Exploring Ministry

Ministers of Word and Sacraments serve in a stipendiary or non-stipendiary capacity and may work alongside the elders or in a team with other stipendiary or non-stipendiary colleagues. Local church ministry is exercised in an individual church, or a group/team, which may be ecumenical and/or in a team with Church Related Community Workers or local church leaders.

There are four models of Non-Stipendiary Service, these various models all help individuals who may not feel that full-time ministry is for them:

1. Service in a congregation as part of a team;

2. Pastoral charge of a small congregation;

3. Ministers in secular employment;

4. Locally Ordained Ministry (i.e. To a particular setting).

Being an elder means you are called to be part of a ‘team’, since an elder is someone who joins with others to form the elders’ meeting of the local congregation.

The functions of eldership in the United Reformed Church have been laid down in the Basis of Union, with the main ones being to foster in the congregation concern for witness and service to the community, evangelism at home and abroad, Christian education, ecumenical action, local inter-church relations and the wider responsibilities of the whole church;to see that public worship is regularly offered and the sacraments are duly administered, and generally to promote the welfare of the congregation; and to ensure pastoral care for the congregation, in which the minister is joined by elders having responsibility for groups of members.

One elder is usually the Church Secretary, another the Treasurer, the remainder often fill up roles specific to the needs of the local church.

Assembly Accreditation is given to those leading worship and preaching in URC churches who have undertaken an approved practical and theoretical training including experience of leading public worship. They will have been commended by their own church and by their Synod and approved by the United Reformed Church’s Accreditation sub-committee.

This accreditation will be affirmed at a Commissioning service, normally at the lay preacher’s own church, and acknowledged by the Synod. This accreditation is also recognised by other denominations.

In many churches lay people who do not have Assembly Accreditation lead worship to the great benefit of the churches. The Synod offers all those commended by their church oportunities to undertake some introductory training, working alongside an accredited lay preacher or minister.

All those who lead public worship, whether only in their own church or in other churches as well, are encouraged to find opportunities to develop their skills and understanding, to meet with other lay preachers to share ideas and to gain and give mutual support.