What Is the Massachusetts Council of Churches?

Some day, councils of churches no longer will be necessary because churches will be the one Church of Jesus Christ, united in our diversity. But in the meantime, the Massachusetts Council of Churches is the statewide organization committed fully to the ecumenical vision. 

The Council provides a way that churches in this state can express our unity in Christ as fully and visibly as possible through joint planning, mutual counsel, and common programming.

Christians come together through the Council to heal hurts, break down barriers, and build bridges. Through this ecumenical partnership, we have five main goals:

• Educate and evangelize for unity
• Promote ecumenical worship
• Be a forum for dialogue
• Foster denominational and conciliar interdependence
• Stimulate social mission and prophetic justice

The member-denominations of the Council, organized in 1902, together were pioneers in the twentieth century ecumenical movement. Together, the churches continue to be a creative presence whose impact is felt far beyond the borders of the Commonwealth.

Our Purpose: Statement and Function

View photos of the 2004 Annual Meeting.

Photos of 2005 Annual Meeting.

Photos of 2006 Annual Meeting.

Photos of 2007 Annual Meeting.

The Council celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2002.

• View the celebration held at the Park Plaza Hotel March 2002.
• The Board of Directors passed a resolution in honor of this milestone.
• Dr. Beth Nordbeck has written a history of the Council which is available from the Council.
   

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