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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Minutes of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church 2006
Appendix Basis and Structure incorporating all amendments proposed and agreed at the Assembly 2006.
Changes to the Basis and Structure consequent on the adoption of resolutions 9, 47 & 64 – Assembly 2006.
The Basis of Union of the United Reformed Church
The Church and The United Reformed Church
1. There is but one Church of the one God. He called Israel to be his people, and in fulfilment of the purpose then begun he called the Church into being through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. The one Church of the one God is holy, because he has redeemed and consecrated it through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and because there Christ dwells with his people.
3. The Church is catholic or universal because Christ calls into it all peoples and because it proclaims the fullness of Christ’s Gospel to the whole world.
4. The Church is apostolic because Christ continues to entrust it with the Gospel and the commission first given to the apostles to proclaim that Gospel to all peoples.
5. The unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity of the Church have been obscured by the failure and weakness which mar the life of the Church.
6. Christ’s mercy in continuing his call to the Church in all its failure and weakness has taught the Church that its life must ever be renewed and reformed according to the Scriptures, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
7. The United Reformed Church humbly recognises that the failure and weakness of the Church have in particular been manifested in division which has made it impossible for Christians fully to know, experience and communicate the life of the one, holy, catholic, apostolic Church.
8. The United Reformed Church has been formed in obedience to the call to repent of what has been amiss in the past and to be reconciled. It sees its formation and growth as a part of what God is doing to make his people one, and as a united church will take, wherever possible and with all speed, further steps towards the unity of all God’s people.
9. The United Reformed Church testifies to its faith, and orders its life, according to this Basis of Union, believing it to embody the essential notes of the Church catholic and reformed. The United Reformed Church nevertheless reserves its right and declares its readiness at any time to alter, add to, modify or supersede this Basis so that its life may accord more nearly with the mind of Christ.
10. The United Reformed Church, believing that it is through the freedom of the Spirit that Jesus Christ holds his people in the fellowship of the one Body, shall uphold the rights of personal conviction. It shall be for the church, in safeguarding the substance of the faith and maintaining the unity of the fellowship, to determine when these rights are asserted to the injury of its unity and peace.
THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH AND THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
11. Within the one, holy, catholic, apostolic Church the United Reformed Church acknowledges its responsibility under God: to make its life a continual offering of itself and the world to God in adoration and worship through Jesus Christ; to receive and express the renewing life of the Holy Spirit in each place and in its total fellowship, and there to declare the reconciling and saving power of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; to live out, in joyful and sacrificial service to all in their various physical and spiritual needs, that ministry of caring, forgiving and healing love which Jesus Christ brought to all whom he met; and to bear witness to Christ’s rule over the nations in all the variety of their organised life.
THE FAITH OF THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
12. The United Reformed Church confesses the faith of the Church catholic in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It acknowledges that the life of faith to which it is called is a gift of the Holy Spirit continually received in Word and Sacrament and in the common life of God’s people. It acknowledges the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God’s people.
13. The United Reformed Church believes that, in the ministry of the Word, through preaching and the study of the Scriptures, God makes known in each age his saving love, his will for his people and his purpose for the world.
14. The United Reformed Church observes the gospel sacrament of baptism into Christ as a gift of God to his Church, and as an appointed means of grace. Baptism is administered with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. It is the sacrament of entry into the Church and is therefore administered once only to any person.
When the Church observes this sacrament it makes explicit at a particular time and place and for a particular person what God has accomplished in Christ for the whole creation and for all humankind – the forgiveness of sins, the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit and newness of life in the family of God. In this sacrament the Church affirms its faith in the action of God in Jesus Christ; and takes corporate responsibility for those receiving baptism, promising to support and nourish them as it receives them into its fellowship. Baptism may be administered in infancy or at an age of responsibility. Both forms of baptism shall be made available in the life of every worshipping congregation. In either case the sacrament of baptism is a unique part of the total process of Christian initiation. When baptism is administered at an age of responsibility, upon profession of faith, those baptised enter at once upon the full privileges and responsibilities of membership. When baptism is administered to infants, upon profession of faith by their parent(s), they are placed under the nurture of the Church that they may be led by the Holy Spirit in due time to make their own profession of faith in Christ as their Saviour and Lord, and enter upon the full privileges and responsibilities of membership. These two patterns of Christian initiation are recognised by the United Reformed Church. The profession of faith to be made prior to baptism by a believer or at an age of responsibility by one baptised in infancy is indicated in Schedule A.* This profession, and its acceptance by the church which shares in it, is a necessary part of the process of initiation and whenever possible it should be made at a celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
* Admission to the full privileges and responsibilities of membership of the Church shall be in accordance with paragraphs 2(1) and 2(2)(vi) of the structure and with Schedule A
The United Reformed Church includes within its membership both persons whose conviction it is that baptism can only be appropriately administered to a believer and those whose conviction it is that infant baptism also is in harmony with the mind of Christ. Both convictions are honoured by the church and both forms of baptism are understood to be used by God in the upbuilding of faith. Should these differences of conviction within the one church result in personal conflict of conscience it will require to be pastorally reconciled in mutual understanding and charity, and in accordance with the Basis of Union, in the first instance by the elders’ meeting of the local congregation, and if necessary by the wider councils of the church. Whether the baptism is of an infant or a believer, whether it is by pouring or immersion, it shall not be such to which a conscientious objection is taken either by the person administering baptism, or by the person seeking it, or by the parent(s) requesting it for an infant.
15. The United Reformed Church celebrates the gospel sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. When in obedience to the Lord’s command his people show forth his sacrifice on the cross by the bread broken and the wine outpoured for them to eat and drink, he himself, risen and ascended, is present and gives himself to them for their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. United with him and with the whole Church on earth and in heaven, his people gathered at his table present their sacrifice of thanksgiving and renew the offering of themselves, and rejoice in the promise of his coming in glory.
16. The United Reformed Church gives thanks for the common life of the Church, wherein the people of God, being made members one of another, are called to love and serve one another and all people everywhere and to grow together in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Participating in the common life of the Church within the local church, they enter into the life of the Church throughout the world. With that whole Church they also share in the life of the Church in all ages and in the communion of saints have fellowship with the Church triumphant.
