To foster in the congregation concern for witness and service to the community, evangelism at home and abroad, Christian education, ecumenical action, local inter-church relations and the wider responsibilities of the whole Church.

To see that public worship is regularly offered and the sacraments are duly administered, and generally to promote the welfare of the congregation.

To ensure pastoral care of the congregation, in which the minister is joined by elders having particular responsibility for groups of members

To nominate from among its members a church secretary (or secretaries), to be elected by the church meeting, to serve both the church meeting and the elders’ meeting;

To arrange for pulpit supply in a vacancy

To keep the roll of members and (as an aid to the discharge of the congregation’s pastoral and evangelistic responsibility) lists of names of adherents and children attached to the congregation, and in consultation with the church meeting to maintain standards of membership and to advise on the admission of members on profession of faith and by transfer, on the suspension of members, and on the removal of names from the roll.

To be responsible for the institution and oversight of work among children and young people and of all organisations within the congregation.

To call for the election of elders and advise on the number required.

To consider the suitability of any applicant for recognition as a candidate for the ministry or for service as a CRCW and to advise the church meeting about its recommendation to the synod.

To recommend to the church meeting arrangements for the proper maintenance of buildings and the general oversight of all the financial responsibilities of the local church.

To act on behalf of the church meeting and bring concerns to the wider councils of the United Reformed Church