No. The fact is neither the Roman Catholic Church nor the majority of the Pentecostal-Evangelical Churches have joined the WCC.
The Assemblies of God (the largest Evangelical-Protestant denomination) has equally been cautious of ecumenicalism:
“Unity in the body of Christ does not require accepting the beliefs and practices of any group that offers membership to enhance cooperation on social and legislative matters. The Assemblies of God has historically been cautious in making alliances with church groups that do not hold the same biblical priorities, but rather emphasize social concerns over the importance of changing lives through a genuine salvation experience. The church cooperates with groups when our distinctives are not compromised. For example, the Assemblies of God is a cooperating member of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America , and the Pentecostal World Fellowship. But it is not a member of the World Council of Churches or the National Council of Churches.” (emphasis added)
For more on the official SDA position towards ecumenicalism see:
What does one mean by ecumenicalism anyway? My observation of Adventists, both conservatives and liberals, is that there is a reluctance for the SDA Church to be in any formal organisational alliances or arrangements with other denominations. However, they are willing to borrow from the craziest latest Evangelical ministry idea, such as deliverance ministries, strategic level spiritual warfare, natural church growth, prayer warriors, creationism, Hillsong music, Wild-at-Heart men's ministries, covenant marriages etc etc.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is many of these ministry ideas: i) are run by get-rich-quick prosperity gospel people out of Little Rock Colorado USA; ii) have no sort of accountability or transparency because they are run through 'independent' and 'non-denominational' ministries Creflo Dollar style; iii) are often taught and incorporated into Adventism as if they were Adventist beliefs and practices, without telling congregations that they had originated outside of the SDA Church.
On that basis, even the most conservative SDA Church is very 'ecumenical', because it borrows heavily from outsiders, usually paying a lot of money for the pleasure. Personally, I would rather the SDA be upfront about its ecumenicalism, and rather see it on a demonination-to-denomination level. Instead, we have a type of hidden ecumenicalism currently.