The World Council of Churches (WCC), in collaboration with the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa and the South African Council of Churches, is organizing from 12-16 June a conference and seminars inspired by the centenary of the 1925 Life and Work inaugural conference, which emphasized the church’s role in addressing social, political, and economic injustices.
Preaching at a special centennial service for the United Church of Canada, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay lifted his voice with joy and thanksgiving with those gathered at the Gower United Church in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on Pentecost Sunday.
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay is visiting Canada, where he will preach at the centennial service of the United Church of Canada. The following is excerpted from a previous interview with Dr Pillay in Canada.
During a field visit to the south Lebanon, organized by youth groups and movements from the churches of Lebanon in cooperation with brothers from the Taize community, Maria Bzdigian, project manager at the Middle East Council of Churches, found the impact of the war heartbreaking—and impossible to ignore.
How can churches maintain their prophetic and critical voice, at the same time speaking peace and hope to people? Why is unity among Christians still relevant today, and can we still trust international law and international organizations? Bishop Jonas Jonson speaks on the relevance of the 1925 Life and Work conference in Stockholm, which resulted in establishing both the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), recently gathered for its 60th meeting in Athens, Greece.
In 1925, archbishop of Sweden Nathan Söderblom, gathered more than 600 church leaders from 37 countries for a historic meeting in Stockholm. A century later, church leaders from around the globe will again convene in the Swedish capital, to commemorate the 1925 meeting and the achievements of the ecumenical movement ever since.
World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay brought joyful greetings to the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement.
Nordic churches—including the those in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Finland—have released statements calling for restoring the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, releasing hostages, delivering food and medicine to Gaza, and ending violence against the Palestinian population of the West Bank.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee convened 12-16 May via video conference to complete regular business of the first half of the year; review preparations for the WCC central committee meeting, which will convene 18-24 June in Johannesburg, South Africa; and issue public statements and minutes about some of the world’s most pressing issues.
A message from the Life and Work conference held in Athens made strong connections to the gathering’s historic counterpart in Stockholm in 1925 and, even further back, to the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea 1700 years ago.
"Reclaiming the Spirit of Life & Work for Ecumenical Renewal", message of the CCIA Life and Work Centenary Consultation held on 18-20 May 2025 in Athens, Greece.
With an ancient history, deep ties to the ecumenical movement, and extensive social programmes, the Church of Greece is a stalwart institution—as well as this week’s host for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs meeting.
As the “Life and Work” centenary conference continued on 20 May in Athens, participants took a deep dip into church history, emerging with challenging questions and topics that will inform their ongoing discussions.
As a “Life and Work” centenary conference in Athens entered its second day, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs traveled back in time to consider the scene in Stockholm in 1925—then took a courageous look forward at the many serious global issues under consideration by churches today.
