WCC – World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a fellowship of 349 churches representing more than 560 million Christians from over 110 countries. It was founded in 1948 by European and North American churches with the church aim of seeking visible unity and acting together.
Today the WCC consists of churches from all continents. Most of the Orthodox Churches, many Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed Churches as well as united and independent churches are WCC members. The Evangelical Church of Westphalia is also part of the WCC.
In 1961 the WCC basis was formulated by the General Assembly in New Delhi: „The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures, and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
The WCC member churches – as part of the Christian community – have the purpose to:
- call each other to visible unity in one faith and in one eucharistic fellowship.
- further common witness in the fulfilment of their work for mission and evangelism.
- engage in Christian service by serving human need, breaking down barriers between people, seeking justice and peace and upholding the integrity of creation.
- foster renewal in unity, worship, mission and diakonia.
Further information may be obtained under www.oikoumene.org