Council Resources
Your Church and The ICCC Stewardship Brochure
Click here to learn about the ICCC and what it means to be a member of the International Council of Community Churches with this informational tool.
Click here to learn about the ICCC and what it means to be a member of the International Council of Community Churches with this informational tool.
How the Faith Community Can Respond to the Issue of Suicide
Rev. Dr. Wendy Childress is a retired military Chaplain who recently started WC Ministries. This ministry provides services and programs for the youth, women, families, and the economically disadvantaged in Riverside County, California. In this presentation, Rev. Dr. Childress provides an excellent overview of how the faith community can respond to the growing crisis related to suicide. To view, visit Faith Comm and Suicide on Vimeo
Living in Community
A new resource is available to introduce laity and clergy to the International Council of Community Churches and the Community Churches Movement. The booklet “Living in Community” is a study guide designed to be used by local churches to educate their members on their relationship to the ICCC. Click here to download.
Fund Raising 101
The purpose of this resource packet is to provide you with some basic fundraising information and resources, and some ideas that you might consider using to raise funds for your ministry. Click here to download.
The purpose of this resource packet is to provide you with some basic fundraising information and resources, and some ideas that you might consider using to raise funds for your ministry. Click here to download.
How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal
The ICCC offers a 4-part webinar on Grant Writing and a PowerPoint, facilitated by Linda Abington, Ph.D.: Session 1 ~ Session 2 ~ Session 3 ~ Session 4 ~ PowerPoint
A Pastor’s Annual Performance Review
Local congregations have a variety of ways of assessing their pastors’ performance. A few actually vote on re-appointing the pastor each year, thus providing a very final and annual “pass-fail” judgment on their servant-leader. Some congregations elect or appoint a pastoral relations or personnel committee with instructions to meet with the pastor on a regular basis, reviewing the pastor’s activities and making suggestions in a variety of areas. To learn more, click here to download the document “A Pastor’s Annual Performance Review.”
Local congregations have a variety of ways of assessing their pastors’ performance. A few actually vote on re-appointing the pastor each year, thus providing a very final and annual “pass-fail” judgment on their servant-leader. Some congregations elect or appoint a pastoral relations or personnel committee with instructions to meet with the pastor on a regular basis, reviewing the pastor’s activities and making suggestions in a variety of areas. To learn more, click here to download the document “A Pastor’s Annual Performance Review.”
Ministries To and With “The Least of These.”
A one-page flyer designed for use by your church or center. Side 2 of the flyer is complete with a description of the Council. Side 1 is yours to design. Include photos of your ministries of outreach and caring and a description of your church or center’s compassion for those whom Jesus called “the least of these.” Use the flyer as a worship bulletin insert, a tip-in promotional piece in your community’s newspaper, on your website, or in a community-wide or congregational mailing. Click here for flyer.
A one-page flyer designed for use by your church or center. Side 2 of the flyer is complete with a description of the Council. Side 1 is yours to design. Include photos of your ministries of outreach and caring and a description of your church or center’s compassion for those whom Jesus called “the least of these.” Use the flyer as a worship bulletin insert, a tip-in promotional piece in your community’s newspaper, on your website, or in a community-wide or congregational mailing. Click here for flyer.
ICCC Designated Funds Application Process
To download the application process for any ICCC Program Fund or Award Program, click here.
To download the application process for any ICCC Program Fund or Award Program, click here.
Community Churches Sunday
Community Churches Sunday is the chance for local churches to celebrate their connection with the ICCC. A Resource Kit is available for additional information, sermon help, worship aids and bulletin inserts.
ICCC Peer-to-Peer Resourcing
To download a survey to be completed by your church or center, click here. To inquire about learning from other congregations who have successfully negotiated the same kinds of ministry programs your church or center in now considering, call the Council Office 815-464-5690.
To download a survey to be completed by your church or center, click here. To inquire about learning from other congregations who have successfully negotiated the same kinds of ministry programs your church or center in now considering, call the Council Office 815-464-5690.
Searching for Pastoral Leadership
An indispensable aid to churches who are searching for pastoral leadership, this guide for pastoral search committees can be downloaded here. You can also contact the Council Office to obtain a hard copy by mail.
An indispensable aid to churches who are searching for pastoral leadership, this guide for pastoral search committees can be downloaded here. You can also contact the Council Office to obtain a hard copy by mail.
Renewing Our Vision
An aid for congregations to assist in developing a vision for their ministry. You can contact the Council Office to obtain a hard copy by mail, or you can click here to download.
