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
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
Ministers from other denominations
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)
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
Withdrawal of Call
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
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
Related content
Ministers’ Gathering
The URC Ministers’ Gathering takes place every four years. Download resources and watch videos from the 2022 event
The Manual
The Manual is the handbook of the URC and covers our Union, local churches, baptism, communion, the General Assembly, ministries and more
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