17. The United Reformed Church at the date of formation confesses its faith in the words of this statement:- We believe in the one living and true God, creator, preserver and ruler of all things in heaven and earth, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Him alone we worship, and in him we put our trust.
We believe that God, in his infinite love for men, gave his eternal Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who became man, lived on earth in perfect love and obedience, died upon the cross for our sins, rose again from the dead and lives for evermore, saviour, judge and king
We believe that, by the Holy Spirit, this glorious Gospel is made effective so that through faith we receive the forgiveness of sins, newness of life as children of God and strength in this present world to do his will.
We believe in the one, holy, catholic, apostolic Church, in heaven and on earth, wherein by the same Spirit, the whole company of believers is made one Body of Christ, to worship God and serve him and all men in his kingdom of righteousness and love.
We rejoice in the gift of eternal life, and believe that, in the fullness of time, God will renew and gather in one all things in Christ, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.
18. The United Reformed Church, under the authority of Holy Scripture and in corporate responsibility to Jesus Christ its everliving head, acknowledges its duty to be open at all times to the leading of the Holy Spirit and therefore affirms its right to make such new declarations of its faith and for such purposes as may from time to time be required by obedience to the same Spirit.
At the same time the United Reformed Church accepts with thanksgiving the witness borne to the catholic faith by the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. It recognises as its own particular heritage the formulations and declarations of faith which have been valued by Congregationalists, Presbyterians and members of Churches of Christ as stating the Gospel and seeking to make its implications clear*.
* e.g. Among Presbyterians: The Westminster Confession, 1647; A Statement of the Christian Faith, 1956. Among Congregationalists: in England and Wales: The Savoy Declaration, 1658; A Declaration of Faith, 1967. in Scotland: A Statement of Faith, 1949. Among Churches of Christ: Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address, 1809.
At the General Assembly of 1997 the United Reformed Church adopted the following alternative version of the statement in paragraph 17 to be available alongside the 1972 statement:
1. We believe in the one and only God, Eternal Trinity, from whom, through whom and for whom all created things exist. God alone we worship; in God we put our trust.
2. We worship God, source and sustainer of creation, whom Jesus called Father, whose sons and daughters we are.
3. We worship God revealed in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God made flesh; who lived our human life, died for sinners on the cross; who was raised from the dead, and proclaimed by the apostles, Son of God; who lives eternally, as saviour and sovereign, coming in judgement and mercy, to bring us to eternal life.
4. We worship God, ever present in the Holy Spirit; who brings this Gospel to fruition, assures us of forgiveness, strengthens us to do God’s will, and makes us sisters and brothers of Jesus, sons and daughters of God.
5. We believe in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, united in heaven and earth, wherein by the same spirit.
6. We believe that, in the fullness of time, God will renew and gather in one all things in heaven and on earth through Christ, and be perfectly honoured and adored.
7. We rejoice in God who has given us being, who shares our humanity to bring us to glory, our source of prayer and power of praise; to whom be glory, praise and adoration, now and evermore.
MINISTRY IN THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
19. The Lord Jesus Christ continues his ministry in and through the Church, the whole people of God called and committed to his service and equipped by him for it. This service is given by worship, prayer, proclamation of the Gospel, and Christian witness; by mutual and outgoing care and responsibility; and by obedient discipleship in the whole of daily life, according to the gifts and opportunities given to each one. The preparation and strengthening of its members for such ministry and discipleship shall always be a major concern of the United Reformed Church.
20. For the equipment of his people for this total ministry the Lord Jesus Christ gives particular gifts for particular ministries and calls some of his servants to exercise them in offices duly recognised within his Church. The United Reformed Church recognises that Christ gives himself to his Church through Word and Sacrament and through the total caring oversight by which his people grow in faith and love, the exercise of which oversight is the special concern of elders and ministers. Those who enter on such ministries commit themselves to them for so long as God wills: the United Reformed Church having solemnly acknowledged their vocation and accepted their commitment shall appoint them to their particular ministry and give them authority to exercise it within the church, setting them apart with prayer that they shall be given all needful gifts and graces for its fulfilment, which solemn setting part shall in the case of ministers and elders be termed ordination and in the case of church related community workers be termed commissioning.
21. Some are called to the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. After approved preparation and training, they may be called to be ministers of local churches, or missionaries overseas, or to some special and approved ministry, and are then ordained and inducted to their office. They are commissioned to conduct public worship, to preach the Word and to administer the Sacraments, to exercise pastoral care and oversight, and to give leadership to the church in its mission to the world. Their service may be stipendiary or non-stipendiary, and in the latter case their service is given within the area of a Synod and in a context it has approved.*
* Those persons who, at the time of unification serve as Registered Pastors and are so recognised by the Congregational Union of Scotland, may continue in that service under the same conditions. Such persons shall be authorised by a Synod to preside at the sacraments and to serve as members of that Synod. They may seek further training with a view to applying for recognition as ministers.
22. Some are called to the ministry of church related community work. After approved preparation and training, they may be called to be church related community workers in a post approved by the United Reformed Church, and are then commissioned and inducted to their office to serve for a designated period. This commissioning and induction shall be in accord with Schedules D & F. Church related community workers are commissioned to care for, to challenge and to pray for the community, to discern with others God’s will for the well-being of the community, and to endeavour to enable the church to live out its calling to proclaim the love and mercy of God through working with others in both church and community for peace and justice in the world. Their service may be stipendiary or non-stipendiary, and in the latter case their service is given within the area of a Synod and in the context it has approved.
23. Some are called to be elders. They share with ministers of the Word and Sacraments in the pastoral oversight and leadership of the local churches, taking counsel together in the elders’ meeting for the whole church and having severally groups of members particularly entrusted to their pastoral care. They shall be associated with ministers in all the councils of the church. Elders elected by the church meeting are ordained to their office and are inducted to serve for such limited period as the church which elects them shall determine. All elders are eligible for re-election, and those elected shall enter upon their office by induction. On moving to another local church an ordained elder is eligible for election by that church to the elders’ meeting, and, if so elected, is inducted. The ordination and induction of elders shall be carried out in the course of public worship by a minister of the local church (or, during a pastoral vacancy, by the interim moderator) acting with the serving elders (see Schedule B).*
* Within the Synod of Scotland those office bearers who fulfil the functions of the United Reformed Church eldership will be called elders, or by local church meeting decision, may retain their existing titles. Such persons will be recognised as elders for all purposes by the wider councils of the Church.
