The Global Christian Forum

In the 20^th century, many churches have been able to move beyond their historical divisions into new relationships of trust, cooperation and communion. Institutions which each represent certain parts of the Christian family have emerged, such as the World Council of Churches, the World Evangelical Alliance and the Pentecostal World Fellowship. Historic denominations have entered into conversations with other world communions and churches, such as those conducted by the Catholic Church especially since the Second Vatican Council with partners ranging from the Pentecostal to the Orthodox families of churches. There are also many organizations, like the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, World Vision, the Young Women's and Young Men's Christian Associations and so forth, in which Christians from a wide variety of backgrounds work together and engage the churches across ecclesial and confessional boundaries.

Three movements have marked the life of the churches in the 20^th century: the ecumenical movement, the pentecostal / charismatic movement and the evangelical movement. The latter began already in the middle of the 19^th century and provided much of the breeding ground for the other two. In spite of their common roots, and their common goals of renewal, unity and proclamation of the gospel the three have largely developed in isolation of each other, without much interaction and at times openly opposing one another. All three movements claim to be the fruit of the Spirit. None of the three would be able to understand itself without believing that the extraordinary renewal and growth it has witnessed in so many churches and among so many Christians is the work of the Holy Spirit. None of the three has the right to deny the presence and guidance of the Spirit among the other. What does that say to us? Could it be that the Holy Spirit has moved in such confusing ways in the 20^th century that we, at the dawn of the 21^st century are left with seemingly insoluble divisions in Christianity?

The Global Christian Forum seeks to address these questions. It aims at creating new opportunities for contact between Christians and discussion of common concerns. The concept of such a new space which is not provided elsewhere was first proposed by Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches in the 1990s. It was entrusted to an autonomous Continuation Committee, which since 1998 has convened various meetings in order to refine and advance this vision.