Wot it means 2 b URC

A Report by

Junior Church SENIORS

-a history of the Reform Movement

CH URC

CHRISTIANITY

• …began with Jesus (before that Jewish)

• spread to Rome by St Paul• Took 313yrs before…

• Constantine the Great

• became the 1st Christian emperor

Catholic Church

• ‘Sale’ of indulgences (giving money to ask god’s forgiveness)

• Bishops lived like princes• Some clergymen were

ignorant• NEEDED TO RE-FOCUS

…became corrupt in the middle ages

REFORMATION

• Religious movement of 1500’s• began by Martin Luther• Led to Protestantism• Accompanied by cultural,

scientific and

social advances• Initially lasted 40 yrs • but continues today

Counter Reformation

• Opposition to reform• Lead by the

Society of Jesus– called the Jesuits– also Barnabites etc

Martin Luther

• German monk• Wrote 95 theses • Nailed to church door• Criticised church

– Sale of indulgences– Held that bible was

final word of God

John Calvin

• Frenchman• 1st protestant pastor in

Geneva• He published many letters

and books on reformation• Known for strictness to

God’s word

Hugh Latimer• English Yeoman's son • He was preacher to King Henry

VIII• Pope wouldn’t allow divorce • so King Henry became head of

Church of England• Latimer led the English

reformation to establish Protestantism.

Mary & Elizabeth I

• Queen Mary took England back to Catholicism

• This caused many deaths• Queen Elizabeth re-

introduced Anglicanism which continues today

William Tyndale

• English Minister• Translated the bible into

ENGLISH• Previously only accessible

to the most learned• Now anybody could read it

Patrick Hamilton George Wishart

John Knox• Famous Scottish Reformers• George Wishart martyred• …put to death for teaching

reformed ways• John Knox changed from

Catholic Priest to Protestant• …founded of Scottish

Presbyterianism

Different Denominations

We were left with…• Anglicans• Methodists• Congregationalists• Presbyterians• Baptists• Catholics• host of others

The United Reformed Church in England & Wales

…is a union of… • Congregational &

Presbyterian Churches (1972 )

• Churches of Christ (1981)• Scottish

Congregationalists (2000)

URC Stands in the Reformed tradition

• One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• Supreme authority is the bible

• Is an inclusive church (‘ministry of all believers’)

• Is committed to church unity (ecumenicalism)

URC composed of…• 1 700 local congregations • 115 000 adults• 23 000 worshiping children and

young people • 850 serving ministers, women and

men.• Over 400 local churches are united

with other denominations • 75 Districts • 13 Synods• 1 General Assembly

Important feature• Each church

– governed by church meeting– Run day to day by elders

• Minister is an elder• No bishops• District councils advise• Synod organise regionally• Led by Synod Moderator• General Assembly appoints

committees and • Assembly Moderator

World Alliance of REFORMED CHURCHES

There are 95 member churches around world

World Alliance of REFORMED CHURCHES

Including…• Waldensian Fellowship (special connection with NW Synod)• Singapore Bible Presbyterian (special connection with

CHURC ~Mae Gone!!)