Pentecostal Communion Ecclesiology: An Ecumenical Proposal

Koinonia has become the standard by which any biblically founded ecclesiology is measured. It serves as the foundation upon which ecumenical dialogue concerning the nature and purpose of the Church is built. Universal communion ecclesiology has emerged as increasingly prominent within the ecumenical movement, and many now consider it the foundation of ecumenism and of ecclesiological discourse. Communion ecclesiology has proven popular not only in Faith and Order Papers on the Church, originating in the World Council of Churches, but also in a number of bilateral dialogues and among noteworthy theologians across the ecumenical spectrum. Unfortunately, Pentecostal theologians have neither readily embraced this concept of the Church nor entered into the theological discourse in meaningful ways of significant impact. Few Pentecostal theologians have entered the conversation at all. The relative lack of attention to the subject by Pentecostal theologians demonstrates the significant need for this study. This study discusses the relevance of communion ecclesiology to both the ecumenical movement and Pentecostalism. It examines the ecclesiological views of Simon Chan, Miroslav Volf, and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, exploring how they help facilitate a more robust Pentecostal ecclesiology that has the capacity to engage in ecumenical dialogue.