United Church of Canada

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Oh, and just one last note: worship style is completely unrelated to any particular congregation’s theology or orthodoxy. One church may have a very traditional Methodist-type worship service with organ and choir gowns, but could actually be a “progressive Christianity” congregation. Another could have a Willow Creek-style worship band and have very orthodox beliefs. The congregation I work in actually has both worship styles. 😃
 
I’m actually very glad to hear that.

Some of the scandals they’ve had, and my experience in Toronto has made me quite weary of any United Church parish in a major city.
The only church in Toronto I have ever attended was St. Michael’s, and it was a very strange experience - they had women in the Sanctuary dressed up in something like clerical robes. I think one of them was doing the readings; I couldn’t figure out what the others were doing there.

I also spent 9 days on retreat in Guelph, and that was also a very odd experience - it seems as if Ontario is extremely liberal, no matter what religion you are, and I guess if you already belong to a liberal religion, it would be ten times worse.

The first time I ever saw anyone receiving Holy Communion from a kitchen drinking glass was at the Catholic retreat in Guelph - I never saw that in any United Church out west here that I ever went to.
 
Is that actual dogma? Because moderators have spoken contrary to it and don’t seem to have faced a formal censur.
Moderators aren’t supposed to speak at all, and you’re right - they don’t seem to get censured. I actually don’t know who would be responsible for disciplining them, in any case. It’s not like they can get fired - they are only in for a two-year term, and they only attend one General Council, and if they speak out, it’s not like you can kick him out; that’s the end of his term, anyway. They also can’t be re-elected, so there’s nothing to threaten them with.
 
Moderators aren’t supposed to speak at all, and you’re right - they don’t seem to get censured. I actually don’t know who would be responsible for disciplining them, in any case. It’s not like they can get fired - they are only in for a two-year term, and they only attend one General Council, and if they speak out, it’s not like you can kick him out; that’s the end of his term, anyway. They also can’t be re-elected, so there’s nothing to threaten them with.
Which brings you to the issue. What’s the point of having dogma if no one needs to follow it?
 
Which brings you to the issue. What’s the point of having dogma if no one needs to follow it?
That’s part of the reason I left. It’s all too “flexible”. That’s funny to say, considering how difficult it is to have the Basis of Union modified. The Remit process requires affirmations from 60% of the congregations (parishes) across the country, plus 60% of the presbyteries (which function in the role of a bishop). Not responding to the remit is considered to be a vote against it.
 
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