Hispanic ecumenism: an unlikely mix of churches adopts a shared strategy and a common agenda

WITH THE STEADY growth of the Hispanic population in the United States, Christian denominations have been competing as never before for the allegiance of Latinos. Now many Hispanic religious leaders have begun to ask an intriguing question: couldn't we accomplish more for our people by collaborating instead of competing in matters of ministry and social policy?

That question was answered with a resounding "si" at a fall meeting of Hispanic religious leaders at Duke Divinity School. There, an unlikely mix of Pentecostals, Adventists, Catholics, Baptists and others agreed to adopt--without ignoring obvious differences--a shared strategy and a common agenda ...