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Ministries

The Committee is responsible for the Ministry of Word and Sacraments, Church Related Community Work and Lay Preaching. It is concerned with central care and conditions of service, chaplaincies in industry, higher and further education and in the armed forces and ‘special category’ ministry. It has concern for the pastoral support of ministers, church related community workers and lay preachers, including supervision, appraisal, self-evaluation and counselling. It oversees the work of the Assessment Board. It is assisted by five sub-committees.

Accreditation Sub-Committee

Maintaining the roll of ministers, this sub-committee accredits those applying for inclusion after training and those coming from other denominations. It is concerned with numbers and recruitment. It also deals with applications for Special Category Ministries.

Church Related Community Work Programme Sub-Committee

It is responsible for supporting the Church Related Community Work Ministry and Programme under the terms agreed in the Church Related Community Work Covenant. This includes the accreditation of Churches-in-Community

Lay Preaching Support Sub-Committee

It is responsible for the advocacy of lay preaching and support of lay preachers in the United Reformed Church.

Maintenance of the Ministry Sub-Committee

Advises on the level of stipend and ministers’ conditions of service through the Plan for Partnership. It is also concerned for pensions through its associated Pensions Executive.

Retired Ministers Housing Sub-Committee

Works in Association with the United Reformed Church Ministers Housing Society Ltd.

Committee Members

Convener: Mr John Ellis

Secretary: Revd Christine Craven

Members: Mrs Joanna Morling, Mrs Joan Trippier, Revds Pauline Barnes, Alan Evans, Terry Oakley, Paul Whittle, Prof David Cutler (Convener of the Assessment Board)

The Big Picture

1. After the Committee’s last general report to Assembly in 2004, our initial focus was on the report Equipping the Saints and the feedback received. We were delighted with the response from the 2005 Assembly to the proposals we formulated. The Assembly took bold decisions in favour of spreading best practice amongst all Elders’ Meetings, deploying ministers (paid and unpaid) with imagination and creativity, and expanding the Special Category Ministry scheme.

2. Of course the Assembly was not talking to itself. These challenges are actually for the Church at local level to tackle. We observe that in some places they appear not yet to have been noticed. We would urge all members of Assembly to play their part in ensuring that these ideas become embedded in the life of the United Reformed Church. Meanwhile we are exploring what additional resources the Committee might produce to help the process.

Forecasting Minister Numbers

3. Our more recent contributions to the Catch the Vision process have included detailed work on minister numbers. Although the name of our committee underlines that we are not just about ministers, there are some key issues about paid ministers that the Church has to face. The current Assembly policy is to change paid minister numbers in line with the trends in membership, which at the moment means a decline of 3% a year, but this may not be sustainable.

4. Predicting paid minister numbers in the future is not a precise science, but the main factors are clear. Changes in overall numbers are mainly driven by the number of ministers retiring, the numbers coming out of training, and the amount of money local churches are willing to give via the Ministry and Mission Fund (the M&M assessment) to pay for training, stipends and pensions.

5. All the current trends suggest that over the next ten years the number of paid ministers will decline markedly. It is quite possible the numbers could almost halve from around 550 today to about 300. This underlines the importance of taking seriously the challenges in Equipping the Saints about the ways we ask our ministers to work.

6. If the Church wants a significantly larger number of ministers in the future than we currently predict, then two trends will have to change. First, the financial giving of our members needs to rise nearer to the standard set by Assembly: a norm of giving 5% of take home pay to the Church. This standard is derived from the Biblical principles of tithing by cheerful givers.

7. The second necessary change would be that either far more of our members hear a Call to enter the ministry or we attract into United Reformed Church work large numbers of ministers from other denominations. But perhaps first we need to ask what God is saying to us in the low number of ministerial candidates.

Honouring Retired Ministers

8. A different major challenge facing the Church is to maintain our record of providing housing for ministers in retirement. Over the years the number of houses under management for retired ministers and their widow(er)s has increased from less than 200 in the late seventies to 372 at the end of 2005. This increase was financed partly by transfers of houses and funds from Synods and The Memorial Hall Trust but most significantly by legacies and donations from individuals. Many of these were inspired by a major appeal launched in 1980, which has been repeated in reports to Assembly ever since.

9. In the period of five years up to 2000 the number of houses stabilised, although the cost of purchasing new houses tended to exceed the proceeds of house sales. In this situation the income from legacies at about £500,000 per annum was sufficient to finance the gradually increasing investment in houses. However, since 2001 the proportion of retiring ministers who require assistance with housing has increased and, with ministers and their spouses living longer, the number of houses for sale has diminished. This change in the pattern of purchases and sales resulted in an increase of 35 houses which, at an average cost of £125,000, created an additional financing requirement of over £4m which has had to be met by loans from general United Reformed Church funds.

10. Forecasting future housing requirements is very difficult but calculations based on the numbers of retirements expected over the next ten years and continuing increases in house prices suggest that the extra funding requirement over that period will continue at about £1m per annum. With the finances of the Church at full stretch, it is not realistic to expect to meet the whole of this financing requirement by way of further loans from general funds. We have considered approaching external financial institutions for loan finance but have, at this stage, rejected this course as the rental income from properties would not cover the interest cost on additional borrowings.

11. We have concluded that the time has come to raise the profile of the Retired Ministers’ Housing Society and its need for extra support. We are delighted that the Revd Bill Wright has accepted an invitation to assist in the advocacy of the financial needs of the retired ministers housing operation. It is planned that this advocacy will be targeted at individuals with a particular emphasis on the value of legacies, which have been such a significant source of support in the past.

Responding to the Government

12. Over the past year, a large amount of staff time has been devoted to responding to requests and concerns from the Government. This seems likely to continue to be a demanding part of the Committee’s work. While the Government’s objectives may often be in line with Church priorities, their style and timetables do not always fit easily with other Church work.

13. Some of the Resolutions we offer to Assembly are in response to Government policies. In addition we have prepared, and Mission Council has agreed, a summary of United Reformed Church policies to assist the Department of Trade and Industry in its consideration of the terms and conditions under which clergy work. The full document is available on the Church’s website.

