As Moderator, McLeod practised extensive outreach via television and by ministry in shopping malls and elsewhere in the world beyond traditional congregational worship. He envisioned a United Church of Canada that would become more open and welcoming to new ideas than had previously been the case, and one in which regional sensibilities as to then-current issues such as abortion would be given credibility. During his term, McLeod also succeeded in encouraging more friendly relations between Jews and the United Church of Canada.