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THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Where do we come from?

The United Reformed Church is one of the smaller mainstream denominations – but although it is small it plays a dynamic and challenging part in the British Christian community. It continues to punch above its weight.

It was formed in 1972 by English Presbyterians and English and Welsh Congregationalists – that is nearly 50 years ago. In 1981 this union was joined by the Churches of Christ and then in 2000 by Scottish Congregationalists.

The original vision was one which would bring unity across all our denominations – and it was envisaged that our union would be transitional – not that we would form a separate denomination. But as we all know – ecumenism has moved on and our vision now is one of working together, celebrating the unity which we know in diversity. And we are left with a rather cumbersome title – The United Reformed Church.

We have also discovered that it takes a lot of energy and time to make such organic unity work – take as an example the differences in churchmanship among Congregationalists, Presbyterians and the Churches of Christ. The transitions have been painful for many – but the lessons and the outcome surely fruitful

The URC seeks to work with all traditions and rejoices in being part of more than 400 Local Ecumenical Partnerships (Methodist, Anglicans, Baptists and others). It is also committed to theological and cultural diversity – valuing and holding together different insights and understandings. The Statement of Faith and Order, found in the Rejoice and Sing hymnal at number 761, helps us to understand this and to see how it works out in practice.

Please read more

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