HOW WE WORK

State and National Co-operation

The National Council of Churches in Australia is a national organisation that works in partnership with state ecumenical councils around Australia.

Forum and Executive

While the National Forum of the Council meets every three years, ongoing oversight of the Council is provided by the Executive, which is made up of the heads of national churches, their appointed members, and some elected directly by the Forum.

The central administrative body of the NCCA is the General Secretariat, headed by the General Secretary. Internally there is a Finance and Administration department, which handles the needs of the whole organisation. There is also a Finance Committee that oversights the finances of the entire organisation.

Departments

The NCCA works through a number of Commissions, Networks, and Programmes. These constitute the 'departments' of the NCCA and order its workplan.

Faith and Unity

The NCCA's Faith and Unity Commission is based in Melbourne, and operates on a small budget with a small allocation of paid staff time. Much of the work is done by theologians from the churches who act in a voluntary capacity.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission works ecumenically among Australian churches and wider socoety to advance indigenous rights and help the churches understand the implications of their history and their current policies and actions. It has a full time staff of three, headed by the Executive Secretary.

Christian World Service

The largest Commission of the NCCA is Christian World Service, headed by the Director. Christian World Service operates as an NGO in the overseas aid sector on behalf of member churches. Units within CWS are International Programmes, Refugees and Displaced People. Education & Communication, and Strathfield Home. Through forceten CWS co-operates with the Catholic Aid agency Caritas Australia, and hosts additional the justice work of Jubilee Australia and the Water Matters campaign. The main source of funds for the work of CWS is the Christmas Bowl, which has been operating in Australia since 1948. It began in Victoria, and CWS still maintains an office in that state. In other states CWS works through partnership agreements with state ecumenical councils.

Gender Commission

The Gender Commission was formed in 2002 out of the former network on women's issues. The Commission operates on an entirely voluntary basis.

Social Justice Network

As a network, the SJN operates to bring churches together on common social justice issues, and draft material for the Council as a whole. The Network operates on an entirely voluntary basis.

Youth Network

The Youth network exists to bring youth together ecumenically, and also to inform the work of the whole Council to make it a 'youth friendly' organisation. The Network has a Secretary who is employed for two days a week.

Safe Church Project

Churches' Tax Group

The Churches' Tax Group emerged out of the need for Australian Churches to work together on issues relating to Australian Taxation Law. Although predominantly composed of representatives of the larger churches, its work is ecumenical in character and benefits all Australian churches. In November 2003, by a decision of the NCCA Executive, in consultation with the group, it became a network of the NCCA.

Funds

The NCCA oversees two funds that are available for ecumenical work, the Ronald Wilson Ecumenical Leadership Fund and the Glenburnie Fund.