Convenor of Church Life Fund Committee

Role Description for Convenor of Church Life Fund
Committee

Role Title

Main Points of Contact

Connected Roles

Sources of Support

Location

Time Commitment

Remuneration

Convenor of Church Life Fund Committee
Successor roles to CLR Programme Manager and CLR
Administrator (Secretary and Minutes Secretary)

Members of Church Life Fund Committee
Members of Accreditation sub-committee
Members of Faith in Action and Ministries Committees

Applicants to the Church Life Fund
Successor role to CLR Programme Manager
Successor role to CLR Administrator

The majority of meetings will be online. Where meetings
are residential or in person, these will take place at
mutually convenient locations.
Times will be agreed out once the Committee is formed, to
meet the needs of the Committee members.
Quarterly meetings, consisting of 3 online meetings and 1
in person meeting per annum (dates and times suitable for
the membership of committee) plus additional follow-up
work between meetings.
General Assembly residential meeting (Fri to Mon) in
June/July, Assembly Executive one evening in November
and a residential meeting (Fri-Sun) in February each year.
Volunteers are not remunerated. The URC will ensure
expenses incurred by volunteers while supporting the
work of the Church Life Fund Committee are
reimbursed, in accordance with URC expenses policy.

Background: Following the decisions of the Extraordinary General Assembly 2025, the
Church Life Fund Committee has been formed. Under delegated authority, Church Life
Fund Committee will provide advice to URC Trust on the expenditure of the restricted
Church Life Fund.

Committee Summary: The Church Life Fund Committee will advise the United
Reformed Church Trust on the use of the restricted Church Life Fund, under delegated
authority from General Assembly. Its remit includes reviewing and recommending
funding for shared services, lay worker grants, and new communities of discipleship and
worship grants; ensuring appropriate stewardship of the Fund; and maintaining clear
alignment with Assembly decisions, synod contributions, and regulatory requirements.
The Committee exercises delegated oversight of applications, monitors outcomes,
safeguards good governance and compliance, and ensures that funding decisions
reflect the values and priorities set by General Assembly.

Principal  responsibilities  and  duties

Convening and Running Meetings

1.  Work with the Secretary of the Committee to plan meetings and ensure that
the agenda covers the appropriate items for discussion throughout the year.

2.  Ensure that the agenda responds to the work as directed by General

Assembly and United Reformed Church Trust.

3.  Ensure that the work of the committee remains within its approved Terms of
Reference (and delegated authority from General Assembly and URC Trust).

4.  Enable equal participation from the membership of the committee through

measured chairing of meetings.

5.  Approve minutes of each meeting for timely circulation to Committee

members.

6.  Ensure that the budget is managed by staff members, acting on behalf of
URC Trust, and that the Committee has a part in oversight and review.
7.  Ensure that the Committee’s risk register is reviewed at appropriate intervals
during the year and any necessary actions taken, including submission of the
risk register at review periods.

8.  Work with the Secretary to develop, and keep under review, the three-year
plan of Committee work and matters for General Assembly and URC Trust.

9.  Act as the point of contact when liaising with other Committees.
10. Oversee the Committee’s relationship with URC Trust, Accreditation Sub-

Committee, other committees, and sub-committees, acting as a key point of
contact.

11. Communicate the Committee’s advice to URC Trust, in collaboration with the
Secretary and other Committee members (particularly those representing
URC Trust).

12. Ensure collective responsibility for the Church Life Fund, including its

communications, expenditure, and support for applicants.

General Assembly/Assembly Executive

1.  Ensure appropriate papers for General Assembly and/or Assembly Executive

are provided to Business Committee by the relevant deadline.

2.  Present papers and associated resolutions to General Assembly or Assembly

Executive with support from the Secretary as appropriate.

Oversee Committee Membership

1.  Work in collaboration with the Secretary to ensure that the membership is
able to effectively fulfil its role, and that members of different types (synod
representatives, URC Trust representatives, etc) are well supported in
their work.

2.  In the event that an appointed member has to resign before the end of

their three-year term, work with the Secretary and Nominations Committee
to ensure a process to fill the vacancy is carried out.

3.  Encourage and support the members in their work, enabling collaboration

and mutual encouragement.

Advocacy and Collaboration

1.  Advocate for the Church Life Fund across the denomination, and raise

awareness of the opportunities it makes possible.

2.  Ensure that the Church Life Fund is accessible to applicants and donors.
3.  Actively make and seek connections with other committees.
4.  Identify opportunities for external collaboration in conjunction with the

Secretary (for example, with external funding bodies).

Training

1.  Undertake training in key areas as highlighted within the induction and

through ongoing conversation with the Secretary and others, including anti-
racism training.

Expected Standards
This  section  refers  to  the  way  in  which  the  role  should  be  done  as  opposed  to  the
duties/ responsibilities themselves.

1.  Promote a culture of open and effective communication.
2.  Actively foster an environment which nurtures equality and cherishes

diversity.

3.  Take responsibility for own personal development and develop skills and

knowledge applicable to this role.

4.  Ensure compliance with safeguarding practice.

This role description reflects the overall scope and responsibilities of the role.
However, it may change and evolve over time in order to meet organisational needs.
This role description will therefore be subject to periodic review and change if
required.