This Library contains documents from all recent United Church governance meetings, including General Council and its Executive. It will also soon include “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.
Helpful topics
WE AFFIRM that our sexuality is a gift of God. In its life-enhancing, non-exploitive forms it is a primary way of relating to ourselves and to one another, and is the way God has chosen to continue the human race. We acknowledge that human sexuality, like all other aspects of human nature is affected and distorted by human sinfulness. We recognize the ambiguity of human nature and therefore of human sexuality. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
WHEREAS sexism is a form of oppression that exists in church and society; and WHEREAS sexism functions to discriminate against women; and WHEREAS sexism is manifested and perpetuated through the traditions, policies, structures and theologies of the church and thereby supports and encourages the sexist patterns of society; and WHEREAS sexism is evil and contrary to the intention of God for creation; and WHEREAS other forms of oppression will not be eradicated until sexism is eliminated; and WHEREAS to work against the evil of sexism is to enter more fully into the process of transformation and therefore to act more faithfully as the people of God:
We affirm our acceptance of all human beings as persons made in the image of God, regardless of their sexual orientations. Accumulated social science research and the articulated experience of the vast majority of both heterosexual and homosexual men and women affirm that sexual orientation is not so much a matter of choice, as a “given” aspect of one’s identity, resulting probably from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors.
The Sessional Committee, noting that the report had been provided for information, presented the following resolution: The 28th General Council, in the Preamble to the Petition on Inclusive Language, states that “Children, youth, women and men, are all called to be members of the Body of Christ and the household and family of God.” We therefore affirm the work reported by the [Changing roles of Women and Men in Church and Society] Task Force to continue the educational process towards fulfilling its mandate.
Therefore, we respectfully recommend the following motion: WHEREAS children, youth, women and men are all called to be members of the Body of Christ and the household and family of God. WHEREAS changes of language offers creative and expanding possibilities for Christians in their perceptions of God and of one another.
The gospel calls us to risk and adventure in the name of Jesus Christ; and the example of those who have followed him in obedience even to the cross as they upheld justice and promoted shalom, challenges us to high commitment and trust Keywords: Gambling, Moral Values, Taxation
We recognize that gambling takes on many forms. There are many disagreements among people as to which activities actually are gambling, and as to what is the relative harmfulness of different activities which are generally acknowledged to be gambling. Our concern lies in all these areas, but our thrust in this report is chiefly on legalized lotteries and on the possible use of gambling activities to raise funds for churches. Central Aim: Our aim and purpose has been to provide GUIDELINES, not directives. We have no intention of attempting to answer all or even most of the questions posed above. The factual information and the reflections contained in this report must speak for themselves. The onus for making value judgments and policy decisions finally rests with individuals and congregations, although the recommendations will give specific conclusions for approval by the General Council.
The Board of Evangelism and Social Service in its brief to the Senate Committee on Poverty endorsed the concept of a guaranteed annual income Keywords: Economic security, Social Assistance Systems, Social Programs, Guaranteed Annual Income
WHEREAS The United Church of Canada, through its Commission on Christian Marriage and Divorce, has encouraged frank discussion of such subjects as sex, marriage and relationships between men and women, on a high level of respect for the dignity of these relationships as given of God to mankind, and particularly in order that youth may be properly instructed in such matters; and
March 2012 Motion passed by the Executive of the General Council: Policies Related to Gender Identity The Executive of the General Council affirmed that: a. The United Church of Canada acknowledges the difference (distinction) between gender identity referring to a person’s innate, deeply felt sense of being male, female, both or neither; and sexual orientation – having to do with the gender to which one is emotionally and physically attracted, and b. “Gender identity” is not a barrier to membership and ministry of The United Church of Canada.
