The United Reformed Church IN THE UNITED KINGDOM GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1993 July 5th rv 9th Portsmouth Annual Reports & Background Papers From the General Secretary The title on the cover will tell you that there are some changes from the usual ASSEMBLY REPORTS. These all stem from the setting up of the Mission Council by the 1992 Assembly. In ASSEMBLY REPORTS 1992 the new format was outlined: 1. the main report of the Mission Council including some resolutions with supporting papers; 2. reports on the work of the past year by standing committees. Please read these with more than usual care because they will not be spoken to by presenters. However, they are open to questions and comments from the floor, to which conveners will respond; 3. resolutions with supporting and background papers. These are no longer part of the report of that committee. This year some resolutions printed in the book stand in the name of a Synod; 4. presentations which are neither reports of past work, nor always leading to a resolution; and 5. appendices which will include accounts and committee lists. Some of the reasons for this f onnat will only become clear as we meet in Assembly. Our aim in producing this book of Annual Reports and Background Papers is to help members of Assembly participate as fully as possible in the life of the Assembly. Anthony G Burnham CONTENTS Page No Page No MISSION COUNCIL REPORT ANNUAL REPORTS AND Eastern Synod 97 BACKGROUND PAPERS Doctrine & Worship 98 Advocacy 10 Church Planting 103 Assembly Pastoral Reference Committee 12 Mission Projects - Recognition 105 Church and Society 13 Multiple Congregations 105 Communications and Supplies 19 Multilateral Church In Scotland 106 Children's Work Committee 22 East Midlands Synod 109 Pilots Panel 25 South Western Synod 110 Youth Committee 26 Youth & Children's Work Training 29 APPENDICES Windermere 30 Church Planting 104 Christian Education & Stewardship 32 II Accounts 114 Doctrine & Worship Committee 33 Ill Ministers Holding Assembly Health & Healing Committee 34 Appointment Stipends 142 Faith & Life 36 IV Approved rates under the Financial Management Committee 38 Plan for Partnership 142 Financial Resources Committee 38 Va URC Ministers' Pension Fund 143 Maintenance of the Ministry Committee 39 Vb URC Ministers' Pension Fund 146 Retired Ministers' Housing Committee 40 VI Proposed Pension Changes 174 Welfare & Emergencies Committee 41 VII Draft Deed 176 Integrated Training Working Party 42 VIII Europe 178 Vocations Committee 45 IX Colleges 185 Training Commhtee 47 x Board of studies for Support committee 50 Non-Stipendiary Ministry 190 Patterns of Ministry 51 XI CRCW Training Reports 191 Nominations Committee 52 XII Students in Training 1992/93 192 Missionary & Ecumenical Work at Home 53 XIII Non-Stipendiary Training Courses 194 Missionary & Ecumenical Work Abroad 55 XIV Training Statistics 194 Mission & other Faiths Committee 57 xv Council For World Mission 195 Personnel Committee 59 XVI St Andrew's Hall Missionary College 196 Provincial Moderators 63 Urban/Rural Mission Group 66 INFORMATION RESOLUTIONS & PRESENTATIONS a) Schools linked with the URC 198 b) History Society 202 New Churches 70 c) Musicians Guild 203 d) Nominations Silence and Retreat Group 204 72 e) Spin 204 North Western Synod 84 f) Women's World Day of Prayer 205 Mission & Other Faiths 85 Europe 86 STANDING ORDERS 206 Finance 91 MISSION COUNCIL MISSION COUNCIL Our first meeting It was unlike any other Assembly Committee meeting most of us had ever attended. In the past, some of us had met in a similar sized group (a maximum of 81 including staff) in the old Executive. But that was only for three hours and the business, though necessary, was often dull. Some of us had attended residential central committee meetings but they were smaller groups, together for only twenty four hours and then everyone present had some experience of the business. So it was with a mixture of excitement and apprehension that we gathered for a first meeting at High Leigh, Hoddesdon. Was the group too large? Would we know anyone else? How could we replace five central committees and one executive? What was our task? We unpacked our bags, fingered the large pile of papers sent out in advance and remembered the decision of the Assembly in 1992. The Assembly approves the preparations made for the introduction of the Mission Council from the date of the Assembly. For a full description of the composition and work of the Mission Council and its relationship with the General Assembly see Assembly Reports 1992 pp 55-64. One paragraph, in particular, set out our task. (Assembly Reports p 57) The purpose of the Mission Council is to enable the Church, in its General Assembly, to take a more