Maintaining the Machinery

14. A glance at the Resolutions that follow this report will show that not all of the Committee’s work is glamorous. In addition to the work covered there, a new document called The Movement of Ministers gathers into one place guidance and advice for Elders, Interim Moderators, District Pastoral Committees and others involved in the practical processes when churches find themselves in ministerial vacancy. This is available on the Church’s website or in hard copy on request from the Ministries office.

15. Behind these projects, and many other tasks not mentioned, are the hardworking staff of the Ministries office, the sixty people who give their time to the work of the Committee and its Sub-Committees, and the unnumbered colleagues in Districts, Areas and Synods who implement faithfully the Assembly policies in relation to all our recognised ministries. We record our gratitude to them all.

Accreditation Sub-Committee

Convener: Revd Gwen Collins

Members: Mrs Judith Booth, Mr Rod Morrison, Mr Simon Rowntree, Revd Howard Sharp, Revd Tony Wilkinson

Secretary: Revd Christine Craven

Certificates of Eligibility

1. The 2003 General Assembly asked the Ministries Committee to track the number of Ministers in stipendiary service so that the trend was in line with the current rate of increase or decrease in membership figures for the United Reformed Church. One consequence is that a decision is taken each year as to whether the Accreditation Sub-Committee may issue Certificates of Eligibility to Ministers of other Churches so that they may serve in the United Reformed Church and transfer onto our Roll of Ministers, thereby adding to our Minister numbers.

2. Membership continues to decline at an average rate of 3% per annum. This has left no room for adding extra numbers onto the Roll of Ministers from outside the United Reformed Church. Therefore during the period since our report to Assembly 2004 the Accreditation Sub-Committee has issued no Certificates of Eligibility either for stipendiary or non-stipendiary service. One Certificate of Eligibility issued pre–2002 received an extension and three Certificates of Limited Eligibility were granted. This last category of certificate gives permission for Ministers of other Churches to serve in a United Reformed church for periods up to twelve months whilst retaining their status as a Minister of another Church.

Special Category Ministry (SCM)

3. Since General Assembly 2005 agreed to expand the SCM scheme, two appointments of Ministers of other Churches have been made. These have been to posts that would not otherwise have been filled. It is too early to report anything further on the impact of the extension of Special Category Ministry.

The Roll of Ministers

4. Admissions to the Roll of Ministers
(from 1st April 2005 to 31st March 2006)
By Ordination and induction: –

Sarah Hall, Timothy Richards, Alison Termie, Peter Lyth, Richard Bradley, John Cook, Kay Cattell, David Morgan, Elizabeth Shaw, Lucy Brierley, Yvonne Tracey, Claire Callanan, David Moss

By reinstatement:- Phillip Jones.

5. Changes within the Roll of Ministers
(from 1st April 2005 to 31st March 2006)
Non-stipendiary to stipendiary service:-

Sue Macbeth, John Piper

6. Deletions from the Roll of Ministers

(from 1st April 2005 to 31st March 2006)

by Resignation and/or Transfer to other Churches:

Martin Knight, Christian Vermeulen (to Church of Scotland), Richard West (to Church of Scotland), Geoffrey Rodham, Gillian Jones, David Dean (to USA), Martha McInnes (to USA)

Church Related Community Workers

7. Admission to the List of Church Related
Community Workers
(from 1st April 2005 to 31st March 2006)

By Commissioning:- Alison Dalton

Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers

8. The following members have successfully completed their course of study and have been accredited between 1st April 2005 and 31st March 2006.

Assessment Board

Convener: Professor David Cutler

Secretary: Revd Christine Craven

Members: Mr Hugh Abel, Mrs Tina Ashitey, Revd Lesley Charlton, Dr Peter Clarke, Revd Diana Cullum-Hall, Miss Sarah Dodds, Revd Roy Fowler, Mrs Wilma Frew, Mrs Judy Harris, Revd Tom Heggie, Revd Dr Irene John, Mrs Barbara Lancaster, Mrs Pat Poinen, Revds Peter Poulter, Edward Sanniez, Nigel Uden, Simon Walkling, Hilma Wilkinson, Dr Cameron Wilson

1. The Board provides the Assessors for the Assessment Conferences held for candidates for the ministry. In 2002/3 the number of candidates attending these Conferences dropped and the numbers have remained fewer than those prior to 2002. Although one reason for the reduction in numbers may be the increasing age of many congregations who therefore have no members who could be challenged to consider ministry, there is a continuing need for ministerial vocation to be identified and encouraged. Such encouragement begins naturally in the local church where people are known and their gifts first recognised.

2. Six Assessment Conferences were held during the academic years 2003-5. The table summarises the attendance and outcomes.

3. The annual November consultation at Windermere organised by the Ministries office on behalf of the Assessment Board continues both to provide training for those involved with the interviews of candidates in Synods and from the Assessment Board. It also provides a valuable point of contact between the Board and the Synods.

4. There continues to be concern about the financial difficulties experienced by some students. The Board wishes to repeat the recommendation made in 2004, that each Synod appoint a person who could have an informal discussion with each candidate about his/her financial obligations in order to try to avoid problems during training.

5.The whole Board meets together annually and at the meeting in 2004 began to research the reasons why some students withdraw or are withdrawn from ministerial training. The Board was concerned to know whether such termination of training indicated a lack of rigour on the part of the Board at the assessment Conference or in the assessment process as a whole. In pursuing this matter the research was extended to those who had resigned from ministry during the first three years after ordination or commissioning. In 2005 the Board discussed the findings of this research. By and large the results showed few common factors. However, in some cases the assessment process had been pushed through with some sense of urgency. The Board is of the opinion that a sense of vocation that will sustain an individual in long term ministry is one that persists for years rather than months and so a hasty response to the request to become a candidate for training is neither necessary nor desirable. The Board also decided that changes should be made to the question asked of medical referees. What the Church really needs to know is whether a person is medically strong enough for the task of ministry not just a period of training.

6. As a result of the resolutions on restructuring passed at General Assembly 2005, the Convener and Secretary of the Assessment Board met with Synod representatives in January 2006 to discuss the future pattern of the assessment process should the Church ratify the resolution to dissolve District Councils. Ideas exchanged were helpful to all concerned and will be valuable in the planning of procedures after 2007.

