Beliefs
of the United Reformed Church
A Member's viewpoint
The United Reformed Church's beliefs in the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus and the Nicean creed are common to those of all the main Christian Churches in the UK (The Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, the Society of Friends (Quakers) etc. etc.).
The difference between these Churches and the United Reformed Church (URC) vary, but the key points are that the URC:
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does not see the Pope or any other individual as a supreme authority for religious decisions on earth. Instead we pray, read the Holy Bible and attempt to determine God's message to us, here and now.
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that we see our ministers as 'First among Equals'; individuals who persuade rather than dictate. Churches in the URC respect their minister's leadership, but the decision making body for each church is the family of members - the Church - who make decisions at Church Meetings and meetings of the 'Elders' (elected leaders from the Congregation).
At Knowle, our actual building was traditionally called 'the Chapel', but most members now use the term 'Church'. Our service is similar to that in most churches; it has hymns, a sermon, bible readings and prayers. Hence the major differences between us and other main stream Churches is how services are carried out. We can use Lay preachers, readings made by members of the congregation, Communion during which all are invited to take part at the same time, including the minister and elders (we use individual glasses for the 'blood of Christ').
Graham Tall
The Official URC viewpoint
Through a series of unions over the past 35 years, the United Reformed Church has brought together English Presbyterians, Congregationalists from England, Scotland and Wales as well as members of the Churches of Christ. One hundred thousand people make up 1600 congregations, with more than 700 ministers, paid and unpaid.
Although one of the smaller mainstream denominations in Britain, the United Reformed Church plays a dynamic and challenging part in the country’s Christian life. It seeks to work with Christians of all traditions, believing that all God’s people should be one. It is committed to theological and cultural diversity.
Worldwide, more than 70 million Christians are members of the Reformed family of churches, the largest Protestant tradition. We call ourselves Reformed because our churches began to emerge with reform movements in the sixteenth century.
For information...
Appointment and message of
the General Secretary of the United Reformed Church
Date: Friday 7 March 2008
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The United Reformed Church has appointed the Revd Roberta Rominger as its general secretary. She is the first woman to hold the post in the Church, or in any of its predecessor denominations.
Roberta Rominger said “I am passionate about the vision of a Church that is enthusiastically engaged with the world. I believe God speaks and acts in the world today. The Church’s life should reflect this God, who is committed to hope, justice and human flourishing.
“Among the members of the United Reformed Church, are many creative, inspiring and intellectually and spiritually alive people. It is a privilege to be called to lead them”.
Roberta Rominger trained for ministry in the USA , and was ordained in California , in the United Church of Christ. She came to Britain in 1985 and has been a minister in the United Reform ed Church ever since, serving as Moderator of the Thames North Synod for the past ten years.
She will take up the post in July. She replaces the Revd Dr David Cornick , who is to become general secretary of Churches Together in England , an appointment that reflects the United Reform ed Church commitment to ecumenism.
Roberta Rominger is also an accomplished cellist, with a special love of chamber music. Congregationalists, Presbyterians and members of the Churches of Christ have come together in a series of unions since 1972, to form the United Reformed Church. |
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None ever had a woman as its general secretary or most senior staff member, although the Congregational Union of England and Wales was the first mainstream denomination in Britain to ordain a woman, as long ago as 1917.