Council of Churches of the City of New York

Jesus Christ prayed that his disciples be one with him and with God in order that the world may believe. This call for Christian Unity challenges the churches of Christ to manifest a common witness and service in their several ministries.

The Council of Churches of the City of New York brings together the Christian communions and borough ecumenical councils serving this City as they witness to our essential oneness in Jesus Christ, to create an effective and relevant ministry with a diverse pluralistic urban population, and to bring the Gospel to bear upon the actions of all people.

Mission and Program

The Council has coordinates the missional efforts of its members within the City of New York by

• Engaging its member denominations to examine the Biblical and theological basis of the Faith by which we are all made One in Christ Jesus and shall provide opportunities for the public witness and celebration of that Unity.

• Serving as the official agent of its member communions in certifying chaplains for ecumenical positions in the prisons, hospitals, uniformed services and other institutions in the City of New York.

• Monitoring legislation and other matters of public policy for the purpose of advising its members and coordinating appropriate public policy initiatives and response.

• Coordinating and initiating the placement of religious programs, news and features in the several media available in the New York City market.

• Providing demographic and other data necessary to the task of comprehensive planning for and evaluation of religious ministry in the City.

• Serving, where appropriate, as an agent for its member communions and local borough councils in securing and administering block grants or other centralized funding opportunities.

The Council will undertake to assist in the development of programs of direct service as approved by the Board of Directors, provided that the support of such programs be assured by separate funding and that the programs not be the responsibility of the Council acting alone.

Membership

Membership in the Council is comprised of borough councils of churches and the local association or denominational body of Christian communions having ministry in the City of New York. Associate membership may be conferred on other missional organizations with which the Council seeks to maintain that type of relationship.

Governance

The Council is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of the elected officers and the chief executive officer of the Council, the chief executive officer of the local denominational bodies of each member communion, the President and the chief executive officer of each borough council of churches, and as many as six other persons elected at-large by the Board. The Board elects the Officers of the Council.

Financial Support

Financial support for the Council's core administrative budget is the primary responsibility of the member communions. Contributions and grants may be received from individuals, organizations, corporations and public agencies for either the general purposes of the Council or for specific programs.

The Council may solicit any local congregation for financial support with the consent of the respective borough council of churches and with the agreement that the payment of the borough council's annual per capita assessment to that congregation will be guaranteed by the Council to the limit of the amount actually received.

Relationship with the Borough Councils of Churches

It is expected that each borough council of churches will be the primary agency for ecumenical fellowship, witness and cooperation within that borough, organizing the local Christian congregations in common programs of Christian outreach and mission. Christian churches which worship regularly are eligible for membership in each of the five borough councils. Congregations are encouraged to seek membership in the borough council as a visible expression of their commitment to the Unity proclaimed in Christ's Gospel. Each borough council of churches is an autonomous organization which holds membership in the Council of Churches of the City of New York.

Each borough council develops and implements a program of ecumenical ministry, including programs of advocacy and direct service, as may be appropriate for the borough it serves. Borough councils of churches are supported primarily by the local congregations within that borough.

Council of Churches of the City of New York
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 727
New York, New York 10115-0070
(212) 870-1020 • FAX (212) 870-1025
Website: http://www.cccny.net

The Rev. Dr. A. R. Bernard, Sr., President
The Rev. Jimmy Seong G. Lim, Executive Director