Vision2020

In 2010 the United Reformed Church adopted a ten-year strategic framework for mission called vision2020. Its aim was to encourage and support mission planning at every level of the Church: local, synod and Assembly. Vision2020 included ten priorities for mission and offered them to local churches to help them identify one or two mission priorities that were particularly relevant to their context.

Ten priorities for mission

1. Spirituality and prayer

We will grow in our practice of prayer and spirituality, nurturing strength for our witness to Jesus Christ, and developing our discernment of where God is and what God is calling us to do by reading and studying the Bible and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Identity

The URC will be a Church where every local congregation will be able to say who they are, what they do and why they do it

3. Christian Ecumenical Partnerships

We will be more confident in our identity, valuing the treasures of our tradition, discerning when to seek ecumenical partnerships, and when and how to seek the further unity of the Church

4. Community partnerships

We will be a Church that is more active in the life of local neighbourhoods

5. Hospitality and diversity

We will be a Church committed to becoming even more welcoming and hospitable, and embracing all people equally.

6. Evangelism

We will be more confident to engage in evangelism, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God with friends, families and strangers, through story and action

7. Church growth

We will be a growing Church with an increasing membership.

8. Global partnerships

We will be a Church that is an active partner in God’s global mission with other Churches around the world

9. Justice and peace

We will be a Church committed to peacemaking and reconciliation that keeps faith with the poor and challenges injustice

10. The integrity of creation

We will be a Church that has taken significant steps to safeguard the integrity of creation, to sustain and renew the life of the earth.

Vision2020 also aimed to make sure that the Church’s resources for mission are used most effectively. Therefore churches that had identified their mission priorities and made their mission plan using vision2020 were asked to share those with their synod and with the mission team at Church House.

Further information

For more information about vision2020 download our leaflet Have you got 2020vision? (PDF | 2mb) and the vision2020 report to the General Assembly (2010) (PDF | 393kb)