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Communications and Editorial
This committee is responsible for the setting and maintenance of standards of all publications. It acts as the Editorial and Management Board of REFORM, and is responsible for media relations.
Committee Members
Convener: Mr Christopher Wright Secretary: Mrs Carol Rogers
Revd David Coleman, Mrs Pat Stannard, Revd Peter Moth, Ms Kirsty Thorpe, Mr John East,
Mr Richard Lathaen, Revd Michael Forster, Revd Paul Brewerton and Revd Roger Hall
Publications Board
1.1 The Publications Board meets bimonthly to advise on all matters concerning publications of the General Assembly and its committees, and oversees all matters relating to publishing and to help all committees procedural guidelines have been produced.
1.2 In addition to the annual publications (Year Book, Diary and Prayer Handbook) seven new books and 8 new leaflets have been published since the last General Assembly. The booklet Refreshing the Elders Meeting has now been reprinted.
1.3 It is hoped to have several new titles published in time of the General Assembly 1999, among these are Wholly Worship, the all age worship resource being launched by the Youth and Children’s Work Committee; Night Watches by Jennifer Martin, intended for those leading and taking part in quiet
days and retreats; The Love that Heals by David Dale; P T Forsyth - Theolgian for a New Millennium - the papers given at a consultation at the Windermere Centre and edited by Professor Alan Sell, together with the first of a series of reprints of the major works of P T Forsyth. 1.4 Future publications planned are an anthology of selected material from Prayer Handbooks 1986-1996 and a new compilation of Prayers for use in the Vestry, Elders and Church Meetings and similar occasions. It is intended that these titles will be published in time for General Assembly 2000.
1.5 Sales of the annual publications continue to be high.
1.6 A new catalogue was published in January 1999 and sent to all ministers, church secretaries, lay preachers and students.
2 URC Bookshop and Distribution.
2.1 The relocated bookshop has been well received and enables a much more effective display.
2.2 The bookshop continues to provide material for Province Days, Synods and other special events, including the General Assembly where, in 1998, record sales were achieved.
2.3 The URC again provided the bookstall at the Assembly of the Scottish Congregational Church in St Andrews.
2.4 The discount scheme for ministers and students has now been extended to include nationally accredited lay preachers. The task of finding the more obscure titles requested presents a challenge which is generally met successfully.
2.5 The range of material and number of titles stocked continues to grow. A link has been established with a distribution centre in the USA which has most proved to be very effective and resulted in a speedy response to orders which have, in the past, caused difficulties.
2.6 The freewill offering envelope scheme operated in conjunction with John Thomlinson of Glasgow continues despite some difficulties with the manufacturer’s machinery.
2.7 The target of turning all orders around in 48 hours is generally being met.
2.8 The Bookshop and distribution operation operates with a minimum of staff. Customers are asked to take this into consideration when placing orders and co-operate with the ‘cash with order system’ whenever possible.
3 Design and In House Printing.
The production of well-designed material is being maintained, and systems are being consistently revised and upgraded.
4 Reform.
4.1 Reform continues to act as the most widely accessible forum for the exchange of views and information within the Church. Its readership as a proportion of its potential audience continues to exceed that of similar publications within other denominations and the gradual process of redesign during the past year has been well received. Inevitably, the divisions over the issue of Resolution 19 have had their impact on Reform. The Editor’s decision not to truncate discussion on the issue of human sexuality in advance of the discussion at this year’s Assembly has been welcomed by some, just as it has been distressing or distasteful to others.
4.2 After three years in which circulation has been maintained in the face of a decline in the overall membership of the Church, preliminary indications are that this year will see a small fall in sales, though it may be anticipated that should the union of the United Reformed Church with the Scottish Congregational Church go ahead, new readers will be added north of the border.
4.3 It is a matter of continuing concern to the Committee that sales at the local level depend so heavily on the enthusiasm of individual ministers, elders and, most particularly, Reform distributors. Huge variations in the level of orders between churches of similar social profile and theological outlook suggest that with proper advocacy considerable extra sales could be achieved, with the attendant possibility of improving the magazine further.
