History of CCT

The idea of Christian Churches Together in the USA began in September, 2001, with a meeting of church leaders in the U.S. who explored the need for expanding fellowship, unity, and witness among the diverse expressions of Christian faith today. They lamented the absence of any one place where representatives of Pentecostal, Evangelical, Historic Black, Mainline Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox churches could come together officially to strengthen their unity in Christ and empower their mission. They decided to convene a second gathering in April, 2002 to continue this exploration and invite broader participation from other church leaders. At this meeting, held in Chicago, the vision of CCT was crafted.

The next step was to agree on an organizational plan, including theological affirmations, purposes, a governing structure, and a proposed timeline. An expanded group of 55 denominational and other church leaders met at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California in January 2003, for this purpose. The Organizational Plan resulting from that meeting was approved by consensus by all who were there as “Participants.” In 2006 in Atlanta, thirty-four churches and organizations adopted the By-Laws and organized as Christian Churches Together (USA). The official launch of CCT took place in an ecumenical worship service in Pasadena, California on February 7, 2007.

Over the next fourteen years, Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm and Rev. Carlos Malavé, who successively served as Executive Directors of CCT, developed and nurtured relationships with dozens of churches and Christian organizations in the U.S. and strengthened the witness of CCT. In the late 2010’s, the Steering Committee (CCT’s governing body) drafted a foundational document titled, “The Vision, Mission, and Process of CCT,” which was adopted by all Participant communions and organizations in 2020. Key to this document is the identification of CCT as based on three principles: Loving Relationships, Learning Theologically, and Leading Actions. Through these three principles, CCT provides a way for Participants to commit to working together in discernment and to engage in steps that lead to Beloved Community.

In 2021, Dr. Monica Schaap Pierce (former Steering Committee member and Treasurer of CCT) was invited to take on the role of Interim Executive Director. She was appointed to be CCT’s third Executive Director in August of 2022.