Catholics and Evangelicals in Dialogue: A Small Group Opportunity

Pastor Harry Strauss, co-chair of the Saskatoon Catholic and Evangelical Dialogue, has written a small group resource specifically for dialogue. It is entitled Catholics and Evangelicals in Dialogue: A Small Group Discussion Guide. It is 7 sessions in length, addressing the topics of revelation, the church, salvation, baptism, communion, the communion of the saints, and missional engagement. It is designed for laypeople, shaped as a user-friendly resource. Anticipated outcomes include new friendships, shaped around spiritually engaging conversations, and most importantly, relational growth in Jesus Christ. The material has been field tested some, with good results. However, there is a desire for additional testing. If interested in being part of this effort, particularly in initiating and leading a small group, please contact Pastor Harry Strauss at harry [at] forestgrovecc [dot] com or call 306-280-7147.
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Posted: Mar. 22, 2017 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=9639
Categories: Resources • In this article: Catholic, Evangelicals, resources, Saskatoon Transmis : 22 mars 2017 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=9639
Catégorie : Resources • Dans cet article : Catholic, Evangelicals, resources, Saskatoon

Robert Stackpole: What Can Catholics Learn from Evangelicals?

A public lecture with Dr Robert Stackpole, director of the John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. This lecture is presented by the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue of Saskatoon, and complements the April 2015 lecture “What can Evangelicals Learn from Catholics?” by Dr Gordon Smith (Ambrose University, Calgary). For further information, contact Nick Jesson (306-659-5814) or Pastor Harry Strauss (306-933-2266).

Robert has a special academic interest in ecumenical dialogue with Evangelical Christians, an interest that grew during his 10-years of teaching theology to undergraduates at Redeemer Pacific College at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC. Robert also enjoys reading and writing about the works of C.S. Lewis, and describes himself as an incurable “Narniac.” From 2012 to 2015, Robert taught at St. Therese Institute in Bruno, SK where he was the Assistant Director of Formation. During this period, he also served on the Evangelical-Roman Catholic dialogue in Saskatoon.

Since 1997, Robert has been the Research Director, and later Director, of the John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy based in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. In that capacity, he has been a speaker at many conferences, and the author and editor of numerous journal articles and books, including Divine Mercy: A Guide From Genesis To Benedict XVI (Marian Press, 2009).
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Posted: Feb. 4, 2016 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=9153
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, Resources • In this article: Catholic, Evangelicals Transmis : 4 févr. 2016 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=9153
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, Resources • Dans cet article : Catholic, Evangelicals

Gordon Smith: What can Evangelicals learn from Catholics?

On Thursday, April 30, Dr. Gordon Smith of Ambrose University in Calgary gave a public lecture entitled “What Can Evangelicals Learn from Catholic Christians? An Evangelical Response”. Smith is the president of Ambrose University, a college affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene and the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church of Canada. He is also a professor of theology and a spiritual director. He has spoken on other occasions about the importance of Evangelical-Catholic relations for the contemporary church. He was invited to Saskatoon by the Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Saskatoon to offer a reflection from an Evangelical perspective on the Catholic Church following the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

Following Dr. Smith’s presentation, Gertrude Rompré and Dr. Jeromey Martini offered responses. Rompré is the director of Mission and Ministry at St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon. Martini is the president of Horizon College in Saskatoon, a professor of New Testament Studies, and a member of the local dialogue group. An extended period was available for question and answer, with questions about the details of Smith’s talk as well as the continuing prospects for dialogue. A video of Smith’s presentation is available. Over the next days additional video segments will be added here, including respondents Gertrude Rompré and Dr. Jeromey Martini. Smith’s outline is available as well.
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Posted: May 4, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8187
Categories: Dialogue, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, Evangelicals, Gordon Smith, Saskatoon Transmis : 4 mai 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8187
Catégorie : Dialogue, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, Evangelicals, Gordon Smith, Saskatoon

Nearly 400 Catholic, Evangelical Leaders Issue Holy Week Call to End Death Penalty

As Christians begin a week commemorating the torture, suffering and execution of Jesus, prominent Catholic and evangelical leaders are urging public officials to end the use of capital punishment.

