The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

STRUCTURE

Individuals, members and leaders are at the centre of the Church’s ministry and mission. Here needs are expressed, and programmes developed in response. Congregations are comprised of individuals who commit to membership, from which Elders/Leaders are appointed.

The Congregation functions to journey with individuals in their search for life’s meaning, by pointing them to Jesus Christ as the Source. These members/leaders, organized in Congregations, embrace and are embraced by the Congregational Boards, led by Ministers.

The UCJCI has approximately 14,000 members in 194 congregations.

GOVERNANCE

The United Church is governed by courts at the congregational (Congregation Meetings), regional (Council Meetings) and national levels (Synod), the highest court being the Synod. It is headed by a Moderator, who presides over the Synod, and whose duties include giving pastoral care to the Ministers within the denomination. The General Secretary is the administrative head of the church and is assisted by four Regional Deputy General Secretaries, who Head the four (4) Regional Missional Councils: Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council, Southern Regional Mission Council, North-Eastern Regional Mission Council, and Western Regional Mission Council.

Regional Mission Councils

These are geographical groupings of congregations.  Each is administered by a Council Executive comprising a Chairperson, Deputy, Secretary, Treasurer and other Officers.  In addition, each congregation is represented at Council by delegates (2 representatives for the first 300 members of the congregation and 1 representative for each additional 100 or part thereof).

The Central Mission Council

The Central Mission Council (CMC) acts on behalf of the Synod in between Synod gatherings. Through the Regional Mission Councils and the Standing Committees of Synod, the CMC ensures that the Synod Agenda is carried out. It has been given authority by the Synod to implement decisions made, and receive reports from the Standing Committees, and be accountable to the Synod for all actions.

The Synod

All Ordained and Commissioned Ministers in Councils and Delegates appointed by each Congregation, constitute the Synod, the highest decision-making group in the

Church. It is responsible for setting Church policy and objectives, and the framework within which the membership functions.

OFFICERS OF THE SYNOD

The Moderator – presides over the Synod, declares the decisions of the court, preserves order, provides spiritual leadership for the Church, and represents the Church at both ecumenical and national occasions.  In addition, the Moderator also provides pastoral care for ordained clergy, lay pastors, persons in training, and full-time commissioned/installed workers.

The General Secretary – is responsible for the administrative functions of the Church in matters relating to communication, recruitment, training and conditions of service.  He supervises and monitors the programmes of the regional councils while also supervising the administrative staff.

The Deputy General Secretaries – manage the day-to-day affairs of the Regional Mission Council, organizing, coordinating and enabling activities and the use of material resources, assisting in the co-ordination of Synod Committees and establishing and maintaining an efficient communication system.

STANDING COMMITTEES & COMMISSIONS OF SYNOD

The ministry and mission of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands is undertaken through the work of Synodical Committees. These committees are made up of representatives from each Area Council, as well as individuals with experience and expertise in particular areas. Committees meet to carry out the plans approved by the Synod, and to make reports on the progress of their work.

There are 5 Standing Committees:

• Constitution and Doctrine

• Church and Ministry

• Finance

• Property

• Strategic Planning for Mission

The Children’s and Youth Commissions give focused attention to discerning the times and determining the UCJCI’s Children’s and Youth Ministry direction, in response to the need to be contextually relevant and impactful. They provide direction to the setting of goals in the Church’s ministry to persons between 0 and 12 years (Children’s ministry), and 13 to 25 (Youth ministry).

The Education Commission is responsible for the management of our schools, and ensuring that the polity and ethos of the UCJCI are reflected in our schools.

PURPOSE OF THE UCJCI

The purpose of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) has been summarized in its Vision “Touching Lives, Nurturing Disciples, Seeking Transformation through Christ.” We aim for our ministry to be for “all people”, seeking to invite, encourage, and help everyone to become Disciples of Christ, while seeking at all levels to meet their needs.

OUR VALUES

The UCJCI Value Statement

“The United Church represents a people called by God, to love and worship God as Creator, Jesus the Saviour, and the Holy Spirit the Comforter; to make a difference in people’s lives by actively loving and serving those around us; to bring the good news of the Gospel to all people; to nurture each other in faith; to pursue God’s justice and peace in all areas of life, so that “God’s kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven.”

In seeking to live out our calling, we particularly value and are committed to:

1. Relationship with God, so we may know God and relate to God as a person, rather than an impersonal force, knowing Jesus to be Lord of our lives, so we may grow in grace and in the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 3:16-17, Romans 8:1-17).

2. The Bible: The preaching, teaching, studying, and obeying of God’s Word, as the supreme rule of faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 4:1-11, Ephesians 6:10-17).

