The nearly 150 documents in this anthology virtually embody "the ecumenical century" and are here presented in a definitive collection for both classroom and reference.

Included in this exhaustive collection are significant passages from the most widely influential texts produced by assemblies, consultations, and statements of the World Council of Churches, carefully selected, edited, and introduced. They address the most important aspects of the ecumenical movement from its beginnings more than a century ago to today.

1. The Ecumenical Vision: Toward an Integration of Unity, Mission, Justice, and Renewal
2. The Unity of the Church: Toward a Common Definition
3. Agreement on Issues That Divide the Church: Toward Fuller Communion in Christ
4. Ecumenical Social Thought: Toward Solidarity in Humanity's Struggles
Combatting Racism
Renouncing War and Violence
Overcoming Poverty
Protecting the Environment
5. Mission and Evangelism: Toward Common Witness throughout the Earth
6. Dialogue with People of Other Faiths: Toward Better Understanding of Our Neighbors
7. Learning and Prayer: Toward a Community of Formation and Spirituality
8. Councils of Churches: Toward an Understanding of Their Nature and Purpose
9. Challenges Ahead: Toward an Ecumenical Future

This enlarged second edition includes some seventy-five new texts, many of them produced since the first edition of 1997. Classic documents from the movement's earlier decades have been retained, but many short excerpts have been removed in favor of fewer - but fuller - texts.