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The '''World Council of Churches''' (WCC) is a world-wide fellowship of churches, linked by their common faith in, and worship of, [[Jesus Christ]].

The '''World Council of Churches''' (WCC) is a worldwide fellowship of churches, linked by their common faith in, and worship of, [[Jesus Christ]]. Their headquarters are based in [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]].

It combines at total of 349 different churches, representing some 550 million Christians. Included in the fellowship are most of the world’s [[Orthodox]] churches; the historic denominational traditional churches, such as the the [[Anglican]], [[Baptist]], [[Lutheran]], [[Methodist]] and [[Reformed]], as well as many united and independent churches.

It combines at total of 349 different churches, representing some 550 million Christians. Included in the fellowship are most of the world’s [[Orthodox]] churches; the historic denominational traditional churches, such as the [[Anglican]], [[Baptist]], [[Lutheran]], [[Methodist]] and [[Reformed]], as well as many united and independent churches.  However, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], one of the largest Baptist denominations, is notably not a member, believing the group to be liberal while the SBC holds to a conservative theology.

The [[Roman Catholic|Roman Catholic Church]] is not a member, but does have a formal working relationship with the WCC. In addition, the WCC is building relations with various [[Evangelical]] and [[Pentecostal]] churches.

The [[Roman Catholic|Roman Catholic Church]] is not a member, but does have a formal working relationship with the WCC. In addition, the WCC is building relations with various [[Evangelical]] and [[Pentecostal]] churches.

* Shared convictions on faith, life and witness are increasingly enriching theological reflection undertaken from strictly confessional perspectives. For example, theologians from different church traditions working together in the WCC's Faith and Order Commission produced a statement on baptism, Eucharist and ministry that has led to new worship patterns within churches, and to a greater understanding and changed relationships between churches of different confessional traditions.

* Shared convictions on faith, life and witness are increasingly enriching theological reflection undertaken from strictly confessional perspectives. For example, theologians from different church traditions working together in the WCC's Faith and Order Commission produced a statement on baptism, Eucharist and ministry that has led to new worship patterns within churches, and to a greater understanding and changed relationships between churches of different confessional traditions.

* During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Christians are drawn together into the prayer of our Lord that all may be one so that the world may believe. This Week, whose theme is developed each year by the Faith and Order Commission with the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, draws churches at the local level into deeper fellowship.

* During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Christians are drawn together into the prayer of our Lord that all may be one so that the world may believe. This Week, whose theme is developed each year by the Faith and Order Commission with the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, draws churches at the local level into deeper fellowship.

* Since its creation, the WCC has supported and inspired church participation in struggles for justice, peace and creation. One example is the highly-valued support given by the churches, through the WCC's Programme to Combat Racism, to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Support to efforts to bring about an end to the two decades-long civil conflict in Sudan, or to reunification of North and South Korea, or to the defence of human rights in Latin America during the decades of brutal military dictatorships in that region are three among many other examples.

* Since its creation, the WCC has supported and inspired church participation in struggles for justice, peace and creation. One example is the highly valued support given by the churches, through the WCC's Programme to Combat Racism, to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Support to efforts to bring about an end to the two decades-long civil conflict in Sudan, or to reunification of North and South Korea, or to the defence of human rights in Latin America during the decades of brutal military dictatorships in that region are three among many other examples.

* Recognition of the importance of inter-religious dialogue and relations with other faiths, as well as of the churches' responsibility for the integrity of creation, have been particular hallmarks of the ecumenical movement.  

* Recognition of the importance of inter-religious dialogue and relations with other faiths, as well as of the churches' responsibility for the integrity of creation, have been particular hallmarks of the ecumenical movement.  

*[http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/global-bodies-and-mission-communions/wcc.html#c23067 Alphabetical list of member churches]

*[http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/global-bodies-and-mission-communions/wcc.html#c23067 Alphabetical list of member churches]

[[category:Christian Organizations]]

*[[Willem Adolph Visser 't Hooft]]

[[Category:Christian Organizations]]