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From the beginnings or organized seafarers’ ministry in the early 19th century, the movements have recognized its privileged position in ecumenical conversation. First, it was a mission to the whole world, seafarers having experienced the world in ways many others had not, but also, increasingly, seafarers being from all parts of the world. Second, the practical realities of seafarers’ ministry, especially pressures from shipping companies, ports and market realities meant that seafarers ministries were increasingly driven together by forces far beyond theological ideals. Evidenced already in the first years of seafarers’ ministry, but more acutely in the latter 20 th century, seafarers ’ministries could often claim to be some of the most practically ecumenical ministries in the world. Indeed, even those ministries that would feel uncomfortable joining or missiological reasons still tend to have a much wider circle of ministry partners from other denominations than their denominational colleagues. This essay traces the origins of ecumenical work among seafarers, how it built structures for practical work together and why the concept of ”proselytism” continues to elicit questions. The essay concludes with a practical way to discern proselytism and suggestion for understanding ecumenical conversations in the light of seafarers as “people on the move”.
