In its previous existences the United Reformed Church has produced five editions of the Manual.  The Unifying Assembly in Glasgow in April this year provided the stimulus for this new edition. Account has been taken of all the relevant decisions taken then and at the annual meeting of the General Assembly in July.

Sections A to D contain the foundation documents of the Church.  They have been agreed by the General Assembly - or in the case of section D by Act of Parliament - and they can only be changed by the body which agreed them. They apply throughout the United Reformed Church.  Sections E and F contain guidance which the Assembly has given from time to time.

The sections on the General Assembly (G-J) are intended to explain how the Assembly works through committees, and then to indicate Assembly policy on ministerial remuneration, pastoral matters and equal opportunities.

The sections on Ministries and Training (K and L) have been prepared by the committees responsible for these areas and contain information on current policies and procedures.Section M contains information for local churches.  The topics covered are very varied.  Most of the information is of a legal nature.

The index of Assembly resolutions (N) is intended to help those who want to know what the Assembly has decided on a particular topic.  However it is by no means a complete record of all decisions.  The references are to the Assembly Record of the relevant year: those who do not have copies are referred to their synod office.

Section O contains the Disciplinary Process for ministers, which has been approved by the General Assembly.  This is essential reading for anyone involved in a disciplinary matter in any way, or who thinks it possible that they might be so involved.

October 2000

M) Information for Local Churches

DIVORCED AND SEPARATED SPOUSES OF MINISTERS

Pastoral care at the time of divorce or separation

The pastoral support of divorced and separated ministers, their spouses and families, is a responsibility shared by the local church, relevant pastoral committees, and the synod moderator. It is vital that they all work together because it is extremely unlikely that any one of them has the information and resources to give all the help needed. The following check list is offered:

(a) There must be an early consultation between the local church, relevant pastoral committees(s) and synod moderator. Any of them should feel free to initiate it but it is essential that the synod moderator is brought in from the outset.

(b) The synod moderator will have knowledge of and access to appropriate financial resources in the synod or in Assembly funds. She/he also has access to the Assembly Pastoral Reference Committee which may need to be consulted (through its Secretary) about the details of the case or about resources available. S/he should also have information concerning groups (such as Broken Rites) which can provide expert continuing support.

(c) Separate sources of support for each of the parties must be identified and agreed quickly, and channels of communication established. Both the minister and spouse need to know what is proposed and be able to comment on it.

(d) The District Council may need to arrange for a representative to be present (and possibly take the chair) at church and elders' meetings dealing with the consequences of divorce or separation.

(e) Care needs to be taken not to prejudice the legal position of either of the parties by the church taking hasty of uninformed action.

(f) The parties need to have accurate and up-to-date information on their rights and responsibilities. Anyone helping them should direct them to a reliable source. The local branch of the Citizen's Advice Bureau is often the best place.

(g) No action in regard to the occupation of the manse by other than the minister should be taken without legal advice and consultation with the District Council and trustees.

Good practice _ Safeguarding children and young people

In 1994 the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church passed the following resolution:

Assembly, recognising the value of the Good Practice pack, urges every local congregation to discuss the material as a matter of urgency and implement the good practice suggested, as part of the church's obligation to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children and young people involved in its life.

The pack, containing advice for action by Elders and Church Meeting, sample forms and recommendations, was sent to every local church. Updates and adjustments have been made and widely publicised. URCHIN (United Reformed Children's Information Network) a thrice-yearly publication from the Youth and Children's Work office carries the latest information. The current pack is available from the United Reformed Church bookshop. Support in tackling the issues is available through Synods and Districts. The Youth and Children's Work Trainers are able to offer training events. The Kaleidoscope training material, for those working with children in the church, contains a section on safeguarding.

A further resolution was passed at the General Assembly in 1997:

General Assembly resolves to ensure that the aims of the document 'Good Practice' are implemented and monitored in the life of local churches of the United Reformed Church through the Provincial Synods and District Councils overseen by the Assembly Youth and Children's Work Committee.

This monitoring process continues.

Further information can be obtained through the Youth and Children's Work Office.

The Youth & Children's Work Committee recommends the following handbooks be used as reference guides:-

AMAZE (Association of Christian Youth & Children's Workers) Employment Manual
PO Box 5898
Hinckley LE10 2YX
www.amaze.org.uk

NCVO Good Employment Guide for the Voluntary Sector
NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations)
Regents Wharf
8 All Saints Street
London N1 9RL

YMCA Children's Work Handbook
YMCA England Programme Development Department
3-9 Southampton Row
London WC1B 5HA

The Youth & Children's Work Office has bought into the schemes nationally. Youth and Children's Work training officers hold copies for each Synod. Churches may want to join the various schemes individually and should do so by subscribing direct.