comprehensive view of the activity and policy of the Church, to decide more carefully about priorities and to encourage the outreach of the Church to the community. Its service is directly towards the Assembly, but its concern is with the whole Church and all its members, so it will seek to be aware of the pains and joys, the adventures and hopes of the whole body. No wonder we were anxious! Who we are The Council comprises Assembly officers, departmental and committee conveners, provincial moderators and three others from each Synod. In addition, some staff attend as non-voting members and others come to help in the business. There has been an average attendance of seventy two including eight members of staff. The representatives from the Synods have been chosen in different ways. Some were elected, some appointed. Balance between ministers (43) and lay members (29) and women (26) and men (46) is difficult to achieve when so many are present because of their office or by selection in the Synods. Nevertheless this is an improvement on the balance of the former Executive. A significant number of those appointed by Synods were not previously involved in the Executive or on Central Committees. Our style of meeting A larger proportion of our time is given to worship and bible study than is usual in Assembly committees. The Moderator's Chaplain, Paul Quilter, led us in this. Bible study has been mainly in groups and we continue to experiment to find effective methods. At each Council meeting a guest sits with us listening and observing. His last act has been to report to us on our process 'in the light of the word of God'. The Revd Brian Bailey of the Congregational Union of Scotland, The Revd Ronald Blakey 1 MISSION COUNCIL of the Church of Scotland and Bishop Victor Premasagar of the Church of South India have been our guests. Their perceptive words have encouraged us to do better the next time. Listening At our first meeting, we soon realised the importance of listening : to the word of God, to each other and to the Churches through the Synods. By the time of our third meeting, we had began to know each other better and had a clearer idea of our task. This allowed us to do more work in groups of eight to ten people. In this way we tried to overcome the disadvantage of the Council's size while taking advantage of the gifts of so many people. The value of this approach is already causing some of us to ask questions about the style of the meetings of District Councils, Synods and the Assembly. Our Agenda We have at least three distinct roles which have not made our first year an easy one : (i) acting on behalf of the Assembly in matters of urgency: (ii) co-ordinating the work of the Synods, departments and committees in preparation for the Assembly; and (iii) offering leadership to the Assembly about the mission of the whole Church. All members are disappointed that, as yet, we have not fully faced our responsibilities for leadership in mission. This is not because of any lack of will, nor is it because members are committed to maintaining our life as it is. There are three main reasons. First, we needed to discover how such a cumbersome body could work effectively. Second, we had to prepare for this Assembly. Third, we needed to take some first steps in co-ordinating the Assembly's work. This involved us in spending most of our first year in dealing with posts, committee structure and budget matters. At the end of the year If we began the year feeling excited and apprehensive, at its end our apprehension is replaced by a sober realisation that the task given to us by last year's Assembly is large and difficult. However, there is also a modest satisfaction that in the spirit of our three meetings, learning from our mistakes and building on what was good, the task is not impossible. Our excitement remains, for we are still convinced that the Mission Council can be a tool through which the whole Church 'is directed towards toward the mission of God in the world, towards that kingdom of justice, peace, forgiveness and hope which is true life and which Christ brings in his person'. Mission Council Committees i) Advisory Group. This consists of the Assembly Moderators, present, past and elect, Departmental Conveners, the General Secretary and four members of Mission Council. The following were elected : Elizabeth Caswell, David Butler, Sandra Lloydlangston and Nanette Head. ii) Staffing Advisory Group. This consists of three persons who are not currently officers of Standing Committees. The following were elected: Angus Duncan, William McVey and Betty Scopes. iii) Advisory Group on Grants and Loans has one person appointed from each Department and is convened by the General Secretary. Roger Whitehead was elected as Secretary.