Inside the National Council of Churches

Kinnamon heads for familiar turf: a theological classroom

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, former National Council of Churches general secretary, has accepted a three-year academic post at Seattle University. Kinnamon, who left the NCC last year for health reasons, will be the Spehar-Halligan Visiting Professor in Ecumenical Collaboration and Interreligious Dialogue at the university's School of Theology and Religious Studies. Read More.

How would you 're-envision' the NCC? Take this survey

The National Council of Churches has undertaken a significant process toward transformational change. God is calling us anew to be signs of the visible unity in diversity we have received in Christ. The Task Force on Re-envisioning and Restructuring the NCC seeks your views and ideas for moving toward this future. Please take a few moments to complete this survey before April 20.

Easter meditation: Why Christians put their hope in Christ
The NCC’s Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos reflects that in our secular society, the Easter message seems over-the-top. In some societies, marked by inter-communal violence, it seems unnecessarily dangerous. In other societies, burdened with extreme poverty, it seems quite inconsequential. And yet, our Faith is based on this one event, on this man’s resurrection from the dead. Read More.

Resurrection Service and Divine Pascha Liturgy on NBC

The NCC, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission invite Easter worshippers to witness the Orthodox Christian Resurrection Service and Divine Liturgy of Pascha. The service will be broadcast on many NBC stations on April 8 and on April 15, when Pascha is celebrated in most Orthodox Christian churches. Read more.

Churches disappointed in FDA ruling on toxicity of BPA

The NCC expressed disappointment in the FDA’s conclusion that there is insufficient evidence to ban bisphenol-a (BPA), a chemical found in many aluminum cans and some infant formula containers. The chemical is linked to health concerns in numerous studies that identify such problems as early puberty in girls, prostate and breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, heart disease, infertility and neurological issues. Read more.

NCC 'profoundly disturbed' by the death of Trayvon Martin

The President and staff leader of the NCC said they are "profoundly disturbed" by the killing of Trayvon Martin, an African American youth. President Kathryn M. Lohre and Interim General Secretary Clare J. Chapman also expressed concern about the racial stereotyping and endemic racism that sparks confrontations of the kind that led to Martin's death. Read the full statement here.

Uniform Series curriculum celebrates 140 years of service

Each Sunday, thousands of church schools open their bibles to the same passage to study the word of God. That's more than a coincidence: it's called the "uniform principle." Common bible lessons have been prepared by the National Council of Churches' Committee on the Uniform Series for 140 years next month. "It's the ultimate form of ecumenical cooperation," said the Rev. Dr. Roderick Lewis of the CME Church. Read More.

NCC moves to eliminate racial disparities in maternal health

The NCC is moving forward in the development of a project to eliminate racial disparities in maternal health. The project, "Due Season: A Faith-Filled Roadmap Toward Eliminating Racial Disparities in Maternal Health," will develop congregational materials exploring the intersection of maternal health and race within the U.S. and moving people to advocate for change. Read More.

Yearbook: churches struggling with finances, membership

Churches continue to feel the effects of "the Great Recession" as contributions dropped $1.2 billion, according to the NCC's 2012 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. Membership trends in denominations remain stable, with growing churches still growing and declining churches still declining, reports Editor Eileen Lindner. Read More.