An aid for congregations to assist in developing a vision for their ministry. You can contact the Council Office to obtain a hard copy by mail, or you can click here to download.
A New Community Church
A manual for church planters and other visionaries. Click here to download. To obtain a hard copy by mail, contact the Council Office.
A manual for church planters and other visionaries. Click here to download. To obtain a hard copy by mail, contact the Council Office.
Code of Ethics
The International Council of Community Churches recommends the following code of ethics to professional church leaders. Click here to view/download.
Ministry and Ordination
An ICCC resource for ordination candidates, their mentors, and their churches and centers. Click here to view/download.
An ICCC resource for ordination candidates, their mentors, and their churches and centers. Click here to view/download.
A Sketch of a Movement and a Council
In 1950, the Biennial Council of the Peoples Church of Christ and Community Centers led by Dr. Joseph M. Evans (until then all Afro-American) and the National Council of Community Churches led by the Rev. Roy A. Burkhardt (until then all Caucasian) joined in a historic merger. At the time, their joining represented the largest interracial merger of religious bodies in America. View or download A Sketch of a Movement and a Council to learn about the ICCC and its history.
In 1950, the Biennial Council of the Peoples Church of Christ and Community Centers led by Dr. Joseph M. Evans (until then all Afro-American) and the National Council of Community Churches led by the Rev. Roy A. Burkhardt (until then all Caucasian) joined in a historic merger. At the time, their joining represented the largest interracial merger of religious bodies in America. View or download A Sketch of a Movement and a Council to learn about the ICCC and its history.
Council Brochures click on the title to view and download
Ecumenical Agencies and Organizations Resources
2026 Week of Prayer For Christian Unity: Jan. 18-25, 2025
Chosen Theme: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4) Several resources are available on the website www.geii.org. For more information contact the Week of Prayer, Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, Franciscan Friars of the atonement via the website. An order form for materials can be found at www.geii.org/order
Chosen Theme: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4) Several resources are available on the website www.geii.org. For more information contact the Week of Prayer, Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, Franciscan Friars of the atonement via the website. An order form for materials can be found at www.geii.org/order
The Bible
A variety of Bible-related resources for individuals and congregations is available at the American Bible Society’s website www.americanbible.org. The site includes downloadable worship bulletin inserts to readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
A variety of Bible-related resources for individuals and congregations is available at the American Bible Society’s website www.americanbible.org. The site includes downloadable worship bulletin inserts to readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Hunger
Video clips and downloadable documents related to hunger in the U.S. and worldwide are available at Bread for the World’s website www.bread.org.
Video clips and downloadable documents related to hunger in the U.S. and worldwide are available at Bread for the World’s website www.bread.org.
Economic Development
Information about micro-finance and individual economic empowerment is available at Opportunity International’s website www.opportunity.org.
Bulletin Inserts
Log on to www.ncccusa.org for a series of free downloadable bulletin inserts.
Information about micro-finance and individual economic empowerment is available at Opportunity International’s website www.opportunity.org.
Bulletin Inserts
Log on to www.ncccusa.org for a series of free downloadable bulletin inserts.
Serving the Vulnerable
Immigration and Refugees Church World Service serves the most vulnerable in our world today. From its earliest beginnings, CWS focuses on providing assistance and resettlement services to those displaced by violence and discrimination. Today, CWS uses its expertise in refugee resettlement to assist thousands of refugees on the road to beginning a new life in the United States. CWS also serve refugees where they are, helping them find safety in both urban and camp locations around the world. https://cwsglobal.org/our-work/refugees-and-immigrants/serving-the-vulnerable.
The Congregational Resource Guide (CRG)
The CRG is an online tool designed to help leaders of all congregations find the right resources to address their challenges and opportunities. It includes the Lilly Endowment’s Congregational Resource Guide – a treasure trove for congregations and their leaders. You can find resources on “Running Church Meetings,” to church planning, to “Changing the Culture of your Church.” https://thecrg.org
Toolkit to Revitalize your Congregation
The Presbyterian Church USA recently produced a new toolkit for redeveloping your congregation. This resource guide can be adapted and used by any congregation who is looking to redevelop and revitalize its life and mission. You can purchase this resource at https://www.pcusastore.com/Products/2231618001/vital-congregations-revitalization-initiative.aspx.
Center for Healthy Churches
Jim Kitchens from the Center for Healthy Churches has a blog that posts interesting articles about congregational life and renewal. You can access his blog at chchurches.org.