United Church of Canada is the largest Protestant church in Canada. It was established in 1925 by the union of the Methodist Church, Canada; the Congregational Union of Canada; and most of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. A fourth denomination, the Canada Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, joined the union in 1968.
Doctrine and organization.
In 1924, the Canadian Parliament passed the United Church of Canada Act. This act, which became effective on June 10, 1925, formally established the United Church.
A constitution called the Basis of Union sets forth the administration, legal procedures, and organization of the United Church. The Basis of Union also includes 20 Articles of Faith that state the church’s Biblically-based doctrine. The United Church is organized regionally in administrative units called, from smallest to largest, congregations, presbyteries, and conferences. At the national level, a General Council meets every three years. It has doctrinal authority over the entire church.
The United Church has a presbyterian form of government—that is, the clergy and laity share equal responsibility for setting church policy and for church administration. The presbyteries, conferences, and General Council are all governed by bodies made up equally of clergy and laity. All clergy of the United Church are called ministers and have equal rank. Both men and women may be ministers. Women have served as ministers since 1936. Since 1988, church policy has explicitly stated that sexual orientation is not a barrier to either church membership or eligibility to be a minister.
Activities and services.
The United Church is affiliated with several Canadian theological colleges and programs. In addition, it operates numerous children’s camps throughout the country. The church also has several education centers that offer leadership training and spiritual growth programs for laypersons. The church produces much of its own educational and resource material. An independent monthly magazine called The United Church Observer reports on church affairs.
In addition to its educational activities, the United Church manages several hospitals and, largely through local congregations, provides extensive accommodation for senior adults. Through its regional conferences and presbyteries, the church also provides extensive financial support for hundreds of local outreach ministries and social service agencies. A Mission and Service Fund, administered by the national church office, finances this mission.
The United Church is liberal in its theological point of view. It believes in conversion to the teachings of Jesus Christ and commitment to correcting social evil and injustice. The church tries to guide the thinking of its membership on these matters and to speak broadly to Canadian society. Through a broad network of global partners, the church addresses many international justice concerns. The church’s national offices are in Toronto.