5 Articles of the Reformed Faith.
The introduction in 1997 of Articles (edited by Graham Cook) has been well received and has gained a wide readership. New subscribers are always welcome and sample copies will be available at Assembly.
6 URC Web Site.
6.1 The URC Web site is now under more active development with the provision of a relatively small allocation of staffing. While maintaining a healthy realism over the importance of the site in the current situation, when regular Internet access is still a privilege of the minority, the Committee is determined to ensure that the Church is not left behind as the medium increases in importance.
6.2 The three strategic goals of the site are:
• To act as an introduction to the life and work of the Church for those who are unfamiliar to the URC;
• To increase the flow of communication within the Church, in particular the ability of Assembly Committees to advocate their work to members and local churches;
• To act as a repository for authoritative up-to-date versions of documents which are required by ministers, officers and members at the local level.
7 Press and PR.
7.1 Realism requires the recognition that, for a combination of reasons, the national media shows seasoned indifference to the affairs of a denomination the size of the URC. Press releases seldom find a place in the national media though they are often taken up in the religious press. The Committee continues, however, to place issues before the media and to search for ways in which to attract positive attention, including co-operation with programme-makers on the provision of appropriate spokespersons on a variety of themes.
7.2 A recent consultation on communication within the church and with the wider society resulted in a variety of proposals which are being actively pursued.
7.3 One service which is very much valued, though necessarily less publicised, is advice to those who find themselves in situations in which media coverage might reflect badly on the Church. The Press Officer is always available in such circumstances to advise on procedures, the best response to press enquiries and, if necessary, to help draft appropriate press releases. The Committee would encourage those who find themselves - or suspect that they may find themselves - in such a situation to consult with the Press Officer at Church House at the earliest possible opportunity. Professional training in dealing with the media is also offered to office holders such as Moderators of Synods and continues to be valued by its recipients.
8 Copyright.
The number of local congregations participating in the URC/Christian Copyright Licensing Scheme is now close to 1100. The scheme allows a discount of 20% on a ‘words only’ licence. A significant number of churches have extended their licence to cover music as well. The CCL are now hoping to be able to offer a further service by enlarging the scheme to cover performing rights. The Communications and Editorial Office is still approached several times each week for help in clearing permission and general information.
9 Christian Resources Exhibition.
The URC stand at the 1998 exhibitions at Esher and Birmingham was much appreciated. The theme for the 1999 exhibitions at Esher and Glasgow will be Better Together.
10 Ecumenical Links.
10.1 Churches Advertising Network
Following the resolution to General Assembly 1998 the URC continues to play a major part in the Churches Advertising Network.
10.2 Churches Advisory Council for Local Broadcasting
The Revd Peter Moth continues to represent the URC at meting of the Council. At the CACLB Conference held at Swanwick in June 1998 there were 8 URC representatives and a number of people have expressed an interest in attending 1999.
10.3 Media Awareness Project
The Secretary continues as a member of the project.
10.4 Church Publishing Network
The network continues to meet biannually and the Secretary will become Convener of the group in June 1999.
11 Staff.
The autumn of 1998 saw several staff changes particularly in the bookshop and Reform areas.
12 Convener.
Chris Wright has served the Communications and Editorial Committee since 1987, first as member and from 1990 as Convener. He has used his considerable knowledge and skill to help the committee to find new ways forward. We are grateful to him for his service to the United Reformed Church and also for the many ways in which he
has helped and supported the staff working in the Communications Office.
Resolution 47 Communication Strategy
Assembly notes the action strategy being developed by the Communications and Editorial Committee for a five year programme as printed in the Book of Reports and commends it for implementation at every level of the Church.
The Committee noting that :
a) communication needs to be between members and churches and every level of structure of the Church and
b) there is a need to raise the profile of the United Reformed Church nationally, and in the local community and to attract people into the faith.
adopts the following strategy:
1.1 To encourage all local churches to see communication as the heart of their life in proclaiming the faith, and to strive for high standards at all times, whether it be in reporting to church meeting, writing for the church magazine or using local media as a tool for mission.
1.2 To offer each local church the opportunity to join in a new strategy for communication being developed through a five-year rolling programme, providing resources that will be regularly updated and expanded.
