Church of Scotland: leaders meeting planned

Since the decision to allow practicing homosexuals to serve as ministers in the Church of Scotland widespread upset, shock, anger and dissatisfaction have been felt throughout the denomination. Ministers and elders are planning to meet this week to consider how to proceeed.

UPDATE: A report of this meeting can be obtained by clicking here.

The backlash against the Church of Scotland General Assembly in May is now growing and ministers and elders from the evangelical wing of the church are to meet this week to discuss the situation and formulate a response to the Kirk and its congregations.

There is a general acceptance that church members have been shocked and hurt by all that has happened and evangelical churches have already lost good people, while others are seriously considering leaving the national church in the near future. Many members have been disappointed and grieved that no clear leading has been given from evangelical pulpits.

However the desire is that there will be some strategic response to express the very strong dissatisfaction with the decision taken in relation to the Special Commission's report to the General Assembly which many feel showed a shocking and unrepentant disregard for the authority of the Word of God.

The planned meeting has the aim of looking to guage the strength and breadth of feeling, and to look at whether a cohesive response can be formulated. The desire of the organisers is that the gathering will produce some form of action and will not be taken up with 'more words'.

It is recognised that the responses by evangelicals will differ from minister to minister, congregation to congregation and member to member but it is hoped nevertheless to develop a united front. The desire would be to develop an agreed, immediate, united and decisive action – one that will be practical, purposeful; offering a encouragement to all who have been offended and hurt by the Assembly's decision.

In advance of the meeting some 'food for thought' has been disseminated so that those planning to attend the meeting can develop some thinking which will allow C of S evangelicals to collectively and from across the length and breadth of Scotland express a unity and strength in their commitment to the historic Christian faith.

If congregations leave, and it likely that more will, then the question of ownership of building will inevitably come into question, but the commitment to God's Truth sets itself strongly against the Kirk's "chosen unbiblical trajectory, towards its own spiritual demise and destruction."

Clearly much prayer is needed for God's guidance and wisdom.

Footnote: The meeting is being convened for Church of Scotland ministers and elders and anyone with a legitimate locus can obtain further details of the meeting from Christians Together.

Christians Together, 13/06/2011