British Council of Churches

An associated national council of the World Council of Churches,* sharing the same doctrinal basis, namely a “fellowship of churches in the British Isles which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior according to the Scriptures and therefore seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” It was formed in 1942 through an amalgamation of existing ecumenical-type bodies. Currently twenty- five bodies in the British Isles belong to the council. The Roman Catholic Church sends observers to the meetings. There are over 700 local councils of churches in association with the BCC. The council itself consists of 131 members, 90 of whom are elected by the various member churches. They meet twice a year for two days. The council works through a departmental structure of which the best known is Christian Aid, but others deal with education, international affairs, mission and unity, social responsibility, and youth.