Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

A group of Catholics and evangelicals has released a one-page document identifying areas of common ground among the two largest Christian groups in the world.

“The Gift of Being Christian Together: An Ecumenical Statement of Fidelity and Recognition” is described as “the fruit of a new ecumenical dialogue,” according to a news release from Glenmary Home Missioners in Cincinnati.

“At the most basic level, Catholics and evangelicals share a love of Jesus Christ,” said Alexei Laushkin, founder of Kingdom Mission Society, an evangelical organization that helped spearhead the effort.

Catholic efforts were led by Nathan Smith, ecumenical director for Glenmary Home Missioners, a Catholic society working in evangelical-dominant areas of Appalachia and the South. Smith and Laushkin have established a website, thegiftofbeingchristiantogether.org, to disseminate the document and gather signatures from both institutions and everyday Christians. The document was released on Aug. 28, the feast of St. Augustine, with signatures being accepted until Nov. 24, the feast of Christ the King.

“The feasts of St. Augustine and Christ the King both have ecumenical significance,” explained Smith. “Christians see Christ the King as the center of unity... And St. Augustine is much beloved by evangelicals and Catholics.” He added that Augustine's writings are important in works by both St. Thomas Aquinas and Reformation theologian John Calvin.

Churches will be encouraged to hold liturgical events resonating with their tradition on Nov. 24 to highlight unity. One recommended practice is lighting churches with red lights around Nov. 24 as a sign of solidarity with modern Christian martyrs.

“Let’s put an emphasis on the evangelism that has often been the cause of their martyrdom,” Laushkin said.

The dialogue group formed in 2021 aimed to address how “the two communities see one another as being Christian... even in the midst of our current differences,” Smith told OSV News in an email dated Sept. 4.

Smith and Laushkin led a working group comprising theologians from six traditions: Catholic, Methodist, Reformed, Wesleyan, Anglican, and Free Church. Notable Catholic theologians included Jonathan Ciraulo, Dawn Eden Goldstein, Alan Mostrom, Dominican Father Ignatius John Schweitzer, and Father Walter Kedjierski. Evangelical participants included Howard Snyder, Ben Homan, Rev. Craig Higgins, and Miranda Cruz.

Dialogue participants focused on highlighting ways members from both groups can see each other as Christians rather than emphasizing theological differences.

The Christian Forum of Switzerland has translated the document into French for study this fall. Additionally, it has received recommendations from U.S bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and endorsement from North American Baptist Fellowship.

Smith expressed hope for positive outcomes through better understanding between Catholics and evangelicals: “For example... it’s not uncommon for families to have both Catholics and evangelicals... I’ve spoken to people whose kids marry evangelicals... ‘The Gift of Being Christian Together’ gives some language as to how we might see one another... It provides a starting point for further conversation.”