The Moderator of the United Church of Canada issued a letter to congregations calling for a commitment to outreach and serving others, and to abandon a preoccupation with declining membership.
“I am praying that more of us become concerned with Jesus' call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless and visit those who are sick, lonely, or in prison,” states Rev. David Giuliano in his letter. “I am praying that our preoccupation with getting people into church is transformed by a passion for getting the church out into the world. I am praying that we welcome strangers with a radical hospitality that sees in them the face of Christ — not an 'identifiable giver' or a 'potential committee member'! I am praying that our worries about buildings and budgets are overtaken by excitement for the mission of our church.”
The letter is in response to a year of planning amongst the General Council Executive, who “discussed and discerned where the church's energy and resources are best spent,” said Giuliano in an interview.
“Because of the challenge that we face in terms of numbers, it's easy to get distracted,” he said. “Historically, the church has had power and status in society and has operated almost out of a sense of entitlement. But we don't have the social, political or cultural pull that we once had, and there is a dis-ease and discomfort about letting that go.”
Giuliano said it was important to re-affirm that congregations are how most people experience the Church, and thier work and actions should be directed at being examples of Jesus' call.
Several priorities were set by the executive, including assisting congregations as the primary expression of the church's mission, raising up and equipping strong leadership, embracing the ministry of youth and young adults, and a renewed commitment to healing relationships with First Nations, becoming an inter-cultural church, and doing justice to the earth. As a result, more than 20 positions have been terminated, and beginning in 2009 grants within Canada and to global partners will be reduced.
“Our hope is not for our survival or even growth, but in what God can accomplish through us,” states the letter. “The health and vitality of our congregations depends on our response to the suffering of the world around us.” — AM
