A Jesus Centered Movement for
Unity, Peace, and Justice

For more than 100 years, the Ohio Council of Churches has brought together Christian communities around Ohio to build relationship and collaborate in our ministry to the world.

Founded in 1919

The OCC is an Ohio expression of the historic ecumenical worldwide movement with connections to both the Washington, DC-Based National Council of Churches and the Geneva, Switzerland-based World Council of Churches. By God’s grace, the Council serves as a platform through which the unity of Christ’s church is made visible.

As member churches partner with God and one another to collaborate, we acknowledge our God-given gift of unity while expressing our desire to be one in witness and service to the world.  Through this, we offer a faithful response to our common mission and Jesus' prayer, "…that they may all be one...so that the world may believe." (John 17:21).

The member communions of the Ohio Council of Churches may differ in polity, worship, and tradition, yet we are united by a shared conviction that every person bears the image of God and deserves dignity, justice, compassion, and peace. Together we seek an Ohio shaped more fully by God's shalom – a state where communities flourish, public life reflects the common good, divisions are healed, structures of inequality are eradicated, and all people can live in safety, hope, and belonging. Rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to building beloved community through reconciliation, mercy, and faithful public witness.

 

“…For there are many parts, but one body…”

Our Partner Judicatories

These nearly two dozen judicatory partners come together recognizing that our work for the sake of the Gospel is stronger through relationship and partnership. The historic divisions of the Christian community should not prevent us from growing in faith and mission together.

  • African Methodist Episcopal Church (Third Episcopal District)

  • African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (Mid-Atlantic One District)

  • Alliance of Baptists - Ohio Community

  • Christin Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ)

  • Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (2nd Episcopal District)

  • Christian Science (Committee on Publication for Ohio)

  • Church of the Brethren (Northern Ohio District)

  • Church of the Brethren (Southern Ohio District)

  • Episcopal Church - Diocese of Southern Ohio

  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Northeastern Ohio Synod

  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Northwestern Ohio Synod

  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Southern Ohio Synod

  • Greek Orthodox Church - Metropolis of Detroit

  • Greek Orthodox Church - Metropolis of Pittsburgh

  • Moravian Church in America - Eastern District of the Northern Province

  • Ohio Baptist General Convention

  • Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. - Synod of the Covenant

  • Religious Society of Friends - Wilmington Yearly Meeting

  • United Church of Christ - Heartland Conference

  • United Methodist Church - East Ohio Conference

  • United Methodist Church - West Ohio Conference