United Reformed Church

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Ministries

Help, support and advice for ministers and church related community workers. Policy documents are being updated. For further information, please email the Ministries office

The Plan for Partnership

The Plan for Partnership provides a unified scheme for the remuneration of stipendiary ministers and church related community workers

Ministers’ pension fund

A guide to the pension fund, fund updates, key documents and our annual newsletter

The candidating process

Guidance and support for those who are part of the candidating process for Ministry

Conduct and behaviour

Guidelines on conduct and behaviour for Ministers of Word and Sacraments

Information setting down the expectations of Ministers of Word and Sacraments within the URC

Guidelines on conduct and behaviour for Church Related Community Workers

Information setting down the expectations of Church Related Community Workers (CRCWs) within the URC

Guidelines on conduct and behaviour for Elders

Information setting down the expectations of Elders in relation to Ministers of Word and Sacrament and CRCWs within the URC

Guidelines on conduct and behaviour for accredited and recognised lay preachers

Information setting down expectations of accredited lay preachers in relation to Ministers of Word and Sacraments, CRCWs and Elders within the URC

Guidelines on conduct and behaviour of Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneers

Information setting down the expectations of Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneers in relation to Ministers of Words and Sacraments, CRCWS, Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers, and Elders

Disciplinary Policy for Office Holders

Read or download the United Reformed Church Disciplinary Policy for office holders

Safer recruitment

Safer recruitment of Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers

Find out more about the process for the safer recruitment and accreditation of Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers

Guidelines on the safer election of Elders

Read or download our current guidelines on the safer election of Elders

Safer recruitment and accreditation of Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneers

Find out more about the process for the safer recruitment and accreditation of Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneers

The process to become an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher

Find more about the process of becoming an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher

Guidelines for the Safer Recruitment of those who lead worship

Read or download the URC’s guidelines for the safer recruitment of those who lead worship in our churches

Marks of Ministry

Marks of Ministry of a Worship Leader and Lay Preacher

Guidance on recognising the Marks of Ministry of a Worship Leader or a Lay Preacher

Marks of Ministry of an Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneer

Guidance on recognising the Marks of Ministry of an Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneer

Marks of Ministry of a Minister of Word and Sacraments

Guidance on recognising the Marks of Ministry of a Minister of Word and Sacrament

Marks of Ministry of an Elder

Guidance on recognising the Marks of Ministry of an Elder and the Marks of Ministry of an Elder’s Meeting

CRCW Core Competencies

Download a PDF (106kb) of the core competencies for a Church Related Community Work minister in the URC.

Movement of Ministers

The Movement of Ministers

Read or download advice and guidelines on the Movement of Ministers

The Movement of CRCWs

Read or download advice and guidelines on the Movement of Church Related Community Workers (CRCWs)

Ministers from other denominations

Certificates for Limited Service Procedure

Guidance on the use of Certifcates for Limited Service to allow ministers of other churches to serve local pastorates and posts in the URC

Certificates of Eligibility

The procedure for the issue of Certificate of Eligibility to a minister or another church and entry of that minister onto the Roll Of Ministers of the URC

Health, wellbeing and retirement

Pastoral Supervision Policy for Ministers

An overview of the URC’s Pastoral Supervision Policy for Ministers and its requirements to encourage exploratory and reflective practice by ministers

Sickness Absence Policy and Procedure

The URC aims to support ministers and Church Related Community Workers during periods of sickness absence, and to provide help and guidance towards returning to work

Ministerial Capability Process

A pastoral framework to maintain satisfactory performance standards and to encourage improvement where necessary

Extension to Stipendiary Ministerial Service beyond the Normal Retirement Age

The procedure to the extension to stipendiary ministerial service beyond the normal retirement age. Please note, this was formerly called Duty to Consider

Local Mission and Ministry Review

Read or download the URC’s Local Mission and Ministry Review

Withdrawal of Call

Withdrawal of Call

An outline of the URC’s process for when a Call is withdrawn

Process for Reconfiguring Pastorates and Scopings

Read or download the URC’s process for reconfiguring pastorates and scopings

Roll of Ministers policies and procedures

Roll of Ministers

The scope of this policy refers to Ministers of Word and Sacraments and Church Related Community Workers of the URC

Active Ministers Policy 

Read or download guidance on the definition of Active Ministers in the United Reformed Church

Ministers on More than One Roll

Guidance and advice for when a Minister is on the roll of more than one church

Process for reinstatement to the Roll of Ministers

Read or download the the United Reformed Church process for the reinstatement to the Roll of Ministers

Other types of ministry

Special Category Ministries

Find out more about Special Category Ministries in the United Reformed Church

Chaplaincy

Find out more about chaplaincy at the URC and how to find out what chaplaincy opportunities are available

Guidelines for Elders in Local Leadership

Read or download the URC’s guidelines for elders in local leadership

Miscellaneous

URC Confidentiality Policy

Procedures and principles to be used by anyone who exercises a role within, or on behalf of, the URC when dealing with confidential and personal information

Gift Policy

Read or download the URC’s gift policy for Ministers of Word and Sacraments and Church Related Community Workers

House for Duty

Read the House for Duty policy and download the House for Duty template

Ministerial Exchange

The URC’s protocol and process for ministerial exchange, an Exchange Agreement and a helpful checklist

Transfer from Non-Stipendiary Ministry to Stipendiary Ministry

The process for the transfer from non-stipendary ministry to stipendary ministry for ministers of the Word and Sacraments and Church Related Community Workers

Ordinations and Inductions of Elders during the Covid-19 restrictions

Read the URC’s guidance on the ordination and induction of Elders during Covid-19 restrictions

Virtual funerals – liturgies and words for our digital world

A compilation of resources that ministers and worship leaders may find helpful in a wide range of pastoral situations

Ministries Papers Index

Ministries Papers Index

An index of the Ministries Papers since 1972 (PDF | 79kb)

Related content

Ministers’ Gathering

The URC Ministers’ Gathering takes place every four years. Download resources and watch videos from the 2022 event

Open book

The Manual

The Manual is the handbook of the URC and covers our Union, local churches, baptism, communion, the General Assembly, ministries and more

Hands playing an electric keyboard

URC Worship Book

Material for Holy Communions, Baptisms, Confirmations, weddings, funerals, ordinations, inductions, and public worship

Guidance for churches & synods

Guidance and support on church finance, employment, record keeping and GDPR

Education & Learning

Enabling lifelong learning for all God’s people through resources, opportunities and training

Safeguarding

Safeguarding people is a core part of the URC’s mission. Find out what we do to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable members of society

Useful websites

Retired Ministers’ Housing Society

The RMHS looks after retired or former URC ministers or their widowed partners who, due to age, ill health, disability or financial hardship, are in need of housing or housing assistance

United Reformed Church