The Canadian Council of Churches is pleased to announce that The Rev. Amanda Currie (Presbyterian Church in Canada) has been elected and installed by the Governing Board as President of The Canadian Council of Churches for a 3-year term running to 2027. On Friday, July 12, we interviewed the President about her new role.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in your new role as President?
Amanda Currie: Ecumenism has been an important part of my ministry as a Minister of Word and Sacraments of The Presbyterian Church in Canada for over twenty years. Although I didn’t expect to be elected at the President of the Canadian Council of Churches, I am looking forward to continuing to serve through the CCC and to bring my experience, gifts, and passion for the unity of the church to this new leadership role.
As a Presbyterian who values the good order of church decision-making bodies, I am looking forward to convening the Governing Board meetings and assisting the churches to live out the Forum method of decision-making in which every church’s voice is heard and we strive for agreement by consensus.
As a member of an Interchurch Family (I am married to a Roman Catholic theologian), I am looking forward to continuing to pray and work together with leadership from a broad spectrum of Canadian Churches for the full visible unity that is Jesus’ desire for us.
Q: What challenges do you expect as you take on this new position in the current political and spiritual environment both in Canada and globally?
Amanda Currie: I am stepping into the role of President at a time of uncertainty and opportunity. The Church in Canada is not in a position of great power, but when we come together as churches across our differences, we can speak and act together for justice and peace in a world that is struggling. In a time when hatred and division are increasing in Canada and elsewhere, we can demonstrate cooperation and care across our denominational differences, and reach out as loving neighbours to other faith communities with respect.
This is also a time when many Canadian churches are adjusting to declining numbers and resources, and this is impacting the CCC budget as well. Over the next three years we have the challenge of stabilizing our operating funds and raising additional funds to support the good ministry of our various working groups. I am encouraged by the progress of our 80th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign and anticipate its success for the ongoing ministry of the CCC.
Q: What are your goals and priorities for the work of the CCC over the next three years?
Amanda Currie: One of my priorities as President will be to support the increasing involvement of young adults in the Canadian Council of Churches. I am delighted that we currently have five people appointed from a variety of churches as Youth Governing Board members. I plan to encourage their active participation and to listen for the unique perspectives and experiences they will offer to our conversations and plans. I also intend to support the re-invigoration of the Youth Involvement Committee together with Vice President, Emily Savage.
Another priority that I would like to mention is the need for ecumenical formation and equipping of all the church representatives who serve on the Governing Board, Commissions, and Working Groups of the CCC. As we have been talking about youth involvement, the need to equip young people with ecumenical principles and ecumenical history has been noted. But many of our older church representatives need ecumenical formation that they may not have received in seminary or through continuing education. I will be encouraging opportunities for ecumenical formation of all our volunteers at meetings and perhaps online at other times.
Since it is fairly unusual to have a CCC President who lives in Western Canada (I serve a congregation in Regina, Saskatchewan in Treaty 4 Territory) I hope to be able to connect with member churches that are based in the West, grow the relationship between the CCC and the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism (which became an affiliate organization a few years ago), and bring a Western-Canadian perspective to CCC conversations and plans.
Q: What do you look forward to most in this position?
Amanda Currie: Over the last nine years, I have always enjoyed the regular November and May meetings of the Governing Board of the CCC. It has been a privilege to serve as a representative of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, to share in ecumenical prayer and worship, to engage in conversations about faith and society, and to speak out with a broad spectrum of Canadian churches for justice and peace. I look forward to providing leadership over the next three years that equips current and future church representatives to continue this tradition and to adjust to changing times and needs in our society and the world. I am also looking forward to the 80th Anniversary celebration and the visit of the WCC General Secretary, Jerry Pillay, to Canada in December 2024.