the world council of churches at a glance
the message
"that they may all be one ... that the world may believe" (Jesus' prayer for his followers, from John 17.21).
the mission
to pray for and pursue the visible unity of Christ's church - "in one faith and in one eucharistic fellowship, expressed in worship and common life in Christ, through witness and service to the world."
"from every tribe and tongue and nation ..."
the membership
about 400 million Christians represented through more than 340 churches, denominations and fellowships in 120 countries and territories throughout the world.
the common calling
"one human family in justice and peace." date of founding1948 The World Council of Churches fellowship of Christian churches, built upon the foundation of encounter, dialogue and collaboration. The WCC 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 prayer of the churches which belong to the WCC is for the renewal and faithful response of the people of God in witness and service to the world.
the pilgrimage towards unity
Churches which have caught the vision of unity and joined the WCC acknowledge a "common calling" to walk together, encouraged by the words of Jesus, who prayed for the visible unity of the church, in order "that the world may believe". On that ancient promise, and in that urgent hope, the WCC has served as a witness to reconcilation among churches for more than 50 years. what does it mean to be ecumenical? serving God's rich kingdom the churches that make up the WCC 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. learn more about the wcc For more information, consult our frequently asked questions. Or better yet, visit the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland!
contact the wcc
PO Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland.
Tel: (41 22) 791 6111. Fax: (41 22) 791 0361.
E-mail: infowcc@wcc-coe.org.
Related Links:
World Council of Churches
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