3. Spiritual Disciplines (Prayer, Fasting, Worship, etc.): Personally and corporately communing with the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, attributing honour and seeking after God’s heart, to be empowered for ministry (Psalm 95:1-6, Matthew 6:5-18).

4. Evangelism: Sharing the story of God’s amazing love demonstrated by Jesus Christ, in a relevant manner, to those without Christ in our community and beyond (Matthew 28:18-20).

5. Discipleship and Holiness: The intentional and relational development of believers to become mature followers of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:2, Colossians 3:1-17).

6. Stewardship: By tithing, and with the generosity of thankfulness, the commitment of gifts and resources (time, talents, and money) to advance God’s kingdom in the world; the proper care and optimal use of the resources provided for God’s work; and the care of God’s creation (1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Matthew 23:23).

7. Mission and Outreach: Seeking always to respond to the hurts and needs of people, giving them hope; always acting justly and being advocates of justice (James 2:15-16, Deuteronomy 16:18-20, Zechariah 7:8-10, Luke 11:42, Luke 4:17-19).

8. A Loving Fellowship and Unity: Strengthening our community of believers in a Christ-like manner, by affirming each other and responding to each other’s needs with understanding and compassion, so as to encourage others to be drawn to a life in Christ (Romans 15:17); constantly acting in love towards one another, while acknowledging our diversity, but always seeking the unity of the Church for the building of the kingdom (Romans 14:19, Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 2:11-22, 4:1-16).

9. Family: Family is a gift from God. As we grow in relationships, we encounter God through each other, and are strengthened to live for God in the world. (Psalm 127:3-5, 128:3-4, Ephesians 5:22-33, 6:1-4).

10. The Work and Worth of All People: Displaying unconditional love to all people, acknowledging all in the ministry of Christ, affirming the priesthood of all believers, embracing the gifts of the Spirit, and enabling each person to participate to the fullest extent possible (Matthew 12:28-31, 1 Peter 2:4-10, Ephesians 4:7-13, 2 Corinthians 1:12-14).

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

1. CHILDREN AND YOUTH

CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION

A Child Care and Protection Policy was developed and implemented by the UCJCI in 2017, based on the Child Care and Protection Act, to protect children’s rights and promote violence-free communities. The policy is based on the rationale that: Children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:5); the United Church values every child and every youth; the church is committed to children’s rights, and aims to prevent violence and sexual abuse against children.

• CHURCH SCHOOLS

We aim to ensure that we have a church school in each congregation.

• CHAPLAINCY

A Chaplaincy Ministry among our schools was initiated and is being pursued in the Regions.

2. ADULT AND FAMILY LIFE

• ADULT COMMISSION

An Adult Commission will be formed to set and give oversight to the strategic direction of our Adult Auxiliaries.  This Commission will identify the goals of the Adult and Family Life Ministries, with specific focus on persons’ needs and lifestyle. Thus far, the Men’s and Women’s Fellowships have collaborated on ensuring Disability Access in local congregations, and the Women’s Fellowship will also partner with the Young Adults Action Movement in Mission.

• HUMAN SEXUALITY

We have begun to give attention to the pertinent issue of Human Sexuality, and we will continue and broaden the discussion around this issue. The Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council (CIRMC) has produced a document on Homosexual Behavior, which was approved for circulation within their Region. We will pursue a similar activity in our Jamaican Regions.

• FAMILY LIFE ISSUES

One of the areas we seek to explore is the issue of Divorce and Remarriage among the clergy. This document will be finalized in this Synodical period.

3. PUBLIC WITNESS AND ADVOCACY

• ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PARTNERSHIPS

Such partnerships will be addressed within this Synodical period.

• POLITICAL CULTURE

Issues within the political culture of both nations will be addressed at the local level during this Synodical period.

• CRIME AND VIOLENCE

Issues related to crime and violence are being addressed through ongoing Peace Initiatives in the Regional Mission Councils.

4. CHURCH IN MINISTRY

• MODELS OF BEING CHURCH

New expressions of Church Planting are being pursued.

• LAND USE

Use of our lands for economic gain is being addressed through the United Church Mission Enterprise (UCME).

• DISABILITY ACCESS

Disability Access for all church sanctuaries is being pursued across the Regions.

• GENDER POLICY

Our Gender Policy is being redrafted and will be addressed during this Synodical period.

• COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY

The Areas of Communication and Data Collection were identified as key functions to enable congregations to be informed, and to sustain regular measurement and analysis of the response of the Church to the strategies we have sought to employ, as we pursue the mission of Renewal and Transformation. Communications and Technology are being addressed through the appointment of a new team member.