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The NCCA is 19 Christian Churches, gathered from across this wide brown land, who have embarked on a pilgrimage together. We each bring a widely varied history of place, experience, and theology, but we share a common faith and confession in the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. We also share a common future as we are convinced that the future of Christians in Australia lies together, not in separation.

At the NCCA

National Council of Churches in Australia

WCC General Secretary Recalls Anti-apartheid Movement

Thursday, 12 January 2012 17:12

WCC News

In his sermon at the chapel of Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 9 January, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit paid respect to the anti–apartheid movement in South Africa, which was born in a church, one hundred years ago.

Tveit was referring to the 100th anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC) on 8 January, founded in 1912 at the Waaihoek Wesleyan Church.

The ANC is currently South Africa’s ruling political party, and has its roots in the liberation movement formed by Christian pastors and civil society actors to challenge racial segregation among the South African people.

Read more: WCC General Secretary Recalls Anti-apartheid Movement

   

2011 Christmas Messages from Australian Church Leaders

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Friday, 16 December 2011 11:07

from the National Council of Churches in Australia

Peace on Earth

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom God favours!” Luke 2:13-14

Peace on earth is more than the absence of conflict, peace is stability. Everyone wants stable employment, health, housing and. personal relationships. A stable political and economic environment is also desired.

Similar desires filled first century people. Economic and social pressures existed and increased when all citizens were required to journey to their home town for a census.

Read more: 2011 Christmas Messages from Australian Church Leaders

   

Just peace, prayer and a common witness keep church relevant

Thursday, 12 January 2012 16:44

WCC News

The dramatic events of 2011 brought an increased focus on the relevance of the church in pursuing just peace, said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) this week in Geneva.

The freedom movements of the Arab Spring, the continued financial crisis; heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula and a rash of natural disasters have all made for a tumultuous start and finish to the year.

“Many things have changed, such as with the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa, which led to strong rising up of ordinary people and their request for justice and peace,” said Tveit during an interview in which he reflected on the past year and role of the church in just peace. “They also ask for democracy, protection of human dignity, human rights and human values so they can live together with justice and peace.”

Read more: Just peace, prayer and a common witness keep church relevant