24. All other ministries recognised by the uniting churches at the date of unification (as defined by the United Reformed Church Act 1981) shall continue to be exercised in the United Reformed Church without further commissioning, subject always to the decisions of the General Assembly. The United Reformed Church shall determine from time to time what other ministries may be required and which of them should be recognised as ministries in the whole church. It shall decide how those who are to exercise them shall be set apart.
25. The worship of the local church is an expression of the worship of the whole people of God. In order that this may be clearly seen, the United Reformed Church shall (a) take steps to ensure that so far as possible ordained ministers of the Word and Sacraments are readily available to every local church; (b) provide for the training of suitable men and women, members of the United Reformed Church, to be accredited by Synods as lay preachers; (c) make provision through Synods, in full consultation with the local churches concerned, for the recognition of certain members of the United Reformed Church, normally elders or accredited lay preachers, who may be invited by local churches to preside at baptismal and communion services where pastoral necessity so requires. The pastoral needs of each situation shall be reviewed periodically by the synod in consultation with the local church. Apart from ordained ministers of the United Reformed Church and of other churches, only such recognised persons may be invited.
‘The provisions of paragraph 25 are intended to establish the principle that worship should be led by representative persons recognised by the wider church as well as by the local church. The provisions do not prevent the congregation assembled for baptismal or communion service from themselves appointing, as a church meeting, a suitable person to preside at the celebration of the sacrament in a case of emergency, for example if the expected president is taken ill or held up in travel. The provisions do not require such an action rather than a postponement of the baptismal or communion service if that seems preferable.’
26. The ordination and induction of ministers shall be in accord with Schedules C and D. Appropriate affirmations of faith shall also be made by those entering upon other ministries within the life of the church. In the United Reformed Church all ministries shall be open to both men and women.
The totality of ministers who fall within any of the categories defined in Schedule E, Paragraph 1 and are in good standing may be referred to as the Roll of Ministers. Ministers shall conduct their ministry according to the criteria set out in Schedule E.
SCHEDULE A (see clause 14 in the Basis of Union)
Affirmation of faith to be made at admission to the full privileges and responsibilities of membership of the Church
It is the responsibility of the minister and elders’ meeting, before bringing the names of candidates to the church meeting, to be assured of the sincerity of their intention. After adequate preparation, and acceptance by the church meeting, candidates shall be publicly admitted to the full privileges and responsibilities of membership of the Church of Jesus Christ and in particular to the membership of the local church.
This act may include the laying on of hands as a sign of the commissioning of those called by God to the service of Jesus Christ. Acceptance of the candidates, as also their acceptance of their commission, shall be signified by the giving and receiving of the right hand of fellowship.
Thereafter they shall be commended to the love and care of their fellow members.
During the act of admission public profession of faith and of commitment to the Church shall be made:
VERSION I
Either: (a) by question and answer thus:
Q: Do you confess your faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, taking the Father to be your Father, the Son to be your Saviour and Lord, the Spirit to be your helper and guide? A: I do. Q: Do you promise, in dependence on God’s grace, to be faithful in private and public worship, to live in the fellowship of the Church and to share in its work, and to give and serve, as God enables you, for the advancement of his kingdom throughout the world? A: I do.
Q: Do you promise, by that same grace, to follow Christ and to seek to do and to bear his will all the days of your life? A: I do.
Q: And do you trust in his mercy alone to bring you into the fullness of the life of the world to come? A: I do.
VERSION II
Or: (b) in the form of a declaration such as the following:
I confess my faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, taking the Father to be my Father, the Son to be my saviour and Lord, the Spirit to be my helper and guide. I promise, in dependence on God’s grace, to be faithful in private and public worship, to live in the fellowship of the Church and to share in its work, and to give and serve, as God enables me, for the advancement of his kingdom throughout the world. I promise, by that same grace, to follow Christ and to seek to do and to bear his will all the days of my life. And I trust in his mercy alone to bring me into the fullness of the life of the world to come.
Or: (c) Addition to Schedule A: Version III
(At Baptism at an age of responsibility or at profession of faith for those baptised as infants)
Q: Do you believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, maker of heaven and earth, giver of life, redeemer of the world? A. I do.
Q: Do you repent of your sins, turn away from evil, and turn to Christ? A. By God’s grace, I do.
Q: Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? A. I do.
(At reception into the full privileges and responsibilities of membership)
Q: From the beginning, believers have continued in the worship and fellowship of the church: N, do you commit yourself to this life? A: I do, with God’s help.
Q: With the whole Church, will you proclaim by word and action the good news of God in Christ? A: I will, with God’s help.
Or: (d) in a form which includes the following elements:
a Trinitarian confession of faith repentance of sin a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord a promise to share in the worship, fellowship and mission of the Church.
SCHEDULE B
Affirmations to be made by elders at ordination and induction
NOTE: The service, which takes place at public worship, shall include the reading of the Statement contained in Schedule D and a statement regarding the functions of the elders taken from clauses 19, 20 and 23 in the Basis of Union.
Afterwards the presiding minister shall say to the elders elect:
In the light of this Statement concerning the Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church and the statement concerning the functions of the eldership, the elders elect are now asked to answer the following questions:
Q: Do you confess again your faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit? A: I do.
Q: In dependence on God’s grace do you reaffirm your trust in Jesus Christ as saviour and Lord and your promise to follow him and to seek to do and to bear his will all the days of your life? A: I do.
Q: Do you believe that the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God’s people? A: I do.
Q: Do you accept the office of elder of the United Reformed Church in this congregation and do you promise to perform its duties faithfully? A: I do.
SCHEDULE C (see clause 21 in the Basis of Union)
Affirmations to be made by ministers at ordination and induction
NOTE: The service will also include the reading of the Statement contained in Schedule D, and provision will be made for a statement to be made concerning the circumstances of the call. Ministers may also make a personal statement about their faith and sense of calling After the statement has been read the presiding minister shall then ask one of the following sets of questions:
VERSION I Either: 1. A.B., Do you confess anew your faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
I do.
2. Do you believe that the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God’s people?
I do.
