wfn.org | Professor Robeck Addresses Ecumenical Breakfast

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

17-June-1997 
GA97049 
 
           Professor Robeck Addresses Ecumenical Breakfast 
 
                         by Nancy Rodman 
 
SYRACUSE--Stating the need for Presbyterians and pentecostals to get to 
know one another better, the Rev. Dr. Cecil M. Robeck, Jr., professor of 
ecumenics at Fuller Theological Seminary, recommended day-to-day table 
talk, sharing, and praying together as a way to eliminate stereotypes and 
promote understanding as he addressed the annual ecumenical breakfast. 
 
    Dr. Robeck noted that evangelism is the key to the growth of the 
pentecostal movement.  Pentecostalism attracts people who are seeking to 
reorder their priorities and change their lives.  The pentecostal churches 
take the emotional as well as the intellectual side of people seriously, 
allowing emotional expression through music, dance, and other responses. 
 
    They empower members of the pentecostal churches to witness to their 
faith and they promote a code of high moral standards.  Gifts are tested 
and charismatic leadership emerges.  Members are encouraged to experiment 
and grow, secure in the knowledge that they are called into ministry. 
Helping members discern and develop the gifts bestowed on them by God is 
given priority in the churches.  Pentecostal churches are highly versatile, 
able to develop, change, experiment, and adapt.  Thus, the movement has 
grown to encompass one-half billion of the two billion Christians on earth. 
 
    In addition to growth in numbers, the pentecostal movement has grown in 
its ecumenical involvement, a trend that is particularly noticeable among 
the churches of Latin America.  They are becoming active in councils of 
churches and have been involved in a series of dialogues with the Roman 
Catholic Church since 1972.  Robeck particularly noted the openness of Pope 
John Paul II to ecumenism.  Since 1986, the American pentecostal churches 
have been in dialogue with the National Council of Churches. 
 
    In short, according to  Robeck, the pentecostal churches are viable, 
growing, and cognizant of the need for ecumenical involvement.  We must be 
open to the surprises God has in store for us.  "Ecumenism," he said, "is 
for mutual enrichment." 
 
    The ecumenical breakfast is sponsored during each General Assembly by 
the Ecumenical Staff Team of the Office of the General Assembly and 
Worldwide Ministries Division.  It is the annual celebration of 
Presbyterian commitment to the visible unity of the Church of Jesus Christ. 

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