Why do we call ourselves York Community Church (or YCC for short)? Firstly (and rather obviously), it is because we are based in York, UK.
Secondly, we believe God has called us to be a Christian presence in the community and to see the kingdom of God come and grow in those areas where we are based (currently Tang Hall and Osbaldwick in York).
Finally, but probably most important, we are a Church: a group of people who believe in and follow Jesus Christ.
YCC is an independent, evangelical church. This means we are not controlled by any denomination. Our intention is to follow Jesus Christ. The Bible alone, which we regard as God's inspired and authoritative word, is our source of faith and practice. The church is led by a group of Elders (known as the Pastoral Group), one of whom serves as a full-time pastor.
YCC started in November 1993, with meetings in Tang Hall Community Centre, holding regular services and gradually establishing a new church. Over a period of 7 years we grew from a core membership of 40 to around 80 adults. When children, students and visitors were added, the number of people at Sunday morning Family Service reached 150.
In October 2000, a serious fire at the Tang Hall Community Centre resulted in temporary re-location to Archbishop Holgate’s School.
Starting in September 2002, we began meeting as two congregations on Sunday mornings, one based back again at Tang Hall Community Centre, and the other continuing at Osbaldwick Primary School. The church now consists of about 240 people of all ages.
The Church Council is the formal/legal entity which represents the church as a charity, and which reports annually to the charity commissioners. It is made up of a subset of Elders and ordinary church members plus the Treasurer.
The day-to-day leadership of the church is devolved entirely to the Pastoral Group (usually known as the Elders). The Elders are responsible for the oversight and leadership of the church. One of the Elders serves as a full-time pastor.
The Pastoral Group delegate the day-to-day running of activities within the church to various task groups (made up of members of the wider church). Some of these task groups are specific to a congregation - Tang Hall or Osbaldwick – (e.g. Music Group); others are cross-congregation (e.g. Missionary Task Force).
The church employs a full-time pastor, a youth pastor, a part-time youth worker, and an office administrator.
The church treasurer is accountable to the whole church generally but also has specific responsibilities for returns to charity commissioners.
Jim McNaughton has been the Pastor Elder since August 2001. He is an accredited Baptist minister. During 1985-2001 he had ministries in Baptist churches in Newcastle, Leeds, Kingsteignton, Morpeth and Newbury. Click here to read more about him.
