“GRASSROOTS ECUMENISM”: THE QUEST OF CHRISTIAN UNITY FROM THE GROUND UP

Scholars believe that grassroots ecumenism is an important renewal movement within the global ecumenical movement (Finch, 2022; Kopiec, 2019). However, scholars and students have raised several questions and debates about the precise definition of 'grassroots ecumenism' and the significance of such a movement for the church, society, and the world. For example, how should we define "grassroots ecumenism"? What role do laity play in ecumenical advocacy work and church relations? What are the laity and clergy relationships, and how are they structured? What lay-led ecumenical initiatives and projects exist, and how do they benefit the church and Christianity? How important is the laity's ecumenical commitment to social, economic, and environmental justice? How does grassroots ecumenical work address and overcome colonial issues through decolonial and postcolonial perspectives? 

Given this context, we invite paper proposals on this year’s theme, as well as current research or project proposal in ecumenical theology, practical theology, missiology, or any other relevant research fields. Paper should be suitable for a 20-minute discussion. Each presentation will be followed by a ten-minute discussion. The Topic to be addressed may include, but are not limited to:

          - Historical and present-day grassroots ecumenical movements

          - Concepts of grassroots movements, lay-clergy relations, grassroots’ role in churches,                and so on.

          - Theology and Grassroots Ecumenical Movements

          - Grassroots and Spirituality

          - Learning from one another, such as receptive ecumenism

          - Grassroots Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue

          - Grassroots initiatives include social, economic, environmental, postcolonial, and                         decolonial movements.

Please send an abstract of 200-300 words at the latest on 15th September 2024 to info.aoef@gmail.com.

Feel free to share the Call For Papers with your network once it is online!