"Christ has brought us here together at Amsterdam. We are one in acknowledging him as our God and Saviour. We are divided from one another not only in matters of faith, order and tradition, but also by pride of nation, class and race. But Christ has made us his own and he is not divided. In seeking him we find one another. Here in Amsterdam we have committed ourselves afresh to him, and have covenanted with one another in constituting this WCC. We intend to stay together. We call upon Christian congregations everywhere to endorse and fulfill this covenant in their relations with one another. In thankfulness to God, we commit the future to him."

First assembly of the World Council of Churches, Amsterdam, 1948


"The creation of the World Council of Churches 50 years ago was an act of faith.

Konrad Raiser, general secretary of the WCC