Growing up, I thought ecumenical was a dirty word.

It was synonymous with compromised doctrine and wishy-washy thinking, a slippery slope away from the truth.

My particular Protestant tradition viewed other Protestants with reluctant acceptance, maybe even condescending pity. We had it right; the church down the road… well, at least they believe in Jesus.

Catholics were in a different category, their doctrine seen as an enemy to grace. The idea that they had things to teach us was laughable.

So you can imagine my surprise when at my first Renovaré conference — some twenty years ago — Emilie Griffin, a Catholic, was listed in the brochure. Nevermind that she wasn’t even attending this conference, just her presence in the brochure was enough to strike fear in my heart. What have I got myself into!

It turns out I’d gotten into something beautiful. The conference was a watershed moment. Never had I seen so many kinds of Christians worshipping together in spirit and truth. Never had I encountered such hunger for the Lord and such hospitality of heart. Never had I heard a Baptist minister quoting Catholic thinkers with respect and honor.

There are, of course, real and substantive differences between Christian traditions. There is a time and place — and most importantly a Christlike way—in which to listen to and debate one another about these differences.

Yet across the full spectrum of Christian tradition, you will find sincere and devout followers of Jesus from whom we have much to learn — not in spite of their tradition but because of it.

Renovaré is a ​“big tent” ministry. The center unmovable pole is Jesus Christ, his divinity, saving death, and bodily resurrection. (Renovaré holds what theologians call a ​“high Christology.”) While other important but secondary poles of Christian tradition dot the perimeter of the tent, the cross-shaped Christ-pole stands firmly in the middle and gives support and room for all the rest.