“All who reverence the sanctity of human life, created in the image of God, must never remain silent when firing squads, lethal injections, electric chairs and other instruments of death are viewed as morally acceptable,” nearly 400 Catholic theologians, women religious, Christian evangelical leaders and faith-based social justice advocates write in a statement released today. “We urge governors, prosecutors, judges and anyone entrusted with power to do all that they can to end a practice that diminishes our humanity and contributes to a culture of violence and retribution without restoration.”
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Posted: Mar. 31, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8155
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, death penalty, Evangelicals Transmis : 31 mars 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8155
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, death penalty, Evangelicals

Pope meets with CEEC bishops

On Friday October 10th a delegation of Bishops from the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC) met for several hours in Rome with Pope Francis. The purpose of the meeting was to continue talks on Christian unity that began almost a year ago between Pope Francis and his long-time friend, CEEC Bishop Tony Palmer. Bishop Palmer, whose iPhone video of Pope Francis pleading for increased unity among Christians went viral after it was presented to a gathering of Protestant Evangelicals, tragically lost his life in highway crash in the UK earlier this year. In spite of this, Pope Francis wanted the talks to move forward; and he has encouraged Bishop Tony’s wife Emialana and CEEC Ecumenical officer Bishop Robert Wise to continue advancing the dialogue of Christian unity that he and Bishop Palmer had begun.
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Posted: Oct. 10, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8304
Categories: News • In this article: Evangelicals, Pope Francis Transmis : 10 oct. 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8304
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Evangelicals, Pope Francis

Joint Statement of Faith for Evangelicals and Catholics in Saskatoon

The Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Saskatoon has recently issued a draft “Common Statement of Faith” after three years of study. The text is offered to our sponsoring churches for study and discernment, with the prayer that this text might be adopted as a sufficient statement for further dialogue and common mission.

The dialogue is sponsored by the Saskatoon Evangelical Ministers’ Fellowship (SEMF) and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. The group was established in 2011 to build upon earlier efforts to draw our churches together. The twenty members of the dialogue are drawn from across the Evangelical and Catholic communities with both clergy and lay people well represented. The dialogue spent two years exploring issues that have historically divided Catholics and Evangelicals before concluding that a statement of the faith we share in common would assist in promoting the growing relationship between our churches. Over a year in drafting and revision, the statement offered to our church at this time is not intended to be a final or complete exposition of these doctrinal matters or of all of the matters essential to Christian faith. We intend to give an account of the hope that we share for the visible witness of Jesus Christ by his followers in Saskatoon.
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Posted: Sept. 18, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7786
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Evangelicals, Saskatoon, statements of faith Transmis : 18 sept. 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7786
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Evangelicals, Saskatoon, statements of faith

E-RC dialogue plans three public meetings

The Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Saskatoon has recently issued a draft “Common Statement of Faith” after three years of study. The text is offered to our sponsoring churches for study and discernment, with the prayer that this text might be adopted as a sufficient statement for further dialogue and common mission.

Three community-wide meetings have been planned to present and discuss the draft statement.

• October 16 – “We Confess our Shared Faith” 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at Church of Christ, 134 Cardinal Crescent, Saskatoon (beside Leon’s Furniture Store).
• December 4 – “We Acknowledge our Central Differences” 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 at St. Paul’s Co-Cathedral, 720 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon (Spadina and 22nd St).
• February 5 – “We Affirm our Common Mission” 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1636 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon.

The text of the joint statement is available online at: ecumenism.net/archive/docu/2014_erc-saskatoon_common-statement-of-faith.pdf

For further information contact Nick Jesson, Roman Catholic diocesan ecumenical officer at jesson [at] ecumenism [dot] net or (306) 659-5814; or Pastor Harry Strauss, Forest Grove Community Church at harry [at] forestgrovecc [dot] com or (306) 933-2266.
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Posted: Sept. 18, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7814
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, Evangelicals, statements of faith Transmis : 18 sept. 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7814
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, dialogue, Evangelicals, statements of faith

