About the DECC
The Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council (DECC) was founded in 1979 as a council of member churches throughout the world from the Disciples of Christ, Churches of Christ, together with United and Uniting Churches which Disciples have joined, who have taken official action to join the DECC in supporting its stated goals. The DECC was established to further and strengthen the common calling of Disciples of Christ and Churches of Christ to visible unity and mission. It is not a legislative body but is intended to enable the churches to consult with each other about matters of Christian faith, witness and unity. In particular, the DECC seeks:
- to deepen the fellowship of Disciples with each other and with other churches on their way to the visible unity God wills for God’s people;
- to facilitate relationships between its member churches and regional and international ecumenical bodies;
- to encourage participation in the ecumenical movement through joint theological study, international bilateral dialogues, church union conversations and other forms of ecumenical engagement and programmes of joint action and witness;
- to gather, share and evaluate information about Disciples’ ecumenical activities in local, national and regional situations around the world, and to report on its own activities to member churches;
- to represent the worldwide fellowship of Disciples of Christ/Churches of Christ in the wider ecumenical movement, including the appointment of official representatives of Disciples, when invited to do so by ecumenical bodies such as the World Council of Churches, other Christian World Communions (including the Catholic Church), regional ecumenical bodies, etc.
The DECC pledges itself not to undertake work separately which can be better done together with other churches and Christian World Communions. The DECC has 19 member churches, representing 4.5 million Christians throughout the world. Ten of the member churches are also members of the WCC.
Shernett Smith, Moderator, Kingston, Jamaica
Paul S. Tché, General Secretary, Indianapolis, IN
MEMBER CHURCHES
Argentina: Iglesia Evangélica de los Discipulos de Cristo WCC’s Related Webpage
Australia: Churches of Christ in Australia Website
Canada: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada Website
Congo: Eglise du Christ au Congo—Communaute des Disciples du Christ WCC’s Related Webpage
England: Fellowship of Churches of Christ in England Website
Ghana: Ghana United Churches of Christ website
Great Britain/Ireland: United Reformed Church in the United Kingdom Website
India: Church of North India Website
Jamaica: United Church in Jamaica and Cayman Islands Website
Malawi: Church of Christ in Malawi Facebook
Mexico: Asociacion Iglesias Cristianas Evangelicas (Discipulos de Cristo), Mexico
New Zealand: Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand WCC’s Related Webpage
Paraguay: Iglesia Discipulos de Cristo en el Paraguay Facebook
Puerto Rico: lglesia Cristianas (Discipulos de Cristo) en Puerto Rico Website
Southern Africa: United Congregational Church in Southern Africa Website
United States: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States Website
Vanuatu: Churches of Christ—Vanuatu Global Ministries Website
Zimbabwe: Associated Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe World Convention Website
DISCIPLES-ROMAN CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE
P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206; Phone: +1 317-713-2585
STEERING COMMITTEE
Rev. Dr. Robert Welsh (Co-chair)
President Emeritus
Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry
Indianapolis, IN
Rev. Paul S. Tché (Co-Secretary)
General Secretary
Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council
Indianapolis, IN
DIALOGUE TEAM MEMBERS
Rev. Dr. Thomas Best
Retired Executive Director
Faith and Order Commission, WCC
Belmont, MA
Rev. Dr. Merryl Blair
Churches of Christ Theological College
Mulgrave North, Victoria
Australia
Rev. Dr. Geritza Olivella
Associate General Pastor in Church Growth and Family
Iglesia Cristiana (Discipulos de Cristo) en Puerto Rico
Baymón, Puerto Rico
Rev. Nöel A. Suministrado
Pastor, Broadway Disciples United Church
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada
Rev. Dr. Newell Williams
President, Brite Divinity School
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX
ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE DECC
WORLD COMMUNION OF REFORMED CHURCHES
Knochenhauerstr. 42, 30159, Hannover, Germany; Phone: +49 511 8973 8310
*The DECC is an Associated Member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Paul S. Tche, General Secretary, DECC
GLOBAL CHRISTIAN FORUM
884 Chesterfield Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
REPRESENTATIVE
Paul S. Tche, General Secretary, DECC