Denomination profiles
The Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada, a partner in the worldwide Anglican Communion, is a community seeking to know, love, and follow Jesus in serving God’s mission. As Anglicans we encounter the good news of Jesus Christ through the ongoing dialogue of scripture, reason, and tradition. Anglican worship is grounded in common prayer, just as our public life is grounded in a common journey. To find out more about the Anglican Church of Canada, please visit anglican.ca.
Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec
Founded in 1889, the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ) endeavours to enable member churches to be healthy, mission-minded congregations as we serve God together. CBOQ supports local churches and their communities by training leaders, addressing social needs, providing church mortgages and responding to crises. CBOQ also plays a collaborative role in seeding new expressions of church for the 21st Century. There are currently more than 350 churches affiliated with CBOQ. To find out more about CBOQ and what Baptists believe visit www.baptist.ca
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is the national assembly of the Bishops of Canada. It was founded in 1943 and officially recognized by the Holy See in 1948. After the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), the CCCB became part of a worldwide network of Episcopal Conferences, established in 1965, as an integral part of the life of the universal Church. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) meets once a year at its Plenary Assembly. To find out more about the CCCB, please visit www.cccb.ca.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada is one of 33 sister regions in the United States and Canada comprising a mainline Protestant reformation church. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) observes the Lord’s Supper weekly, demonstrates faith in God through baptism by immersion, practices open membership and openness to interpretation and lack of creeds as tests of faith. To find out more about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada visit www.canadadisciples.org
Coptic Orthodox Church
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is an Oriental Orthodox church based on the teachings of St. Mark, who brought Christianity to Egypt during the 1st century CE. The Coptic Orthodox Church recognizes the first three ecumenical councils – the First Council of Nicaea, the First Council of Constantinople, and the First Council of Ephesus. The Church found its presence in North America with mid-20th century immigration to Canada and the United States. To find out more about the history and beliefs of the Coptic Orthodox Church please visit www.coptorthodox.ca.
Mennonite Church Canada
Today, Mennonite Church Canada is made up of 31,000 baptized believers, 225 congregations and 5 area churches. The MCC statement of identity and purpose is as follows:
God calls, equips and sends the church
to engage the world with the reconciling Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are a community of disciples of Jesus,
A part of the Body of Christ,
covenanted together
as congregations,
area churches, and
a national church body.
Gratefully responding to God’s initiatives
and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
we commit ourselves and our resources to
calling, equipping and sending the church
to engage the world with the reconciling Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To find out more about Mennonite Church Canada, visit home.mennonitechurch.ca
Orthodox Church in America
The Mission of the Orthodox Church in America is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all [things that He has] commanded” so that all people may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth:
- To preach, in accordance with God’s will, the fullness of the gospel of the Kingdom to the peoples of North America and to invite them to become members of the Orthodox Church.
- To utilize for her mission the various languages of the peoples of this continent.
- To be the body of Christ in North America and to be faithful to the tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church.
- To witness to the truth, and by God’s grace and in the power of the Holy Spirit, to reveal Christ’s way of sanctification and eternal salvation to all.
To find out more about Orthodox Church in America, please visit www.oca.org
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, the Presbyterian Church in Canada proclaims the love and good news of Jesus Christ through words and actions. As a reformed church, the PCC relies on the truth and inspiration of Scriptures for God’s guidance into the future – a future that we approach with wonder and anticipation, knowing God is with us. As worshiping communities joyfully celebrating the sacraments, the PCC is supported, strengthened and equipped to share the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. The Presbyterian Church in Canada comprises four levels, or courts: Session (at the congregational level), Presbytery, Synod, and, since 1875, the General Assembly. To find out more about the Presbyterian Church in Canada, visit www.presbyterian.ca
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada is an important religious element in Canada, where Ukrainian culture and heritage are fused with the Orthodox Christian faith to form a living and vibrant tradition in Canada. The seed of the Orthodox Faith was sowed on the Canadian land, not by missionaries, but by simple peasants, who came from Ukraine and established themselves on the Canadian prairies. Recently the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada was estimated at 128,000 people in 290 congregations with almost 100 clergy. To find out more about the history, beliefs, and practices of UOCC please visit www.uocc.ca
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is the largest Protestant denomination in Canada, ministering to over 2 million people in about 3,000 congregations across the country. The United Church was inaugurated on June 10, 1925 in Toronto, Ontario, when the Methodist Church, Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian Church of Canada entered into an organic union. The United Church of Canada has developed an immense body of policy related to social, political, and ecological issues. It also has partnerships with churches, agencies, and ecumenical organizations around the world. To find out more about The United Church of Canada, please visit www.united-church.ca