Evangelicals apologize to Catholics for past persecution and discrimination

During his visit with an evangelical pastor and his congregation in the Italian city of Caserta, Pope Francis apologized for the persecution of Pentecostal Christians by Italian Catholics. His remarks were greatly welcomed by evangelical leaders, who responded in a similar way. They also apologized to Catholics. The president of the World Evangelical Alliance, Rev. Geoff Tunnicliffe, said he was sorry about the discrimination that Protestants, including Evangelical Christians, also imposed on Catholics. “While we can disagree theologically, this should never lead to discrimination or persecution of the other,” he said. The Rev also added that the Pope’s step in apologizing is a great example, and should be a message to the entire world, especially for those countries where tensions between Catholics and Protestants remain. Geoff Tunnicliffe attended the Pope’s Inauguration Mass. He also visited the Vatican for the Pope’s meeting with evangelical leaders at Casa Santa Marta. The World Evangelical Alliance represents about 600 million Protestants in nearly 130 countries.
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Posted: July 30, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8535
Categories: News • In this article: Catholic, Evangelicals, Pope Francis, World Evangelical Alliance Transmis : 30 juil. 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8535
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Evangelicals, Pope Francis, World Evangelical Alliance

Pope’s friend Bishop Tony Palmer dies in motorcycle crash

Pope Francis’ friend Bishop Tony Palmer of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC) died in England July 20 after his motorcycle collided with another vehicle.

According to e-mail reports obtained from The Ark Community he founded, three teams of surgeons tried to save Bishop Palmer’s life but he passed away in the evening, leaving behind his wife Emiliana and two teenaged children. Bishop Palmer was in his early 50s, and grew up in South Africa, though recently he had been living in England.

The bishop recently facilitated an historic private meeting of evangelical and charismatic leaders June 24 with Pope Francis at the Holy Father’s residence inside the Vatican. The two had become friends when Palmer was doing ecumenical work with charismatic Catholics in Buenos Aires.

World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) global ambassador Brian Stiller was among the leaders present at the June meeting with Pope Francis.

“Tony was a most remarkable young man,” he said in an e-mail. “I so well remember his gracious and active leadership in bringing members of the World Evangelical Alliance together in conversation with Pope Francis late June.

“However, with his life and witness still fresh in our memory, I believe it is important that we carry on, as he would have desired, finding ways for our major Christian bodies to have friendship and to understand our respective communions,” said Stiller, who headed the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada for 16 years.
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Posted: July 22, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7746
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, Evangelicals Transmis : 22 juil. 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7746
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, ecumenism, Evangelicals

Pope Francis reaches out to evangelical, charismatic leaders

Pope Francis has taken the first steps towards forging unprecedented bonds with evangelical and charismatic Protestant groups, CCN has learned. The Pope met for three hours June 24 with several evangelical and charismatic leaders over lunch at his residence inside the Vatican. Occurring outside of the Pope’s official schedule, the meeting had no formal agenda or secretaries present. Bishop Tony Palmer, ecumenical officer of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC), said the meeting could lead towards concrete steps for a visible unity after 500 years of division. Following a discussion about religious persecution and religious liberty, the Pope and his guests discussed the creation of a global initiative specifically for the persecuted Church, according to Brian Stiller, global ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). In a report for Revival Magazine, Bruno Ierullo, co-chairman of United in Christ North America, who did not attend the meeting, said it marked “the beginning of a Joint Declaration between this large faction of the Evangelical world and the Roman Catholic Church.” United in Christ promotes ongoing dialogue between emerging charismatic churches and the Roman Catholic Church.
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Posted: July 10, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7703
Categories: The Catholic Register • In this article: Evangelicals, Pope Francis, World Evangelical Alliance Transmis : 10 juil. 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7703
Catégorie : The Catholic Register • Dans cet article : Evangelicals, Pope Francis, World Evangelical Alliance

