After Evangelicalism The Sixties And The United Church Of Canada

By Kevin N. Flatt

Book Description

In the turbulent decade of the 1960s, while Canadians debated cultural symbols and social revolutions, one of the nation's most influential religious institutions underwent a profound internal transformation that would reshape the spiritual landscape forever.

Kevin Flatt takes readers inside the dramatic reinvention of the United Church of Canada, revealing how church leaders made the pivotal decision to sever all connections with their evangelical heritage. Through meticulous research into previously unexplored archives, Flatt uncovers the compelling story of how a denomination that had quietly moved away from evangelical beliefs decades earlier finally chose to abandon its evangelical identity entirely.

This transformation touched every aspect of church life, from evangelistic outreach and educational approaches to moral positions and theological presentation. The changes were both revolutionary and controversial, marking a decisive break with tradition that would have lasting consequences for the denomination and Canadian Christianity as a whole.

For those seeking to understand how religious institutions navigate periods of cultural upheaval, this work offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between faith communities and social change. Flatt demonstrates how the United Church's choices during this pivotal era not only reflected broader cultural shifts but actively contributed to transforming Canada's religious environment.

This scholarly yet accessible exploration reveals how one church's journey away from evangelicalism became part of a larger story of spiritual and cultural evolution in modern Canada.