United Reformed Church

What is Church Related Community Work?

Church related community work is a distinctive and recognised ministry within the United Reformed Church and CRCW’s play a vital role in the denomination’s community involvement. URC CRCW’s are called by God, professionally and theologically trained and then commissioned to help the church to live out its calling.

CRCW’s use the principles of community development to respond to and challenge the issues facing their particular neighbourhoods and communities and work alongside a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations, developing initiatives and projects to transform individuals, churches and communities.

Between them, CRCW’s enable churches to widen their mission by:

  • identifying local needs and opportunities;
  • confronting injustice;
  • organising community action;
  • developing and supporting initiatives that improve the lives and wellbeing of local people;
  • and theologically reflecting upon that action.
Two people setting up toys on a table

Find out more about Church Related Community Work (CRCW), what it involves and what it can mean for your church and local area:

  • Is recognised by the United Reformed Church as a distinctive, exciting and challenging ministry and vocation.
  • Shares in God’s vision of the Church as an agent of social change.
  • Recognises where the Gospel is being lived out by people and communities, even if they do not use the name of God.
  • Is not intended as a means of increasing church membership or imposing values
  • Involves commitment to justice and peace and is not afraid of costly involvement with people.
  • Is a challenge to both an insular Church and an uncaring society – it is not for those who want an easy life!

  • Church Related Community Workers are community developers who enable the church to work within its local neighbourhood. CRCWs are not employed by the church to only work on its behalf or with church members, they are there for everyone!
  • CRCWs are called by God, assessed, professionally trained and paid, qualified and commissioned to an accredited church-in-community. They work as equal colleagues with Ministers of Word and Sacraments.

  • Work in partnership with local congregations, church members, elders and Ministers of Word and Sacraments to
    help the church become more involved with its neighbourhood.
  • Enable local churches to work with individuals and community groups, residents’ and housing associations, schools, voluntary and statutory organisations.

Your church will become:

  • more concerned with mission than with maintenance.
  • more outward looking.
  • a building used by many different groups.
  • a resource for community activities.
  • prepared to see God involved in society, not just with the Church.
  • equipped for community action.
  • trusted and respected by the local community.
  • vibrant, buzzing and a place where all are welcome.

CRCWs are paid a stipend from the URC Maintenance of Ministry fund and ongoing training is funded via the Education for Ministry programme. However, local costs, including housing, travel and administration, are met locally.

Change will not happen overnight – but it will happen! A CRCW works in partnership with the church, not as an  individual working on behalf of the church.

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United Reformed Church