Church Related Community Work Programme Sub-Committee

Convener: Revd Bob Day

Secretary: CRCW Development Workers

Members: Revd John Burgess, Mrs Janet Holden, Revd Tracey Lewis, Mrs Maureen Thompson, Mr Peter Twilley

1. The Church Related Community Work (CRCW) programme provides a valuable ministry but remains small and still has capacity for expansion. We are glad that several Synods with little experience of CRCWs have been proactive in exploring opportunities for new posts. This contributes towards the target of having at least two CRCWs operating in each Synod. The CRCW pages of the URC website provide information about the programme.

2. We need more people to hear God’s Call to this work in a stipendiary or non-stipendiary capacity. An attractive new publicity leaflet about the Faith in Living programme at the Partnership for Theological Education in Manchester is available. It can be used to raise awareness of the training opportunities for CRCW ministry. The Assets for Life resources are proving popular and are still available.

3. Valuing Community Experiences is a new Training, Learning & Serving (TLS) programme designed for the committed volunteer who works in a church or community context. It will value and develop the participants’ community work skills and knowledge and enable her or him to explore the faith-based motivation for this work. The first programme will be offered from January 2007 and hopes to provide a bridge to further training.

Lay Preaching Support Sub-Committee

Convener: Dr Phil Theaker

Secretary: Miss Jenny Andrews

Members: Mr Bernard Bentley, Mrs Jan Harper, Mr Derek Marsh, Miss Ann Simcock

1. Over the last two years the Committee has organised two Lay Preaching Commissioners Consultations and considered issues related to Lay Preachers and the local leadership of worship. We share one issue here and the Ministries Committee is bringing a resolution on another.

Lay Preachers’ Expenses

2. It has long been a concern that Lay Preachers are not all recompensed on the same basis across the United Reformed Church. The covering of expenses for Lay Preachers ranges from nothing to a realistic reimbursement of travelling expenses and a gift. A number of schemes exist within the United Reformed Church involving Districts, a Lay Preachers’ Association and most commonly on a personal basis with the local church. We have concluded for a number of reasons that no one system will fit all situations. However, whilst we realise that some churches are better able to reimburse expenses than others, we consider it a matter of principle that out of pocket expenses should be offered by the churches Lay Preachers serve. It is proper that each Lay Preacher should be reimbursed for the entire amount of the travelling expenses incurred.

3. The expenses incurred by Lay Preachers are not just travelling expenses specific to a particular service but also longer term expenses relating to the purchase of materials and books. The latter add a significant outlay for a Lay Preacher. We recommend, therefore, that each church should offer each Lay Preacher expenses that generously cover travelling expenses and in so doing offset an average portion of their other expenses.

4. Adopting this approach might mean that total payments of £20 and more would be appropriate in many cases where substantial journeys are involved. Such sums are already paid out frequently by many churches.

5. We of course assume that all Lay Preachers are open with the Inland Revenue in dealing with all aspects of their personal finances, including declaring any payments they receive which are not clearly attributable to relevant expenses.

Maintenance of the Ministry Sub-Committee

Convener: Revd Geoffrey Roper

Secretary: Mr David Taylor

Members: Mrs Lyn Allford, Mr David Hayden, Mr Maurice Dyson (Convener of Pensions Executive), Mr Eric Chilton (Honorary Treasurer)

1. This Sub-Committee does not deal with the Ministry and Mission (M&M) Fund but with the terms and conditions of service of Ministers and Church Related Community Workers. Individual concerns are addressed. In addition, the Sub-Committee deals with policy matters relating to stipends, the Plan for Partnership and Ministers’ pensions. There are Resolutions this year on the latter two areas.

2. Mr David Taylor was appointed Secretary to the Sub-Committee as from January 2006. He works two days a week and deals with all enquiries connected with the Plan for Partnership. Mrs Judy Stockings remains the staff member dealing with all queries on ministerial pensions.

Retired Ministers Housing Sub-Committee

Convener: Revd David Bedford

Secretary: Mr Tony Bayley

Members: Revd Elizabeth Caswell, Mrs Pauline Mewis, Revd Michael Spencer, Mrs Liz Tadd

1. This committee is responsible for policy in matters of the provision of retirement housing for ministers and their spouses. It uses the United Reformed Church Retired Ministers Housing Society Limited as its agent for the implementation of policy and the practical steps associated with the provision of housing.

2. During 2005 20 properties were acquired and 13 were sold increasing the number of properties under management to 372 at the year end.

3. The properties are normally purchased in the name of the Society, but in all cases are managed by the officers of the Society. Where tenants have a financial stake in the property this is recognised by means of a Declaration of Trust.

4. The maximum contributions made by the Society are determined annually on a county by county basis by reference to average semi-detached house prices during the preceding year.

5. In 2005 the standard rent payable was £100 per calendar month. Existing tenants will pay £105 per calendar month in 2006, while new tenants since the beginning of 2004 will pay between £105 and £175 per calendar month depending upon the amount of capital employed by the Society. Widows/widowers are in receipt of a rent reduction (usually £10 per calendar month).

6. The Committee is particularly grateful for the donations and legacies received during the year which amounted to approximately £475,000.

7. It is expected that during 2006 assistance will be required for 15 retiring ministers. After allowing for re-housing and the needs of widows/widowers it would be prudent to anticipate up to 22 applicants in all. This could involve an outlay of up to £2.5million and thus the importance of a continued high level of receipts from donations and legacies cannot be over-emphasised.

8. During 2005 visits were made by the officers of the Society to 95 applicants, tenants and other properties. In addition, we continue to rely heavily upon, and are grateful for, the commitment of those members of local congregations who generously give oversight to our retirement properties and who assist those who live in them. We would like to hear from anyone who would be prepared to volunteer their assistance in this respect.

9. Retirement Housing continues to figure prominently in the Pre-Retirement Courses run at the Windermere Centre by Ministries. In 2005 two courses were run and three more are planned for this year. The housing sessions are designed to be of benefit to all, regardless of whether or not financial assistance with housing will be needed. In addition, private discussions on individual needs are provided.

