General Council Office Structure

CECM staff work to strengthen congregational, educational, and community ministries for full participation in God’s local and global mission by working towards the following goals: Healthy, Sustainable Congregations and Community Ministries; Leadership Development; and Discipleship Formation. We work to broaden the awareness that the ministry of the United Church happens in many places.

We serve congregations, camps, chaplaincies, campus ministries, theological schools, education centres, outreach/community ministries, and seniors’ residences in partnership with Conferences and presbyteries/districts.

We believe

• The health and growth of congregations, educational institutions, and community ministries is essential to the witness of the church.
• Nurturing faith of all ages through collective worship and personal spirituality and formation enables all members to live their lives abundantly and to participate faithfully in God’s mission.
• Members and adherents of all ages comprise a community of learning that grows in faith individually and communally.
• We are called to cultivate generosity, foster safe ministry settings, and invest our financial resources strategically as faithful stewards of God’s gifts.
• Calling forth of leaders of all ages whether lay or ordered, paid or volunteer, supports and strengthens the United Church presence and its ministry.

Healthy, Sustainable Congregations and Community Ministries

We foster healthy, sustainable congregations and ministries—welcoming and caring, generous, and appreciative of diversity. We support congregations in their efforts to:

• move beyond a “survival” focus to respond to God’s call to mission
• grow in partnership with community ministries and other partners
• resource their work and witness
• develop or renew ministries and facilities
• provide safe ministry contexts
  • Renewal and Community Development
  • Community Ministries
  • Duty of Care and Incorporated Ministries
  • Financial Policy Development
  • Mission Support Grants
  • Capital Assistance/Loans

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Leadership Development

We foster awareness of God’s call to leadership for participants of all ages and for diverse ministry roles. Recognizing that God provides gifted people for the church’s diverse ministries we work to:

• encourage youth in vocational formation
• equip all ministries in spiritual practices for vocational discernment
• raise awareness of intercultural, Aboriginal, and francophone needs and opportunities
• support educational institutions educating for diverse leadership needs
• develop formation processes that reflect the church’s learning for leadership outcomes
  • Youth and Young Adults
  • Youth, Young Teens, and Children
  • Educational Institutions
  • Vocations for Ministry
  • Continuing Education

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Discipleship Formation

We foster spiritually grounded discipleship by cultivating grateful and generous faith communities and ministries. Sharing in God’s radical caring for all people and creation, these faith communities and ministries are rooted in vibrant worship and engage in formation and discipleship. We work to support these ministries as they:

• live in relationship with God led by the Spirit to share in God’s mission
• deepen their knowledge of scripture, tradition, identity as United Church Christians and as generous stewards of God’s gifts
• learn to celebrate diversity—living Christ’s radical acceptance
• equip themselves for vital worship—personal and collective
• welcome enquirers and newcomers
  • Worship and Music
  • Spirituality and Small Group Ministries
  • Stewardship Development