“Growth is the most urgent priority God has given The United Church of Canada in this season”
—Rev. Mitchell Anderson, Member of General Council Executive, May 13, 2023
The Growth initiative represents the leading priority of the Strategic Plan of The United Church of Canada. As a way to embody this priority, the General Council Office’s Organizational Development and Strategy Unit is working with regional councils to create and fill six new positions. The six Growth Animators will be deployed across the regions to work in local and regional partnerships with a focus on renewing existing communities of faith, creating new communities, and strengthening invitation. Growth Animators will support and connect with communities where growth is occurring, and seek to bring best practices and fresh possibilities where growth is a challenge and feels impossible.
The Growth initiative is seeking to articulate a vision for what growth and invitation looks like rooted in humility and respect as we together answer our call to be the church, become beloved community, and embody Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice. These staff will join a team that includes existing EDGE colleagues bringing their experience and expertise. Working with the Growth Team will be the newly hired Director of Growth and Ministry Development, the Rev. Cameron Fraser, who is concluding ministry leadership at Knox-Metropolitan in Regina. Join us in praying for those who will discern a call to engage in this vital work.
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]