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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The 44th General Council directed that a total compensation study for ministry personnel in the pastoral relations system and for ministry personnel and lay employees in General Council and regional councils staff systems be undertaken, reporting back to the 45th General Council. In November 2023, the Executive of the General Council established a Total Compensation Review Task Group to look at compensation practices through lenses of equitableness, adequacy, and sustainability.
The Executive of the General Council initiated a review of the Offices of Moderator and General Secretary. A final report is submitted to this meeting. Following are proposals arising from the work of the task group.
In the development, adoption and implementation of the Strategic Plan (2021) with its Call and Vision and strategic operation plan, the Executive of the General Council was committed to seeking to reverse the narrative of decline that is so prevalent in the life of the church. There is no doubt that church has lived experience of decline, and the data supports this. The Executive Leaders have committed to foster a climate of data informed decision making and to lead from the future.
In 2022 the Executive of the General Council adopted the strategic operational plan for the work of the General Council Office. One of the six objectives was Strengthening Invitation: Humility and Confidence in Sharing Faith. The objective’s goal was to help to implement effective and connected regional and national strategies that result in growth within existing ministries, and by seeding and sustaining new ministries and communities of faith.
In response to NEW05 and having the benefit of the discussion at General Council 44 on October 19, 2024, and the background documentation and timeline of events, the Executive of the General Council
The Executive of the General Council directs the General Secretary's Supervision Committee to consult with the Judicial Committee to determine if the General Secretary's action in dissolving the National Indigenous Council was within the authority of the office and report back to the Executive of the General Council.
The ability of a regional council to elect at-large members is important to reflect the diversity within the regional council and have the benefit of these members’ input and wisdom.
The 2023 annual meeting of the 44ᵗʰ General Council approved in principle the use of a principle-based approach to the justice work of the United Church.
The policy regarding financial support for ministry personnel (The Manual J.6.7) lacks flexibility and discretion of application.
In 2018, the General Council Executive approved a motion (GCE 13 - PMM 15) to extend The Living Apology Project, to report to the spring 2020 meeting of the Executive of the General Council. Due to COVID-19 this was extended to the fall of 2020.