Ecumenical or Ecumenicalism

Ecumenical generally means promoting unity and cooperation among different Christian denominations, emphasizing shared faith in Jesus Christ rather than focusing on doctrinal divisions. Churches that embrace ecumenism often do so to reflect Christ’s prayer “that they may all be one,” believing cooperation strengthens witness, reduces hostility, and better serves communities through shared missions and outreach. They value fellowship, dialogue, and mutual respect across traditions. Churches that resist ecumenism often fear it leads to theological compromise or confusion about truth. They emphasize maintaining doctrinal purity, warning that unity without agreement on core beliefs could water down the gospel. For some, rejecting ecumenism preserves their identity and convictions about what they see as the authentic expression of Christianity.

Some Christians view ecumenism in eschatological terms, interpreting global religious cooperation as a possible sign of end-times deception—a step toward a “one world religion.” From this perspective, apparent harmony may conceal a drift from biblical truth. Even though there is a justified concern over a one world religion, the founders of this website believe that genuine Christian unity—rooted in shared faith and core biblical truth—carries far greater value than the fears that divide believers. Besides, the evil “one world religion” described in prophecy would be one that denies the unique saving power of Jesus Christ, and every church in this directory affirms that power without compromise. Therefore, ecumenical fellowship among these believers can be nothing but pleasing to God, and something all Christians should aspire toward.

Infallibility of Scripture

One of the most important distinctions among Christian denominations—and even between individual churches—is how they regard the authority of Scripture. Most “What We Believe” statements begin with this question, because every other doctrine ultimately flows from it. All Christians affirm that the sixty-six books of the Bible are divinely inspired—that the authors were guided by the Holy Spirit to record God’s message in the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Where Christians differ, however, is in how that divine inspiration applies to human interpretation over time.

Some believe that God intended every commandment to be followed literally and permanently, while others hold that certain instructions were bound to a specific time and culture, and that the enduring truth lies in the principles behind the words rather than the wording itself.

This becomes especially clear in the Old Testament, which includes commandments that reflect the judicial and moral systems of ancient tribal life—penalties for adultery or homosexuality, “eye for an eye” justice, and restrictive laws concerning women. Even Jesus acknowledged this context, saying that some commandments were given because of the “hardness of people’s hearts,” not because they represented God’s ultimate standard. That fact alone should rebuke anyone trying to apply every literal word of the Bible to the modern era. Still, that “fact” doesn’t change the pervasiveness of Total Bible Infallibility in church doctrine pages.

All Christians eventually face a decision: whether to follow the Bible literally and justify which parts they accept or reject, or to follow Jesus’s example of reconciling literal law with the higher morality of God’s kingdom written on the heart. That second path risks excessive permissiveness, yet the first often ignores spiritual growth. The editors of this directory offer no simple answer for potential Christians exploring Christianity. Instead, we encourage prayer, reflection, and exploration. Let God’s Spirit guide you to the church where His Will feels most alive and His Truth most clearly revealed.