The adjective ecumenic or ecumenical simply means "general," "universal." It is derived from the Latin oecumenicus, meaning "inhabited (world)." In its original sense, it is the adjective used to describe collective, world-wide, and united Church of Christ.
In Church of Christ, as a matter of historical fact, however, has experienced several occasions of divisions, of which the Reformation—which divided churches largely (but not exclusively) in the Protestant and Roman Catholic camps—is one of the most serious. Used in the modern religious context ecumenism refers to the desire and attempts, evidenced e.g., in the movement known as the World Council of Churches, to see the world-wide Church of Christ (re-?)united in common bond of fellowship and ministry despite all our differences.
While neither the noun nor the adjective occur in the Bible, the Jerusalem Council called by the apostles and reported in Acts 15 was the first ecumenical effort to seek a decision that would be universally accepted by all the churches.
Many evangelical Christians feel uneasy with ecumenism, concerned that it is a slippery path down Compromise Lane. Whatever approach we may take, it is our Christian responsibility to seek the unity of the church. Even if we cannot agree on the finer elements of our doctrine and theology, love, sensitivity, and an open heart should be our demeanor towards those who have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
David Samuel, "Ecumenism: A Dilemma for Evangelicals," Churchman 101.3 (1987): 198-212.
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