3. Do you believe that Jesus Christ, who was born of Mary, lived our common life on earth, died upon the cross, and who was raised from he dead and reigns for evermore, is the gift of God’s very self to the world? Do you believe that through him God’s love, justice and mercy are revealed and forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life are offered to all people? And will you faithfully proclaim this Gospel?
By the grace of God this I believe and this I will proclaim.
4. Do you believe that the Church is the people gathered by God’s love to proclaim the reconciliation of the world to God through Jesus Christ?
I do.
5. Are zeal for the glory of God, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, obedience to the Holy Spirit and a desire for the salvation of the world, so far as you know your own heart, the chief motives which lead you to enter this ministry?
They are
6. Do you promise to live a holy life, and to maintain the truth of the gospel, whatever trouble or persecution may arise?
Relying on the strength of Christ, I do.
7. Do you promise to fulfil the duties of your charge* faithfully, to lead the church in worship, to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments, to exercise pastoral care and oversight, to take your part in the councils of the Church, and to give leadership to the Church in its mission to the world?
By the grace of God, I do.
8. Do you promise as a minister of the United Reformed Church to seek its well-being, purity and peace, to cherish love towards all other churches and to endeavour always to build up the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church?
By the grace of God, I do.
9. Will you undertake to exercise your ministry in accordance with the statement concerning the nature, faith and order of the United Reformed Church?
I will, and all these things I profess and promise in the power of the Holy Spirit.
VERSION II
Or: 1. A.B., will you confess anew your faith?
I confess anew my faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God’s people. I believe that Jesus Christ, who was born of Mary, lived our common life on earth, died upon the cross, and who was raised from the dead and reigns for evermore, is the gift of God’s very self to the world. I believe that through him God’s love, justice and mercy are revealed and forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life are offered to all people. And by the grace of God I promise to proclaim this gospel faithfully. I believe that the Church is the people gathered by God’s love to proclaim the reconciliation of the world to God through Jesus Christ.
2. What leads you to this ministry?
So far as I know my own heart, I believe that zeal for the glory of God, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, obedience to the Holy Spirit and a desire for the salvation of the world, are the chief motives which lead me to enter this ministry. Relying on the strength of Christ, I promise to live a holy life, and to maintain the truth of the gospel, whatever trouble or persecution may arise.
3. Will you faithfully fulfil the duties of your charge?* * The presiding minister (after appropriate consultation) may modify the wording of question 7 or the answer to question 3 to fit the kind of ministry to which the candidate has been called.
By the grace of God I promise to lead the Church in worship, to preach the word and administer the Sacraments, to exercise pastoral care and oversight, to take my part in the councils of the Church, and to give leadership to the Church in mission to the world. As a minister of the United Reformed Church I promise to seek its well-being, purity, and peace, to cherish love towards all other churches, and to endeavour always to build up the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I undertake to exercise my ministry in accordance with the statement concerning the nature, faith and order of the United Reformed Church. All these things I profess and promise in the power of the Holy Spirit.
SCHEDULE D
A statement concerning the nature, faith and order of the United Reformed Church
(One of the following authorised versions to be read aloud at ordination and induction services.)
VERSION I
1. The United Reformed Church confesses the faith of the Church catholic in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
2. The United Reformed Church acknowledges that the life of faith to which it is called is a gift of the Holy Spirit continually received in Word and Sacrament and in the common life of God’s people.
3. The United Reformed Church acknowledges the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God’s people.
4. The United Reformed Church accepts with thanksgiving the witness borne to the catholic faith by the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, and recognises as its own particular heritage the formulations and declarations of faith which have been valued by Congregationalists, Presbyterians and members of Churches of Christ as stating the Gospel and seeking to make its implications clear.
5. The United Reformed Church testifies to its faith, and orders its life, according to the Basis of Union, believing it to embody the essential notes of the Church catholic and reformed. The United Reformed Church nevertheless reserves its right and declares its readiness at any time to alter, add to, modify or supersede this Basis so that its life may accord more nearly with the mind of Christ.
6. The United Reformed Church, under the authority of Holy Scripture and in corporate responsibility to Jesus Christ its everliving head, acknowledges its duty to be open at all times to the leading of the Holy Spirit and therefore affirms its right to make such new declarations of its faith and for such purposes as may from time to time be required by obedience to the same Spirit.
7. The United Reformed Church, believing that it is through the freedom of the Spirit that Jesus Christ holds his people in the fellowship of the one Body, upholds the rights of personal conviction. It shall be for the church, in safeguarding the substance of the faith and maintaining the unity of the fellowship, to determine when these rights are asserted to the injury of its unity and peace.
8. The United Reformed Church declares that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only ruler and head of the Church, has therein appointed a government distinct from civil government and in things spiritual not subordinate thereto, and that civil authorities, being always subject to the rule of God, ought to respect the rights of conscience and of religious belief and to serve God’s will of justice and peace for all humankind.
9. The United Reformed Church declares its intention, in fellowship with all the churches, to pray and work for such visible unity of the whole Church as Christ wills and in the way he wills, in order that people and nations may be led more and more to glorify the Father in heaven.
VERSION II
With the whole Christian Church the United Reformed Church believes in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The living God, the only God, ever to be praised.
The life of faith to which we are called is the Spirit’s gift continually received through the Word, the Sacraments and our Christian life together. We acknowledge the gift and answer the call, giving thanks for the means of grace.
The highest authority for what we believe and do is God’s Word in the Bible alive for his people today through the help of the Spirit. We respond to this Word, whose servants we are with all God’s people through the years.
We accept with thanksgiving to God the witness to the catholic faith in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. We acknowledge the declarations made in our own tradition by Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Churches of Christ in which they stated the faith and sought to make its implications clear. Faith alive and active: gift of an eternal source, renewed for every generation. We conduct our life together according to the Basis of Union in which we give expression to our faith in forms which we believe contain the essential elements of the Church’s life, both catholic and reformed; but we affirm our right and readiness, if the need arises, to change the Basis of Union and to make new statements of faith in ever new obedience to the Living Christ. Our crucified and risen Lord, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection.
