Church of North India Overview
The Church of North India (CNI), a prominent united Protestant church, was formed on November 29, 1970, uniting various northern Indian Protestant groups. It merged the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon (Anglican), Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ, and parts of the United Church of Northern India, with talks starting in 1929. As part of the Anglican Communion and affiliated with the World Methodist Council and World Communion of Reformed Churches, it serves 2.2 million members across 3,000 pastorates in 26 dioceses, excluding southern states under the Church of South India.
Ecumenical efforts began in 1929 in Lucknow, led by missions like the Australian Churches of Christ and Methodist groups. A 1951 committee, based on an earlier union plan, included Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, and the United Church of Northern India, though the Methodist Episcopal Church later formed the Methodist Church in India in 1981. The Church of the Brethren and Disciples of Christ joined by 1957, and the 4th Plan of Union in 1965 led to the 1970 merger, despite the Methodist Church in Southern Asia’s withdrawal.
The CNI follows a trinitarian faith, upholding the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed, blending traditions from its founding churches. Its liturgy mixes Methodist and smaller denominations’ practices, offering worship flexibility. Governed by a triennial synod electing a moderator and committee, it oversees 26 dioceses with a balanced episcopal structure. It emphasizes social work through boards managing 65 hospitals, nine nursing schools, and over 250 schools, including notable ones like Scottish Church College.
The CNI’s ecumenical role includes partnerships with the Church of South India and Mar Thoma Syrian Church in the Communion of Churches in India and the National Council of Churches in India. It engages regionally with the Christian Conference of Asia and globally with the World Council of Churches, Council for World Mission, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and World Methodist Council, maintaining Anglican Communion ties.