The URC organisational structure and where Corerstone URC fits in
The URC has a three-tier structure, which is open for everyone to participate in.
Local churches have an Elders’ Meeting, in which the Ministers and Elders share pastoral and spiritual oversight and leadership, and a Church Meeting, where all members gather to seek God’s will and to discuss the life and work of the church.
At a wider level, the URC has 13 Synods: the national Synods of Scotland and Wales plus eleven regional Synods across England. Each provides oversight of about 100 local churches and is led by a Synod Moderator. Christ Church belongs to the North West Synod, which stretches from the Scottish borders into Cheshire and Derbyshire. Christ Church are part of the Greater Manchester South and Cheshire Missional Partnership which consists of 15 churches, presently served by two ministers with a third being evaluatedf at present and with the potential for a fourth to be appointed in the future. Missional Partnerships are “Churches grouped together to share mission and resources in their local communities” and are a way of evenly distributing the dwindling number of trained ministers.
The General Assembly of the URC is its ultimate decision-making body. It meets every year to celebrate, discuss and make decisions about the life and work of the church.
Grass Roots Organisation of Cornerstone
Cornerstone has membership about 70 strong with a wide age range and from a variety of social and ethnic backgrounds.
The Church Meeting which is open to all members of the congregation is the Governing Body of Christ Church. Adherents are welcome to attend and contribute to discussion but do not have voting rights
The Church Meeting is assembled in order that the Spirit of Christ may direct its members in all things concerning the work of God. There is also an Annual General Church Meeting.
A member of a URC congregation is someone who has made a public commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the local congregation through which service to God is given.
An adherent is someone who regularly worships with the congregation and shares in the life of the church but who has not yet made that public commitment.
Elders are elected from among the members of the church, and are ordained by the local church to share with the Minister in the pastoral oversight, organisation and leadership of the church. Elders serve on the Elders’ Meeting for three years at a time after which they must stand for re-election if they wish to continue. Having been nominated by church members Elders are elected at the Church Annual General Meeting.
The serving Elders are the Managing Trustees of the local church. The Elders may receive training from the Missional Partnership Mentor and/or Minister and the Synod Training Team.
Worship is the centre of the community life of a church. It is here where we most easily meet, listen to and talk to Jesus, where we feed on him, and give ourselves anew into his service and to each other and enjoy fellowship together. The climax of worship is Holy Communion. All who seek the love of Jesus may share in our Communion Service.
Also see: We are Cornerstone