Canadian Council of Churches
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Council of Churches was founded on September 27, 1944 at Yorkminister Baptist Church in Toronto Ontario Canada. The Canadian Council of Churches provides an agency for consultation, planning and common action. It was founded to co-ordinate the growing number of Canadian co-operative ventures in social services, religious education, evangelization and overseas mission. The council communicates and cooperates with other national and regional councils around the world. At times they work with the World Council of Churches, though it neither contributes, funds to, nor receives financial support from the World Council.
The Canadian Council of Churches, with headquarters in Toronto, is governed and supported by its members through a semi-annual Governing Board. Two commissions coordinate a large portion of its work: Justice and Peace and Faith and Witness. The rise of an ecumenical movement in the twentieth century caused churches to seek reconciliation, reunion and restoration of oneness. Through the ecumenical movement the Canadian Council of Churches seeks unity for the divided church and reminds Christians that they share Christ’s mission for reconciliation, peace, dignity and justice for the whole community.
Today, the Canadian Council of Churches consists of 22 denominations across Canada and is the largest ecumenical body in the nation. Consisting of Anglican, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical and Roman Catholic traditions, they are one of the few ecumenical bodies in the world with such a wide range of Christian church members. Within individual member churches, local needs and denominational concerns have, at times, taken precedence over universal efforts. All Canadian Council of Churches members maintain a theological commitment to Universality. The Council also works with non-member Christian churches, as well as with communities of other faiths. Member denominations believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour, according to the Scriptures. Members seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The current General Secretary of the Council is Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton.
There are now 22 Member Churches in the Canadian Council of Churches:
The members of the Canadian Council of Churches work together to:
Undertake and promote theological study and reflection among Christian traditions
The Canadian Council of Churches is registered with the United Nations and participates in world conferences and commissions on such issues as funding for development, refugee settlement and human rights. They produce resources, including material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which takes place in the month of January every year. They also support the work of the WWDP through the World Day of Prayer
which is held in March each year. The council has both founded and sponsors Project Ploughshares, a leading Canadian peace organization. They also produce a bi-annual newsletter, Emmaus, and a periodic electronic newsletter entitled "Together"
The Canadian Council of Churches, with headquarters in Toronto, is governed and supported by its members through a semi-annual Governing Board. Two commissions coordinate a large portion of its work: Justice and Peace and Faith and Witness. The rise of an ecumenical movement in the twentieth century caused churches to seek reconciliation, reunion and restoration of oneness. Through the ecumenical movement the Canadian Council of Churches seeks unity for the divided church and reminds Christians that they share Christ’s mission for reconciliation, peace, dignity and justice for the whole community.
Today, the Canadian Council of Churches consists of 22 denominations across Canada and is the largest ecumenical body in the nation. Consisting of Anglican, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical and Roman Catholic traditions, they are one of the few ecumenical bodies in the world with such a wide range of Christian church members. Within individual member churches, local needs and denominational concerns have, at times, taken precedence over universal efforts. All Canadian Council of Churches members maintain a theological commitment to Universality. The Council also works with non-member Christian churches, as well as with communities of other faiths. Member denominations believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour, according to the Scriptures. Members seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The current General Secretary of the Council is Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton.
There are now 22 Member Churches in the Canadian Council of Churches:
- The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
- Archdiocese of Canada of the Orthodox Church in America
- Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
- Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec
- British Methodist Episcopal Church (Associate Member)
- Canadian Baptists of Western Canada
- Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends of Quakers Canada
- Christian Church in Canada: Disciples of Christ
- Christian Reformed Church in North America, Canada
- St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church
- Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
- Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto Canada
- Mennonite Church Canada
- Polish National Catholic ChurchPolish National Catholic ChurchThe Polish National Catholic Church is a Christian church founded and based in the United States by Polish-Americans who were Roman Catholic. The PNCC is a breakaway Catholic Church in dialogue with the Catholic Church; it seeks full communion with the Holy See although it differs theologically...
of Canada - Ukrainian Catholic Church
- Presbyterian Church in Canada
- Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America
- The Salvation Army
- Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
- United Church of Canada
The members of the Canadian Council of Churches work together to:
- Bring member denominations together in a forum where all voices hold equal weight and promote understanding amongst them.
- Provide a safe place for immigrant churches to learn about Canada and to put down roots
Undertake and promote theological study and reflection among Christian traditions
- Host meetings to encourage church body participation in dialogue with people of other faiths
- Study, speak about and act on conditions that involve moral and spiritual principles, including current national and global events and societal issues such as the future of health care and the ethics of biotechnology
- Share information broadly, communicating results of reflections on theology, ethics and justice to the Canadian society its government
- Works closely with the Inter-faith committee on Canadian military chaplaincy in terms of credentials for chaplains and consultation on issues affecting the relationship between faith groups and the military
The Canadian Council of Churches is registered with the United Nations and participates in world conferences and commissions on such issues as funding for development, refugee settlement and human rights. They produce resources, including material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which takes place in the month of January every year. They also support the work of the WWDP through the World Day of Prayer
World Day of Prayer
The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen’s initiative. It is run under the motto “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action,” and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March...
which is held in March each year. The council has both founded and sponsors Project Ploughshares, a leading Canadian peace organization. They also produce a bi-annual newsletter, Emmaus, and a periodic electronic newsletter entitled "Together"