Held together in the Body of Christ through the freedom of the Spirit, we rejoice in the diversity of the Spirit’s gifts and uphold the rights of personal conviction. For the sake of faith and fellowship it shall be for the church to decide where differences of conviction hurt our unity and peace. We commit ourselves to speak the truth in love and grow together in the peace of Christ.
We believe that Christ gives his Church a government distinct from the government of the state. In things that affect obedience to God the Church is not subordinate to the state, but must serve the Lord Jesus Christ, its only Ruler and Head. Civil authorities are called to serve God’s will of justice and peace for all humankind, and to respect the rights of conscience and belief. While we ourselves are servants in the world as citizens of God’s eternal kingdom.
We affirm our intention to go on praying and working, with all our fellow Christians, for the visible unity of the Church in the way Christ chooses so that people and nations may be led to love and serve God and praise him more and more for ever. Source, Guide, and Goal of all that is: to God be eternal glory. Amen.
SCHEDULE E
1. The following constitute the categories of ministers comprising the Roll of Ministers of the United Reformed Church;
a. Ministers of the former Congregational Church of England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church of England who became ministers of the United Reformed Church at its formation in 1972.
b. Ministers of the former Re-formed Association of the Churches of Christ who became ministers of the United Reformed Church in 1981.
c. Ministers of the former Congregational Union of Scotland who became ministers of the United Reformed Church in 1999.
d. Ministers who have been ordained as ministers of the United Reformed Church and inducted to a local pastorate (or some other post approved by Synod) after having received a call with the concurrence of the Synod or have been appointed to a post by councils of the Church or are associate members of a Synod
e. Ministers of other churches who have been granted a Certificate of Eligibility by the General Assembly, or the committee designated by the General Assembly with the responsibility to grant Certificates of Eligibility, and who subsequently transferred to the United Reformed Church upon ordination and/or induction to a local pastorate following a call with the concurrence of the Synod
f. Ministers of other churches who, with the approval of a Synod, have been permitted by the General Assembly, or the committee delegated by the General Assembly to act on its behalf, to transfer to the United Reformed Church without receiving a call to a local pastorate or without being appointed to a post approved by Synod.
2. Ministers must conduct themselves and exercise all aspects of their ministries in a manner which is compatible with the unity and peace of the United Reformed Church and the affirmation made by ministers at ordination and induction (Schedule C) and the Statement concerning the nature, faith and order of the United Reformed Church (Schedule D) in accordance with which ministers undertake to exercise their ministry.
3. Acting in due exercise of their functions as contained in the Structure of the United Reformed Church, the councils of the Church have authority in certain circumstances (without prejudice to a minister’s conditions under the Plan for Partnership in Ministerial Remuneration) to suspend a minister which involves a temporary ban on the exercise of ministry by the minister concerned but not his/her removal from the Roll of Ministers.
4. A minister under suspension, whether in pastoral charge or not, shall not present him/herself as a minister and shall not preside at communion. The minister shall refrain from all activity which may lead others to believe that he/she is acting as a minister of religion. Suspension also means that the minister may not exercise the ministerial rights of membership of any council of the Church. Suspension does not remove any of the rights accorded by the process of determining the disciplinary matter which had led to the suspension.
5. A person whose name has been deleted from the Roll of Ministers of the United Reformed Church and who remains a member of the United Reformed Church has the privilege and responsibilities of that membership, but not those of a minister of Word and sacraments, and should refrain from all activity which may lead others to believe that he/she is acting as a minister of religion. However, should that person be re-instated to the Roll of Ministers, he/she would, on being called to a pastorate, need to be inducted to that pastorate, but not ordained, since ordination is not repeatable.
SCHEDULE F (see clause 22 in the Basis of Union)
Affirmations to be made by church related community workers at commissioning and induction.
NOTE: The service will also include the reading of the Statement contained in Schedule D, and provision will be made for a statement to be made concerning the circumstances of the call. Church related community workers may also make a personal statement about their faith and sense of calling. After the statement has been read the presiding minister shall then ask one of the following sets of questions:
Either: VERSION I
1. A.B., Do you confess anew your faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
I do.
2. Do you believe that the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God’s people?
I do.
3. Do you believe that Jesus Christ, who was born of Mary, lived our common life on earth, died upon the cross, and who was raised from the dead and reigns for evermore, is the gift of God’s very self to the world? Do you believe that through him God’s love, justice and mercy are revealed and forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life are offered to all people? And will you faithfully proclaim this Gospel?
By the grace of God this I believe and this I will proclaim.
4. Do you believe that the Church is the people gathered by God’s love to proclaim the reconciliation of the world to God through Jesus Christ?
I do.
5. Are zeal for the glory of God, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, obedience to the Holy Spirit and a desire for the salvation of the world, so far as you know your own heart, the chief motives which lead you to enter this ministry?
They are.
6. Do you promise to live a holy life, and to maintain the truth of the gospel, whatever trouble or persecution may arise?
Relying on the strength of Christ, I do.
7. Do you promise to care for, to challenge and to pray for the community, to discern with others God’s will for the wellbeing of the community? Do you promise to take your part in the councils of the Church and to endeavour to enable the church to live out its calling to proclaim the love and mercy of God through working with others in both church and community for peace and justice in the world?
By the grace of God, I do.
8. Do you promise as a church related community worker of the United Reformed Church to seek its well-being, purity and peace, to cherish love towards all other churches and to endeavour always to build up the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church?
By the grace of God, I do.
9. Will you undertake to exercise your ministry in accordance with the statement concerning the nature, faith and order of the United Reformed Church?
I will, and all these things I profess and promise in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Or: VERSION II
1. A.B., will you confess anew your faith?
I confess anew my faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.I believe that the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God’s people. I believe that Jesus Christ, who was born of Mary, lived our common life on earth, died upon the cross, and who was raised from the dead and reigns for evermore, is the gift of God’s very self to the world. I believe that through him God’s love, justice and mercy are revealed and forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life are offered to all people. And by the grace of God I promise to proclaim this gospel faithfully. I believe that the Church is the people gathered by God’s love to proclaim the reconciliation of the world to God through Jesus Christ.
2. What leads you to this ministry?
So far as I know my own heart, I believe that zeal for the glory of God, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, obedience to the Holy Spirit and a desire for the salvation of the world, are the chief motives which lead me to enter this ministry. Relying on the strength of Christ, I promise to live a holy life, and to maintain the truth of the gospel, whatever trouble or persecution may arise.
