At the same time, the NCC's legislative Executive Board and General Assembly struggled to address a nearly $4 million deficit and depleted reserves and to ensure the Council's future financial and administrative health. Approved at week's end: a sweeping restructure plan that imposes new budget stringencies and cuts headquarters staff by one-third.

Notwithstanding, the NCC ended the week on a high note, convinced that it has an important role to play in the United States and in the world. Forums and special events drew 950 registrants. Thursday evening, an estimated 1,200 persons packed Cleveland's Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for an ecumenical service to install Ambassador Andrew Young as the NCC's president for 2000-2001. The festivities continued at a 50th Anniversary Banquet. Friday morning, the NCC's General Assembly elected the Rev. Robert W. Edgar as the Council's new general secretary, its top staff post, beginning Jan. 1, 2000.

Both Dr. Edgar, president of Claremont School of Theology, and Ambassador Young are former members of the U.S. Congress - in fact, their terms overlapped. Both bring a fresh infusion of optimism and vision to the National Council of Churches and an intention to lead the Council in discovering bold initiatives that will continue to shape and influence the life of the country in the decades to come.
Profile: New NCC General Secretary Robert W. Edgar

An optimist, futurist and coalition builder, the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar accepts the NCC's top staff post at a time of both crisis and opportunity for the 50-year-old ecumenical organization. The seminary president and former U.S. congressman said he sees a great opportunity to connect to local ecumenical passion from a national level and find ways to really make a difference.

Actions of the NCC's General Assembly

At its annual meeting, held Nov. 10-12 during the 50th Anniversary Celebration, the NCC's General Assembly elected new officers and adopted a plan to reestablish the Council's financial and administrative health. In her farewell address, retiring NCC General Secretary Joan Campbell addressed the Council's woes head on. "The Council has never been flush with funds," she said. "The needs of the poor are too great, the expectations of the world are too high, the heart of the church is too empathetic. We say yes because God demands it of us."

The General Assembly also set the stage for the Alliance of Baptists to become the Council's 36th member communion, and approved three new policies offering guidance on interfaith relations, urging churches to support public schools and outlining "Pillars of Peace for the 21st Century."

The 250-member Assembly, the Council's highest legislative body, also signed on to a commitment to end the scourge of racism, put universal health care back on the national political agenda, condemn the use of children as soldiers around the world and reaffirm its support for the establishment of an International Criminal Court.

Encounters during the 50th Anniversary

At ecumenical gatherings, the encounters that take place around the edges of the official program often are as remarkable as what happens in plenaries and forums, and the NCC's 50th Anniversary Celebration was no exception. For example, seven students from Miami University in Canton, Ohio—part of the NCC 50th anniversary news service team—had a private lunch with the NCC's new President and General Secretary. The students also conducted "ecumenist on the street" interviews, asking people how the ecumenical movement touches their lives and what their hopes are for ecumenism and/or the NCC in the 21st century.

Sign our NCC 50th anniversary guest book

Please sign our NCC 50th anniversary guest book—and let us know your hopes and dreams for the ecumenical movement in the 21st century! We'd like to know your name, how you've been involved in the ecumenical movement and what you see as its great achievements over any part of these last 50 years. Then share your vision for ecumenism's next 50 years!

Echoes from a decade

The NCC was formed in 1950 by the action of 29 communions and by the merging of 12 large interdenominational agencies. Such a convergence of interests, energy, funds and constituencies meant that the new NCC would follow paths that branched in intriguing ways. In each issue of "Celebration Daily," you'll find a feature titled "Echoes from a Decade" that samples these NCC doings at 10-year intervals.

Click here to link to all of the days stories

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