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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Minutes of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church 2005

Monday, 4 July 2005 Third Session

The Revd Elizabeth Welch took the Chair.

The General Secretary moved adoption of Resolution 42:

Resolution 42

Catch the Vision

General Assembly appoints a Commission of Assembly to investigate the creation of a London Synod, to report back to the 2006 Assembly.

Following discussion, Resolution 42 was carried.

Mr John Ellis moved adoption of Resolution 39:

Resolution 39

Special Category Ministry

General Assembly rejoices in the valuable and creative work done by the small minority of ministers working under the Special Category Ministry scheme, who are complemented and supported by the equally crucial work led by Ministers in more traditional roles. Noting the pleas from around the Church for ministry in situations where no suitable United Reformed Church minister is available, and requests for the Ministry and Mission Fund to be used more flexibly, Assembly resolves:

a)  to double the size of the Special Category Ministry scheme by increasing the resources available to the scheme by an amount equivalent to six full-time stipends in each of the five years 2006 to 2010;

b)  to open the additional posts not just to United Reformed Church ministers but, where appropriate, also to accredited ministers of sister Churches and to suitably qualified lay people;

c)  to continue to fund the scheme within the Ministry and Mission Fund, recognising that some posts might be partly funded from local sources; and

d)  to request the Ministries Committee to continue to administer the Special Category Ministry scheme, making suitable arrangements for the support and accountability structures for each post.

Following discussion, the Revd Peter Brain proposed that the resolution be now put, seconded by the Revd Peter Poulter.

The Assembly agreed.

Mr Ellis responded and a vote was taken.

Resolution 39 was carried.

General Secretary sought the Assembly’s consent to ask MCAG to appoint a convener for the Commission of Assembly (Resolution 42).  Assembly agreed.

The Chaplain led the Assembly in prayer, and the Assembly was adjourned.

Tuesday 5 July 2005