What is the URC

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the urc's belief

The URC stands in the Reformed tradition of Christian faith, believes in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit;

finds the supreme authority for faith and conduct by the guidance of the Spirit in the Word of God in the Bible;

looks to be continually renewed and reformed so as to fulfil its mission of witness and service in the name of Jesus Christ;

practises both infant and believer's baptism and celebrates the Lord's Supper;

recognises the ministry of God's people: all the members serving in the world and through the church, in particular: ministers of Word and Sacrament, elders, lay preachers, church related community workers (CRCWs), and workers from partner churches.

The central work of the URC is carried out through an annual council called the General Assembly

There are about 700 representatives, mainly appointed by District Councils. Half the members are lay persons, mostly elders, and half are ministers. Decisions are taken about the general policy of the church, and committees appointed to carry it out. Each year a Moderator of Assembly is elected, either lay or ordained, who then becomes the national representative of the URC.

The General Assembly of the URC is advised by a Mission Council which aims to enable the URC...

to grow in unity and fellowship with all Christians;

to act by faith to promote the growth of justice and peace for the whole of God's creation.

to be growing communities of faith, worship and mission;

to participate in the world Church for growing witness to Christ;

Assembly fulfils these aims through committees: Doctrine, Prayer and Worship; Discipleship and Witness; Church and Society; Youth and Children’s Work, (and FURY Council); Ecumenical; Ministries; Training; Pastoral; Assembly Arrangements and Equal Opportunities.

The URC is a Union of...

the Congregational Church

in England and Wales; (united in 1972)

the Presbyterian Church of England; (united in 1972)

the Re-formed Association of Churches of Christ. (joined in 1981)

the Congregational Union of Scotland (joined in April 2000)

The URC is composed of...

about 1800 local congregations;

150,000 adults and 100,000 children and young people;

with 1,000 serving ministers, women and men.

Over 400 local churches are united with other denominations, e.g. Methodist, Baptist, Anglican and Moravian. There are centres for training in Cambridge, Windermere and Yardley Hastings. Local URCs share together in 81 District Councils, which are gathered into 13 Synods.

Each Local church...

welcomes those who come from any church background or none;

arranges its own worship, witness and service;

celebrates the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper;

has regular church meetings of members and an elected body of ordained elders who, with the minister, share pastoral and leadership responsibilities;

seeks to develop ecumenical relationships.

Each District Council...

arranges pastoral care, oversight and support for its churches;

conducts ordinations and inductions of ministers and workers from partner churches overseas;

consults with every local church regularly about its mission;

provides a link between local church, Synods and Assembly.

Each Provincial Synod...

gives practical help to churches in legal and property matters;

encourages training;

discusses matters of faith and policy and links to Assembly;

fosters ecumenical relations and action;

has a full-time Moderator who is a minister with a pastoral and leadership ministry within the Province.

As Part of the World Church the URC shares in...

The Council for World Mission (CWM), an international fellowship of 30 churches, sharing resources and people in mission.

The Conference of European Churches

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches and other international agencies of Reformed Churches and Disciples of Christ.

The World Council of Churches

In Britain the URC shows its Ecumenical Commitment through...

The URC is committed to take further steps towards the unity of all God's people.

Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS)

Churches Together in Wales (CYTUN)

Churches Together in England (CTE)

The Free Church Federal Council (FCFC)

County ecumenical bodies

Local 'Churches Together in ... ' groups and many local ecumenical partnerships.

The URC depends on the Voluntary Giving of its members..

locally to provide for the worship and service of God amongst the people of the neighbourhood, in appropriate buildings;

and centrally through each local church's contribution to the Ministry and Mission fund, which provides the stipends of ministers and Church Related Community Workers, supports world-wide mission and all central services. This costs about £22 million each year.

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