This Library contains documents from all recent United Church governance meetings, including General Council and its Executive. It also includes “Our Beliefs Explained” official policy documents dating back several decades. If you can't find something you think should be included, contact gcbusiness@united-church.ca.
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We believe that the Holy Spirit calls us to use our God‐given gifts. Our gifts differ, but all are needed. The practices of Christian spiritual formation call on us to practice individual and group discernment in selecting and affirming leaders for the church.
Currently, section A.6.2 calls for draft minutes to be posted. In practice, most councils post minutes only after approval. Draft minutes are often prepared shortly before approval and posting them twice adds to administrative work without clear benefit. A review of regional council and community of faith websites indicates that this is the common practice. It is therefore proposed to revise the wording to reflect current practice and streamline processes, ensuring timely posting while reducing unnecessary administrative steps
We believe that God is calling diverse people from across the United Church together to offer direction and advice on: • developing an apology from The United Church of Canada to people of African descent for enslavement, • reflecting on, and acting upon, current legacies of enslavement faced by Black people in Canada, and • exploring creative ways of engaging with the United Nations Second International Decade for People of African Descent.
The Funding Policy of the Pension Plan of The United Church of Canada outlines the best practices for promoting the long-term security of accrued benefits, allowing for stable and predictable contributions from Participating Employers and members, and providing guidelines for a buffer against future adverse events.
The Executive of the General Council (Executive), in its role as the Administrator of The Pension Plan of The United Church of Canada, has established the Pension Board to support the Executive in governing the Plan and the Fund, with most tasks delegated to the Pension Board and outlined in the Pension Board’s Terms of Reference. To date, there were no documented Terms of Reference for the Executive of the General Council in its role as Plan Administrator.
We believe God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is calling us into continued concrete relationships with partners. One manifestation of this commitment is The United Church of Canada Partner Council. The term of the nominations below for Partner Council begins in 2025 with the rise of General Council 45.
We believe that God is calling The United Church of Canada to commit to engage with the 2nd United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. This second Decade is running from 2025-2034.
We believe that The United Church of Canada will continue to deepen its commitment to becoming an anti-racist denomination by having a national committee, focused on continuing to advance the church’s anti-racism work.
We believe that The United Church of Canada will enhance its collective commitments to equity by having a national Elected Member body that engages with these diverse commitments.
Ministry personnel who are order of ministry and are appointed to administrative positions in the General Council and regional council offices (Manual section I.1.2.5) retain ministry personnel status and accountability to the Office of Vocation for compliance with the Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice for Ministry Personnel. Appointments to staff positions can be without term; the General Council and regional council offices are considered ministry sites.
