in London, the American Presbyterian pastor Samuel H. Cox used the term "ecumenism," advocating for the establishment of a world organization that would promote unity among Christians. In 1867, under the leadership of Philip Schaff, a similar alliance was established in the United States. One of the main reasons for these alliances was to coordinate missionary efforts among different Protestant churches. The movement increasingly developed over time. Mutual dialogue also developed with other denominations, such as the Orthodox churches, and after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the Roman Catholic Church also joined the ecumenical cooperation.
When we talk about ecumenism, it is often thought of it as form of an institutional or liturgical communion. However, in recent times, with the challenges of secularism and liberalism, church leaders and theologians from various denominational backgrounds are increasingly coming together to unite around the moral and ethical values that are common to us that we share from the beginnings of our christian faith. Some of those values include advocating for the right to life, opposing abortion or euthanasia, respecting the institution of marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman, promoting the value of the family, social projects, etc.
But one question is the most important question today and it requires a true ecumenical answer.
By the recent edition of the World Watch List 2026 published by the Christian organization Open Doors as one of the the most comprehensive and relevant global studies on the persecution of Christians - the persecution of Christians is rapidly increasing in the world. The presented data confirms a continued and growing increase in violence, discrimination and systematic human rights violations against Christians worldwide.
According to this year's data, around 388 million Christians are exposed to severe forms of persecution solely because of their faith in Jesus Christ. This represents an increase that clearly indicates that the persecution of Christians is not a marginal or regional issue, but a global phenomenon that is deepening.
A particularly alarming fact concerns the number of Christians killed because of their faith. That number rose from 4,476 in 2024 to 4,849 in 2025. The vast majority of these killings occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, which now accounts for as much as 93% of all deaths worldwide. The deadliest country for Christians remains Nigeria. Out of a total of 4,849 Christians killed, as many as 3,490 are Nigerian Christians, representing an increase compared to last year's 3,100. Besides Nigeria, Christians are also exposed to extreme persecution in Myanmar, Pakistan and Syria, where believers are often targeted by armed violence, forced displacement, abductions and institutional discrimination.
Because Jesus commanded us in the parable of The Sheep and the Goats that: whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. And opposite: whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. These are serious words that should encourage all Christians to help their brothers and sisters who suffer because of their faith and love in Jesus, regardless of their denomination.
That is why this issue has exceptional ecumenical potential, which we, as Methodists, can urgently respond to for the glory of our God.