United Church

Historic Roots

The United Church of Canada has a complex history with three main strands. It is a product of Canadian compromise that was formally created in 1925: a union of Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches. 

The Methodist Story

In the early 18th century, John Wesley, an Anglican priest, gathered with a group of devout Christians. They were often called ‘Methodists’ because of their concern for discipline and diligence in living out their Christian beliefs. After serving a mission in Georgia, where he a conversion experience, Wesley returned to England. His mission took Wesley outside the normal parish boundaries, and he began preaching in the fields to colliery workers. 

Wesley’s circuits, the formation of local Methodist societies, a new ministry in America and a Conference of Lay Preachers all irritated the religious establishment. Wesley’s passion for renewal often went outside the established protocols and the gap widened between his Methodist movement and the church establishment. Later, yearly ‘Conferences’ were held. These meetings had authority to appoint preachers to Methodist chapels, which were still in Wesley’s mind a part of the Church of England. On Wesley’s death, the Conference split from the Anglican Church, and a separate denomination emerged. 

The Methodist Church is represented on the United Church Crest by the Dove.

The Presbyterian Story 

John Knox had begun to preach according to Reformation principles by the mid 16th Century.. Over the next years, Knox acted as a chaplain to the royal British Court, and also served alongside John Calvin in Geneva. On returning to Scotland, Knox found support for his Reformed principles. In 1560, a ‘Scottish Confession’ was drawn up in the span of four days, and adopted by the Scots’ Parliament. It adopted strict Calvinist principles such as Justification by Faith, and a doctrine of Predestination. Signs of the true Kirk were seen as “true preaching of the Word and right administration of the Sacraments and discipline. ” Following the Scottish Confession, a First Book of Discipline was developed, and a Book of Common Order (Prayer Book) was issued.

A presbyterial form of government eventually replaced the Episcopal form in Scotland. Over the next hundred and fifty years there were attempts to re-establish the Church of Scotland as an Episcopal Church, but by 1690 the matter had been settled, and the State-Church in Scotland has been Presbyterian in nature since that time.

In 1643, Church leaders from across Britain were gathered together at Westminster by Parliament to propose reforms for the English Church. The reforms were to seek a uniformity within the British Isles. Instead of revising of the 39 Articles of the Church of England, the assembly developed a ‘Confession of Faith’, which would become known as the ‘Westminster Confession’. Its tone was Calvinist, stressing God’s role in electing or choosing people for salvation, while allowing that people had ‘free will’ in the manner they responded to God’s gift of grace. This Confession has become the foundation for Presbyterian churches around the world.

The Presbyterian Church represented on the United Church Crest by the Burning Bush.

The Congregationalist Story

‘Congregationalism’ stresses the independence and autonomy of local congregations, with an emphasis on the ‘priesthood of all believers’. As early as 1550 in England, groups met for preaching and sharing the sacraments. They opposed the Established Church, and so were persecuted in England. Their influence soon extended, however, to the Netherlands, and by immigration to the North American Colonies. Congregationalists developed a significant following in present day Ontario and Quebec, and were influential in the politics of the American Colonies. Groups such as the Quakers and Puritans both have roots in the Congregationalist movement, as do the Reformed Churches that emerged in the Netherlands. 

Congregationalists are represented on the United Church Crest by the Open Bible.

From a Trinity to Unity

The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were times of immigration to North America for Methodists, Congregationalists and Presbyterians. By 1904 organic union among these denominations was declared to be ‘both desirable and practical’. It was felt that God’s work could be done more effectively by a united church than by separate religious groups. A first ‘Basis of Union’ was drawn up in 1908. Eight years later, a formal agreement had been made to merge the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches to form a ‘United’ Church. The actual merger was delayed by the War.

‘When Union actually happened on June 10,1925, all Methodist Churches and Congregational Churches joined, and over half of Presbyterian Churches joined the United Church of Canada. The hope was that “the present union, now consummated would be but another step towards the wider union of Evangelical Churches, not only in Canada, but throughout the world.” (Manual, p.9)

Since then, the United Church has continued to seek common ground with other denominations in Canada. While a proposed merger with the Anglican Church in the 1960s did not happen, in the 1980s the Evangelical Brethren did join with the United Church. The United Church continues in discussions on cooperation and understanding with many other churches. 

