KCC is a cooperative organization of eleven Christian denominations in Kentucky, Protestant and Catholic, having a total membership of about 800,000 Christians. It was established in 1947, succeeding the Kentucky Sunday School Union, which began in 1865
Over its nearly 130 year history, the Council has sought to extend the ministry of Christ through our sharing and work together. KCC expresses our unity in Christ and enables cooperative ministry, especially in Christian public service.
KCC is an autonomous organization operated by the churches who choose to be its members. It is one of about 46 state councils in the United States, each an independent organization. Three of the member communions of KCC are not members of the National or World Councils, while eight are members of these bodies. Although KCC is a separate organization, it benefits from the work of both the National and World Council of Churches.
The Kentucky Council of Churches receives support from several
sources. The major source is contributions from the member churches,
based on the number of congregations and members of each denomination.
Foundations, short-term grants, modest endowment income and individual
contributors enable us to balance our budget and undertake special
projects.
Some programs, such as the Interchurch Disaster Recovery Program,
are supported by national and regional church funding sources,
(including Church World Service), foundations and other special
grants.
Kentucky Council of Churches operates a number of programs and projects on behalf of its membership, in accordance with decisions made by representatives of the member churches. These representatives comprise KCC's Executive Board and Annual Assembly. Current programs include such work as the: Kentucky Interchurch Disaster Recovery Program, Commission on Christian Unity, Commission on Local Ecumenism, Commission on Justice Ministries, Program Units on Peacemaking/Racism and Rural Life Issues and the publication of the newspaper, INTERCOM.