3. Will you faithfully fulfil the duties of your charge?
By the grace of God I promise to care for, to challenge and to pray for the community, to discern with others God’s will for the wellbeing of the community. I promise to take my part in the councils of the Church and to endeavour to enable the church to live out its calling to proclaim the love and mercy of God through working with others in both church and community for peace and justice in the world. As a church related community worker of the United Reformed Church I promise to seek its well-being, purity, and peace, to cherish love towards all other churches, and always to endeavour to build up the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I undertake to exercise my ministry in accordance with the statement concerning the nature, faith and order of the United Reformed Church. All these things I profess and promise in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Structure of the URC
1.(1) Members of the United Reformed Church associated in a locality for worship witness and service shall together comprise a local church.
1.(1)(a) Since the proper functioning of the local church is so fundamental to the life of the United Reformed Church, where there is a number of small congregations in proximity to one another unable separately to provide leadership and resources for the work of the church, such congregations shall consult with the Synod to formulate an acceptable scheme for joining together with a single membership, a common church meeting and elders’ meeting, representative of all the constituent congregations, and a shared ministry.
1.(1)(b) Where two or more local churches together, and in consultation with the Synod, decide that their mission will be more effective if they share resources and ordained ministry, they may, on the decision of the synod, form an association known as a group of churches with a structured relationship and a constitution governing the way in which they relate to one another as to the sharing of both resources and the ordained ministry. Each church within the group shall retain its own identity, and the church meeting and elders’ meeting shall continue to exercise all their functions in relation to that church, save that, so long as the constitution shall so declare, decisions relating to the calling of a minister ( see paragraph 2(1)(vii) may be taken by a single group church meeting at which all the members of each of the constituent churches in the group shall be eligible to attend and vote.
1(1)(c) Where two or more local churches together, and in consultation with the Synod, decide that their mission will be more effective if they share ordained ministry (but not other resources) they may, on the decision of the synod, form an association known as a joint pastorate, with a structured relationship with respect to the provision of ordained ministry only and a statement of intent governing the way in which they relate to one another in relation to the sharing of ordained ministry. Each church within the joint pastorate shall retain its own identity, and its church meeting and elders’ meeting shall continue to exercise all their functions in relation to that church, save that, so long as the statement of intent shall so declare, decisions relating to the calling of a minister (see paragraph 2(1)(vii)) may betaken by a single joint pastorate church meeting at which all the members of each of the constituent churches in the joint pastorate shall be eligible to attend and vote.
1.(2)(a) The United Reformed Church in England shall be divided into provinces, each having a synod. In Wales and in Scotland, in recognition of the different status of these nations there shall in each case be a single synod to be known as a national synod. The expression “Provincial Synod” when used in the United Reformed Church Acts of 1972 and 1981 shall in relation to property in Wales be read as referring to the national Synod of Wales
1.(2)(b) Throughout this statement of the Structure of the United Reformed Church references to ‘Provincial Moderators’ shall be read as meaning ‘Moderators of Synods’ in respect of Scotland and Wales.
1.(3) The oversight of the United Reformed Church shall be the concern both of the local church and wider representative councils. The councils of the United Reformed Church shall be: (a) the church meeting and the elders’ meeting of each local church;
(b) the council of each area of ecumenical cooperation to be known as an area meeting
(c) the synod of province or nation to be known as a provincial or national synod; and
(d) the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church.
These four parts of the structure of the United Reformed Church shall have such consultative, legislative and executive functions as are hereinafter respectively assigned to each of them and each shall be recognised by members of the United Reformed Church as possessing such authority, under the Word of God and the promised guidance of the Holy Spirit, as shall enable it to exercise its functions and thereby to minister in that sphere of the life of the United Reformed Church with which it is concerned. The consultative, legislative and executive functions of an area meeting shall be devolved from the synod and shall in all cases be subject to an agreement between the Synod and the equivalent body or bodies in the relevant ecumenical partners.
The Composition and Functions of the Councils of the United Reformed Church
2.(1) The Church Meeting of the local church shall consist of those persons who have been admitted to the full privileges and responsibilities of membership of the United Reformed Church and whose names are included on the membership roll of such local church. The church meeting may invite other persons who regularly worship with the local church but whose names are not on the membership roll to attend and speak at its meetings on particular occasions but no such person shall have the right to vote. In the church meeting which shall meet at least once a quarter and at which the minister or one of the ministers shall normally preside, the members have opportunity through discussion, responsible decision and care for one another, to strengthen each other’s faith and to foster the life, work and mission of the Church. Functions:
Concerning the outgoing of the Church:
(i) to further the Church’s mission in the locality;
(ii) to develop local ecumenical relationships;
(iii) to further the Church’s compassionate ministry in the locality and throughout the world;
(iv) to consider and support the wider work of the Church at home and abroad;
(v) to consider public questions in relation to the Christian faith;
(vi) to bring concerns for consideration by the elders’ meeting and wider councils of the church.
Concerning the nurture of the fellowship:
(vii) to call a minister with the concurrence of the synod(s) concerned (see paragraph 2 (3) A (vii)); (Where two or more churches have formed a group or joint pastorate in accordance with paragraph 1(1)(b) or (c) above on the decision of synod under its function 2(4)(A)(iv), the church meetings of each church may, with the agreement of the synod so long as the group constitution or the statement of intent as appropriate shall so provide, join together as a group or joint pastorate church meeting for the purpose of calling a minister, in which case this function shall be exercised by the group or joint pastorate church meeting.)
(viii) to elect elders and officers, determining their number and period of service, and representatives to wider councils;
(ix) to admit and transfer members, to maintain standards of membership, and to suspend or remove names from the membership roll, always on advice from the elders’ meeting;
(x) to consider, always on advice from the elders’ meeting, any application for recognition as a candidate for the ministry and to transmit it, if approved, to the synod;
(xi) to adopt financial reports;
(xii) to receive reports and proposals from the elders’ meeting, synod and General Assembly and to authorise appropriate action;
(xiii) on the recommendation of the elders’ meeting to make or provide for the making of arrangements for the proper maintenance of buildings and the general oversight of all the financial responsibilities of the local church. And generally:
(xiv) to do such other things as may be necessary in pursuance of its responsibility for the common life of the Church.
