Joseph Houlds Worth Oldham

JOSEPH HOULDS WORTH OLDHAM (1874-1969)
J.H. Oldham was born in 1874in Scotland. He had acquired his education from Trinity College,
oxford and New College, Edinburgh, and later from Halle. He was a layman of the Anglican
Church. He was one of the chief architects of the ecumenical movement from the end of the 19th
century up to the formation of WCC in 1938. He was the founder and organizer of more
significant ecumenical initiatives than any other Christian of his generation. Edinburgh 1910 and
the subsequent course of the ecumenical movement are inseparable from the wisdom and
devotion of J.H Oldham. Depth and clarity of thought a swift and unerring discrimination
between the relevant and irrelevant, a capacity for constraining others to give of their best and
think harder than ever before. These are some of the characteristics 1 of Oldham. More over he is
known for his self-giving nature.
1. Oldham’s Important Writings

“ The teaching of Jesus”, ” World and the Gospel”, 2 “Christianity and race Problem” 3,
“Christian News Letter”,4 ” A Devotional Diary”, Editor of “International Review of Mission”
2. Oldham’s Significant Positions In the Ecumenical Movement

Executive secretary of the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh 19105, In 1911 he became
the secretary of the Continuation Committee. In 1921 secretary of the International Missionary
council. In 1934 he became the chairman of the Research committee for the universal Christian
Council on Life And Work. Organizer of ‘Church Community and State’ 6 in Oxford1937.He was
made an honorary president of the council at WCC’s first assembly in 1948. In 1946 he became
the vice chairman on “ “The church and disorder of the society” 7. He was the first and most
distinguished secretary of the International Missionary Council. He carried the chief
responsibility for the Oxford conference of 1937on ‘Church Community and State’ He was one
of the most influential advisors in the formation of the British Council of Churches on
International affaires’. He was the Secretary of the YMCA in India.
3. Oldham’s substantial works in the Ecumenical movement

Though the Grindel Wald Conference8 in 1895 tried to unite all churches, but they failed to do
so. They ignored almost entirely the great union of possibilities and significances of missionary
enterprises of the church. This conference took no account of the mind of youth especially the
student. But in 1895 a movement has come up which has destined to produce the great bulk of
the leadership of the modern ecumenical movement. This movement known as Student Christian
Movement in which Oldham was the prominent figure. . In Oldham’s period a younger
generation comes in to the fore, a generation, which passionately committed to the World
1
Norman Good All, The Ecumenical Movement. What It Is and what It Does (Toronto: Oxford University Press,
1961), 12.
2
2 Nicolas Lossky, Jose Miguez Bonino, John Pobee (eds), The Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement (Geneva:
WCC Publications, 1991) 746,748.
3
Ibid., 747.
4
Norman Good All, The Ecumenical movement, What It is and What It Does (Toronto: Oxford University Press,
1961), 13.
5
Nicolas Lossky (ed), Op.cit.,747.
6
Nicolas Lossky (ed), Op.cit., 748.
7
Norman Good All, Op.cit.,13.
8
Ruth Rouse, Stephan Charles (eds),A history of The Ecumenical movement1517-1948 (London:SPCK,1986), 341.
1
mission, had also grown up in the student Christian movements with their interdenominational 9
out look and training
The Edinburgh Conference and its implementation in the life of the World wide Christian
fellowship were his main interest for26years from 1908.
He maintained a constant contact with missionary societies and churches in addition to setting up
a well-planned organization for its smooth progresses and development. It was under his
leadership the IMC could successfully launch the “International review of Missions’ from 1912.
He was also involved in the Life and Work Movement and was engaged with other movements
for the successful formation of the WCC in 1948.
4.Oldham’s self giving activity towards the development of the society and people
Due to the interruption from the First World War Oldham shifted his attention to the problems of
the missionaries interred in British colonies. Already in the years of war he was thinking about
the future. What should be the pattern of missionary cooperation and the goals of missionary
Work? 10 After the world war second he encouraged his people to work for justice freedom and
peace.
He was deeply involved in the missionary struggle against racism and forced labour. He pressed
the colonial government to give more attention to the education. Through the Life and Work
Movement he concentrated towards the ‘the function of the church in the society.
Oldham admonishes the members of the church to stand at the most critical point of witness
when they are living out of their daily life in the society. He openly said that the most vital
witnessing responsibility is not full filled by inviting the non-churchgoer to ‘come to our
church’11. It is fulfilled by bringing to bear up on the daily life of the society’s conviction,
judgments, standards and graces of behavior derived from the faith in Christ and belief in His
gospel.
5. Conclusion
At his memorial service in London W A Visser Hooft said that ‘Ecumenical history is full of
examples of new development which Oldham started. Along with W.A Visser we also can say
that ecumenical movement owes more to him than to any other of its pioneers. His self-giving
mentality towards the missionary work is a great challenge to the theological students. Moreover
his attitude towards the society and its development deserves great appreciation. As a student of
ecumenical movement we have to follow and remember person like Joseph Houlds worth
Oldham
Bibliography
All, N G. The Ecumenical Movement. What It Is and what It Does Toronto: Oxford University
Press, 1961.
9
Ibid., 356.
10
Dictionary of the Ecumenical movement,Op.cit; 747.
11
Norman good All, Op cit; 95.
2
Lossky, Nicolas, Bonino, J M. Pobee ,John (eds). The Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement
Geneva: WCC Publications, 1991.
Rouse, Ruth. Charles, Stephan (eds),A history of The Ecumenical movement1517-1948

London:SPCK,1986.
Snaitang, O.L. A History of Ecumenical Movement Banglore: BTESSC/ Sathri, 2002.

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JOSEPH HOULDS WORTH OLDHAM (1874-1969)

1. Oldham’s Important Writings

2. Oldham’s Significant Positions In the Ecumenical Movement

3. Oldham’s substantial works in the Ecumenical movement

Rouse, Ruth. Charles, Stephan (eds),A history of The Ecumenical movement1517-1948

Snaitang, O.L. A History of Ecumenical Movement Banglore: BTESSC/ Sathri, 2002.

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