United Methodists and Canada church approve interim covenant to strengthen ties

The United Methodist Church and The United Church of Canada, both rooted in the legacy of John Wesley, are strengthening their relationship through an interim covenant. This agreement, approved by the United Methodist Council of Bishops and The United Church of Canada’s General Council Executive, reflects growing collaboration between the two denominations.

The move is partly driven by the increasing migration of United Methodists from around the world to Canada. This demographic shift has prompted both denominations to explore deeper ties, including mutual recognition of clergy and expanded cooperation across borders.

The interim covenant, approved in April and May, outlines a shared commitment to foster greater unity. It sets the stage for a formal relationship proposal to be considered by the United Methodist General Conference and The United Church of Canada’s General Council in 2028. The goal is to move toward full communion, which would allow clergy from one denomination to serve in the other.

“This interim covenant deepens a friendship in Christ that allows The United Methodist Church and The United Church of Canada to walk more closely together in witness, worship and shared mission for the sake of a world God so loves,” said Council of Bishops President Ruben Saenz Jr., also bishop of the Horizon Texas Conference.

The United Church of Canada, the largest Protestant church in the country, was formed in 1925 through the union of the Methodist Church in Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, and most of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. The United Methodist Church was established in 1968, with the Evangelical United Brethren’s Canadian Conference choosing to join The United Church of Canada instead.

Today, The United Church of Canada has more than 300,000 members, while the international United Methodist Church has about 11 million members across Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and the United States. The United Church of Canada is set to host the 2026 Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering, which will take place in Calgary from October 20 to 24.

Hosting the gathering, Saenz said, “is both a sign and a catalyst of this growing partnership, embodying the kind of ecumenical imagination and cross-border collaboration we believe the Holy Spirit is awakening in our churches today.”

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