Ecclesiastical Exemption

The Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Order applies to Listed Buildings and buildings in Conservation Areas belonging to The United Reformed Church. From lst January 1995 local churches and others in control of such buildings who are proposing to carry out any work upon them must comply with the relevant procedures. These are being operated on a synodical basis. The Procedure document itself appears on the URC website at Our Work - Property Matters, omitting the detailed appeals procedure. You may also refer to your Synod Office for a complete copy and for the explanatory Guidelines and Flowchart and for general information about the steps which you will need to take.Back

Food Regulations

Under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991, those in charge of premises where food is sold on five or more days, whether consecutive or not, in any period of five consecutive weeks, have a duty to apply for registration of those premises with the appropriate local authority.

It is not necessary to register where the only food being supplied consists of beverages, or biscuits, crisps and other similar dry products which do not need preparation.

However churches which supply food on a regular basis, such as luncheon clubs etc, will need to register.For more detailed information churches should contact the Environmental Health Department of their local authority.

Employment law and the status of stipendiary ministers

1. From time to time the question of the status of stipendiary ministers under employment law arises and the purpose of this paper is to set out the position.

2. Under UK Law ministers are not regarded as employed but as holders of an office.

3. A minister is called to serve a pastorate, the call being concurred with by the District Council. The terms of the agreement with the congregation, in accordance with the minister's ordination promises, will include a requirement to lead the Church in worship, to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments, to exercise pastoral care and oversight, to take a part in the councils of the Church, and to give leadership to the Church in its mission to the world. (Basis of Union, Schedule C, question 7. The structures of the United Reformed Church require a minister normally to preside at Church and Elders' meetings. Although a minister is also expected to undertake many other duties at unspecified times, the minister's relationship with the local congregation and with the United Reformed Church as whole does not amount, for the purposes of employment law, to a contract of service.

4. The question of the minister's employment status was probably academic until 30 or so years ago when legislation began to give greater rights to employees (e.g. over tenure of employment) and all employees are now entitled, in the terms of Employment Rights Act 1996 (which incorporated earlier legislation), to receive written terms and conditions of employment. By its very nature, the work of a minister does not lend itself to such regulation, and ministers have not, so far, been caught up in the employment legislation.

5. There have been a number of cases before employment tribunals and higher courts where ministers have claimed that they have been improperly dismissed from an employment situation. These claims have never been upheld by the courts. So far as we are aware, although these cases have affected Presbyterian Church of Wales and Methodist ministers and, particularly, Anglican priests, there has never been such a case involving a United Reformed Church minister.

6. The situation is not different for ministers called to central appointments or to appointments within synod, except where a minister takes a position in a non-pastoral role, where both the church and the minister will enter into a contract of employment.

7. Ministers and Income Tax

As holders of an office, ministers fall to be assessed to tax under schedule E (PAYE) in respect of the emoluments arising directly from their service to the Church.

8. Ministers and National Insurance

Prior to 1978 ministers were regarded as being self-employed, and they paid self-employed National Insurance contributions. With the introduction, in 1978, of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) it became apparent that it was appropriate for ministers to be regarded as employed persons for National Insurance purposes only and the Churches Main Committee negotiated the appropriate change in designation. This did not change the minister's status as a holder of an office.

Minibus and coaches carrying children

Churches which use minibuses or coaches to transport children and young people should be aware of legislation regarding the drivers of such vehicles and the requirements regarding seat belts.

Documents can be obtained from the Department of Transport, VSE 6, 2/06 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR.

More general advice and information can be sought from: The Community Transport Association Advice & Information Services Highbank Halton Street Hyde Cheshire SK14 2NY

Copyright and local churches

All materials, words, music and illustrations, during the lifetime of an author or composer and for a period of 50 years after death, are covered by the Copyright Act of 1988. In July 1995 the period was extended to 70 years after death.

