One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic: Ecumenical Reflections on the Church
Grdzelidze, Tamara, ed.
WCC Publications, 2005
ISBN: 978-2-8254-1440-8

Theologians and church leaders provide multiple perspectives on the issues of the church’s sacramentality, authority and ordained ministry. This book stands in continuity with such ecumenical documents as Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (BEM) in examining aspects of ecclesiology, the theological understanding of the church. The chapters consist of contributions by authors from many Christian traditions to the study process culminating in the report of the dialogue, The Nature and Mission of the Church. Drawing on more than 75 years of Faith and Order conversations, especially on the principles of convergence discerned in the BEM process, the book identifies areas of agreement and challenges posed for churches as they seek common ground, traces the next steps in dialogue, and provides a resource to aid reception of the results as Christian communities frame their own discussions of what it means to be the church.

This work stands in continuity with such ecumenical documents as Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (BEM); in examining aspects of ecclesiology, the theological understanding of the church. The chapters consist of contributions by authors from many Christian traditions to the study process culminating in the report of the dialogue, The Nature and Mission of the Church. Twenty-four theologians and church leaders provide multiple perspectives on the issues of the church's sacramentality, authority and ordained ministry. Drawing on more than 75 years of Faith and Order conversations, especially on the principles of convergence discerned in the BEM process, the book identifies areas of agreement and challenges posed for churches as they seek common ground. This volume traces the next steps in dialogue and provides a resource to aid reception of the results as Christian communities frame their own discussions of what it means to be the church.

Tamara Grdzelidze (Orthodox Church of Georgia) is an executive secretary of Faith and Order, on the staff of the World Council of Churches, in Geneva, Switzerland.