For over a century, the ecumenical movement in the United States has been a major voice of Christian conscience to the nation. Here is a collection of some of the most important statements made by the National Council of Churches and its officers. These include policy statements, resolutions, and statements delivered by the General Secretaries as well as select press statements.
2023
Resolution on Rampant Gun Violence and Mass Shootings
2021
Resolution Against Asian American and Pacific Islander Hate
2020
NCC Policy Priorities for 2021
Now Is a Time to Imagine a Bold New Future
2019
National Council of Churches Deeply Saddened by Holiday Attacks
National Council of Churches Statement on Anti-Semitism
Interreligious Relations with a Focus on Peace Policy Statement
Settlements Contrary to International Law, Immoral
NCC Stands with National Council of Churches in the Philippines
NCC Urges Passage of HR 296, Recognition of Armenian Genocide
NCC Urges End of Conflict, Protection of Minorities in Syria
Limits on Refugees Heartbreaking and Cruel
NCC Opposes Federal Death Penalty
End Policies Creating Crisis on the Border
Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World
Liberian and US Councils of Churches Grateful for DED Extension
Group Pilgrimage Statement on Israel and Palestine
2018
NCC Opposes the First Step Act
The Urgent Need to Lift our Voice in Our Elections
NCC Calls for Withdrawal of Kavanaugh Nomination
Joint Statement of the Cuban Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches USA
NCC Opposes Withdrawal from UN Human Rights Council
End Cruel Separation of Families
NCC Laments Opening of US Embassy in Jerusalem
Statement on Parkland, Florida Mass Shooting
2017
Current Tax Bills Cannot Be Biblically Defended
National Council of Churches Endorses Sweeping Initiative to End Racism
We Mourn This Terrible Act: a joint statement by the NCC and the World Council of Churches
An Open Letter From Americans of Faith to President Donald Trump
A Message Following the National Council of Churches’ Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, September, 2017
It’s Time to Bring Justice for the Dreamers
Joint Statement on Violence in Charlottesville by Rev. Dr. Franklyn Richardson and Dr. Jim Winkler
NCC Condemns “Unite the Right”
CJM and NCC Lament Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement
NCC Urges Churches to Refrain From Intervening in Political Campaigns
2016
NCC and Creation Justice Ministries applaud developments at Standing Rock
Statement by General Secretaries Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit and Jim Winkler given at the NCC/WCC Consultation on the Holy Land
NCC Welcomes New Rules on Solitary Confinement, Life Sentences for Juveniles
2015
NCC Urges Hospitality, Care Toward Refugees
Keep Our Elections Free From Hateful Rhetoric
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Joint Statement on Normalizing U.S. – Cuba Relations by the NCC and the Cuban Council of Churches
2014
National Council of Churches issues statement on the upcoming grand jury action in Ferguson, MO
2012
Policy on The Church and Children: Vision and Goals for the 21st Century
Sharing the Gospel in a Religiously Plural World: A Policy Statement on Evangelism
2010
The Authority of the Church in the World
Resolution on the Violence in Iraq
A Call to Ratify the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II)
A Call to End the War in Afghanistan
A Call to Action on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Message on Honoring the Sacredness of Religious Others
2009
Nuclear Disarmament: The Time is Now
Resolution on Environmental Health
2008
Resolution on Human Trafficking
Resolution on Immigration and a Call to Action
2007
A Social Creed for the 21st Century
Resolution on the Responsibility to Protect
Resolution on the Rights of Haitians of Dominican Descent in the Dominican Republic
Call for a Worldwide Ban on Human Reproductive Cloning
Resolution on Biotechnology and National Security
Resolution on the House of Representatives’ Legislation Recognizing the Armenian Genocide
2006
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: A Policy on Human Biotechnologies
Pastoral Message on the War in Iraq
A Christian Response to the 400th Anniversary Commemoration of the Founding of Jamestown, VA
2005
Pastoral Messages to Alexandria and Constantinople
Resolution on Christmas Gift Aid for Bethlehem, Palestine, Israel and Lebanon
Resolution on Just Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast
Resolution on the Threat to Civil and Religious Liberties in Post-9/11 America
A Statement on the Disavowal of Torture
Resolution to Reaffirm Commitment to the Voting Rights Act
2004
A Message of Pastoral Concern on the Death of Yasir Arafat
Letter to African-American Baptist Conventions on their Joint Board Meeting
Letter to the Armed Forces Chaplains’ Board
Policy on The Church and Children: Vision and Goals for the 21st Century
Resolution on the Continuing Crisis in Sudan
Action on Dialogue Among U.S. Christians on Christian Values
An Open Letter to U.S. Christians (on the Election)
2003
Resolution on the Recognition of the Jerusalem Patriarch
Resolution on the Conflict in the Middle East
Resolution on the Mount Olive Pickle Boycott
Preserving U.S. Pharmaceutical Sales to Canada
The Churches and Public School
Resolution to Endorse the Taco Bell Boycott Called by the C.I.W.
2002
Resolution Establishing an Exploratory Commission on Human Genetic Technologies
Resolution Recognizing the Patriarch of Jerusalem
After September 11th, 2001: Public Policy Considerations for the United States of America
Resolution Expressing Appreciation of the USCCB Statement on Iraq
2001
“For the Faithful Living of These Days”
Out of the Ashes and Tragedy of September 11, 2001
Resolution on the Reauthorization of TANF and Related Programs
2000
Development of a Comprehensive Policy Statement on Africa
Expanding the Ecumenical Vision
General Secretary’s Annual Report to the General Assembly
Resolution on Conflict in the Middle East
Resolution in Support of Farm Workers Organizing in North Carolina
Mobilization to Overcome Poverty
Draft Protocol for a Mobilization to Overcome Poverty
Resolution on Vieques, Puerto Rico
1999
Pillars of Peace for the 21st Century
Resolution on the Use of Children as Soldiers
The Churches and Public Schools
Resolution for a Renewed Faith Community Universal Health Care Campaign
Resolution on the International Criminal Court
Interfaith Relations and the Churches
1998
Policy on Disabilities, the Body of Christ, and the Wholeness of Society
Resolution on the Jubilee 2000 Campaign
Debate on Humanitarian Impact of Sanctions
1997
Resolution on Continued Support for Affirmative Action
Policy on No Barriers for Deaf People in Churches
Report of the Ecclesiology Study Task Force
Resolution on Anti-Personnel Landmines
Resolution on Organ and Tissue Donation
Resolution on Clemency for Leonard Peltier
Resolution on the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
1996
1995
The Churches’ Role in Media Education and Communication Advocacy
Human Rights: The Fulfillment of Life in the Social Order
1993
Global Communication for Justice
Violence in Electronic Media and Film
1990
1986
Genetic Science for Human Benefit
Elementary and Secondary Public Education in the Society
1984
Policy Statement on Child Day Care
Policy Statement on Racial Justice
1981
Immigration, Refugees and Migrants
1979
Challenges to the Injustice of the Criminal Justice System
1977
The Complete Cessation of All Explosive Nuclear Testing
1976
1975
Human Hunger and the World Food Crisis
1968
Abolition of the Death Penalty
World Poverty and the Demands of Justice
1967
1962
1961
1958
Basic Principles Relating to Collective Bargaining
1952
United States’ Immigration and Naturalization Policy
1908