1.3 To assist all committees of the United Reformed Church, synod and district to communicate their work effectively.
1.4 To encourage every local congregation to undertake an audit of its communication techniques.
1.5 To provide a training programme aimed at training new communication trainers and drawing on the expertise already available in other training programmes.
1.6 To offer each local church a well designed corporate logo, to be available free of charge, for use on stationary, notice boards, publications etc.
1.7 To continue to develop relationships with partner churches and to support and learn from each other.
Discipleship, Stewardship and Witness
The purpose of the Discipleship, Stewardship & Witness Committee is:
Committee Members
Convener: Revd Elizabeth Caswell, Secretary: Revd John Steele Convener of Stewardship Sub-committee: Revd Julian Macro
Mrs Jean Antcliffe, Mrs Tina Rook, Mr David Williams, Revds Bob Day, David Tatem and Peter Ball.
1 The Discipleship, Stewardship and Witness Committee concludes at this Assembly the first four years of its life. During that time it has changed its remit, and is in process of changing it again; it has also changed staff secretary twice.
1.1 We said farewell in March to Bill Wright, whose ten years as an advocate for stewardship has led many local churches to a growing vision of their mission and of the resources available to the task. His hard work and passion, particularly in the introduction of TRIO, GEM and Vision workshops, has enabled many churches and individual members to respond more fully to God’s generosity to us in Christ. We thank him, and wish him well in the pastorate, which he will now serve.
1.2 It is a delight to welcome as his successor John Steele. John begins his new ministry at a time of considerable change. We pray for him as he helps to shape the mission agenda of the Church, and assure him of our support.
1.3 At this Assembly, we bid farewell to Elizabeth Caswell and David Tatem, the last of the
original committee members, and to our Youth & Children’s Work representative, Jean Antcliffe. We thank them all for the contributions they have made. In particular, our special thanks to Elizabeth, whose term of service as Convener comes to an end. She has found time in the busy life of a provincial moderator to exercise robust leadership of the committee, and we have benefited from her wisdom and clear thinking.
1.4 It has been good to welcome Peter Ball and David Williams as new committee members, and we look forward to welcoming Frank Beattie from Sheffield as our new Convener from this Assembly
2 We hope it will be the case that the General Assembly will re-name the committee. Its cumbersome title has not been helpful, and the heading Life and Witness we believe expresses the dynamic of the committee’s purpose more adequately.
2.1 In 1998 the committee commended to the church its work on Evangelism, and was encouraged by the warm reception that this report received. But passing resolutions is the easy part: engaging with the ideas and suggestions for action is an ongoing task that we urge the churches to embrace.
2.1.1 One particular emphasis of the report was on the need for each of us to have confidence in the gospel, and a readiness to bear witness. The reluctance, or inability, of Christians to speak simply to other people about their faith in Jesus Christ needs to be addressed. The committee accepts the task of encouraging the enabling of evangelism, but recognises that it is in the local context that the effective work on this will happen. We therefore continue to encourage synods to provide mission/evangelism enablers to work alongside ministers and congregations.
2.1.2 The staff secretary is preparing resources to help local churches to apply for funding for mission projects. Churches may be hindered from seeking help by not knowing what is available, or by not knowing what information is required by those who make grants. We hope to rectify this situation.
2.2 John Steele recently attended ecumenical discussions about a College of Evangelists.
2.2.1 Our ecumenical partners in the Anglican, Baptist and Methodist churches are clearly further on in their thinking than we are, but much in these continuing discussions will be of future relevance to us. The URC’s interest in Anglican proposals for the setting up of a national College of Evangelists may have been somewhat premature, but it is interesting to note that a fellowship is envisaged rather than a place, akin in some ways to the College of Preachers. The Baptist Union accredits evangelists and is talking about the recognition of ministers and evangelists as distinct ministries in their own right. The numbers of ‘serving evangelists’ at local, circuit or district levels in Methodism have grown, and, like ourselves, District Mission or Evangelism Enablers are being introduced.
