World Council of Churches

  www.wcc-coe.org

Basic History  
In 1937, church leaders from 147 different churches, mostly Protestant and predominantly from Europe and North America agreed to establish a World Council of Churches (WCC), but its official organization was deferred by the outbreak of the Second World War until August 1948, when representatives assembled in Amsterdam to constitute the WCC. The World Council of Churches was founded as an international fellowship of Christian churches. It was formed to serve and advance the ecumenical movement, the quest for restoring the unity of the church - by encouraging in its members a common commitment to follow the gospel.

The council member churches today include nearly all the world’s Orthodox churches, scores of denominations from such historic traditions of the Protestant Reformation as Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed, and a broad representation of united and independent churches.

Basic Beliefs  
Churches which have caught the vision of unity and joined the WCC acknowledge a "common calling" to walk together. They are encouraged by the words of Jesus, "that they may all be one ...,” who prayed for the visible unity of the church, in order "…that the world may believe"(John 17: 21). On that ancient promise, and in that urgent hope, the World Council of Churches serves as a witness to reconciliation among churches.

The prayer of the churches which belong to the council is, "in one faith and in one Eucharistic fellowship, expressed in worship and common life in Christ, through witness and service to the world.” This prayer is for the renewal and faithful response of the people of God in witness and service to the world.

Leadership  
Chief Executive/General Secretary – Reverend Dr. Konrad Raiser (Germany)  
Deputy General Secretary/Programme Coordination – Mr. Georges Lemopoulos (Switzerland)  
Moderator – His Holiness Aram I (Cilicia)

Basic Facts  
The churches that make up the World Council live in remarkably different social conditions. Their members speak an array of languages. Their distinctive histories produce different styles of worship and forms of organization and governance. It is this diversity that makes the WCC an exciting and challenging forum. Historic tensions and differences sometimes persist - and new difficulties occasionally come to the surface - yet the fundamental commitment remains to build community among the churches.

The World Council of Churches membership consists of approximately 400 million Christians represented through more than 340 churches, denominations and fellowships in 120 countries and territories throughout the world.

Location  
World Council of Churches  
PO Box 2100, 1211  
Geneva 2, Switzerland  
Phone (41 22) 791-6111  
Fax (41 22) 791-0361