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
- Hyuk Cho
Institutions
- United Church of Christ (US)
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