Resolution 24
Revised Remit of the Lay Preaching Support Sub-Committee

General Assembly

i) agrees that the Lay Preaching Support Sub-Committee should be renamed the Leadership in Worship Committee and be given the following remit:

a) To support Lay Preachers

b) To support other lay people involved in leading worship

c) To encourage members of congregations to become more involved in leading worship

ii) requests the Nominations Committee to propose, as soon as possible, an initial list of names to serve on this Sub-Committee, including at least one Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher.

1.1 One of the main topics of discussion at the 2005 Lay Preaching Commissioners Consultation was how Lay Preachers fit in to the wider vision of Equipping the Saints. Following the Consultation, the Lay Preaching Support Sub-Committee has come to the view that its present remit will not serve the best interests of the United Reformed Church in the future. While continuing to support Lay Preachers, the Sub-Committee also wants to encourage collaborative forms of worship leadership. In particular, it wishes to provide resources for those engaged in leading worship without any formal training. The Sub-Committee wants to remove any lingering sense of Lay Preachers being defensive about their traditional role and instead see them contribute joyfully, with others, to the many patterns of worship within the Church.

1.2 The Ministries Committee therefore proposes that the Sub-Committee be renamed the Leadership in Worship Committee. We propose that the Sub-Committee should have a widened remit to support all lay people involved in leading worship alongside Ministers of Word and Sacrament, eg Lay Preachers, worship leaders and worship teams. It would then promote good practice in all aspects of leading worship.

1.3 At present members of the Sub-Committee are elected by the Lay Preaching Commissioners. With a wider remit, we believe that in future the Nominations Committee should select the committee members as it does for all other standing Sub-Committees of the Ministries Committee.

Resolution 25
Changes to Ministerial Service

General Assembly approves the following procedures in respect of changes to ministerial service:

1. Statement of Reasons

A Minister/CRCW who decides to move or resign should be asked by the Synod Moderator to make a written statement about the reasons for that course of action. A copy of this statement should be sent by the Moderator to the Secretary for Ministries.

2. Move from one pastorate or post to another within the United Reformed Church

a) Where a Minister is moving from one pastorate or post to another, they should discuss with the Moderator whether there are particular reasons behind the move which should be shared with the local church/post that is entering a vacancy.

b) In the case of termed appointments for CRCWs and those in Special Category Ministry, most moves come at the recognised end of that appointment. The same procedure should nonetheless be followed to help with reflection on the ministry.

c) When a Minister is changing pastorates because of difficulties, some form of counselling or debriefing should be offered through the Moderator.

3. Move away from ministerial service in the United Reformed Church without resignation from the Roll of Ministers/list of CRCWs

a) Some Ministers and CRCWs move out of posts under the auspices of the United Reformed Church in order to exercise another form of service. If the Minister/CRCW wishes to remain on the Roll/list, their move should be subject to the concurrence of the Church.

b) In such a case, the Minister/CRCW should provide a copy of their stated reasons for wishing to move out of URC ministerial service to the appropriate Council of the Church (currently District Council) and seek concurrence with the proposed move.

c) If concurrence is granted, the Minister/CRCW would remain on the Roll of Ministers/list of CRCWs and his/her name would continue to appear in the Yearbook. He/she would be under the oversight and care of the Synod in which they reside. The Minister/CRCW would be eligible to seek a future pastorate/post within the United Reformed Church upon request to the Moderators.

d) If concurrence is not granted and the Minister/CRCW proceeds with the move, the District should send a report of the District decision to the Accreditation Sub-Committee. This report should:

i) set out details of the post the Minister/CRCW has accepted;

ii) the reasons why the District did not consider it appropriate to give concurrence.

If the Accreditation Sub-committee gives approval for the move, the Minister’s/CRCW’s status would remain as in (c) above.

If the Accreditation Sub-Committee upholds the decision of the District, the Minister/CRCW would be deemed to have resigned from the Roll of Ministers/list of CRCWs. His/her name would no longer appear in the Yearbook. If a Minister/CRCW does not receive concurrence and was removed from the Roll/list, he/she would have the right of appeal to the Ministries Committee.

e) The Ministries Committee copy of the Minister’s/CRCW’s statement should be added to their file, together with a record of whether the move was with or without the concurrence of the Church.

f) If a Minister/CRCW is already outside a post under the auspices of the United Reformed Church and moves to a fresh sphere of service, the same procedure should be followed if they wish to remain on the Roll/list.

4. Resignation from the Roll of Ministers/list of CRCWs

a) When the resignation of a Minister/CRCW from the Roll/list is accepted, his/her written statement should be added to his/her Ministries Committee file.

b) This statement should be consulted if the former Minister/CRCW seeks reinstatement to the Roll/list at some future date.

c) If a Minister/CRCW were not prepared to give reasons for their resignation this fact should be noted on their file.

1.1 At the end of a piece of ministerial service, Ministers of Word and Sacraments and Church Related Community Workers (CRCWs) may:

a) move from one pastorate/post to another within the United Reformed Church;

b) move into secular employment or other appointment not funded by the Church but without resigning from the Roll of Ministers or list of CRCWs;

c) resign from the Roll of Ministers or list of CRCWs.

1.2 There is no call for a procedure for moves and resignations that would in any way mirror the elaborate procedures for assessment, call or reinstatement. But whilst the United Reformed Church has taken great care over beginnings, it has spent less time considering endings – even though these will affect the next beginning for local churches and for individuals. Concern has been expressed to the Ministries Committee that the standing of Ministers moving in situation (b) becomes unclear and that generally the Church is not learning all that it should from the experiences of those moving. The Ministries Committee agrees that clearer procedures should apply to changes in ministerial service.

1.3 Behind each ending is a story of successful or difficult ministry, joys and problems. Currently, the reasons for the move do not reach the Ministries Committee, which therefore has no overview of emerging trends or any common factors which lead to moves and resignations. Such an overview might help the Church to address problems before they lead to the emotional and financial costs that flow from people ending ministerial service prematurely. It would also highlight examples of good practice.

1.4 When a Minister or CRCW leaves the direct service of the United Reformed Church, we believe a conscious decision needs to be made about their future status. This has not always been satisfactorily addressed in the past. There should be an option to remain on the Roll of Ministers or list of CRCWs when the individual and the relevant Council of the Church share a conviction that the new work continues to be an expression of the person’s ministry. Equally, names should not remain on the Roll when, for example, key personal convictions expressed at ordination have disappeared.
 

