Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT) is an organization formed in 2006 to "broaden and expand fellowship, unity, and witness among the diverse expressions of Christian traditions in the USA" and that represents over 98 million Christians in the United States.
Christian Churches Together was created as a space for dialogue and cooperation among churches and ecumenical Christian organizations. It does not attempt to combine Christian denominations or compromise their distinctiveness. Rather, it provides a context in which churches can develop relationships with other churches with which they currently have little or no contact. Christian Churches Together includes most, if not all, Christian traditions in the United States (including Catholic, Orthodox, historic Protestant, Evangelical/Pentecostal, and historically Black churches). It also includes non-denominational Christian organizations. The organization's primary activity is the annual forum. In recent years, topics addressed at the annual forum have included gospel perspectives on life, immigration, mass incarceration, poverty, and racism. CCT speaks out only on issues on which all the churches agree, reaching decisions through a consensus model.
Mission statement
"CCT brings together the diversity of Christian churches and organizations in the U.S. to foster loving relationships, cultivate theological learning, and discern through consensus how we bear witness to the reconciling power of Jesus." Her predecessors were the Rev. Carlos Malave and the Rev. Richard ("Dick") Hamm.
History
In 2001, some U.S. church leaders began discussing the possibility of forming a new organization that would provide a broader-based space than the National Council of Churches or the National Association of Evangelicals. On September 7–8, 2001, various American church leaders met informally in Baltimore to explore whether the time had come to "create a new, more inclusive body." At the meeting, no votes were taken, but there was a strong desire among the participants for a broader structure that would include all the major groupings of churches.
This conversation continued in Chicago (April 4–6, 2002), Pasadena (January 27–29, 2003), Houston (January 7–9, 2004), and Los Altos (June 1–3, 2005), with an ever-expanding and more diverse group of Christian leaders. As a result of these efforts, 34 churches and organizations formed Christian Churches Together in the U.S. in Atlanta on March 30, 2006. In 2017, the Bruderhof Communities, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and the International Justice Mission joined CCT.
Participants in CCT include churches and associations of churches that are national in scope, as well as national Christian organizations and worldwide churches such as the Salvation Army, which has a territory (national division) in the United States. Participant churches and organizations must accept and endorse the theological basis and purposes of CCT. They agree to attend meetings regularly and to pay the established dues.
Member churches and organizations
, the members are:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Member Denomination or Organization
!Tradition
|-
|Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
|Eastern Orthodox
|-
|Armenian Apostolic Church in America
|Oriental Orthodox
|-
|Bread for the World
|Organization
|-
|Bridge of Hope
|Organization
|-
|Bruderhof
|Anabaptist
|-
|Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
|Restorationist
|-
|Christian Reformed Church in North America
|Reformed
|-
|Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
|Holiness
|-
|Church of the Brethren
|Anabaptist
|-
|Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
|Baptist
|-
|Christians for Social Action
|Organization
|-
|Episcopal Church USA
|Anglican
|-
|Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
|Lutheran
|-
|Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
|Eastern Orthodox
|-
|Habitat for Humanity International
|Organization
|-
|Hope for You
|Organization
|-
|International Council of Community Churches
|Interdenominational
|-
|International Justice Mission
|Organization
|-
|International Pentecostal Holiness Church
|Pentecostal
|-
|Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad
|Reformed
|-
|Mennonite Church USA
|Anabaptist
|-
|Moravian Church
|Moravian
|-
|National Baptist Convention of America
|Baptist
|-
|National Baptist Convention, USA
|Baptist
|-
|Orthodox Church in America
|Eastern Orthodox
|-
|Presbyterian Church (USA)
|Reformed
|-
|Reformed Church in America
|Reformed
|-
|Salvation Army
|Holiness
|-
|Sojourners
|Organization
|-
|Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch Archdiocese
|Oriental Orthodox
|-
|United Methodist Church
|Methodist
|-
|United Church of Christ
|Reformed
|-
|United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
|Roman Catholic
|-
|Vineyard USA
|Neo-Charismatic
|-
|Zomi Baptist Churches of America
|Baptist
|}
See also
- Churches Uniting in Christ
References
List of participants: https://www.christianchurchestogether.org/participant-communions
External links
- Christian Churches Together Official Website