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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GC45 WF26: GCE01 – Review of the Roles of the Moderator and General Secretary for Summer 2025 was carried at the last General Council meeting in August. A task group reviewed the roles of the Moderator and the General Secretary and produced a report with several recommendations.
The 44th General Council directed 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.
GS03 Group Benefits 2026 proposal was carried at the September General Council Executive meeting. Amongst many changes, the proposal introduced an enhanced life insurance model, replacing the employer indemnity model.
As a result of the changes from GC45 WF26: GCE01 – Review of the Roles of the Moderator and General Secretary for Summer 2025, section D.5.3.4 General Council Office has been removed. Its responsibilities will now be assumed by the General Secretary.
A study of the future of The United Church of Canada, projecting to 2035 based on the period of 1992-2023, revealed significant challenges in levels of membership, worship attendance, identifiable givers, and Sunday School attendance, as well as a pattern of majority part-time ministry and increasing deficits in congregations. In contrast, an examination of data from 2023 shows that some pastoral charges (@10%) are growing, and as a result of the strategic plan of 2023-2025 migrant communities of faith (approximately 30) are emerging.
GC45 WF26: GCE01 – Review of the Roles of the Moderator and General Secretary for Summer 2025 was carried at the last General Council meeting in August. A task group reviewed the respective roles and produced a report with several recommendations.
At the 45th General Council 2025, the General Council approved a change to the Basis of Union regarding the composition of the Regional Council to allow Regional Councils to elect additional lay members; and retired designated lay ministers to hold membership in their respective Regional Councils; and authorized a Category 2 remit (including information and study materials) to test the will of the church concerning this change.
The National and regional archives play an important part for the life and call of The United Church of Canada. As the need grows for the services of the archives, it is increasingly important to establish strong and consistent policies to guide what materials are acquired, how access to records is maintained and how to ensure sustainability.
A consent agenda is a tool to help the Executive focus on what is most important. Proposals which are routine or non-controversial actions or routine changes in policy or procedure are included in the consent agenda.
Administration of the Compassionate Assistance Fund would be easier if the assets were transferred from The United Church Foundation back to The United Church of Canada.