1.5 Explanatory Notes to Paragraphs in the Resolution:

Para 1:

Accompanying most, if not all, moves and resignations there will already be a conversation with the Synod Moderator.

Para 2(a):

There is no presumption that a move hides a problem. The reason for the move might be the recognition that it comes at the right time for Minister and church so that new gifts and visions can be explored; or the Minister may simply have felt an overwhelming, unexpected Call to move elsewhere. Where the ministry has been harmonious and effective the Minister may wish to offer insights upon which the church might reflect. It might be, however, that some difficulty has prompted the move and therefore the local congregation and the wider Church should reflect on the outgoing Minister’s perspective.

Para 2(c):

The Committee suggests this is good practice that should always be followed since such support might prevent eventual resignation from ministry. The Ministerial Counselling Service can provide expert help.

Resolution 26
Duty to consider extension of full-time stipendiary service

General Assembly approves the adoption of the following procedure for the duty to consider extension of full time stipendiary service by a Minister of Word and Sacraments or a Church Related Community Worker beyond the retirement age set by the United Reformed Church.

1. In the month of a Minister’s 64th birthday the payroll office shall confirm the expected date of retirement as the end of the month in which he/she is 65.

2. If a Minister does not wish to retire on that date he/she must apply for an extension of full time service for a maximum of three years.

3. He/she shall speak to the Synod Moderator and thereafter submit an application for an extension of full time service to the appropriate Council of the Church (currently District Council).

4. On receipt of the application, the Council shall consult with the Minister, Moderator, Elders of the Church/es/post and the Church Meeting(s), where the Minister is in a pastorate, to see whether or not the individual circumstances warrant an extension of full time stipendiary service. The circumstances to be considered shall include:

• a Minister drawing near to the end of a particular project or piece of work who might need to spend a year or two to bring it to a conclusion;

• plans for a new grouping of churches in a particular area where it is felt desirable for the Minister to remain for a short while to see plans through to fruition;

• a Minister, coming into ministry later in life, who might have just a short time to go before qualifying for retired ministers’ housing;

• a Minister whose spouse has a short period to go before retirement.

5. If the Council agrees with the request, the Minister’s application, together with an account of the particular circumstances and a record of both the local church’s/post’s support and that of the appropriate Council, will be sent to the Secretary for Ministries for a decision by the Accreditation Sub-Committee. In reaching this decision the Accreditation Sub-Committee shall consider the individual circumstances alongside the overall responsibility of the United Reformed Church to monitor Minister numbers so that:

a) the financial responsibility to support the ministerial work force is not threatened; and

b) the introduction of newly ordained and commissioned ministers is not curtailed.

6. The Secretary for Ministries shall inform the appropriate Council and the Minister of the decision of the Accreditation Sub-Committee. If the decision is to accept an extension then a new date of retirement shall be agreed.

7. A year before the revised date of retirement, the payroll office shall once again write to the Minister and if a further extension of full time stipendiary service is requested the United Reformed Church must consider the request. The procedure set out above will therefore be repeated.

1. The General Assembly in 1997 resolved that:-

• Ministers should normally retire from full time stipendiary service not later than six calendar months from the date on which they attain the age of 65.

• In exceptional circumstances a minister may remain in full time service for a maximum of three years beyond the age of 65. The application shall be supported by the pastorate, and receive concurrence of District Council before the agreement of the Accreditation Sub-Committee is sought. Ministers should make application for such an extension by the date of their 64th birthday.

2. In 2002 General Assembly resolved that;

• Full time stipendiary service for Ministers and CRCWs should cease at the end of the month in which a person reaches her/his 65th birthday.

However the option to stay in full time service for a maximum of three years beyond the age of 65 remained.

The ‘exceptional circumstances’ were set out in Reports to Assembly 1997 (Paragraph 3.7) as follows:

As we bring this resolution however we are aware that there are sometimes circumstances in which it may be desirable for a minister to continue, albeit for a limited period. For example a minister might be drawing near to the end of a particular project or piece of work and need to spend a year or two to bring it to conclusion; or a District Council might be planning a new grouping of churches in a particular area and it might be felt desirable for a minister to remain for a short while to see plans through to fruition; or a minister, coming into ministry later in life, might have just a year to go to qualify for retired ministers’ housing; or a minister’s spouse might have a short period to go to retirement.

3. Under the draft Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 the United Reformed Church is expected to have a duty to consider applications to remain in paid service after the Church’s normal retirement age. In addition, the 2005 Assembly asked for attention to be given to issues relating to age discrimination in the policies of the Church and the proposers of the relevant Resolution specifically referred to the age of ministerial retirement. The Ministries Committee therefore proposes a revision of the existing procedure.

4. It is proposed that any Minister/CRCW who so chooses may apply to continue in full time stipendiary service after their 65th birthday and receive sympathetic consideration. We also propose the removal of the upper age limit for final retirement. The factors set out in 1997 will still be deemed relevant. We believe however that the Church should also have regard to the impact of requests for later retirement on its finances and the potential opportunities for Ministers and CRCWs preparing for service. A very large surge of requests for later retirements could potentially have significant impacts in these areas.

5. Some former Congregational Union of Scotland Ministers have different retirement arrangements from other United Reformed Church Ministers and these would remain in place.

Resolution 27
Return to work after ill-health retirement

General Assembly adopts the following procedure for return to work after ill-health retirement of Ministers and Church Related Community Workers.

