Wesleyan Reform Union | Richmond Church

Richmond Church is a member of the Wesleyan Reform Union of Churches. Here is a brief summary of their purpose and work.

A fellowship of gospel-centred, self-governing churches working together in mission

Since its formation in 1849, the Wesleyan Reform Union (WRU) has stood as a network of independent evangelical churches within the wider Free Church tradition.
Rooted in the Wesleyan heritage and grounded in the authority of Scripture, our Union exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to strengthen local churches in mission and discipleship.

We are both autonomous and connected: each local church governs its own affairs under Christ, yet we share in fellowship, accountability, and mutual support across the Connexion.
This balance of local freedom and shared purpose continues to shape our identity and ministry today.

Our purpose

The WRU exists for:

The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with our Confession of Faith.
Extending God’s love and encouraging closer fellowship among our member churches.
Promoting unity of action in ways that best serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Encouraging and equipping churches for mission, discipleship, and community witness.
Supporting charitable work consistent with the gospel—relieving need, hardship, and sickness, and promoting education and social wellbeing.

All that we do is undertaken in a manner consistent with our Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements.

Our faith and convictions

We affirm the historic Christian faith as revealed in the Old and New Testaments and summarised in our Confession of Faith.
We believe:

There is one God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
The Scriptures are inspired and remain our supreme authority for faith and life.
The Church is the body of Christ, called to holiness, unity, and service.
Every believer shares equally in Christ’s priesthood and mission.
Marriage is between one man and one woman, and both men and women may be called and equipped for ministry.

These convictions continue to shape the life and witness of our churches.

Our life together

Each member church of the Union enjoys full liberty of self-government while sharing in the privileges and responsibilities of the Connexion.
Churches are received into membership by vote of the Annual Conference, which meets each June.

Our shared work is carried out through Union departments and committees. At present these include:

Home Missions – combining the work of evangelism, church planting, and youth and children’s ministry.
Overseas Missions – supporting our global partners and projects.
Christian Ethics and Social Action (CESA) – helping churches respond biblically to moral and social issues.
Equip to Serve (E2S) – providing training and encouragement for preachers, teachers, and local leaders.
Ministerial Committee – supporting ministers and candidates for ordination.

The Women of Action department was formally disbanded at the 2025 Conference, with its encouragement of fellowship and service now shared more widely across the Union.

Between Annual Conferences, General Meetings in March and October provide opportunities for prayer, decision-making, and reporting.

Our structure and leadership

The Wesleyan Reform Union is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission.
The Charity Trustees carry legal responsibility for governance, finance, and compliance, ensuring that the Union’s work remains faithful to its purpose and sustainable for the future.

The Annual Conference remains the Union’s main decision-making assembly, composed of delegates from every member church and department.
Day-to-day administration is now based at the Union Office, Jump, Barnsley, under the oversight of the Trustees and Connexional Officers, including the President, Treasurer, and Administration Manager.

Training, mission, and growth

The Union continues to invest in leadership training and theological development through the AWE Academy (a partnership within the Association of Wesleyan Evangelicals). Still in its early days, courses in ministry, theology, and mission are offered to equip both ordained and lay leaders.

Key initiatives across the 2020s include:

Growing Disciples, Growing Churches – practical training days for local church leaders.
Equip to Serve – ministry development and preaching workshops.
Regional Leadership & Outreach Coordinators – supporting local mission partnerships.
Ongoing Overseas Mission projects in countries such as Madagascar, Malawi, and Ukraine.

Looking ahead

We give thanks to God for more than 175 years of faithful witness and for His continuing work among our churches.
As we look to the future, our aim remains:

To glorify God by proclaiming Christ, building His Church, and serving our communities in the power of the Holy Spirit.