2.2.2 Again like ourselves, Methodism is developing local church leadership (see 4.1) with discussions on gifts and callings, appropriate training and recognition. Within this flexibility of ministry, those with specific gifts as ‘evangelists’ might be more easily identified. Like the ‘meter-reading evangelist’ we heard of, shining more than his torch into the dark corners of people’s lives! There is need for vision and imagination when thinking about what it means to be an evangelist. We need to guard against the danger of our notions being ‘church focussed’ rather than ‘world focussed’.
2.2.3 It was agreed that as our churches discover together about the role and place of evangelists, it is important for there to be a core of principles of good practice. These include the testing of a sense of call, training, definition of the role, accountability, and recognition by the church. As the URC’s local leadership discussions continue, it is vital that such principles guide our thinking, and that evangelists find their acknowledged place in the life of our church.
3 Witness embraces not only the communication of the good news in words, but also the church’s engagement with its local community in life-affirming action. This may be through the work of individuals in their daily lives, or through the shared commitment of a congregation as it responds to the world of which it is part.
3.1 We are delighted that significant funding will be available through CWM (if current mission proposals before Assembly are agreed) for community projects. John Steele will again be the first point of contact for churches wishing to apply for financial help for work in the local community.
3.2 The committee will work hard to keep before the Church this dual understanding of witness as word and action, and to channel the resources of training and finance to those places which would benefit from help from the wider church.
3.2.1 It would be of benefit to others if churches involved in effective schemes of outreach would share their experience: the committee’s Web-site would be one way of doing this. We thank Gillian Bobbett for the time she has given to setting this up.
4 Guidelines published last year to help Interim Moderators and Elders Meetings have been well received; we are hoping that a similar piece of work aimed at encouraging Church Meetings will be available in due course.
4.1 A newer ministry among us is that of Local Leadership. John Steele shared with Christine Craven (Ministries) and Lesley Husselbee (Training) in organising a two-day consultation with representatives from the synods to explore the consequences of last year’s Assembly decisions. The programme adopted in Mersey Province was looked at in detail. There is ongoing work between the committees that will lead to a more detailed outworking of the agreed guidelines.
5 There has also been continuing co-operation with the Church and Society Committee on the subject of ageing. In this International Year of the Older Person we are pleased to offer the church suggestions for worship materials. The leaflet, compiled by Basil Bridge and called ‘Celebrating the Gift of Years’, was made available to all ministers and lay preachers, and we thank him for his work. There will be a theological colloquy on the spiritual aspects of ageing at Windermere this autumn, to be chaired by Raymond Clarke, whom we thank for initiating the thinking on this subject within the United Reformed Church.
6 The work of the Windermere Centre has continued to flourish:
6.1.1 The Windermere Centre continues to grow in volume, diversity, facilities and influence. The 1997 internal review of the organisation and staffing of the Centre has continued to benefit the Centre and its users. Our foresight in appointing a Locum Director will pay off as the Centre Director assumes his office as Moderator of General Assembly. We congratulate Peter on his reappointment as Centre Director and look forward to his re-invigorated return to us!
6.1.2 Occupancy has once again increased, with over 2000 people travelling to us last year, and confirming that Windermere is the place to be! Financial targets were again met. Further rooms were converted to provide en-suite facilities, and more improved facilities are provided for the physically disadvantaged. Office accommodation has been expanded without losing any guest rooms.
6.1.3 The earlier work by the Director and the Advisory Group on a Development Plan for the Centre’s second decade is leading to some exciting possibilities. These are now being followed up in some detail in close co-operation with our Windermere United Reformed Church. The Centre is committed to helping to equip congregations and their members to minister effectively to and with our rapidly changing communities and society, and to provide a place for reflection, retreat, and recreation. This is the context in which new ways of expressing mission locally and nationally are being explored against the background of theological reflection and personal ministry, which are also part of the Centre programme.
6.1.4 We need to say ‘thank you’ to many people - our staff, our Contact people, our leaders and visitors, our advisers, those who so generously provide donations to the Hannah Fund to assist some visitors in coming to the Centre. We do so warmly - more warmly than we can express in words.