The United Church is a ‘Canadian’ Church. However, it does maintain membership in worldwide Reformed and Methodist associations. As such, many who come to Canada from other Reformed or Methodist Churches have found the United Church of Canada to be a natural choice. The United Church also participates in the Canadian and World Council of Churches, and cooperated with the Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches in a number of social, relief and development initiatives. 

Operating Principles

The Manual does provide 20 ‘Articles of Faith’ which serve as a framework for discussion on theological and social issues. The United Church does not, however, ask its members to subscribe to a set doctrinal statement or confession. 

As stated in the Manual, ‘The United Church attempts to base both its beliefs and practices on the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and believes also that God’s will for the Church is continually being reveled and that the Church must therefore be “always reformed”. (The Manual, 1991,p.3)

Worship

The ‘Service Book’ (1969), states in the introduction, that worship resources are “for the guidance and assistance of those leading or sharing in public worship.” Congregations are free to use resources of other faith communities, and develop their own services. 

Rather than specific texts, what is suggested is more a ‘pattern’ for worship. That pattern includes: 1 )a time of Gathering of the Community; 2)Sharing the Word (Scripture) through reading, preaching and other means; 3) Thanksgiving, often expressed through the sharing of the Lord’s supper; and 4)a Sending Forth, or ‘Commissioning’ for service in the world.

In recent years, two new resources have been developed… ‘Voices United’ (a hymn book with some worship resources), and ‘Celebrating God’s Presence’ (a comprehensive, inclusive resource for worship). It is hoped that the worship will be inclusive in nature (inclusive of the cultural mosaic that is Canada, as well as in its use of gender and age references)

Ministry

All members of the United are called to ministry by virtue of their baptism. (The ‘Priesthood of all believers’) Within that body of disciples, some are ordained by Conferences for a lifetime vocation of ministry of word and sacrament.  Others are commissioned as Diaconal Ministers. Originally this ministry centered on educational and service, but many now act as ministers within pastoral charges. ,It is also possible for local members to be appointed as ‘Lay Pastoral Ministers’. This occurs most often in small congregations and rural or remote areas. Women have been eligible for ordained ministry within the United Church of Canada since its beginning, and more than 20% of ordained Ministers, and 90% or Diaconal Ministers are women.

Government

The United Church adopted a structure that incorporated elements of both the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. As well, the emphasis of Congregational Churches on strong local congregations (pastoral charges) has been preserved.

The ‘Manual’, issued at the time of Union, and revised after each General Council, serves as the official ‘Rule Book’ for the United Church.  There are a series of ‘courts’ which take responsibility at different levels. These organizational levels are: Pastoral Charge: district Presbyteries; 13 regional Conferences; and the national ‘General Council’.Our local churches, known to the United Church as the Long Beach Pastoral Charge, are part of British Columbia Conference (which covers all of British Columbia, and the Yukon). 

At a recent General Council, the United Church adopted a vision that includes : “Healthy Congregations and Ministries; Effective Leadership; and Faithful Public Witness”. Each Conference has reviewed this and set its own specific objectives to help Presbyteries and Pastoral Charges reach towards that vision.

Growing Edges

The United Church of Canada, since its inception, has taken strong positions and leaderships in responding to the needs and issues of our country and communities. It seeks to interpret Canadian issues in light of the gospel message of God’s unbounded love. It is always aware of God’s desire that Christians work for justice, equality, and freedoms in all they do. 

As Canada’s largest Protestant denomination, the United Church has been able to speak to, and influence progressive changes. An equal status for women was proclaimed at ‘union’ by the inclusion of all people in its ministry. As a national church, it has advocated for gays and lesbians rights in society and the church. Currently it has standing at parliamentary hearings to consider the constitutionality of current laws related to marriage.  At the same time, it is connected to the communities it serves. 

Local pastoral charges are made up of, and reflect the concerns ands hopes of their areas. Members are encouraged to take active part in local governments, service organizations and lobbies which reflect their stewardship of God’s creation.