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Greener Pastures: Clergy | Members Feedback from Leavers: Exit Interview

How as clergy do I find a more faithful Christian community to lead?

Leaving a religious community is not easy for many people, especially clergy. We have spent many years or even our whole life sharing good times and bad times with members and fellow clergy. Ending any relationship is not easy, however as a Christian leader, your example will help others find a more faithful home where they may grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The first step is checking out new communities where you live or near where you live. If there is not a suitable community near you consider the minor inconvenience of commuting to a nearby town to join a church there. You will find that you are not the only "former united" in many new church communities. Remember to give the new community time to see that you are becoming a regular or ask the pastor to help you get to know someone in the community.

1. Congregationalist Churches of Canada
   Formed by United who left after the homosexual clergy issue. Generally, CCC Churches hold to a traditional United Church doctrine however some are more evangelical in theology. The general worship style will not be unfamiliar.
   
   Stories and Contacts of former UCC clergy who have made the switch coming soon.
   
   
2. Alliance Church
   Being a similar protestant hybred of methodist and presbyterian roots, many former Uniteds have found a home in this evangelical union church. While hymns and organs have given way to drums and praise songs, their preaching standards tend to be solidly biblical and of a high quality. Commitment to children's faith development and especially youth programs are central to this denominations identity.
   
   Contact one of their District Offices, as they are responsible for hiring pastors within each district.

   Canadian Pacific District (BC)
   cpdoffice@cmacpd.bc.ca

   Western Canadian District (AB)
   office@cmawdo.org

   Canadian Midwest District (SK)
   office@cma-cmd.ca

   Central Canadian District (Burlington,ON)
   office@cmaccd.com

   Eastern Canadian District (Pickering, ON)
   office@ecd.on.ca

   St. Lawrence District (QB)
   acmpq@bellnet.ca

   
   
3. Presbyterian Church in Canada
   Many former Uniteds went back to their roots, however this denomination has fallen prey to many of the errors that have poisoned the theology and ethics of the UCC. If there is a solid Presbyterian community near you, consider joining. You can always join the fight to maintain doctrinal continuity with the wider Christian church.
   
   
4. Free Methodist Church in Canada
   
   
5. Church of the Nazarene
   Not all Wesleyan Churches joined the Uniteds in 1925. The Nazarene's developed out of the Wesleyan holiness movement. While not the largest denomination, there are many Nazarene Churches throughout Canada. Wikipedia Description
   
   
6. Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada
   
   
7. Mennonite Central Committee
   
   
8. Mennonite Brethren Churches
   
   
9. Mennonite Church Canada
   
   
10. The Wesleyan Church Atlantic District