What is the World Council of Churches?

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is the broadest and most inclusive international ecumenical organization in the world. Founded in 1948 in Amsterdam, the WCC brings together more than 350 member churches representing over 580 million Christians from Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, and other traditions in more than 120 countries.

United Methodist Involvement

The Methodist Church (one of the predecessor bodies of the United Methodist Church) was a founding member of the WCC, and United Methodists have been deeply involved in its work ever since. United Methodist leaders have served in key roles, and the church has contributed significantly to the Council's programs in mission, education, justice, and peace.

What the WCC Does

The WCC serves as a forum for its member churches to work together on common concerns:

• Theological dialogue — The Faith and Order Commission works toward theological convergence on issues like baptism, eucharist, and ministry.
• Justice and peace — Programs address poverty, racism, climate change, human rights, and conflict resolution.
• Mission and evangelism — The WCC coordinates efforts to share the Gospel and support mission in every context.
• Interfaith dialogue — While primarily a Christian body, the WCC also engages in dialogue with other world religions.

The Assembly

The WCC holds a major assembly approximately every eight years, bringing together thousands of delegates, observers, and guests for worship, study, and deliberation. These assemblies have been held in cities around the world and often generate significant public attention and theological reflection.