An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

forgiving note may signify partial or complete healing from the legacy of oppression andfeelings of low self esteem. In addition, removing self doubt, raising self esteem,contributes to the authentic freedom proposed by liberation theologians such as McGovern(1989).4.9 The History of the URCAlthough, as noted above, the history of the Presbyterians and Congregationalists whocame together to form the URC dates back to the sixteenth century, according to Cormick(1998) the current character and socio-political aspect of the denomination was formedsince the creation of the URC in 1972, and particularly in reaction to the excesses of theThatcherism era.Along with other Reformed churches the URC holds the Trinitarian faith as expressed inhistoric Christian creeds and faith and finds its supreme authority for faith and conduct inthe word of God „The Bible.‟ Understanding of the bible is discerned under the guidance ofthe Holy Spirit. In addition to this the church is governed through a structure of ChurchCouncil with a democratic approach (Davie 1994; Cormick 1998). The belief that eachlocal congregation should be governed by its members originates from the tradition of theCongregationalists, who rejected a hierarchical approach. The URC believes that peopleare called together out of an ungodly society to serve God. This belief is reflected in thestatement of Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reform Church:‗With the whole Christian church, the URC believes in one God, Father, son and HolySpirit., The living God, the only God ever to be praised. The life of faith to which we arecalled is the spirit‘s gift continually received through the Word of the Sacraments and forChristian life together.126