Permission must be obtained in writing for all items used which are within the 70 year time limit, and since such permissions are given or withheld at the discretion of the copyright holder, an application must be made and a reply received, before the printing of a service sheet or any other kind of publication. Such permission may include the payment of a fee, specific wording and a note as to the positioning of an acknowledgement. Music or material to be included in a publication intended for re-sale will usually be subject to a more detailed application to the copyright holder and the payment of a larger fee or royalty. These conditions also apply to Overhead Transparencies. The Bible, in the Authorised Version is in perpetual copyright and permission must be sought before any part, longer than one verse, is reproduced. All other versions are covered by the Copyright Act.

Service sheets for special occasions, including weddings, funerals, ordinations and inductions etc are subject to the same regulations, although for a funeral permission may be sought by telephone. For these occasions the fee is sometimes waived.

Photocopying pre-printed material is totally illegal without permission. The rights to the page image of any publication are held by the body responsible for the work for 25 years after the date of the last printing; eg the United Reformed Church retains the page rights of Congregational Praise (last printing 1978) and the Book of Services (1980) both of which are now out of print, as well as the Service Book (1989). In addition to obtaining permission to photocopy from the body responsible, copyright will also need to be cleared for each item used which falls within the time limits listed above. The copyright holder for the volume is generally shown on the reverse of the title page and individual copyright holders are listed separately, or where requested, alongside each item.

New arrangements of copyright material, words or music, can only be made and circulated after written permission is obtained from the copyright holder.

Some material, deemed to be in the Public Domain, which may be freely used in magazines etc is available in books, magazines, computer programmes and on websites. This is usually labelled as 'copyright free'.

The Christian Copyright Licensing Association administers the Copyright Licence Scheme which covers most, but not all, publishers of hymns. For the payment of an annual fee and the completion of an annual return, material covered by the scheme may be used freely. Separate schemes are operated for words and music.

Tape recordings of services or other live worship which are for PERSONAL USE ONLY, may be made without the need to obtain copyright clearance. However, churches which record services for the elderly or housebound should obtain a licence. Licences for both audio and visual tapes are available from Christian Copyright Licensing, PO Box 1339, Eastbourne BN21 1AD.

Following the General Assembly 1996 a group copyright licence to cover the reproduction in service sheets, on display boards and through overhead projector slides and similar mechanical means, of the words of hymns, songs and other worship material, which fall within the scope of the licence, and the recording of acts of worship on audio and video tape, in all local churches of the United Reformed Church which agree to opt into the scheme and to meet their share of the costs of the annual licence fee has been negotiated.

Proposed Law Changes for using Commercial Sound Recordings

As you may be aware, there have been some proposed changes to the licensing laws regarding the use of commercial sound recordings (CDs, cassettes etc) in churches.  Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) can confirm that the amendments are due to become law from 1st January 2011 provided that a further period of Government consultation does not result in any changes. It is also our understanding the new laws, enforced by Phonographic Performance Ltd, will probably not affect churches until January 2012.  

CCLI is in discussions with PPL regarding the administration of these new licences.  Any news regarding any additional licences for your church will be made available in the new year.  Please contact CCLI on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +44 (0)1323 436100 should you require any further information at this time.

PERFORMING RIGHTS SOCIETY (PRS) LICENCE

Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) are now the agents for PRS Church Licences.

A PRS Church Licence is needed for churches and church halls where the playing of, or permitting the use of, music of almost any kind takes place. It is now the responsibility of the Church to obtain the licence.

"Music Use" includes one or more of the following : concerts and recitals; discos, dances and karioke sessions, areobic; keep fit or dancing classes; film or video shows; background music by means or television, radio ; tape recorders, CD, video players and juke boxes at such events as coffee mornings, youth clubs, fetes, bazaars etc .

Where music is strictly confined to Divine Worship only, PRS will not press for a licence to be obtained for the time being. However should this decision be changed the PRS Church Licence covering secular performances will be deemed to cover music at Divine Worship without distinction or further charge.

For further information and advice about copyright, please contact the

Secretary for Communications
86 Tavistock Place
London WC1H 9RT

J) The Plan for Partnership in Ministerial Remuneration

The Plan for Partnership in Ministerial Remuneration was first approved by Assembly in 1980 and has been revised by it from time to time since.The Plan explains how ministers' stipends are financed, as well as giving information on stipends, housing allowances, resettlement grants, holiday entitlements, and similar financial matters. It is an essential reference point for treasurers and ministers in particular.Because the details of the Plan change frequently, it is no longer being included in the paper version of the Manual. Finance maintain an up-to-date version of the Plan for Partnership on this site, or a copy can be requested from the Finance office at Church House.