When a Minister or CRCW who has previously retired on grounds of ill-health wishes to return to work:

i) The Minister/CRCW will inform the Moderator of the Synod in which they are living.

ii) The Moderator will:

a) Inform the Secretary for Ministries

b) Arrange for a Synod interview with the Minister/CRCW to assess personal and spiritual readiness to return to work and assess any further training needs. The council of the Church that gave concurrence for retirement of that Minister/CRCW should be consulted, as well as the Moderator of the Synod.

iii) The Secretary for Ministries will arrange for medical references to be gathered. These will include a report from the Minister’s/CRCW’s own doctor and if applicable his/her consultant and an independent medical/psychiatric assessment paid for by the United Reformed Church. The United Reformed Church’s medical referee, or whomsoever the referee names as a specialist in each individual case, will conduct this assessment.

iv) A recommendation will be sent by the Synod to the Secretary for Ministries following the Synod interview.

v) The Secretary for Ministries will take the medical and Synod reports to the Accreditation Sub-Committee who will then take the decision as to whether the Moderators may introduce the Minister’s/CRCW’s name to a local church or post, subject to the completion of any agreed training programme.

vi) The local church or post will be made aware by the Moderator that the individual is returning to work after retirement on the grounds of ill health.

vii) The Minister will remain in receipt of the pension and, where applicable, in Church housing until he/she receives a call.

viii) If there has been no call by a local church after a year the situation will be reviewed. This review will involve a meeting between the Minister and the Moderator in the first instance. Following that meeting the Moderator will advise the Accreditation Sub-Committee as to whether the Minister’s name should remain available for introduction to a pastorate.

ix) Should the original health problem recur to the point where early retirement on the grounds of ill health becomes necessary, there should be a streamlined procedure for approving retirement on the grounds of ill-health. There will normally be no further opportunity to return to ministerial service.

1.1 A number of Ministers and CRCWs retire from stipendiary service early on the grounds of ill-health. Some may request a return to work because they have recovered from the illness and believe themselves fit for work. At present there is no procedure to deal with such a request.

Resolution 28
Amendments to The Plan for Partnership 

General Assembly agrees the following changes to the Plan for Partnership in Ministerial Remuneration.

Deletions are shown in [square brackets] and additions are shown in italics.

5.4.1 Those in full-time service over the age of 65 years [and 6 months], except those approved by the Ministries Committee (para 5.2.2)

6.1.3 Maternity/Adoption/Paternity provisions: details of arrangements for [maternity pay and] parental leave and pay can be obtained from the MoM office.

6.1.4 Jury Service: ministers who are called for Jury Service should inform the MoM Office as soon as possible to enable the loss of earnings declaration to be completed in advance.

6.1.[4]5 Pulpit supply fees: when the MoM Office has been advised that a minister remunerated under the Plan in unable to work due to ill-health or is on [maternity] parental leave or is on Jury Service or is absent on a sabbatical term which lasts for a period of more than four weeks or is suspended under the Section O Process or is the Moderator of the General Assembly, the actual pulpit supply costs incurred by the church arising because of the absence will be reimbursed to the limit shown in Appendix A. In group pastorates and part-time pastorates, reimbursement will only be in respect of services which would have been conducted by the absent minister. Claim forms for the reimbursement of pulpit supply costs can be obtained from the MoM Office.

Existing Paragraphs 6.1.5, 6.1.5.1, and 6.1.5.2 are re-numbered 6.1.6, 6.1.6.1, and 6.1.6.2 respectively.

Existing Paragraphs 6.1.6 and 6.1.6.1 are re-numbered 6.1.7 and 6.1.7.1 respectively.

7. HOLIDAY [PROVISION] ENTITLEMENT

7.1 Ministers/CRCWs are entitled to 5 weeks holiday in each calendar year and one further Sunday away from the pastorate. When a minister/CRCW only serves for part of a year the holiday provision should be pro rata. One week of holiday may be carried forward to the following year. Holiday entitlement is not affected by sick leave, parental leave, Jury Service, in-service training courses or sabbatical leave. Such periods of leave/absence may result in more than one week’s holiday being carried forward into the following year.

APPENDIX A – APPROVED RATES UNDER THE PLAN

6.1.1 [Maximum part-time stipend 75% of full time]

1.1 The Plan for Partnership is a substantial document which sets out the entitlements of Ministers and Church Related Community Workers, as agreed by past Assemblies. This Resolution tidies up some drafting and updates the Plan for existing practices, including the new eligibility of Ministers for Jury Service.

Resolution 29
Pension Fund Changes re Civil Partnerships

General Assembly resolves to amend the Rules of the United Reformed Church Ministers’ Pension Fund, with effect from 5 December 2005, so that the following definition is added to the definitions section of the Rules:

‘Civil Partner: in respect of a member, a person who has entered into a civil partnership with the member which is recognised under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (and which has not been dissolved or annulled by a court).’

The following Rule is also added as a new Rule 49:

‘A member’s Civil Partner shall be treated for the purposes of the Rules as if he or she were the member’s spouse but only in respect of:

benefits that are attributable to Pensionable Service from 5 December 2005, including that day, or, in the case of money purchase AVCs, to contributions payable on or after that date; and

benefits that are not attributable to Pensionable Service and are payable as a result of the member’s death on or after 5 December 2005.

The pension sharing appendix shall be deemed to be amended to the extent required to comply with the Civil Partnership Act 2004.’

1.1 This amendment to the Pension Fund rules reflects the changes introduced under the Civil Partnerships Act 2004. These require pension schemes to treat civil partners in the same way as spouses in respect of benefits attributable to pensionable service/contributions made since 5 December 2005. The proposed wording reflects the statutory requirement in full but does not go beyond it. Mission Council has discussed and endorsed this approach.

Resolution 30
Pension Fund Rule on Ill-health Retirement

General Assembly resolves to amend the Rules of the United Reformed Church Ministers’

Pension Fund, with effect from the date of this resolution, so that the Rule 20 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

‘Ill-health Retirement

1.1 In the event that a member retires before normal pension age on account of incapacity to undertake the duties of a stipendiary minister or CRCW due to ill-health duly certified to the satisfaction of the Pension Trustee in accordance with the requirements of Rule 20.2, he/she shall be entitled to an immediate pension which shall be calculated as provided in Rule 18 but by reference to the member’s full prospective Pensionable Service up to normal pension age.

1.2 An ill-health pension shall only be put into payment if the Pension Trustee has received evidence from a registered medical practitioner that the member is, and will continue to be, unable to carry on his or her occupation because of physical or mental impairment.

1.3 The Pension Trustee shall review the state of health of any member who receives a pension under this Rule 20 at regular intervals and at least once every five years, except where the Pension Trustee considers this inappropriate (for example, in cases of severe ill-health or when the time for review is within twelve months of the member reaching normal pension age); and the member shall submit to any medical examinations which the Pension Trustee may require in order to carry out such a review.

