NAIROBI, Kenya – Christian leaders from across denominations and inter-church organizations concluded the historic Global Christian Forum last week with a renewed sense of hope in achieving unity within the worldwide body of Christ.

The four-day meeting, which ended Friday, broke new ground by bringing together the leader of the World Council of Churches, the Rev. Samuel Kobia; the international director of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe; and chair of the Pentecostal World Fellowship, Dr. James Legget; as well as leaders from other traditions including Anglican, Catholic, Baptist and Reformed.

On the final day of the meeting, leaders agreed on a joint message to all Christians around the world in which they welcomed the “unprecedented opportunity” afforded by the Forum to share reflections on the theme “Our Journey with Jesus Christ, the Reconciler,” They also reiterated the GCF’s mission to “create an open space” where Christians from across a wide range of Christian communities and inter-church organizations could reflect together on issues of common concern. more >>

As the National Council of Churches (NCC) in the USA reshapes amid budget shortfalls, top officials were installed Thursday to lead the ecumenical group.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, who represents the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) in Washington, and the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) clergyman, were installed as NCC president and general secretary, respectively.

Aykazian is the third Orthodox president and the first from the Oriental Orthodox tradition, according to NCC News Service. He will succeed outgoing president Michael Livingston, who served in the office since January 2006, as the 24th NCC president in the group's more than 50-year history. more >>

NAIROBI, Kenya – Christians from across a broad range of denominations and traditions met in Nairobi, Kenya, this week to discuss the challenges and opportunities for Christian unity.

The Global Christian Forum (GCF), which concluded Friday, was heralded by the more than 200 delegates as an “unprecedented” meeting of Christians, bringing together a number of denominations and traditions, including Anglicans, Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, Pentecostals and their Evangelical members.

A number of discussions and addresses took place throughout the Nov. 6-9 forum around the theme of “Our Journey with Jesus Christ, the Reconciler.” more >>

NAIROBI, Kenya – Representatives of worldwide evangelical and ecumenical movements have gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, this week to pave the way for closer collaboration.

The Global Christian Forum has brought together international Christian leaders from a broad spectrum of denominations and traditions, including Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director of the World Evangelical Alliance, and the Rev. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

On Wednesday, the two leaders agreed that there was a need to continue the forum process, which provides an open space for serious dialogue and conversation around issues of global Christianity. more >>

A first-of-a-kind global gathering that has brought together the broadest range of Christian tradition ever is not “going to be easy,” predicted the leader of a global church body.

“I don’t think it is going to be easy, but I hope we will find a meeting space,” said the Rev. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, according to Ecumenical News International.

The Global Christian Forum began Tuesday in Limuru, near Nairobi, and will end on Friday. Some 240 participants from a wide range of faith groups – including Anglican, Baptist, Evangelical, Roman Catholic, Friends, Mennonite, Moravian, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventists, and United Churches among others – are part of the meeting. more >>

An international gathering of the broadest range of Christian traditions ever met for a four-day conference beginning Tuesday.

High level church leaders met near Nairobi, Kenya, in an unprecedented ecumenical showcase to discuss what Christians are called to do – and if possible together – in the world. The Global Christian Forum in Limuru convenes about 250 high level representatives of all the main Christian traditions and their global organizations. Evangelicals and Pentecostal make up about half of the participants.

Under the theme of “Our Journey with Jesus Christ, the Reconciler,” participants will discuss how best to promote dialogue and cooperation on issues of Christian unity and common witness to the world. Attendees will also debate proposals for the future of the forum. more >>