United Church Social Policy Positions

WHEREAS many members of the order of ministry report a need for training in the pastoral implications of the arms race, and

WHEREAS church workers continue to express a need for training that is relevant to the Canadian scene, and

WHEREAS the rapid growth of the peace movement in Canada has put pressure on the church to take seriously the Canadian context in its discussions of peacemaking, and

WHEREAS some theological colleges and training centres have established continuing education programmes for professional and lay church workers in Canada on the issues of peace with justice, and

WHEREAS certain professional groups have identified behaviours related to the fears experienced by people deeply troubled by the threat of nuclear war and the possible dislocation created by changing from jobs in weapons manufacturing to jobs in non-military production, and

WHEREAS special awareness and skills are needed for such ministry, and

WHEREAS ministry that supports peacemaking lifestyles requires special resources,

THEREFORE be it resolved that the 30th General Council:

1. Request the Division of Ministry, Personnel and Education and the Division of Mission in Canada to encourage all theological colleges and training centres to include peace and disarmament study in the regular and the continuing education curricula;
2. The 30th General Council work within the Division of Ministry, Personnel and Education to initiate dialogue with associations and centres for clinical pastoral education toward developing the kind of courses required to help church workers develop the skills and resources needed to minister effectively with those affected by the arms race.

General Council: 30th General Council, 1984

Record of Proceedings Page Ref. 1984 ROP, pp. 103, 459–60.