1.4 If any member who has been granted an ill-health pension recovers sufficiently and undertakes remunerated employment, that member must advise the Pension Trustee accordingly.

1.5 The Pension Trustee may vary or suspend any pension payable under this rule if the Pension Trustee considers that the member no longer satisfies the condition described in sub-rule 20.2 for the payment of an ill-health pension.

1.6 Provision for dependent children may be payable (see Rule 48).’

1.1 The proposed new Pension Fund rule provides that all ill-health pensions shall be calculated to include prospective pensionable service. This reflects the decision of the 2005 Assembly.

1.2 It also reflects the requirements of the Finance Act 2004 in relation to the payment, and cessation, of ill-health pensions.

Resolution 31
Pension Fund Rule changes Part I

General Assembly resolves to make the following amendments to the Rules of the United Reformed Church Ministers’ Pension Fund, with effect from 6 April 2006.

1.Early Leavers

To add the following definition to the definitions section of the Rules, as follows:

‘Cash Transfer Sum: means the cash equivalent of the member’s benefits calculated by the Actuary in accordance with the statutory provisions prevailing from time to time.’

Rule 29 shall be amended so that the words ‘If a member leaves the qualifying service of the URC’ are deleted and replaced with: ‘If a member leaves Pensionable Service’.

In addition, Rule 29.1.1 shall be amended so that a further sentence is added, as follows:

‘Where a member has at least three months but less than two years qualifying service he/she shall also be entitled to the option of taking a Cash Transfer Sum which may be transferred to any other pension scheme or arrangement duly authorised by law to receive such payment provided that such a transfer would not be an unauthorised payment. A receipt from the receiving pension scheme or arrangement shall be a full discharge of the Pension Trustee’s liabilities in respect of the pension.’

A new sub-rule 29.1.3 shall be added as follows:

‘The Pension Trustee must notify the member of the right to make an election for a Cash Transfer Sum and must inform the member that if he or she does not make an election by the reply date specified in the notification, the Trustee will pay a cash refund (as described in sub-rule 29.1.1). If the member makes an election for a Cash Transfer Sum before the reply date (or any later date allowed by the Pension Trustee), the Pension Trustee must give effect to it. Otherwise, the Pension Trustee must pay a cash refund (as described in sub-rule 29.1.1) to the member.’

2. Commutation

Rule 17.3 (prohibiting the commutation of pension attributable to AVCs made on or after 8 April 1987) shall be deleted, and sub-rule 17.4 shall be renumbered 17.3 and any references to it shall be replaced accordingly.

Rule 26.2 (also prohibiting the commutation of any pension attributable to AVCs made under arrangements first entered into by the member after 7 April 1987) shall be deleted sub-note 26.3 shall be renumbered 26.2 and any references to it shall be replaced accordingly.

3. Pensions for dependent children

Rule 48 shall be amended so that the words ‘PROVIDED THAT a pension shall be paid only until the child attains age 23 if the pension would otherwise be an unauthorised payment under the Finance Act 2004’are added immediately after the words ‘whichever is the earlier’ at the end of the first paragraph.

In addition, Rule 48 shall be amended so that the first line of the third paragraph shall be deleted and replaced as follows:

‘From January 2006 the initial level of the pension in respect of a dependent child or children shall be £929pa for the first dependent child and £471pa per child for any further dependent children.’

4. Other Dependants

The definition of ‘Dependant’ in the definitions section of the Rules shall be deleted and replaced with the following:

‘Dependant: a person who:

(a) was married to the member at the date of the member’s death; or

(b) is a child of the member as described in rule 48; or

(c) in the opinion of the Pension Trustee, at the date of the member’s death, was financially dependent on the member, had a financial relationship with the member of mutual dependence or was dependent on the member because of mental or physical impairment.’

5. General Finance Act 2004 amendments

The schedule summarising the Inland Revenue limits shall be amended so that it is in two parts, with the wording in the current schedule being entitled ‘Part II’ and the following wording added as an introduction to the schedule and as Part I:

‘This schedule is divided into 2 parts:

Part I sets out the overriding tax rules that apply to the Fund with effect from 6 April 2006, and Part II summarises the Inland Revenue Limits that applied to the Fund before 6 April 2006, and which shall be deemed to continue to apply on and after 6 April 2006, subject to the modifications described in Part I.

Part I – Tax Rules

1. Definitions: In this Part I the following words and phrases have the following meanings:

A-Day: 6 April 2006

Authorised Payment: a payment authorised in accordance with section 164 of the Finance Act 2004 (an authorised member payment) or section 175 of that Act (an authorised employer payment).

Finance Act: Finance Act 2004

HMRC: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

Inland Revenue Limits: the limits which in the opinion of the Pension Trustee would have applied to benefits and contributions, if the tax regime in force before A-Day had continued to apply on and after A-Day, in order not to prejudice the Fund’s exempt approved status under that tax regime, assuming that HMRC practice (as summarised in the practice note IR12 and in HMRC Updates) and any concessions granted in relation to the Fund by HMRC would have continued on the same basis as applied immediately before A-Day. Inland Revenue Limits are summarised in Part II of this schedule.

Unauthorised Payment: an unauthorised payment as defined in section 160(5) of the Finance Act.

2. Overriding effect: This Part I of the schedule overrides any other provisions of the Trust Deed and Rules of the Fund that are inconsistent with it except clause 9 of the Trust Deed (power of amendment) and any other provision conferring a power to modify the Fund.

3. Registered pension scheme: The Fund is intended to be a registered pension scheme for the purposes of Part 4 of the Finance Act. The Pension Trustee shall not be required to take any action if in its opinion doing so could jeopardise the status of the Fund as a registered pension scheme.

4. Unauthorised Payments: Any provision of the Trust Deed and Rules which would require the Pension Trustee to make an Unauthorised Payment shall be construed as conferring discretion upon the Pension Trustee or managers to make that payment. However, if immediately before A-Day, the consent of the URC, a Participating Body, or any other person, would have been required before the Pension Trustee could make a payment, then the discretion conferred by this paragraph to make a payment of that type may be exercised only with the consent of that person.