Evangelicals and Catholics Together marks 20 years

When evangelicals and Catholics set aside centuries of mutual suspicion 20 years ago, the idea was fairly simple: Even if we can’t always work together, at least let’s not work against each other. Now, two decades after the launch of the group Evangelicals and Catholics Together, relations between the two groups appear stronger than ever, forged by shared battles over abortion, same-sex marriage, religious freedom and immigration. A new pope is finding crossover appeal among evangelicals who share Pope Francis’ emphasis on evangelism and his distaste for the fancier trappings and authoritarianism of the papacy. “The first affirmation of Evangelicals and Catholics Together is that Jesus Christ is Lord, and there’s the source of our hope,” Catholic theologian Matthew Levering of Mundelein Seminary outside Chicago told the recent Q conference of evangelical movers and shakers in Nashville, Tenn. “This was an anchor for when they began to discover that we share the same gospel.”
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Posted: May 7, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7547
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, RNS • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, Evangelicals, Evangelicals and Catholics Together Transmis : 7 mai 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7547
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, RNS • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, Evangelicals, Evangelicals and Catholics Together

Saskatoon’s Bolen makes history preaching to Evangelicals

Preaching to Evangelicals at the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity didn’t phase Saskatoon Bishop Don Bolen — much.

“I’m always a bit nervous. I’m very mindful of my own shortcomings and inadequacies whenever I preach anywhere,” Bolen told The Catholic Register a few days after his Jan. 19 appearance at Saskatoon’s Circle Drive Alliance Church. “I did prepare more because they told me I had 30 minutes. Sweet, but it did require more preparation.”

Bolen preached on the story of the woman caught in adultery and Jesus’ ruling under the law that the one who has no sin should cast the first stone.

“He chose a beautiful text,” said Circle Drive Pastor Eldon Boldt. “Jesus showed grace and it was mercy upon mercy upon mercy. One girl wrote me (after the service) and said, ‘I don’t know why, but I found myself choking back tears as the bishop spoke.’ Well, that’s just the Holy Spirit.”

A Catholic bishop preaching in an Evangelical church is a rarity. As a member of the Evangelical-Roman Catholic International Consultation, Bolen hasn’t heard of other bishops preaching to Evangelicals. He plans to bring it up when the official international dialogue meets in March.
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Posted: Jan. 24, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7221
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, The Catholic Register • In this article: Catholic, Donald Bolen, ecumenism, Evangelicals, WPCU Transmis : 24 janv. 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7221
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, The Catholic Register • Dans cet article : Catholic, Donald Bolen, ecumenism, Evangelicals, WPCU

An historic visit: Bishop Donald Bolen preaches at Circle Drive Alliance Church

In what might very well be a historic first, on Sunday January 19 Roman Catholic Bishop Donald Bolen was the guest preacher at one of Saskatoon’s flagship Evangelical churches, Circle Drive Alliance Church. Pastor Eldon Boldt invited Bishop Bolen to preach some months ago and suggested January as a possible time. Boldt has been offering the congregation a series of sermons through January on the theme of Reconciliation so the bishop’s sermon on Christian unity was a natural fit. Nevertheless, the significance of the occasion was not lost on anyone, including the congregation of Holy Family Cathedral to whom Bolen had preached earlier in the morning. Before he left for Circle Drive Church, the Catholic congregation gave Bolen a rousing cheer amid their prayers for Christian unity and thanksgiving for their bishop’s ecumenical passion.

The invitation to Circle Drive Church did not come out of the blue. Pastor Boldt and Bishop Bolen have been friends for a number of years and have happily shared together in prayer and witness. They are both members of a joint consultation committee between the Catholic diocese and the Saskatoon Evangelical Ministers’ Fellowship (SEMF).
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Posted: Jan. 21, 2014 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=7204
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • In this article: Catholic, Donald Bolen, Evangelicals Transmis : 21 janv. 2014 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=7204
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • Dans cet article : Catholic, Donald Bolen, Evangelicals

“Fellowship of the Burning Heart” – second Catholic-Evangelical Shared Worship Service held, as local dialogue continues

