Northern California Ecumenical Council.

Organizational History

In January 1913, delegates met in San Francisco and organized the California Church Federation, re-named the California Church Council in 1937. The difficulty of California's geography brought the organization to split in 1942 forming the separate Southern California Council of Churches and the Northern California-Nevada Council of Churches . The name changed over the years to the Northern California-Western Nevada Council of Churches, then the Northern California Council of Churches . In 1972, it reorganized and was renamed the Northern California Ecumenical Council . In 2000 came another reorganization and name change to the Northern California Interreligious Conference .

Early inter-denominational cooperation centered around the need to fight against vice, promote moral legislation against saloons and liquor, and win souls to Christ and establish the Kingdom of God. The first California Federation followed the constitution of the national Church Federation. As the national council of churches movement evolved, so too did the California councils.

The early Federation cooperation centered around efforts to work for legislation seen to assist in the betterment of the human situation and condition. That tradition of cooperation has persisted throughout the history of the NCEC. From liquor and red-light district laws to legislation and issues involving immigrants' rights, labor rights, and human rights. Peace issues have been important throughout the history of the organization, from World War I and rebuilding a peaceful world in its aftermath, to the variety of issues raised by the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. Education has always been important from the early emphasis on strong Sunday Schools to general workshops, conferences, lectures, and events on current issues important to the churches.

The tradition of being associated with other committees or groups working on various issues has also been a part of the history. This at various times included sharing office space, sharing staff, or the Council being a fiscal agent or sponsor. Beginning with the California Armenian and Syrian Relief Committee before WWI and expanding to the myriad affiliated organizations of the late 1990s (see a list in Box 1, File Folder 3), the NCEC understood its role in facilitating work done for the good of all people. Likewise the Councils divided out the work to various committees or commissions to fulfill its mission. Commity, preacher's salaries, and peace were early committee endeavors. Later followed such committees as Christian Education, Young People's work, Women's Work, Church Architecture, Evangelism, and Communications. Toward the 1980s-1990s, the Commission for Peace and Justice became a major focus.

The predecessor Councils and the NCEC have always seen that there is a wealth of Christian talent in the lay people and the ordained who can work together to accomplish many high purposes. The needs, evangelical, educational, missionary, have been interpreted and emphasized differently through the decades, but essentially the purpose has been the same - that Christian people of good will, vision, and responsibility continue to work for God's goodness in every human relationship.

For a more complete history of the Councils up to 1962, see Protestant Cooperation in Northern California: The Historical Background of the Federation and Counciliar Movement, by Paul K. Shelford (Northern California-Nevada Council of Churches: San Francisco, 1962). GTU Library call number: BV626 S5 1962.

From the guide to the Northern California Ecumenical Council collection, 1943-1996, (Bulk 1977-1992), (The Graduate Theological Union. Library.)