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| Founded | 1994 |
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| Website | ncca |
TheNational Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) is anecumenical organisation bringing together a number ofAustralia's Christian churches in dialogue and practical cooperation.
The NCCA works in collaboration with state ecumenical councils around Australia. It is an associate council of theWorld Council of Churches, a member of theChristian Conference of Asia and a partner of other national ecumenical bodies throughout the world. "Act for Peace" is the international aid agency of the NCCA, which aims to empower war-torn communities to protect refugees, reduce poverty, prevent conflicts and manage disasters.[1]
The modern ecumenical movement began to take shape at the end of the 19th century. Initiatives among students and between church mission agencies led the way. In Australia these included theAustralian Student Christian Movement, formed in 1896, and the National Missionary Council, created in 1926.
Organised ecumenism in Australia at the national church level was first formalised through the Australian Committee for the World Council of Churches (1946). This movement initially involved only theAnglican andMainlineProtestant churches. In the 1960s and '70s, however,Eastern andOriental Orthodox churches joined the ecumenical movement. This developed into the Australian Council of Churches (ACC). Following theSecond Vatican Council, theRoman Catholic Church in Australia began exploring possibilities for relationships with other churches. In 1994 the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) succeeded the ACC, with the Catholic Church as a member.
The symbol of the boat has long been used to represent the ecumenical movement, and its origins are unclear - perhaps in the Gospel story of the calling of the Galilean fishermen to be disciples - "fishers of men". The boat represents the Christian Church as a ship sailing the sea that is the world. The mast, in the shape of the cross, recalls the Christian faith.
The NCCA's version of the boat includes waves and the Southern Cross and was adopted at the formation of the NCCA in 1994. The use of the Southern Cross identifies the NCCA's geographical location.
An updated version of the logo, pictured above, was adopted in 2006.
The NCCA currently comprises 18 member churches:
| Member Church | Head of Church |
|---|---|
| Anglican Church of Australia | ArchbishopGeoffrey Smith |
| Antiochian Orthodox Church | Archbishop Basilios Kodseie |
| Armenian Apostolic Church | Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian |
| Assyrian Church of the East | ArchbishopMar Meelis Zaia |
| Catholic Church | Archbishop Timothy Costelloe |
| Chinese Methodist Church in Australia | Bishop Puong Kiong (Milton) Nee |
| Churches of Christ in Australia | Rev Dr. Rob Nyhuis |
| Congregational Federation of Australia | Miriama Laumea |
| Coptic Orthodox Church | Bishop Daniel and V. Rev. Fr Daniel Ghabrial |
| Greek Orthodox Church | ArchbishopMakarios Griniezakis |
| Indian Orthodox Church | BishopYuhanon Mar Diascoros |
| Lutheran Church of Australia | Bishop Paul Smith |
| Mar Thoma Church | Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Makarios Episcopa |
| Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) | Bruce Henry |
| Romanian Orthodox Church | Bishop Mihail (Filimon) |
| Syriac Orthodox Church | Archbishop Mor Malatius Malki Malki |
| The Salvation Army | Commissioner Miriam Gluyas |
| Uniting Church in Australia | Rev Sharon Hollis |
| 2022 - present | The RevdJohn Gilmore | Churches of Christ |
| 2016 – 2022 | BishopPhilip Huggins | Anglican Church |
| 2013 – 2016 | The Revd Mike Semmler | Lutheran Church of Australia |
| 2009 - 2013 | BishopMichael Putney | Catholic Church |
| 2006 - 2009 | BishopRichard Appleby | Anglican Church |
| 2003 - 2006 | The RevdJames Haire | Uniting Church in Australia |
| 1999 - 2001 | The Revd Lance Steicke | Lutheran Church |
| 1997 - 1999 | ArchbishopJohn Bathersby | Catholic Church |
| 1994 - 1997 | Archbishop Aghan Baliozian | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2020–present | Liz Stone |
| 2015–2018 | Sr Elizabeth Delaney SGS |
| 2009 - 2014 | Tara Curlewis |
| 2001 - 2009 | John Henderson |
| 1994 - 2001 | David Gill |
Source: National Council of Churches in Australia website[2]
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