Raad van Kerken in Nederland

What Raad van Kerken in Nederland does

Raad van Kerken in Nederland (Council of Churches in the Netherlands) is a national ecumenical umbrella organization founded on 21 June 1968, headquartered in Amersfoort. It coordinates cooperation among 19 Christian churches and organizations spanning Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and evangelical traditions, and is supported by an affiliated network of approximately 250 provincial and local councils of churches. The Council is governed by a Plenary Council and a daily executive Moderamen whose officers are drawn from across member denominations; it operates as an independent, member-funded non-profit with ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) public benefit status (RSIN 821586142).

The organization's product portfolio is content-driven rather than technology-driven. It publishes the Oecumenische Bezinning theological reflection series (36 issues available), the Oecumenisch Leesrooster 2022-2031 ecumenical lectionary, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials, a regular newsletter, and assorted liturgical and interfaith resources. A webshop sells physical and digital copies of these publications (digital €0–7.50, print typically €1–7) and the Oecumenekaars ecumenical candle (€13.00) under a €7.45 flat shipping rate. The Council also runs annual programming such as the Week of Prayer (17-24 January) and participates in advocacy campaigns with partners including the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches, the Laudato Si' Alliance, PAX, Kerk en Vrede, and the OJCM interfaith dialogue platform.

Commercially, the Council generates revenue through three non-scale channels: (1) one-time publication and merchandise sales via its own webshop, (2) donations and 'Vrienden van de Raad' (Friends of the Council) contributions into IBAN NL46 INGB 0000 3221 05, and (3) member church contributions. It has 8 employees, no subsidiaries, no parent organization, no external ownership, and no publicly disclosed revenue. Distribution is via a single-country (Netherlands) e-commerce storefront and direct distribution to member churches from the Amersfoort office.

Name

Raad van Kerken in Nederland

Legal name

Raad van Kerken in Nederland

Website

https://raadvankerken.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Raad van Kerken in Nederland is a Dutch national ecumenical umbrella founded in 1968 that coordinates 19 Christian churches and approximately 250 local councils, publishing theological and liturgical materials and operating a small webshop of candles and publications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecumenical and Religious Council Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Interfaith & Ecumenical Councils and Dialogue Organizations (BPAGAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Ecumenical council
• Interfaith dialogue
• Theological publications
• Liturgical materials
• Religious council services

Headquarters

HQ city

Amersfoort

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Publication Sales: Sale of publications including Oecumenische Bezinning (ecumenical reflection series), candles (Oecumenekaars), digital materials, and books. The organization operates a webshop for these products.
2. Donations and Membership Contributions: The organization receives donations and financial support through its 'Vrienden van de Raad' (Friends of the Council) program and general donations. IBAN: NL46 INGB 0000 3221 05.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Raad van Kerken in Nederland is a national ecumenical council that coordinates cooperation among 19 Christian churches and organizations in the Netherlands. It facilitates dialogue between denominations, organizes the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and publishes theological reflection materials (Oecumenische Bezinning), the Oecumenisch Leesrooster 2022-2031 ecumenical lectionary, and liturgical resources. The Council also sells physical merchandise including the Oecumenekaars (ecumenical candle) through its webshop.

Product overview

Raad van Kerken in Nederland operates as a council facilitating ecumenical cooperation among 19 Christian churches in the Netherlands. The organization's product portfolio consists primarily of publications including Oecumenische Bezinning (a theological reflection publication series), the Oecumenisch Leesrooster (ecumenical lectionary), Week van Gebed materials, newsletters, and liturgical resources. The webshop also offers merchandise including the Oecumenekaars candle used in ecumenical celebrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oecumenische Bezinning A publication series providing theological reflection on various societal and ecclesiastical topics, available in both print and digital formats. Issued by the Council of Churches in the Netherlands for use by churches, theologians, and interested members of the public.
• Oecumenekaars (Ecumenical Candle) Ecumenical candle (6 cm diameter, 20 cm height) with imprint, used in celebrations and ceremonies to express unity among churches and denominations. Sold as gifts for ecumenical occasions and for use in services.
• Oecumenisch Leesrooster 2022-2031 Ecumenical lectionary published by the Council, providing daily biblical readings for ecumenical use across churches in the Netherlands. Available as a digital publication priced at €7.50.
• Week van Gebed Materials (Week of Prayer Materials) Liturgical materials and prayer resources for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, supporting ecumenical prayer services across the Netherlands from January 17-24 each year.
• Nieuwsbrief (Newsletter) Regular newsletter providing updates on Council activities, theological reflections, and ecumenical developments. Distributed to subscribers and available through the publications page.
• Liturgisch materiaal (Liturgical Materials) Liturgical materials and ceremony guides produced by the Council for various religious occasions and memorial services, including 4 and 5 May commemorations and creation-period liturgical resources (September 1 - October 4).