5. Pension for life: A pension payable to a member under the Fund must be payable for life and must not reduce in payment, except in circumstances permitted under paragraph 2(4) of schedule 28 of the Finance Act 2004.

6. Inland Revenue Limits: If in the opinion of the Pension Trustee a payment otherwise due from the Fund would cause Inland Revenue Limits to be exceeded, it shall be reduced to the extent necessary to prevent it from doing so in the manner decided by the Pension Trustee. Accordingly, benefits shall not unless the Pension Trustee decides otherwise with the consent of the Assembly exceed the Inland Revenue Limits as summarised in Part II of this schedule. If a combination of payments would cause Inland Revenue Limits to be exceeded, the Trustees shall reduce all or any of them in any manner which they think fit but only to the extent necessary to satisfy the Pension Trustee that Inland Revenue Limits are not exceeded.

7. Approval: Any provision of the Fund that refers to a requirement that Approval must not be jeopardised or prejudiced (whether expressed in those terms or not) or to a requirement that consent or approval must be obtained from the Board of the Inland Revenue as a condition of any payment or action shall be interpreted as follows. The Pension Trustee shall decide whether in its opinion the condition would probably have been met had similar circumstances arisen before A-Day, and if so, the condition will be treated as met. Otherwise, the condition will be treated as not met.

8. Cash sums: The Pension Trustee shall have the power to permit any member or a dependant (including members whose pensionable service ended before A-Day and their dependants) to exchange the whole or part of any benefit otherwise payable under the Fund (including, in the case of the member, benefits payable in respect of his/her dependant) for a lump sum, on terms decided by the Trustee having consulted the Actuary (except to the extent if any) that the Rules provide, separately from this Schedule, for a cash sum to be payable in the circumstances that apply to the member, whether of the same or a different amount, and for a method of determining the terms on which pension is exchanged, in which case the relevant provisions of the Rules shall apply), so long as:

8.1 the cash sum is an Authorised Payment (see in particular Schedule 29 to the Finance Act 2004);

8.2 the exchange is not prohibited by section 91 of the Pensions Act 1995;

8.3 the exchange does not cause a breach of the preservation, revaluation or contracting-out requirements of the Pension Schemes Act 1993.

Subject to paragraphs 8.1 and 8.3, the Pension Trustee may decide to pay benefits as a cash sum without the member’s or dependant’s consent, if it would have had the power to do so under the Rules as they applied on 5 April 2005 or the pension is attributable in the opinion of the Pension Trustee to qualifying service on or after 6 April 2006.

Any restriction in the Rules on the amount of benefit that may be paid as a cash sum shall be ignored and this provision overrides paragraph 6 (Inland Revenue Limits) and paragraph 7 (Approval).’

 1.1 These amendments to the Pension Fund rules arise from recent legislation and particularly the Finance Act 2004, which changed the tax rules for pension funds with effect from 6 April 2006.

Resolution 32
Pension Fund Rule changes Part II

General Assembly resolves to make the following amendments to the Rules of the United Reformed Church Ministers’ Pension Fund, with effect from the date of this resolution.

1. Participating Bodies

The current definition of ‘Participating Bodies’ in the Rules shall be amended by the words:

‘in accordance with rule 14A’, after the words:

‘means such United Reformed Churches or any other body admitted to membership of the Fund’.

A new Rule 14 A shall be added as follows:

14A Participating Bodies

14A.1 A church or other body may participate in the Scheme and so become a Participating Body if it agrees by deed to be bound by the Definitive Deed and Rules as a Participating Body. Participation may take place only if Approval is not prejudiced and with the consent of the Assembly which must also execute the deed. Participation shall start when the deed is executed or on such earlier or later date as may be specified in the deed. The new Participating Body must, unless the URC directs otherwise, agree to nominate the Principal Employer to make decisions for it which relate to the Pensions Act 1995 (in particular the operation of section 16 to 21and section 35) or to the Pensions Act 2004 and any regulations made under either of those Acts under which it is envisaged that one employer in a multi-employer scheme may act for all the employers participating in the scheme.

14A.2 A Participating Body (other than the URC) withdraws from the Fund on the withdrawal date which is the earlier of the following dates:

14A.2.1 the date specified in a written notice from the Participating Body to the Pension Trustee that the Participating Body is terminating its liability to contribute to the Fund and withdrawing from membership of the Fund;

14A.2.2 the date specified in a written notice from the URC to the Trustees, copied to the Participating Body, that the Participating Body is to terminate its contributions to the Fund and to withdraw from the Fund; or

14A2.3 the date that the Participating Body goes into liquidation, is dissolved or ceases to carry on business.

14A.3 If there is any doubt if and when the Withdrawal Date has occurred, this is decided by the Pension Trustee. The Participating Body has no further liability under the Trust Deed and Rules of the Fund after the Withdrawal Date (except for paying any arrears of contributions due before the Withdrawal Date) but this does not affect any continuing liability imposed by the Pension Schemes Act 1993, the Pensions Act 1995, the Pensions Act 2004 or the Finance Act 2004 or any other legislation or legal requirement.

14A.4 Effect on Members in Pensionable Service: Each Member employed by the withdrawing Participating Body and who is in service in membership of the Fund on the Withdrawal Date is deemed to have left service on the Withdrawal Date and his or her benefits are calculated accordingly under the Trust Deed and Rules.

14A.5 Pension Trustee’s powers: On, or at any time following, the Withdrawal Date, the Pension Trustee may make a transfer payment under Rule 36 to secure benefits from an Assurance Company for all or any of the Members who are or were employed by the Participating Body which has withdrawn from membership of the Fund. Otherwise, benefits are payable under the Fund in accordance with the Trust Deed and Rules.

Rule 15.2 shall be amended by the addition of the following words after the first sentence:

‘The Participating Bodies shall contribute to the expenses of administering the Fund including such share of the Fund’s Pension Protection Fund levy as the Assembly shall determine from time to time on the advice of the Actuary.’

2. Winding-up

Rule 35.1 shall be amended so that the following words are added at the end of it as follows:

‘On the determination of the Fund, the Fund shall be wound up in accordance with Rule 35.2 except if, and to the extent, any statutory priority order overrides it.’

1.1 These changes clarify some aspects of the Pension Fund rules in ways that are consistent with current legislation.

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