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An interesting juxtaposition of stories about the United Church of Canada (UCC) appears today in two CanWest newspapers. According to an item in the National Post, the UCC is too “preoccupied” with recruiting members, but the Montreal Gazette reports that the UCC is partway through a $10 million campaign to gain new members. So, does the United Church want more members or not?
The National Post quotes UCC moderator The Rev David Giuliano saying, “Fie on members: who needs ‘em?” (Or words to that effect.)
The leader of the United Church of Canada says his church is too "preoccupied" with protecting its buildings, counting its money and recruiting members, and should devote its energies instead to helping the poor, the hungry and the sick beyond its walls.
. . .
"Our hope is not for our survival or even growth," Mr. Giuliano writes. "I am praying that our preoccupation with getting people into church is transformed by a passion for getting the church out into the world.
As the Montreal Gazette has it, on the other hand, the United Church is “putting faith in technology”.
After overall membership declined by 20 per cent – it went down to 573,424 from 744,392 – between 1994 and 2004, the church decided it was time to stem the tide. Other churches are also losing members, but only the United Church is spending the big bucks and using the power of advertising and the Internet to reach out to a demographic that has long been the backbone of organized churches – the 30-to-45-year-olds.The national Emerging Spirit campaign, a $10.5-million, three-year effort, was launched officially last November with a series of provocative print ads and the introduction of an interactive website, Wondercafé, featuring an online "discussion lounge."
The campaign was launched a year ago, but five new print ads are about to make their debut as Emerging Spirit enters its second year.
I see that the UCC has a rather precise estimate for its 2004 membership. The Anglican Church of Canada hasn’t had an updated membership count since 2001.
Previous related posts:
Hello…
I’m wondering if there is some confusion between:
a) developing ways of helping people in the 30-45 age range grow in their faith/spirituality (and that the UCCan believes it can offer a way to do that); and,
b) the UCCan growing its numeric membership.
(b) is interested in building the institution.
(a) is interested in building faith.
Christ’s peace – Richard
The National Post quotes the moderator downplaying membership counts, while the Montreal Gazette says the UCC decided to “stem the tide” of declining membership by pending $10 million on advertising. The campaign is directed particularly at those between 30-45, but it is reported to be an effort to gain members. According to the newspapers, the UCC is confused.
[...] DOES THE BENIGHTED UNTIED UNITED CHURCH of Canada care if it has members? …. (magicstatistics) [...]
“Our hope is not for our survival or even growth,” Mr. Giuliano writes. “I am praying that our preoccupation with getting people into church is transformed by a passion for getting the church out into the world.”
This is putting the cart before the horse. Works flow from faith; without faith, works are empty.