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• World Council of Churches (Wereldraad van Kerken)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch Council is a member of the World Council of Churches and actively participates in its assemblies and programs including the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace. The Council maintains relationships with the WCC and its various commissions and working groups.
• Conference of European Churches (CEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Council participates in the Conference of European Churches, attending assemblies and contributing to ecumenical work across Europe. The 2023 Assembly is referenced on the Council's website.
• Laudato Si' AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in creating liturgical materials for the World Prayer Day for Creation (September 1 - October 4). The Council publishes these resources for use by member churches.
• PAXmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on nuclear disarmament advocacy. PAX and the Council work together on campaigns including the nuclear weapons ban treaty and supporting ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.
• Kerk en Vrede (Church and Peace)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on peace and justice issues. The Council collaborated on publications including 'Rechtvaardige vrede: werk voor de kerk' (Just Peace: work for the church) and joint activities on nuclear disarmament.
• Overlegorgaan Joden, Christenen en Moslims (OJCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterfaith dialogue platform bringing together Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities in the Netherlands. The Council participates in this interfaith body and contributes to interreligious understanding.
• 19 Member ChurchescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 19 member churches and organizations form the core of the Council. These include: Rooms-Katholieke Kerk, Protestantse Kerk in Nederland, Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerken, Oud-Katholieke Kerk, Bond van Vrije Evangelische Gemeenten, and others listed on the membership page.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Churches Together in Britain and Ireland: National ecumenical instrument uniting churches in Britain and Ireland. Direct structural peer: comparable scope, governance model, and convening function across diverse Christian traditions in a single country.
• Australian Council of Churches: Australian ecumenical body representing 18 member churches. Directly comparable in mission, scope, and multi-denominational convening function in another Western secularizing context.
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Deutschland (ACK): Council of Christian Churches in Germany uniting Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Evangelical churches. Direct national peer with comparable mandate, governance structure, and convening role.
• National Council of Churches (USA): Broad ecumenical body representing 37 Christian communions in the United States. Directly comparable as a national multi-denominational council performing ecumenical dialogue, advocacy, and member coordination.
• Canadian Council of Churches: Canadian ecumenical council of 26 member churches. Directly comparable national ecumenical body facilitating dialogue, joint advocacy, and theological reflection across Christian denominations.

Broad incumbents

• All Africa Conference of Churches: Continental ecumenical organization of African churches. Comparable as a higher-tier ecumenical platform engaged in advocacy, theological reflection, and peacebuilding; differs in scale and regional focus.
• Conference of European Churches: Regional ecumenical body of European churches; the Dutch Council actively participates in its assemblies (e.g., 2023 Assembly). Directly comparable as a higher-tier ecumenical platform aggregating national church councils in Europe.
• World Council of Churches: Global ecumenical fellowship of 350+ churches; the Dutch Council is a member and participates in its assemblies and Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace. Comparable as the apex international ecumenical body linking national councils like Raad van Kerken.

Emerging players

• Comunità di Sant'Egidio: Lay Catholic community active in ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and peace advocacy across Europe. Adjacent peer operating in overlapping domains (interfaith dialogue, peace advocacy) with comparable grassroots mobilization but a distinct organizational model.

Others

• PAX (Pax Christi Netherlands): Dutch peace organization partnering with the Council on nuclear disarmament (ICAN). Comparable as a Dutch civil-society advocacy partner operating on overlapping peace/justice themes, though not an ecumenical body itself.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/raadvankerken
• Facebookfacebook.com/raadvankerken
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/raad-van-kerken-in-nederland

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Raad van Kerken in Nederland