Toward 2035 Invites Communities of Faith to a Hope-Filled, Bolder Future

What purpose lies at the heart of The United Church of Canada in the beginning of its third generation?

Are we called as a unique and liberating witness of the risen Christ in this place and time? The answer to that question is a Spirit-filled “yes.”   

On November 15, the General Council Executive confirmed that “yes” by approving a 10-year strategic direction, under the banner of Toward 2035. Given challenging trajectories on participation, membership, givers, and more, Toward 2035 (T2035) reflects an understanding that no one part of the church can manifest a hopeful future alone.   

This is about the whole church—we are all in this together!

The direction reads as follows: In 2035…   

…in The United Church of Canada, inspired, resilient, and diverse contextual communities of disciples seek to continue the story of Jesus by embodying Christ’s presence in the world. The church is present and deeply connected coast-to-coast-to-coast in rural and urban settings, and in ecumenical and global relationships. Guided by hope-filled, adaptive and effective ministry leaders, the denomination is increasingly multigenerational, multiracial, and intercultural.  

This is an expression of a hope-filled commitment to a bolder future, collaborating with the Holy One in the new things God is doing among us. It represents the vision to which the denomination will connect national plans for the next three years.   

At the same meeting, the General Council Executive approved strategic objectives in three areas:

• Embolden Justice
• Invigorate Leadership
• Strengthen Invitation (Growth)

These objectives will be further developed into a plan with initiatives and activities, and monitored using strategic metrics, for 2026–2028. Regional councils are developing intersecting regional and subregional strategies. An objective related to Journeying Indigenous Pathways is being developed by the Indigenous church, on a different timeline and approval process.   

But beyond intersecting national and regional plans, T2035 is also an invitation to every community of faith. Can you imagine your community participating in the future these words envision? How might they help you imagine the shape of your ministry 10 years from now and beyond, and how might they help you make plans today to step towards that future? What can you do today to embolden justice, invigorate leadership, and strengthen invitation as you continue the story of Jesus in your context?

It is a time to pray and listen: this moment in which we find ourselves calls for wisdom, perseverance, and courage. The Christian church has known many such moments. The United Church of Canada has known many such moments. So, we pray and listen, trusting that God meets us as we do. Perhaps this is a muscle we need to develop anew for what lies before us now.

We are developing tools to help communities of faith reflect on the present and create a bolder future. Regions will be convening conversations on what is necessary and possible for this bolder future. But, even today, there are some key questions you can ask about your community of faith connected to this overarching T2035 strategic direction:

• Are you clear about your “why”? How does your community of faith continue the story of Jesus in your time and place? What gifts have you been given, what unique calling as a community of disciples?
• Do you have a good understanding of your current neighbours? We need to be very aware of the neighbourhoods or areas in which our church resides. Do we know their stories? Their gifts? Their current needs?
• Have you created an invitation plan? We need to develop our spiritual muscle of invitation, including through intentional invitation plans connected to our “why” and what we have learned about our neighbourhood. This is not just a numbers game, but it’s because our “why” rests on the transformative power of God’s good news for us, and also for our neighbours.
• Are you connected to other nearby churches? It is an important time to connect with and collaborate with churches—including United Churches—around you. Connections can be for mutual support and encouragement, or to suggest opportunities for sharing ministry and witness.   
• Do you know how you spend your time? Consider auditing the amount of time on your meeting agendas for different kinds of work, with a possible outcome of lightening up for more focus on ministry and outreach.   
• Do you have relationships with migrant/newcomer communities and young people? We need to be super attentive to where newcomers to Canada and young people are showing up—not necessarily inside the walls of the church, but in the community. Where are opportunities for listening and accompaniment?   

It is a time of crisis, of both challenge and possibility. Regional pastoral relations and community of faith support ministers, as well as growth animators and stewardship coordinators, are some of the staff resources available to help.   

The future requires a sense of urgency, and commitments to flexibility, innovation, connection, and diversity. Most of all, it requires a continued leap of faith, as we seek to live into our call to Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice.