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[37.1] URC SEEKS FRESH MISSION VISION

The United Reformed Church (URC) in the UK is considering selling off some of its churches, writes Rebecca Beard of CWM News. It is also looking at cutting back its administrative structures to release funds for mission.

The URC is declining in size by three per cent each year and its rising costs are being met by fewer and older people, a study has shown. In an article in the January edition of the URC Reform magazine, the Catch the Vision steering group which is drawing up the church's draft mission statement said the situation cannot continue.

"We cannot go on doing all that we do now because unless giving increases considerably, we cannot afford it," they said. "Some things which we hold precious and dear will have to be sacrificed."

"Hard choices" over shutting buildings, communities and programmes will have to be made, they said, emphasising that the whole church will be involved in decision-making.
Church members are agreed that the URC is top-heavy with councils and administration but are undecided how to change it to release funds "to where mission is done". "In many cases those places will be local churches. In other instances, the mission of the church is best advanced by regional or national focuses."

URC people involved in Building Bridges of Hope, an ecumenical venture looking at how to transition inherited church structures to meet the challenges of a changing environment, include Lou Ashworth (a local mission enabler) and General Secretary David Cornick.

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