International Congregational Council

The International Congregational Council, established in London in 1891, was an association of Congregational, Independent, and United churches. Its primary aim was to foster fellowship and service among its member churches, without holding any authority over them. Congregationalism itself emphasizes the spiritual autonomy of each individual congregation, believing that a local church with a Bible, sacraments, a minister, and genuine members is an authentic church responsible to God. This principle respects individual conscience but focuses on the visible, corporate nature of the church.12

The International Congregational Council later merged with the Alliance of Reformed Churches Throughout the World Holding the Presbyterian System in 1970 to form the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, which was renamed the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in 2010. The WCRC seeks to promote Christian unity, theology, and social justice, with most of its member churches located in developing countries.1