Special Category Ministries

Special Category Ministries are outside any deployment quotas; they are in addition to ordained ministry being exercised by the vast majority of ministers in local pastorates. The ‘special category’ posts represent an attempt by the Church to recognise its missionary task on the ‘frontiers’ of industry or education and in the face of social need. They are ‘special’ only for the purposes of deployment. It is important that this post is seen as part of the Synod’s mission strategy, and the application should indicate how this is so.

Special Category Ministry posts are broadly of three kinds and your ministry will fall into one of the three categories:

• new or priority areas of outreach where pioneering work is required and where it would not be appropriate to expect the Synod to provide a minister from the existing deployment quota;
• chaplaincies: ministers in ‘workplace’ ministry or in educational institutions, often universities;
• innovative ministry in unique situations.

Ministers of Word and Sacraments in a Special Category Ministry are officer holders of the United Reformed Church. They serve in accredited posts with the agreement of the local church (or groups of churches) and Synod. The post is for a five-year term in the first instance. This may be extended for a second five-year term only.

The work of the post is managed locally by a management group. The postholder will also have a support group.

The management group will meet with the post holder at least every six weeks in order to direct her or his work and progress the mission of the post. One of the members of the management group will be the postholder’s Line Manager. In order to evaluate the work/mission of the post, there will be regular reviews.

The Accreditations Sub-Committee is responsible for the oversight of the post and will maintain contact with all accredited posts through the Development Worker (CRCW & SCM).

Any Synod wishing to make an initial enquiry concerning a possible project should contact [email protected].