What one speaker described as a “fellowship of the burning heart” was evident Nov. 14 in the spirit of joy characterizing the second Catholic-Evangelical worship service to be held in Saskatoon, this time hosted by Circle Drive Alliance Church. The reference to the gospel story from Luke about the disciples on the road to Emmaus – who felt their hearts burning within them at the words of the resurrected Jesus Christ – resonated during the celebration of joy and thanksgiving for shared Christian faith and love of God’s word. The celebration began with Evangelical leaders entering down one aisle, and Catholic leaders down another. Rev. Eldon Boldt of Circle Drive Alliance and Saskatoon Catholic Bishop Donald Bolen then each lit a candle from a central candle, symbolizing Christ. When the celebration ended, the two leaders carried out the lit candles in the unity of a procession of both Catholic and Evangelical Christians down a single aisle.
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Posted: Nov. 15, 2013 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8886
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, Evangelicals, prayer, Saskatoon, spiritual ecumenism Transmis : 15 nov. 2013 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8886
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, Evangelicals, prayer, Saskatoon, spiritual ecumenism

Evangelical, Catholic group working on common statement of faith

For more than two years, a group of Evangelical and Catholic Christians in Saskatoon have been meeting to talk about their common faith in Jesus Christ, discussing what is shared, as well as examining where their understandings and convictions differ.

Formally appointed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Evangelical Ministers Fellowship, the local dialogue group is now in the process of writing a joint statement, just as a second Catholic-Evangelical worship service is being planned for Saskatoon Nov. 14.

It was after the first shared worship service in March 2011 at St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral that a small group of church and ecumenical leaders met to try and find ways for the two traditions to further engage in common prayer, common witness, common mission and common study. A dialogue group was subsequently launched, with the first meeting held in December 2011.

Rev. Harry Strauss, associate pastor at Forest Grove Community Church (left) and a member of the Saskatoon Evangelical Ministers Fellowship, and Nicholas Jesson, ecumenical officer for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, are part of the 20-member dialogue group, which includes 10 representatives from each tradition.

Both Strauss and Jesson are also serving on a four-member committee that is now drafting a joint statement emerging from two years of conversation, study and relationship building.

Strauss describes the joint statement: “We confess our common faith, we acknowledge our differences and we affirm our common mission.”

Although the joint statement is not finished, there are plans to introduce portions at the 7 p.m. Nov. 14 Evangelical-Catholic worship service being hosted by Circle Drive Alliance Church, led by Pastor Eldon Bolt.
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Posted: Oct. 30, 2013 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6911
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, Evangelicals, Saskatoon, witness Transmis : 30 oct. 2013 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6911
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, ecumenism, Evangelicals, Saskatoon, witness

A Pope for All Christians

When the new pope is consecrated, he will inherit a troubled global church. Internal scandal and unaddressed external problems pose great risks to the vitality of Catholicism. But the consequences of success or failure are huge for the church universal, the world’s 2.1 billion Christians of every denomination. This is more than a butterfly effect. Rome is not Las Vegas—what happens in Rome will not stay within the borders of Vatican City. One consequence of globalization is that the walls that have long divided Catholics from Orthodox, mainline Protestants, evangelicals, and Pentecostals are eroding.

Brian Stiller, a global ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, commenting about Catholic and evangelical relations, wrote on his blog recently, “Not in 500 years have the two sides been so close and friendly.”
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Posted: Mar. 13, 2013 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6552
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, Opinion • In this article: Catholic, ecumenism, Evangelicals, papacy Transmis : 13 mars 2013 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6552
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, Opinion • Dans cet article : Catholic, ecumenism, Evangelicals, papacy

Evangelical-Catholic ecumenical prayer service held at Saskatoon cathedral

Evangelical and Catholic Christians recently gathered to pray and to celebrate their common faith in Jesus Christ at a joyful gathering at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Saskatoon.

Sharing song, scripture and prayer, some 300 people attended the groundbreaking gathering March 22, 2011. Pastor Harry Strauss of Forest Grove Community Church, representing the Saskatoon Evangelical Ministers Fellowship, and Bishop Donald Bolen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon presided together at the service. Welcoming all those attending from many denominations and local churches, Bolen described the origins of the event, which he traced back to the prayer and friendship experienced when three Catholic women joined those in the Evangelical community gathering regularly to pray for local Alliance Church Pastor Ken Rutherford, who was ill with cancer and who died in September 2010.

