# National Council of Churches in Australia

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) is an ecumenical organisation bringing together a number of Australia's Christian churches in dialogue and practical cooperation.
The NCCA works in collaboration with state ecumenical councils around Australia. It is an associate council of the World Council of Churches, a member of the Christian Conference of Asia and a partner of other national ecumenical bodies throughout the world. "Act for Peace" is the international aid agency of the NCCA, which aims to empower war-torn communities to protect refugees, reduce poverty, prevent conflicts and manage disasters.

## Background

The modern ecumenical movement began to take shape at the end of the 19th century. Initiatives among students and between church mission agencies led the way. In Australia these included the Australian Student Christian Movement, formed in 1896, and the National Missionary Council, created in 1926.
Organised ecumenism in Australia at the national church level was first formalised through the Australian Committee for the World Council of Churches (1946). This movement initially involved only the Anglican and Mainline Protestant churches. In the 1960s and '70s, however, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches joined the ecumenical movement. This developed into the Australian Council of Churches (ACC). Following the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church in Australia began exploring possibilities for relationships with other churches. In 1994 the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) succeeded the ACC, with the Catholic Church as a member.

## Logo

The symbol of the boat has long been used to represent the ecumenical movement, and its origins are unclear - perhaps in the Gospel story of the calling of the Galilean fishermen to be disciples - "fishers of men". The boat represents the Christian Church as a ship sailing the sea that is the world. The mast, in the shape of the cross, recalls the Christian faith.
The NCCA's version of the boat includes waves and the Southern Cross and was adopted at the formation of the NCCA in 1994. The use of the Southern Cross identifies the NCCA's geographical location.
An updated version of the logo, pictured above, was adopted in 2006.

## Member churches

The NCCA currently comprises 18 member churches:
| Member Church | Head of Church |
| Anglican Church of Australia | Archbishop Geoffrey Smith |
| Antiochian Orthodox Church | Archbishop Basilios Kodseie |
| Armenian Apostolic Church | Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian |
| Assyrian Church of the East | Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia |
| Chinese Methodist Church in Australia | Bishop Puong Kiong (Milton) Nee |
| Churches of Christ in Australia | Rev Dr. Rob Nyhuis |
| Congregational Federation of Australia | Miriama Laumea |
| Coptic Orthodox Church | Bishop Daniel and V. Rev. Fr Daniel Ghabrial |
| Greek Orthodox Church | Archbishop Makarios Griniezakis |
| Indian Orthodox Church | Bishop Yuhanon Mar Diascoros |
| Lutheran Church of Australia | Bishop Paul Smith |
| Mar Thoma Church | Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Makarios Episcopa |
| Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) | Bruce Henry |
| Roman Catholic Church | Archbishop Timothy Costelloe |
| Romanian Orthodox Church | Bishop Mihail (Filimon) |
| Syriac Orthodox Church | Archbishop Mor Malatius Malki Malki |
| The Salvation Army | Commissioner Miriam Gluyas |
| Uniting Church in Australia | Rev Sharon Hollis |

### Presidents

| 2022 - present | The Revd John Gilmore | Churches of Christ |
| 2016 – 2022 | Bishop Philip Huggins | Anglican Church |
| 2013 – 2016 | The Revd Mike Semmler | Lutheran Church of Australia |
| 2009 - 2013 | Bishop Michael Putney | Roman Catholic Church |
| 2006 - 2009 | Bishop Richard Appleby | Anglican Church |
| 2003 - 2006 | The Revd James Haire | Uniting Church in Australia |
| 1999 - 2001 | The Revd Lance Steicke | Lutheran Church |
| 1997 - 1999 | Archbishop John Bathersby | Roman Catholic Church |
| 1994 - 1997 | Archbishop Aghan Baliozian | Armenian Apostolic Church |

### General secretaries

| Year | Name |
| 2020–present | Liz Stone |
| 2015–2018 | Sr Elizabeth Delaney SGS |
| 2009 - 2014 | Tara Curlewis |
| 2001 - 2009 | John Henderson |
| 1994 - 2001 | David Gill |
Source: National Council of Churches in Australia website