6.2 The committee wishes Peter McIntosh well during this demanding year as Assembly Moderator.
7 Forum continues to make a valuable contribution to our life:
7.1 Another successful conference was held in August 1998, with the theme of ‘Taking the Strain’. The theme leader, Janet Wootton, ably led the conference by showing how the bible fits in with the stresses and strains of everyday life. Almost 220 people enjoyed a week which included serious discussion as well as time to relax - sport and walks, disco and folk dancing, quiz, Songs of Praise and the time to sit and chat to friends old and new. This year’s conference (21-27 August) is celebrating 50 years since the founding of Forum as well as looking towards the Millennium, and has the theme ‘Going for Go(l)d’, led by Rev Murdoch MacKenzie. Bookings are already high, and it is possible that a waiting list will have to be put into effect. (Contact Jen Sturtridge, The Parsonage, Parsonage Street, Dursley, GLll 4BJ for more details.)
8 At the end of this year we shall bid farewell to the Revd Michael Cruchley. Michael has served both the United Reformed Church and the Methodist Church as Rural Consultant, building up considerable knowledge and expertise. He has been an energetic and committed colleague, and we pray for him as he moves to a new sphere of ministry. He writes:
8.1 Ecumenical The work of the Churches Rural Group, a co-ordinating group of Churches Together in England but which has members from Scotland and Wales as well, continues to develop. At the beginning of 1999 the group made a submission to the Government as it started to prepare yet another White Paper on the Countryside. The group has also welcomed the principle of the Food Standards Agency and will watch its development with great interest. The group has also shared the response of the Arthur Rank Centre to the appeal for a day of prayer for the farming community. This will have taken place by the time of Assembly, but Rogation Sunday each year is an important opportunity for all of us to think of, and pray for those who are involved in agriculture and horticulture world-wide as they provide of our food.
8.2 Farming The past year has been a very difficult one for those involved in farming, with very severe decline in real income for most of them. The need for careful pastoral care for all those who are affected by the crisis has seldom been greater,
8.3 International In my report last year I mentioned the Conference to be held in August concerning Rural Culture and Spirituality. We were delighted to have a visit at the Conference from our Moderator, Mrs Wilma Frew. Over 100 participants shared in the Conference and there is a report available (at the cost of £6.50) from the Arthur Rank Centre. The Conference also launched the International Rural Church Ecumenical Association (yes, we are working on a different name!) to enable the sharing of insights and expertise across the World. I have been appointed as its first Secretary, and my visit on behalf of the U R C. to the C.W.M. Education in Mission School on engaging the church in mission in a rural context has been most helpful in extending this network.
8.4 Briefing As in recent years, it is my intention to produce a briefing paper on the prospects for Harvest 1999. It will be available in late August - it cannot be produced earlier because I depend on knowing how the harvest actually is rather than what it is thought it might be! Several people have asked for earlier publication, but that is impossible if the facts are to be taken into account! District Secretaries will be sent copies.
8.5 Mission As I come to the end of my time as Rural Consultant I reflect that there are those within our churches who grasp the concept of mission to smaller, and usually definable, communities. Such mission does make demands of time and energy, but is rewarding to those who do it and those who receive care. I thank God for them. However, there are some who have, it seems, failed to grasp this and see that because our rural churches are often small, they are less significant. This has sapped the confidence of rural churches and I hope that my successor will try, as I have, to encourage them in their very local mission. The rural church has a vital role to play in our rural communities who frequently turn to the churches for support and encouragement. We must not fail these congregations, but encourage them to be creative in their work- within their host communities. It will take energy and time from our leaders, but I believe that effort will be richly rewarded.
8.6 The Revd John Clarke In 1981, John Clarke became our Rural Consultant and worked as a Methodist Minister in a pioneering ministry amongst us. His appointment was a shared one between our two denominations, as mine has been. This year, John retires after 11 years as Director of the Arthur Rank Centre and the United Reformed Church thanks him for his service to the rural church over many years, and wishes him every blessing in his retirement.
9 Whether in small churches or large, inner city, rural village or suburb, we share one mission as we serve one Lord. The committee is ready to respond to the mission priorities of the church, encouraging confidence in the gospel, a readiness to articulate what we believe in a way that can be understood, and a willingness to engage with the community in an authentically Christian way.
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