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National Council Of Churches




The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (usually identified as '''National Council of Churches''', or '''NCC''') is a religious organization currently (2006) consisting of 35 Protestant , Anglican , Orthodox , African-American and historic peace Christian Denominations in the United States, and is widely regarded as a leading force within the Ecumenical movement of Christianity . NCC is related fraternally to hundreds of local and state councils of churches and interfaith organizations, and to the World Council Of Churches , but though they may include many of the same member churches, these councils have no fiscal or administrative connections to each other.

The ''National Council of Churches'' was organized in 1950 , and its forerunner, the ''Federal Council of Churches'' was founded in 1908 . A sister organization, Church World Service , is a humanitarian and relief arm of the NCC's member denominations.

Headquarters are located in New York , New York , with a public-policy office on Capitol Hill in Washington DC .

Representatives of the NCC's member denominations meet together annually in a general assembly, with several other meetings each year by a smaller governing board.

Most of the Council's work is done through five ecumenical program commissions -- Communication, Education and Leadership Ministries, Faith and Order, Interfaith Relations, and Justice and Advocacy. Membership in these commissions extends far beyond the NCC's 35 member communions to involve participants from more than 50 U.S. faith groups, including Roman Catholics, Evangelicals and Pentecostals.

The NCC's current General Secretary, Rev. Bob Edgar , is a former Democratic congressman.


CONTRIBUTIONS

Among the NCC's contributions are:
  • the translation and publication of the Revised Standard Version and the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible , a preferred translation in seminaries and divinity schools.

  • the Uniform Sunday School Lesson Series, used for more than a century by many denominations as the basis for curriculum and study materials.

  • the publication of the annual '' Yearbook Of American And Canadian Churches '', a comprehensive directory to the religious life of North America.

  • extensive work on Environmental , Peace and Social Justice issues.

  • administration of Worldwide Faith News, a web-based interfaith news distribution system affording large and small faith groups, even those in developing nations, equal access to media.



CRITICISM


Conservative

There has been an ongoing .


Liberal

The NCC has consistently declined to take public positions on issues where there is not consensus among its diverse constituent member bodies, and this results in criticism by some liberal Protestants. Some have complained because the NCC has declined to extend membership to the Metropolitan Community Church , a communion whose ministry advocates full participation by Gay , Lesbian , Bisexual and Transgender ed people.


Online

The NCC provides extensive, searchable online resources through its Web site (http://www.ncccusa.org) and at a membership-based public advocacy Web site, FaithfulAmerica (http://www.FaithfulAmerica.org). Occasional e-mailed updates and newsletters about these services, sent to constituents, sometimes cause critics to accuse the NCC of spamming; however, every such message provides a clearly identified "unsubscribe" option in full compliance with all regulations.


GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS


The Rev. Michael E. Livingston, Trenton, NY (President)

Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., Shreveport, LA (Past President)

Ms. Clare Chapman, New York, NY (Committee Chair)

The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, Mineapolis, MN (Committee Chair)

Dr. Susan E. Davies, Bangor, ME (Committee Chair)

Ms. Ann S. Gillies, Louisville, KY (Commission Chair)

The Rev. Raymon Hunt, Charlotte, NC (Commission Chair)

The Very Rev. Archmandrite Demetri C. Kantzavelos, Chicago, Ill (Committee Chair)

Dr. Michael Kinnamon, St. Louis, Mo (Commission Chair)

The Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, Syosset, NY (Committee Chair)

Dr. Audrey Miller, Cleveland Heights, OH (Committee Chair)

Mr. Loyd M. Starrett, Esq., Beverly, MA (Committee Chair)

Rev. Fred Rajan, Chicago, Il (Committee Chair)

Mr. Marvin L. Roloff, Minneapolis, MN (Committee Chair)

Dr. Barbara Brown Zikmund, Rockville, MD (Commission Chair)

in addition to representatives from all member denominations.


MEMBER DENOMINATIONS (JANUARY 2006)

Wikipedia article -- page


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