FAQ
1. What is SCM?
• SCM is a student led community passionate about faith and justice and we’ve been around since 1889.
• We envision Christianity as inclusive, aware, radical and challenging.
• We have links at over 60 universities and colleges across Britain, both student groups & chaplaincies.
• Each year our movement comes together for an annual conference and we have termly gatherings for members to share ideas and make collective decisions about the movement.
• We are part of a global network of SCMs and affiliated to the World Student Christian Federation.
2. What does SCM do?
• Provides support and resources for university chaplains, student groups and individual students via mailings, e-mail, website, training and visits.
• Encourages students to get involved in SCM activities and set up SCM groups.
• Produces and distributes Movement magazine (termly) and other publications.
• Organises events - the main ones being termly gatherings and the SCM annual conference.
3. Can I become a member of SCM?
• Anyone who is a current student or has been a student in the past 3 years can become a member.
• It costs £10 per year, and members receive a free copy of Movement magazine every term.
• You can sign up for membership online.
• SCM members can stand for election to our General Council which guides the work of the movement.
4. I used to be in SCM / I’m not a student but I’d like to support SCM – what can I do?
• We have a network of people who support the work of SCM and enjoy our publications. Find out more about becoming a Friend here.
4. What does SCM believe?
SCM does not promote adherence to a given set of beliefs. Instead we seek to offer an open, non-threatening environment in which people can think through their faith, raise doubts, and explore questions, either alone or alongside other SCM members. We don't give the answers but we provide resources that will help people in their exploration. SCM strives to be inclusive and considers one of its strengths to be that many different ideas and beliefs exist within the network, making for an interesting exchange of views. For this reason we don’t have a doctrinal statement (a statement that expresses what SCM believes) but there are things that are important to us.
5. Is SCM the same as UCCF/Christian Union? What's the difference?
This is quite a common question! No, we’re not the same organisation but we have a shared history. The two organisations were originally part of one big student Christian movement until the 1930s, when some members broke away to set up what is now UCCF: the Christian Unions. The reason for this split was a difference in opinion about the importance of doctrine, and different models of organisational leadership. Since then, the two bodies have worked separately. In the past SCM was the dominant movement on campus, but UCCF is now by far the largest. There are some differences between the two organisations.
UCCF:
• very clear about what it believes and what it expects its members to believe (doctrinal statement);
• focus of work is building up individuals’ faith, outreach and evangelism.
SCM:
• no doctrinal statement - exists to encourage all people to explore the Christian faith;
• focus of work is challenging people to think through their faith and to reflect on theological, social and political issues.
7. How many universities does SCM has links with?
At present we have links at over 60 universities. These links are made up of student-led and chaplain-led groups, chaplaincy teams or individual chaplains. If you can't find an SCM presence at your university and would like help in starting a group then please get in touch with our Links Worker links@movement.org.uk.
8. What denomination is SCM?
SCM is ecumenical, in fact one of the oldest ecumenical organisations. It works to support people of all denominations and backgrounds. SCM was involved in forming the British and World Council of Churches, and has continued to be a leading voice on ecumenism. We have SCM members who are Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Quaker, URC, Evangelical and everything in between and around the edges!
9. SCM was very involved in politics in the seventies – what's happening now?
During the seventies SCM put most of its energies into social and political protest (probably because there were strong anti-institutional feelings among students then) and distanced itself from the church. The movement today continues to be concerned with social justice, and may from time to time offend certain areas of the church with its challenging and sometimes controversial perspective on social and theological issues. However, present staff and most members believe that the Christian faith has to be at the centre of the movement's work and we are rebuilding links with churches of all denominations.
10. How long has SCM been around? What is the Jubilee appeal?
Nearly 120 years - it was established in 1889. It has changed a lot over the years but has continued to serve Christian students the whole time. We are celebrating our 120th anniversary this year and have launched a Jubilee Appeal. Please contact the SCM office if your church or group would like some Jubilee Appeal leaflets.
SCM is a registered charity No. 1125640