Malcolm Hanson was a founder member of the United Reformed Church and founding Chair of GEAR, the Group for Evangelism and Renewal in the URC. He talks to Reform about baptism in the Spirit, holding together diverse opinions in one Church, and being a cathedral guide. For his work with Skills for People, see November’s Reform

Were you brought up in the faith?
I was sent to Sunday school. My parents weren’t churchgoers at that stage, although they did later become quite involved. Sunday School was a Presbyterian church at the end of our road in Harrow, and it was there I was challenged and brought to faith. The key moment was someone standing up in the pulpit advertising Scripture Union notes. I used those for years and they were formative as was teaching in Sunday school and Bible class.

Did you consider yourself a Presbyterian up until the foundation of the URC?
Yes, very much so, though I took on ministry at East Hull Congregational Church alongside Holness Road Presbyterian Church, having been ordained in Holness Road Church. So I’d got some experience of Congregationalism and I went to Cubs at a Congregational church and so on. So I was aware of that tradition, but I felt very Presbyterian and, if I dare say, still do…

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This is an extract from an article published in the Issue 1 – 2025 edition of Reform

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