To be ecumenical

So two days in a row I have been pushed into thinking about what it means to work ecumenically in our community. To me, working ecumenically means that we put theological differnces aside so that the common good can be accomplished, or relationships created, or community encouraged. But recently the vote by the ELCA has ended some of those ties. Now, don't get me wrong, I am very glad the vote passed the way it did...but it is sad to me that homosexuality is driving a wedge into ecumenical efforts; not our different understandings of baptism, or communion, or the Spirit, or priesthood....but sexuality. It is apparent that we, as such sinful creatures, still cannot figure out a way to work together, in spite of our differences of thought. Because when we boil it down, all of us as Christians follow Jesus and want to serve others because of him....and we trust in his grace and mercy in our lives. Is this not enough to hold us together so that we can make a difference in the lives of those in need in our community?

But I also thank and praise God that many of us are still bound together in ecumenical work regardless of the decisions of the pope, or the hierarchy of the churches we belong to, or our ideas about the bible. May God bless us all to strive together to serve others.