The Governing Board of the National Council of Churches (NCC) announces the departure of the ecumenical organization’s President/General Secretary, Jim Winkler. Mr. Winkler has served the organization in this role for eight years, completing two terms under contract. Winkler assumed the leadership role shortly after the NCC reorganized its governance structure in 2013. The Council has been a long-time advocate for Christian unity and for peace and justice. Under Winkler’s leadership, the organization established Friendship Press (who manages the NCC’s Bible properties), and in fall of 2021 completed the project to publish a New Revised Standard Version, updated edition (NRSVue) of the Bible.
The National Council of Churches, consisting of 37 member denominations, is committed to continuing its work through interfaith and inter-religious dialogues, the international uniform Sunday School lesson series, and the work of four convening tables who lead dialogues around issues of faith, theology, ecumenism and advocacy. The A.C.T. Now to End Racism initiative has been a priority since it was launched with a rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC in 2018. Each fall, the NCC hosts its Christian Unity Gathering (CUG), as well as webinars, public action and advocacy throughout the year.
An interim President/General Secretary will be named soon, followed by a formal search for an elected leader.