Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future

Abstract The United Church of Canada, founded in 1925, represents an ambitious experiment in church union that blends Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist traditions. Over the past century, the church has played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian society by advocating for social justice, Indigenous reconciliation, interreligious dialogue, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and ecumenism. Its commitment to progressive values has resulted in both cultural impact and institutional challenges, particularly with the rise of secularism. The church has continually evolved, addressing theological and social transformations from its early mission‐driven church union to its engagement with contemporary issues. This article examines whether the United Church is a victim of its success – mainstreaming its values to the point of institutional decline – or if its legacy of adaptation will enable it to thrive in the future, reimagining faith in the 21st century.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
The Ecumenical Review
Published
2025-05-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/erev.12894
Primary Topic
Religion, Society, and Development
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future

Hyuk Cho
The Ecumenical Review
Religion, Society, and Development
article

Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future

Hyuk Cho
article en

Abstract

Abstract The United Church of Canada, founded in 1925, represents an ambitious experiment in church union that blends Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist traditions. Over the past century, the church has played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian society by advocating for social justice, Indigenous reconciliation, interreligious dialogue, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and ecumenism. Its commitment to progressive values has resulted in both cultural impact and institutional challenges, particularly with the rise of secularism. The church has continually evolved, addressing theological and social transformations from its early mission‐driven church union to its engagement with contemporary issues. This article examines whether the United Church is a victim of its success – mainstreaming its values to the point of institutional decline – or if its legacy of adaptation will enable it to thrive in the future, reimagining faith in the 21st century.

The Ecumenical Review
United Church of Christ (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
Religion, Society, and Development
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.