The Texas Conference of Churches is an ecumenical community of communions: Orthodox, Protestant, and Roman Catholic, constituted February 25, 1969 in Austin, Texas. At that time it was the first such organization of its size and constituency in the US, becoming something new out of the predecessor Texas Council of Churches, with Roman Catholic leaders responding to the energy and spirit of the second Vatican Council. We are rooted in Jesus' High Priestly Prayer for Christian Unity, recorded in John 17:20-23; 

The purpose of the TCC is to clarify and strengthen our witness to Christ as Lord of the Church and world by:

1. acknowledging Christ’s Lordship in word and deed as well as in worship;
2. applying more effectively the substance and insights of the Christian Gospel to the structures and institutions of this state, reminding all that every structure exists to serve all people and is ultimately accountable to God. This attempt will include efforts to curb destructive forces at work in our communities as well as a sustained effort to interpret and lay bare the relationship of gospel and world;
3. providing means of cooperation with agencies and movements which further the common purposes of the member churches;
4. providing a forum and a place of sharing the work of the churches and a means whereby duplication of offices and efforts may be lessened;
5. doing together all things save those which we must in conscience and obedience do separately; and
6. promoting the Spirit of Ecumenism, cultivating inter-church fellowship in communities throughout the state and fostering dialogue in the realm of faith and order.

The TCC is completely autonomous. It is not structurally related to any other organization, such as local or regional ecumenical bodies, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., the United States Catholic Conference, the World Council of Churches, etc. However, consultative and collegial relationships are maintained with local, regional, national, and world ecumenical organizations.

Present membership of the TCC is comprised of 52 ecclesiastical units (judicatories) of thirteen communions. Their memberships are in excess of 9.5 million Texas Christians. Member judicatories are expected to pay their fair share of the basic annual budget.

Official actions and statements of the TCC are made by the Board of Directors, the College of Judicatory Leaders, and/or the Annual Assembly (comprised of elected or appointed representatives of member judicatories, determined by number of confirmed or adult members of same, and members of the Board of Directors). Dissent from actions and/or statements of the TCC is provided by operating procedures of all three bodies.

Most ecumenical endeavors of the TCC are instituted upon recommendation from one of the two commissions, Church and Society, or Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations. Members of the commissions are chosen by election or appointment of member judicatories.

Church Women United in Texas, Texas IMPACT, and Texas Church World Service/CROP are ecumenical partners of the TCC, enjoying a collegial relationship.

Past and present representative ecumenical endeavors of the TCC include: annual Texas Faith and Order Conference to explore many theological and faith issues, consultations with people of other faith communities (Jewish-Christian Forum, Muslim-Christian Forum, interfaith dialogue with other non-Christians, as well as consultation with Christian communities not within the TCC), Training Laboratories (experiential learning and organizational development), Lower Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Valley and La Frontera (Border), statewide Consultations on Religion and Public Education and/or Higher Education, Aging Issues and the Church, three-year statewide Value of Life Project (morals, ethical, and legal implications of contemporary life science technology), Domestic Violence (child, elder and spouse abuse concerns), Criminal Justice, the Death Penalty; Rural church leadership issues, Racism, Peacemaking, and Disaster Response as needed with local and national partners. Emerging concerns focusing some of our efforts include dealing with the root causes of racism, the violence engulfing much of contemporary society, and the poverty of children.

Our quarterly publication, Texas Ecumenical Action, special studies, and statements are available upon request as supplies permit.