The United Church of Canada uses a four-court model of governance, consisting of pastoral charges; presbyteries; conferences and the General Council. The denomination is divided into 13 regional Conferences, which are further subdivided into 88 presbyteries, 2 districts and one synod. The number of pastoral charges within each presbytery varies as the boundaries of the presbyteries change from time to time, but a recent count shows 91 presbyteries. Most of the presbyteries are geographically arranged, covering all parts of Canada and Bermuda. Presbyteries within the All Native Circle Conference, representing congregations that identify with Aboriginal groups, overlap the geographical bounds of other presbyteries in several Conferences.
General Council
The denominational structure of the United Church consists of two main parts. The General Council itself meets every three years and consists of approximately 360 ordained, commissioned and lay commissioners who have been elected by their respective Conferences to set denominational policy and doctrine; to debate and discuss proposals and other work which appropriately comes before the highest court of the church; to elect a Moderator, and to serve for three years. From within the General Council an Executive and Sub-Executive are chosen to govern between triennial meetings. The General Council Office consists of the Moderator, the General Secretary and other support staff to the General Council, as well as members of the four permanent committees of the General Council, seven major working units and various other committees and task groups. The General Council Office is under the complete direction of the larger General Council and has a mandate to carry out the work which is given to them by the General Council.