“It was Ken’s request that those who gathered would also pray for the wounded body of Christ in the city of Saskatoon,” said Bolen, who attended one of the prayer services, where he first met Ken’s wife Lenna. “Eventually I got to meet Pastor Ken as well, and I was stirred by his profound desire for unity and reconciliation.”

In a sermon shared with Bolen and Strauss, Lenna Rutherford recalled her husband’s experience of joy when he introduced two of his beloved friends to each other – something that also reflected his experience of connecting to other friends through a mutual love of Jesus Christ.

Christ had introduced Ken to many other dear friends. Ken found them in many shapes and presentations, they came from many pastoral and priestly places, in various denominations across the city and Ken found that he was called to see not from a worldly, or religious, or denominational point of view, but from Christ’s point of view, which was: “let me introduce you to someone I love so much that I died for them too.’”
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Posted: Mar. 25, 2011 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8878
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, dialogue, Evangelicals, prayer, Saskatoon, spiritual ecumenism Transmis : 25 mars 2011 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8878
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, dialogue, Evangelicals, prayer, Saskatoon, spiritual ecumenism

Building blocks to Christian fellowship

According to Pastor Harry Strauss, the Saskatoon Evangelical Ministers Fellowship (SEMF) intention is to build up fellowship among its members and within the wider community.

Strauss is an associate pastor at Forest Grove Community Church and chair of SEMF which is an association and fellowship of pastors and leaders from about 40 evangelical churches in the city. It also includes representatives from a dozen or so para-church organizations like Youth for Christ, Power to Change, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Christian Counselling Services.

SEMF has been operating for many years as an organization that sees its membership constantly changing.

“The heart of our mission is to foster a spirit of unity among Christian ministers and ministries in the city,” Strauss says.

The group meets monthly, and in recent years has become involved in a number of interesting initiatives.
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Posted: Dec. 24, 2010 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6214
Categories: Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • In this article: Christian unity, ecumenism, Evangelicals, Saskatoon Transmis : 24 déc. 2010 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6214
Catégorie : Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue, News • Dans cet article : Christian unity, ecumenism, Evangelicals, Saskatoon

Evangelicals and Social Engagement

Evangelical theology stresses the importance of a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ and sees the transformation of individuals as an important part of the transformation of the world. However, the notion of a purely privatized faith in which the gospel only affects individual, personal or family life but has no wider implications for society must be rejected as inadequate.
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Posted: Sept. 15, 2007 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=349
Categories: News • In this article: environment, Evangelicals, justice, peace, social policy, statements, theology, World Evangelical Alliance Transmis : 15 sept. 2007 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=349
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : environment, Evangelicals, justice, peace, social policy, statements, theology, World Evangelical Alliance

Evangelicals & Catholics Together in a culture of life

A new statement has been published by Evangelicals and Catholics Together, an ad-hoc group of theologians and church leaders headed by Charles Colson and Richard John Neuhaus. This text, entitled “That They May Have Life,” is the sixth statement issued by ECT since 1994. In their most recent offering, ECT returns its focus to public policy, morality, and the so-called “culture wars.” Seeking to promote dialogue within the US on the “culture of life,” the group affirms that they share common interests and concerns with those who oppose them. These include a common interest in the American experiment and a common humanity with its God-given capacity for reason. The text, which has the tone of a pastoral letter, appears to be interested in a dialogue between secular culture and Christians.

While this latest document is to be welcomed for its clear articulation of certain aspects of the “culture of life,” and for the continuing efforts of Evangelicals and Roman Catholics to speak together on issues of shared concern, it is disappointing for many of the same reasons that the first ECT statement was criticized. There is very little contribution made here to the ecumenical rapprochement between Evangelicals and Roman Catholics. Many of the issues that the participants agreed upon in this statement will divide them from others within their own churches. This statement will likely be received as just another contribution to the abortion debate by the Religious Right. To me, it seems like like they weren’t reaching high enough.
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Posted: Sept. 20, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=268
Categories: Dialogue, Documents, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • In this article: Catholic, Christian unity, Evangelicals, Evangelicals and Catholics Together Transmis : 20 sept. 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=268
Catégorie : Dialogue, Documents, Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue • Dans cet article : Catholic, Christian unity, Evangelicals, Evangelicals and Catholics Together