The United Reformed Church: - A Paradoxical Church at a Crossroads

The aim was to achieve, within the constraints of the project, a cross section of the denomination, capturing the shared challenges and opportunities, the diversity (theological, 12 Introduction churchmanship, and ethnic) and different levels of flourishing within the denomination. [...] The marks of successful community outreach that we came across include (1) intentionally listening to the needs of the community; (2) recognising the assets of the community; (3) creatively deploying the assets of the congregation, and (4) working as much as possible in partnership with the community, in a model of mutual, rather than unidirectional service. [...] A culture of listening and collective discernment How is the URC organised? The URC was formed in 1972 through the union of the Congregational Church in England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church of England. [...] The Church Meeting is composed of all the members of the local church and is responsible for making decisions on matters such as the appointment of ministers, the use of church buildings, and the allocation of funds. [...] A large number of interviewees said the URC is “top heavy”, with structures and modes of operation that are in tension with the congregational and grass-roots ethos of the church and the need of a denomination experiencing decline.