Ecumenical Shared Ministries Handbook
“…making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3)
You have decided to explore the possibilities, challenges and rewards of ecumenical shared ministry. Over the past 30 years such ministries have become an exciting option in Canada, for a variety of reasons.
In some cases, a commitment to an ecumenical model of ministry is the primary motivation
for collaboration. In other cases, declining membership and resources move congregations in both rural and urban settings to consider shared or collaborative ministries. Small, isolated or ecumenically committed congregations from different denominations may choose to worship together so that in this way they may be able to continue as a community of faith in an alternate form. Sometimes the formation of a new ministry in a community may prompt those involved to deliberately choose to form a collaborative ministry from the outset.
Because of the different theological, legal and statistical requirements of each denomination, the process of entering into an ecumenical shared ministry is not as simple as it might at first seem. Therefore, those with experience in this dimension of ministry have put together an information package to help interested Christians explore the possibilities of ecumenical shared ministry at the congregational level.
The Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Churches in Canada have formed (as of November 2006) a national Ecumenical Shared Ministries Task Force, which will collect and disseminate resources about ecumenical shared ministries. Using material initially developed
by ecumenical shared ministries in northern Alberta and British Columbia, and reviewed by
the Anglican–United Church Dialogue, they have prepared this Ecumenical Shared Ministries Handbook. This material is intended as a resource for those engaged in or contemplating
the establishment of an ecumenical shared ministry, and those interested in learning more about the dynamics of ecumenical shared ministries. The guidelines in this handbook are not authoritative, and need to be utilized with reference to the relevant policies, regulations and practices of the participating denominations.
For more information, contact your denominational office.
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2
Phone: 416-924-9199 ext. 286
Contact: Eileen Scully
www.anglican.ca
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
#302 – 393 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3H6
Phone: 1-888-786-6707
Contact: Paul Gehrs
www.elcic.ca
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
50 Wynford Drive
Toronto, Ontario M3C 1J7
Phone: 1-800-619-7301
Contact: Sheila Lang
www.presbyterian.ca
The United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4
Phone: 416-231-5931 or 1-800-268-3781
Contact: Gail Allan
www.united-church.ca
Further resources for shared ministry can be found at:
Prairie Centre for Ecumenism Shared Ministry Bureau
600 – 45th Street W.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7L 5W9 Phone: 306-653-1633
Contact: Jan Bigland-Pritchard
www.ecumenism.net/smb
