Living Faithfully in the Midst of Empire - The United Church of Canada

WHEREAS
We have been encouraged by ecumenical and interfaith partners such as the World Council of
Churches, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and others, to undertake with them, in
solidarity and mutual support, a sustained reflection and action process to renew faithful living in the
midst of empire in its various forms;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the 39th General Council:
1. Call on all courts, mission units, and related bodies of The United Church of Canada to:
a) name our complicity in empire;
b) covenant to live faithfully in the midst of empire.
Specifically the General Council shall:
Receive with appreciation the document “Living Faithfully in the Midst of Empire” and authorize
its use to develop resources for study within The United Church of Canada, including:
l the development and application of an “empire lens” (available by early 2007) to assist
congregations and other mission units in identifying opportunities to pursue justice and
confront, challenge and transform empire; and
l the development of a proposed covenant, witnessing to empire, confessing our complicity, and
calling individuals, congregations and other mission units to commit to living faithfully in the
midst of empire;
2. Direct the Permanent Committee on Programs for Mission and Ministry to establish a process
of response from the church and further development of the covenant, and report to the 40th
General Council with recommendations concerning the proposed covenant and living faithfully
in the midst of empire.
32 Living Faithfully in the Midst of Empire THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA