The General Council Office is located in Toronto, Ontario and is arranged into the following eight operational units. The units are overseen by these Senior Church Leaders.
Church in Mission (CIM)
The Church in Mission Unit provides support and leadership to The United Church of Canada to participate in God’s mission of justice, peace, and transformation in the world through its various ministries and partners in their contextual response to God’s invitation of partnership. It supports programs helping the church to be an intercultural and anti-racist church that is welcoming, relational, adaptive, justice-seeking, intentional, and mission-centred. The unit gives leadership and support in four areas: Global Partnership, Identity and Mission, Refugees, and Leadership and Administration.
Finance (FIN)
The Finance Unit ensures efficient and effective financial accounting, reporting, and management functions for the General Council Office and the Pension Plan of The United Church of Canada, including the broad areas of revenue, expenditures, budget and reporting, internal/external audits, and risk management. In addition to these regular financial management tasks, the Finance Unit provides advisory services to congregations around financial and compliance matters, oversees the nationally sponsored property and liability insurance coverages, and administers various capital assistance programs. The unit also has responsibility for the information technology needs of the General Council and regional council offices.
Indigenous Ministries and Justice (IMJ)
Indigenous Ministries and Justice works with the National Indigenous Council (formerly the Aboriginal Ministries Council) and Indigenous communities of faith across The United Church of Canada. In line with the norm, principles, and standards set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, Indigenous Ministries and Justice supports the whole United Church of Canada as it strives to animate the Calls to Action and Calls to the Church. This work is done by building on the capacity, already present, in areas of spiritual healing, leadership and youth development, stewardship, and justice and reconciliation.
Office of the Moderator and General Secretary (OMGS)
The Office of the Moderator and General Secretary provides planning and coordination for, and support to, the General Council, its Executive, and the Moderator. The General Secretary has responsibility for the coordination and integration of the people and programs of the General Council.
Organizational Development and Strategy (ODS)
The Organizational Development and Strategy Unit supports the General Council Office in the development, execution, and communications of its vision and strategic priorities. The unit helps shape the public face of The United Church of Canada, contributing to the denomination’s principled presence in the public square and strengthening invitation to the church across the country and its ministries. It coordinates research, planning, and evaluation, and assists in nourishing congregations, supporting regional councils, advancing national program, and contributing to effective administration of the church.
Philanthropy (PHI)
The Philanthropy Unit works to establish a secure funding base for the holistic mission and ministry of The United Church of Canada, and to provide opportunities for people to respond in gratitude to all that God has given them.
Shared Services (SS)
The Shared Services Unit brings together all of the shared services offered nationally and includes: Human Resources, Payroll Services, the governance and administration of the Pension Plan of The United Church of Canada, Group Insurance administration, Archives, GCO Administration, Legal, and Incorporated Ministries. The unit ensures that policies established by the General Council are upheld and that federal/provincial employment standards are met.
Theology and Ministry Leadership (TML)
The Theology and Ministry Leadership Unit brings together all the pieces relating to leadership, taking seriously the understanding of the ministry of the whole people of God, and includes the Office of Vocation, which is responsible for the assessment, candidacy, and accreditation of ministry personnel; the standards of practice and ongoing oversight and, when necessary, discipline, of ministry personnel; and Pastoral Relations; Member Engagement; the work of the Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee (TICIF); and theological schools.