This Sunday the gospel reading from John contains the motto of the United Church of Canada, "that all may be one" included on our crest in Latin. Trust me. I wonder if that now means we will soon be down to one member.
There were two different and related news stories in this past week which included the United Church of Canada. One had to do with the last census and the reporting included the stats on religion. The number of people identifying themselves as Christians has declined, while other religions saw increases. The greatest growth is in the "nones" those who are content not to see them affiliated with any religion. While the UCC is still the largest Protestant denomination we declined by 30% between 2001 and 2011. Thirty percent in a decade!
The other tough news is that the decision was made this week by the UCC executive to cut fourteen national jobs and not fill fourteen other vacancies. If that doesn't sound like a lot, we are now down to 131 employees doing our national work. It is a skeleton crew of hard-working folk who have to be very discouraged by these cuts. In addition, $3 million will be cut from the budget which will affect many different ministry grants and our global partnerships. The United Church does a lot of worthwhile work at home and abroad. While in Bowmanville I served on the Spiritual Care Advisory Committee of the local hospital and the biggest contributor to the chaplaincy budget was our United Church Mission and Service Fund.
Are we becoming the Cheshire Cat Church of Canada, where all that is left is the grin, or maybe the grimace? We are certainly losing ground, and at what point do we no longer have the resources to be an effective national entity? One challenge is that we are a denomination where a great many people claim connection but rarely or never enter a church door, let along provide financial support. And fewer people seem to know or care about the exceptional work we do in Christ's name.
I hope that all this changes, and I will pray that it does, but this is sobering?
What are your impressions and comments on this news?
That is not surprising but it is sobering. Fortunately, the information from the census isn't necessarily as accurate as it should be since the government made it not manditory.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the trends mentioned will be the same though and having to cut both manpower and budget makes us realize how tough being part of the religious world is.
hopefully our work will continue and people will realize how much UCC provides in worldwide program support and turn the invisible grin into a full blown person again.
30-something congregational leaders like you are an important part of our hope for a future in the United Church Ryan. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteA positive statistic I heard last week in our own little corner of the United Church was that at this month's upcoming Bay of Quinte Conference, Annual General Meeting one third of the over 300 registrants to attend the 3 day event will be youth and young adults. I am hope filled!
ReplyDeleteThat really is encouraging Laura and I know the St. Paul's crew will be leading the way.
ReplyDelete