CHARLOTTE — An ecumenical meeting of minds gathered Oct. 31 to debate “The Role of the Ordained Ministry In and For the Church” at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a multi-denominational seminary.
The event featured interfaith theologians, including Father Benjamin Roberts, the Diocese of Charlotte’s ecumenical officer and pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe; Father Jay Scott Newman, chancellor of the Diocese of Charleston and pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Greenville, South Carolina; and Dr. Alessandro Rovati, chair of the Theology Department at Belmont Abbey College.
They were joined by the Rev. Dr. Steven Harmon, Co-Secretary of the International Baptist-Roman Catholic Dialogue, professor of theology at Gardner-Webb University and a Baptist, The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mumme, Lutheran associate professor of theology at Hillsdale College, and the Rev. Dr. Nathan Yoder, Lutheran professor of theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Together, they discussed issues including the hierarchy of holy orders, the ordination of women in different faith traditions, and the ordination process in general. Ideas were exchanged in an effort to foster dialogue between faiths and encourage understanding, even if that understanding ended in an agreement to disagree.
“What can we draw from these four talks that we heard? First and foremost, the ministry that we speak about is a gift from Christ that is in some way a continuation and an extension of the ministry of Jesus Christ, made present to His people here and now,” said Father Roberts. “How that call is validated, affirmed and commissioned are topics for another day, but we can agree … that the ministry we are talking about today is a gift from Christ and for the Church.”
The Conference was sponsored by the McDaniel-Yoder Center for Theology, which is directed by The Rev. Dr. Andrew Weisner.
— Lisa M. Geraci