The United Reformed Church is a Union of...
- the Congregational Church in England and Wales; (united in
1972)
- the Presbyterian Church of England; (united in 1972)
- the Re-formed Association of Churches of Christ. (joined in
1981)
- the Congregational Union of Scotland (joined in April 2000)
The United Reformed Church stands in the Reformed tradition
of Christian faith...
- believes in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
- finds the supreme authority for faith and conduct by the guidance
of the Spirit in the Word of God in the Bible;
- looks to be continually renewed and reformed so as to fulfil
its mission of witness and service in the name of Jesus Christ;
- is governed by councils of Ministers and Elders, not by individuals
(such as Bishops);
- safeguards the equality of all Ministers: there is no hierarchy;
- practises both infant and believer's baptism and celebrates
the Lord's Supper;
- recognises the ministry of God's people: all the members serving
in the world and through the church, in particular: ministers
of Word and Sacrament, elders, lay preachers, church related community
workers (CRCWs), and workers from partner churches.
- shares with other churches as part of the World Council of Churches,
and 'Churches Together in...' at local, regional and national
levels.
The United Reformed Church stands in a large world-wide grouping called the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Together with the World Lutheran Federation, the other international grouping of Reformed Churches, this makes up the largest family of Churches in the world.
Click here to learn more about the Reformed Tradition.
Click here to learn more about some of the Reformers.
Click here to return to the "About our Church" page.
Click here to return to the "What we say" page.