2.(2) The Elders’ Meeting of the local church shall consist of the minister(s) and the elders elected by the church meeting of such local church and shall exercise oversight of the spiritual life of the local church. The elders’ meeting shall serve the local church and by its relation to the wider councils of the United Reformed Church represent the whole Church to the local church. The minister, or one of the ministers, or during a pastoral vacancy the interim moderator appointed as hereinafter provided, shall normally preside over the elders’ meeting.
Functions:
(i) to foster in the congregation concern for witness and service to the community, evangelism at home and abroad, Christian education, ecumenical action, local inter-church relations and the wider responsibilities of the whole Church;
(ii) to see that public worship is regularly offered and the sacraments are duly administered, and generally to promote the welfare of the congregation;
(iii) to ensure pastoral care of the congregation, in which the minister is joined by elders having particular responsibility for groups of members;
(iv) to nominate from among its members a church secretary (or secretaries), to be elected by the church meeting, to serve both the church meeting and the elders’ meeting;
(v) to arrange for pulpit supply in a vacancy;
(vi) to keep the roll of members (see paragraph 2 (1)) and (as an aid to the discharge of the congregation’s pastoral and evangelistic responsibility) lists of names of adherents and children attached to the congregation, and in consultation with the church meeting to maintain standards of membership and to advise on the admission of members on profession of faith and by transfer, on the suspension of members, and on the removal of names from the roll;
(vii) to be responsible for the institution and oversight of work among children and young people and of all organisations within the congregation;
(viii) to call for the election of elders and advise on the number required;
(ix) to consider the suitability of any applicant for recognition as a candidate for the ministry and to advise the church meeting about its recommendation to the Synod
(x) to recommend to the church meeting arrangements for the proper maintenance of buildings and the general oversight of all the financial responsibilities of the local church;
(xi) to act on behalf of the church meeting and bring concerns to the wider councils of the United Reformed Church;
(xii) to do such other things as may be necessary in pursuance of its responsibility for the common life of the Church.
2.(3) The synod being representative of the local churches in that province or nation united for the purpose of dealing with matters of wider concern shall consist of:
(a) All ministers, registered pastors (in Scotland) and church related community workers who are for the time being engaged directly in the service of the United Reformed Church within the province or nation;
(b) All missionaries of the United Reformed Church for the time being on furlough and for the time being resident within the province or nation;
(c) Representatives of local churches within the province or nation who shall normally be members of the elders’ meeting of a local church and who shall be appointed by the church meeting of such local church, the number of such representatives to be: 1-200 members, one representative; over 200 members, 2 representatives; A Synod may, at its discretion vary the number of representatives of local churches so that both local churches with 1-200 members and local churches with over 200 members appoint two representatives. (where a local church, whether a local ecumenical partnership or a local church organised according to paragraph 1.(1)(a), comprises two or more congregations worshipping in separate locations, the synod may authorise that local church to appoint representatives to the synod from each constituent congregation to such numbers as would be permitted by the above rule if each congregation were a separate local church);
(d) Such members of local churches, normally elders, not exceeding twelve (or such other number as the General Assembly may from time to time determine) as may be co-opted by the synod;
(e) Such members as shall from time to time be appointed by the General Assembly;
(f) Such retired ministers who have been appointed by the synod as officers of the synod, for the period of their appointment;
(g) All retired ministers not covered by clause 2.3a or 2.3f residing within the province or nation served by the synod, who shall be associate members of the synod having the right to speak but not to vote at meetings of the synod;
(h) Two young people, being members of the United Reformed Church, nominated by the synod’s youth forum, committee or equivalent;
(i) Representatives, not exceeding the number approved by the General Assembly, of other denominations as the synod may from time to time determine;
(j) An elder appointed by the synod as an interim moderator who shall be a full member of the synod for the period of the appointment.
The synod shall elect from among its members a clerk, a treasurer and such other officers as it shall from time to time think desirable and shall determine their periods of service. It may also appoint such committees and for such purposes as it from time to time may think desirable and may appoint to any such committee any members of the United Reformed Church notwithstanding that they are not members of the synod.
Moderators of synods. There shall be a moderator for each synod being a minister appointed from time to time by the General Assembly according to its rules of procedure and responsible to the General Assembly.
The moderator shall: be separated from any local pastoral charge, stimulate and encourage the work of the United Reformed Church within the province or nation, preside over the meetings of the synod and exercise a pastoral office towards the ministers and churches within the province or nation, suggest names of ministers to vacant pastorates, in consultation with interim moderators of local churches, preside, or appoint a deputy to preside, at all ordinations and/or inductions of ministers within the province or nation, The moderators of the synods shall meet together at regular intervals for the better discharge of their duties. Functions of synod:
A. The Synod is responsible for exercising the following Functions (subject to the restriction referred to in Paragraph (B) below):
(i) To take action which supports the spreading of the Gospel at home and abroad, the life and witness of the United Reformed Church the interests of the Church of Christ as a whole, the well-being of the community in which the Church is placed;
(ii) to encourage church extension within the province or nation, decide upon the establishment of new causes and the recognition of mission projects;
(iii) to decide upon all matters regarding the grouping, amalgamation or dissolution of local churches.
(iv) to take appropriate action on matters referred to it by the General Assembly
(v) to provide a forum for concerns brought forward by Local Churches and to advise thereon.
(vi) to make proposals to and raise concerns for consideration by the General Assembly.
(vii) to give (or, where deep pastoral concern for the church requires it, to withhold) concurrence in calls to ministers and, with the moderator of the synod or the moderator’s deputy presiding, to conduct, in fellowship with the local church, any ordinations and/or inductions of ministers within the synod.
(viii) to appoint, in consultation with the local church, an interim moderator during a pastoral vacancy, such interim moderator normally being a serving minister or a retired minister. In exceptional circumstances an elder may be appointed;
(ix) to support, strengthen and care for all the churches of the synod ensuring that visits are made at regular intervals for consultation concerning their life and work.
(x) to appoint from time to time such number of representatives to the General Assembly (ministerial and lay in equal numbers) as the General Assembly shall determine. This shall include, at least two representatives under the age of 26. As far as possible all appointments shall be made in rotation from local churches.
