CONSTITUTION
191215 Model Constitution for local churches 2010[18562]
The members of Monks Chapel United Reformed Church at a duly constituted Church Meeting held on 15.12.2019 agreed to formally adopt the Constitution as presented to the Meeting and found in the document titled ‘200115 Model Constitution for local churches 2010.
Note the title/file number was changed from 200115 to 191215 on 29.01.2023 and the full document can be viewed from the above link
United Reform Church MISSION COUNCIL 9th – 11th March 2010 document of 4th February 2010
THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH MODEL CONSTITUTION FOR LOCAL CHURCHES
INTRODUCTION
The United Reformed Church was formed in 1972 by the union of the Congregational Church
in England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church of England. Since then the United
Reformed Church has continued to express its deep commitment to the visible unity of the
whole Church. In 1981 it entered into union with the Re-formed Churches of Christ and in
the year 2000 with the Congregational Union of Scotland. The United Reformed Church is in
frequent dialogue on unity with other traditions and has more than 400 Local Churches
united with other denominations.
Though one of the smaller of Britain’s ‘mainstream’ denominations, the United Reformed
Church stands in the historic Reformed tradition, whose member denominations make up
the largest single strand of Protestantism with more than 70 million members world-wide.
Along with other Reformed churches the United Reformed Church holds to the Trinitarian
faith expressed in the historic Christian creeds and finds its supreme authority for faith and
conduct in the Word of God in the Bible, discerned under guidance of the Holy Spirit. The
United Reformed Church’s structure also expresses its faith in the ministry of all God’s
people through the structure of Councils by which the Church is governed.
Notes about this Model Constitution Document:
There is an increasing expectation that Local Churches will have a written Constitution. The
Charity Commission does not wish to see it as part of the registration process but has
indicated it would expect to have sight of one if problems arise in the future. Also, grant
funders and even banks are asking for details of how Local Churches are constituted to verify
their collective identity and that of their signatories and better understand their governance.
Not only to satisfy the outside world, but also to make the Church’s workings transparent to
new members and to obviate later disagreement within the fellowship, it is helpful to have a
clear stated understanding of how local decisions are taken and appointments made.
This document has been prepared with the benefit of legal advice and it is therefore
commended to Local Churches. However, it has been drafted according to the law of
England and Wales. Churches in Scotland are not required to have such a document.
Churches in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man will be advised on the requirements for
those jurisdictions.
Local Churches may already have their own written rules of operation, or established but
unwritten ‘custom and practice’, on some or all of the matters covered in this model. Those
whose rules are written are encouraged to compare them with this model; some Churches
may wish to incorporate useful material from the model into their own rules, others to
adopt a version of the model in place of their old rules. Those whose rules are unwritten are
urged to consider adopting a version of this model (incorporating local practices when
appropriate). If a written constitution exists it is important that people should be able to rely
on it; so once adopted it will prevail over any inconsistent unwritten custom. Subject to the
Scheme of Union, which prevails over local practice whether written or not, Local Churches
decide for themselves how they will operate and are free to adopt this model as it stands or
with variations; however there are reasons for everything contained in the model and
Churches are urged not to amend it without careful consideration and competent advice.
In a few cases a Local Church may have appointed persons other than the members of the
Elders’ Meeting to serve as charity trustees of the Church’s general funds. The Church does
not now recommend this practice and would encourage those Congregations which have a
designated group of Trustees to adopt the pattern of governance agreed with the Charity
Commissioners and approved by the General Assembly. Nevertheless, where separate
groups of trustees exist references to trustees contained in this document should be taken
to refer to those bodies.
The Manual of the United Reformed Church which contains full details of the Basis of Union;
the Structure of the Church; Rules of Procedure; Baptism; Ministries; the Disciplinary Procedure for ministers and Church Related Community Workers and other aspects of the Church’s work can be accessed on the Church’s website at www.urc.org.uk under the heading “Our work”.
INDEX OF CLAUSES
1. THE LOCAL AND THE WIDER CHURCH
2. BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS
3. PROPERTY TRUSTS AND ADMINISTRATION
4. MEMBERSHIP
5. LEADERSHIP
5.1 Ministers
5.2 Church Related Community Workers
5.3 Elders
6. HONORARY OFFICERS, REPRESENTATIVES AND COMMITTEES
7. EMPLOYEES AND PAID CONTRACTORS
8. AMENDMENT
9. CLOSURE AND DISSOLUTION
10. INTERPRETATION AND MISCELLANEOUS
The members of Monks Chapel United Reformed Church assembled in Church Meeting on
15.12.2019 have adopted the following Constitution:
To view click file/link shown at top of page.