Doing theology – ecumenically

The Ecumenical Study Fellowship, formerly the Ecumenical Teaching Order, celebrated its thirty-sixth birthday this year.  Founded to foster theological literacy for the laity, we believe that it is one of relatively few organisations studying and working ecumenically. The founding members had become concerned that many clergy did not share the theology which they had been taught in the mistaken fear of damaging the ‘simple faith’ of their congregations. Currently we are concerned that biblical texts have been wrenched from their context and used to support tendentious arguments; that some churches neglect social justice; that many are patriarchal, and that some do not respect other faiths.  

The Fellowship is active in Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon and Dorset. We work in groups which meet locally, and offer individual tutorial programmes.  Our discussions are wide-ranging, open and reflective.  We come together four times a year for a day meeting with a speaker, worship and a meal together. Our worship is innovative and ecumenical.  We hold an annual residential weekend, with a high profile speaker, at the Ammerdown Ecumenical Study Centre near Radstock.  In 2003, the Ammerdown weekend was led by Bruce Kent and Valerie Flessati on the theme A Time for Peace.  In 2004, Marcus Braybrooke led Aspects of Forgiveness. In 2005 The Revd John Rackley of Bath explored the Baptist tradition in theology and the history of the Baptist Church.  In 2006 Dr Renato Lings, a Danish member of the Society of Friends,  studied controversial texts in the light of  accurate translation of the Hebrew text.  In 2007  Martin Pendergast, Chair of Christians for Human Rights, in Bringing Human Rights Home, suggested that the Human Rights Act is an important opportunity for Christians engaged in the pursuit of social justice and protection of human life and dignity.   In 2008, in How to read the Bible, The Revd Dr Ernest Lucas, Vice Principal and Tutor in Biblical Studies at Bristol Baptist College, described how modern people can approach the Bible as Window, Picture and Mirror, relating Biblical faith to contemporary issues.

Mission Statement

We are a fellowship of lay people with advisers from within the lay and ordained ministries.

We meet for study, worship and open discussion, and to deepen our spirituality.

We are ecumenical in outlook and practice, and seek the unity of all Christian denominations.

We welcome those with open minds and seek humble dialogue with people of other Faiths.

We seek, for ourselves and those who may wish to join us, opportunities better to know God and God’s will for us and for the communities of which we are a part.

In collaboration with like-minded organisations, we aim to spread wider this web of opportunities and so also to contribute to the Church's teaching ministry.