(xi) to appoint to service on synod :
(I) United Reformed Church ministers/lay people serving as (a) full-time chaplains to universities, colleges, hospitals, workplaces, where their work is seen to be an extension of the ministry of the synod concerned, (b) secretaries and other full-time officials of ecumenical bodies with which the United Reformed Church is in relationship;
(II) United Reformed Church ministers giving significant oversight to local churches, under the general direction of the synod concerned;
(III) Ministers, or members of Diaconal Orders, of other churches appointed to serve on behalf of the United Reformed Church in charge of a United Reformed Church or in an ecumenical group including United Reformed Church interests;
(IV) Ministers not in pastoral charge who perform duties within the synod in respect of which the synod has some direct responsibility;
(xii) to consider and where appropriate appoint to service on Synod
(I) United Reformed Church ministers/lay people serving as (a) part-time chaplains to universities, colleges, hospitals, workplaces, where their work is seen to be an extension of the ministry of the synod concerned, (b) part-time officials of ecumenical bodies with which the United Reformed Church is in relationship;
(xiii) to devise strategies which enable and support the exploration of mission opportunities in the region and to encourage in Local Churches concern for service and a sense of responsibility for the wider work of the Church at home and abroad.
(xiv) to exercise oversight of all ministers falling within any of the categories 2(3) (a), (b) (f) and (g) except moderators of synods who are the responsibility of the General Assembly.
(xv) to receive and decide upon applications for recognition as candidates for the ministry.
(xvi) to receive and forward to the General Assembly, recommendations concerning applications for admission into the United Reformed Church from ministers, probationers or congregations.
(xvii) to give oversight to candidates for the ministry and to candidates for any form of full-time service in the Church at home and abroad, and, in the case of candidates for the ministry, determine their eligibility for a call.
(xviii) ‘Where the Synod, acting through its Mandated Group as defined in the Disciplinary Process referred to below, considers that a Minister is or may not be exercising his/her Ministry in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Schedule E to the Basis of Union, to refer the case of that Minister to the Commission Stage of the Disciplinary Process contained in Section O of the Manual of the United Reformed Church and in every such case to suspend the Minister concerned pending the resolution of the matter under that Process (for the avoidance of doubt the calling in of the Mandated Group under that Process in order to fulfil its responsibilities marking the commencement of the Disciplinary Process).’
(xix) to appoint, or to concur in the appointment of, non-stipendiary ministers to their particular service and to review this service at stated intervals.
(xx) to accredit and provide support and training for lay preachers and worship leaders and, in consultation with the Local Churches concerned , to give authority for appropriate lay persons to preside at the sacraments. Authorisation for lay persons to preside at the Sacraments in Ecumenical Areas shall only be given in consultation with the appropriate Ecumenical Partner,
(xxi) to receive the resignation of ministers and to decide upon appropriate action (see also paragraph 2.5.xviii)
(xxii) to seek to expand the range and deepen the nature of the Christian common life and witness in each local community, and in Scotland and Wales to undertake responsibility for national ecumenical relationships on behalf of the whole United Reformed Church, subject to the final authority of the General Assembly.
(xxiii) to decide upon all matters regarding erection, major reconstruction or disposal of buildings..
(xxiv) to receive, hear and decide upon references and appeals duly submitted.
(xxv) to do such other things as may be necessary in pursuance of its responsibility for the common life of the church.
(B) ‘Once the Disciplinary Process has commenced in the case of any Minister, whether by the Synod or by one of the other Councils of the Church, the Synod shall not exercise its functions in respect of that Minister (save only in the provision of such pastoral care as may be appropriate) until the Process has been duly concluded.’
(C) No Appeal shall lie against a decision by the Synod to refer any case to the Assembly Commission under Function (xviii) above.
2.(4) The area meeting of each Area of Ecumenical Co-operation being representative of the local churches in that area grouped together for the purposes of fellowship, support, intimate mutual oversight and united action shall consist of representatives of all churches engaged in the area of ecumenical co-operation. The United Reformed Church membership of the area meeting in each area of ecumenical co-operation (hereinafter referred to as the United Reformed Church Committee) shall consist of the moderator of synod, all ministers, church related community workers and registered pastors (in Scotland) engaged directly in the service of the United Reformed Church within the area, representatives of local churches within the area, and such other persons as determined by the constitution of each area meeting as approved by resolution of the synod.
(A) The synod shall delegate to the area meeting the following functions, unless by agreement with the relevant ecumenical partner it is felt that some of these functions should be reserved to the synod, and it shall be the responsibility of the area meeting
(i) to exercise oversight of all ministers falling within any of the categories 2(3)(a), (b), (f) and (g) except moderators of synods who although members of the area meeting are responsible to the General Assembly;
(ii) to give (or, where deep pastoral concern for the church requires it, to withhold) concurrence in calls to ministers and, with the moderator of the synod or the moderator’s deputy presiding, to conduct, in fellowship with the local church(es), any ordinations and/or inductions of ministers within the area;
(iii) to appoint, or to concur in the appointment of, non-stipendiary ministers and church related community workers to their particular service and to review this service at stated intervals;
(iv) to appoint, in consultation with the local church(es) and the moderator of the synod, an interim moderator during a pastoral vacancy, such interim moderator normally being a serving minister or a retired minister. In exceptional circumstances an elder may be appointed;
(v) to care for all the churches of the area meeting and to visit them by deputies at regular intervals for consultation concerning their life and work;
(vi) to consider on the recommendation of local churches applications for recognition as candidates for the ministry and to transmit them, if approved, to the synod for decision;
(vii) to accredit lay preachers
(viii) to consider resignations of ministers not currently the subject of any case within the Section O Process for Ministerial Discipline referred to in Function (xviii) below and, in consultation with the moderator of the synod, to decide upon appropriate action (see also paragraph 2.4.xviii);
(ix) from time to time to recommend to synod such number of representatives to the General Assembly as the synod shall determine;
(x) to engage in study concerning the Church’s mission in the area and to encourage in the local churches concern for youth work and social service and a sense of responsibility for the wider work of the Church at home and abroad;
(xi) to promote church extension within the area and to submit proposals to the synod for the establishing of new causes and the recognition of mission projects;
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