오늘의 선교 연감
Mission Yearbook: Minute for Mission Presbyterian Heritage Sunday
In 1950, 27 Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations and eight ecumenical agencies joined together to form the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Three Presbyterian denominations were founding members: the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., the Presbyterian Church in the U.S., and the United Presbyterian Church of North America. All three are now part of the PC(USA).
The plan for the NCC — “cooperative in spirit and in structure, deeply rooted in the spirit of Christ” — promised “hope and courage for the future.” The NCC would go on to publish the Revised Standard Version of the Bible in 1952 and the NRSV in 1989; speak in support of refugees and immigrants; advocate for Civil Rights; take stands against the Vietnam War and the War in Iraq; produce and distribute thousands of audio-visual programs; and generally “promote God’s justice, peace and the healing of the world” through its ecumenical work.
Presbyterians have been prominent leaders of the NCC. The most well-known is Eugene Carson Blake (1906–1985) who served as president of the NCC in the mid-1950s while also stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
The Presbyterian Historical Society is the official archives of the National Council of Churches. Records at PHS contain detailed information on NCC programs, including the international relief agency Church World Service, which was part of the NCC until 2000; A Christian Ministry in the National Parks from the 1950s and early 1960s; the 1960s Commission on Religion and Race; and the Burned Churches Project from the mid-1990s, among many others.
The National Council of Churches continues today with the PC(USA) as one of its 37 member communions. Visit the NCC’s website to learn more about the 75th anniversary celebrations.
Nancy J. Taylor, Executive Director, Presbyterian Historical Society, Interim Unified Agency
Let us join in prayer for:
Lucy McDermott, Mission Specialist, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Interim Unified Agency
Robyn McEvilla, Accountant, Central Receiving Services, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Let us pray:
Gracious and loving God, today we lift up the long history of ecumenical work in the Presbyterian Church as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Council of Churches. Continue to wrap us in your cooperative spirit and embolden us with hope and courage as we work toward justice and peace for all. Amen.