The Mission of the Church as a Unifying or Divisive Factor in Ecumenical Relations

The Case of Ukrainian Baptists and Greek-Catholics in the Lviv Region

Authors

  • Yuliia Kozak Tilburg University, Netherlands

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29357/2789-1577.2025.23.2.5

Keywords:

ecumenism, mission of the church, Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, Ukrainian Baptist Church, social service, spiritual mission, pastoral mission, prophetic mission, ecumenical cooperation

Abstract

This article examines ecumenical relations between two socially active churches: the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC) and the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christian Baptists, through the lens of their understanding of Christian mission in the context of the full-scale Russian invasion. Combining systematic theological and empirical methods, the study explores how each church defines mission, drawing on broad and narrow conceptualizations and applying an adapted version of Emanuel Katongole’s model of three types of mission: spiritual (evangelization), pastoral (practical service), and prophetic (structural change). Findings reveal notable differences: Baptists adopt a narrower focus on evangelization, while Greek-Catholics articulate a broader vision of a church being an instrument of salvation. Although both churches prioritize spiritual and pastoral missions over the prophetic, they differ in the relationship and hierarchy between the first two. Catholics view social ministry as a distinct and equally important task, whereas Baptists often link it instrumentally to evangelization. These divergences can challenge ecumenical cooperation, including joint social outreach. Nevertheless, shared values and common goals, particularly in responding to the needs generated by war, create opportunities for collaborative engagement. Recognizing and responding to these differences is essential for strengthening ecumenical relations and enhancing the churches’ collective witness in society.

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Published

2025-12-18

How to Cite

Kozak, Yuliia. 2025. “The Mission of the Church As a Unifying or Divisive Factor in Ecumenical Relations: The Case of Ukrainian Baptists and Greek-Catholics in the Lviv Region”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology 23 (2):85-102. https://doi.org/10.29357/2789-1577.2025.23.2.5.

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2025): Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology

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