At Edinburgh, and within Palmerston Place Church, the twentieth day of March
2012, the Presbytery of Edinburgh met and was constituted with prayer.
SEDERUNT
Rev Elizabeth Henderson, Moderator, Rev Dr George J Whyte, Clerk, and others,
Ministers, Deacons and Elders as in the Register of Attendance.
1.
ROLL OF PRESBYTERY
Anniversary
The Moderator expressed the thanks and good wishes of Presbytery to the Rev
Antony McLean Foreman on reaching the 25th anniversary of his ordination
2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
The Order of Business, as circulated, was submitted and approved with addition
of the Records Committee.
3. MINUTE
The minute of the meeting held on 7 February 2012 was submitted and
approved.
4. STRATEGY TEAM
The Convener, Rev Tom Gordon, gave in the report
It was moved seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery
4.1 note the successful visit to the Presbytery of Edinburgh of the Moderator of
the General Assembly, the Right Reverend David Arnott, and Mrs Arnott, during
10th to 18th March 2012; record their gratitude to Rev Moira McDonald and her
planning team for the imagination they brought to the arrangements and the
diligence with which the visit was planned; and thank all those involved in the
delivery of a valuable, successful and enjoyable programme.
COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2012
4.2 note that the following have been elected as Commissioners to the
forthcoming General Assembly in accordance with Standing Order 11.a and 11.c:
In accordance with the Act anent ex Moderator of the General Assembly:
James Harkness, Finlay Macdonald, Alison Elliott
Ministers in Charges or Appointments (24)
Peter Bluett, Derek Browning, Gavin Elliott, Carol Ford, Neil Gardiner, Brian
Hilsley, Gordon Jamieson, Alastair Kelly, Margaret Lane, Cameron MacKenzie,
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Gilleasbuig MacMillan, Sigrid Marten, Ian Maxwell, Moira McDonald, Russell
McLarty, Tony McLean-Foreman, John McMahon, Jeremy Middleton, David
Rankin, John Smith, Alison Swindells, Gayle Taylor, William Taylor, Peter
Webster,
Retired Minister (4)
Shirley Fraser, Ian Moir, Mary Morrison, John Wilson.
Elders Nominated by Kirk Sessions (27)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
Balerno
Broughton St Mary’s
Colinton Mains
Corstorphine Craigsbank
Corstorphine Old
Craiglockhart
Craigmillar Park
Cramond
Dalmeny
Dean
Duddingston
Fairmilehead
Greenbank
High St Giles’
Holyrood Abbey
Holy Trinity
Juniper Green
Kirkliston
London Road
New Restalrig
Palmerston Place
Pilrig St Paul’s
Slateford Longstone
St Andrew’s Clermiston
St Andrew’s & St George’s West
St David’s Broomhouse
St Nicholas Sighthill
Martin Oliver
Marion McRae
No One Available
Anna Robertson
Jane Walker
No One Available
David Reid
Ian Huggan
John Mackay
John Mutch
Alexander Calder
Muriel Armstrong
Valerie MacNiven
Wilson Murray
James Pollard
Ann Wanless
Charles Godon
Karen McKay
Catherine Brannan
No One Available
Norma Rolls
Eric Fisher
Rita Welsh
June Herschell
Arthur Chapman
Desmond Herkes
John Mackay
Deacons (3)
Margaret Gordon, Elspeth McPheat, Agnes Rennie,
Freely Elected Elders (5)
Norman Anderson, Grant Gordon, Fiona Punton, Will Farrell, James Young
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Commission of Assembly
The Presbytery, in accordance with the procedure set out in the schedule to Act
VI 1997, designate as their Commissioners to the Commission of Assembly:
Derek Browning, Jeremy Middleton and Alison Swindells (Ministers)
Chas Godon, Norma Rolls and Rita Welsh (Elders)
5. DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES
The Convener, Mr Norman Jamieson, gave in the report.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery
Appendix 1
Portobello St Phillip’s, Joppa
approve extending the stay of the current assistant at Portobello St Phillip’s
Joppa, for a further period to 31st July 2012 or until he receives a call (whichever
comes first).
6. PROPERTY COMMITTEE
The Convener, Mr Michael Cunliffe, gave in the report.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery
Appendix 2
6.1 Colinton
grant approval to Colinton to refurbish the organ at a cost of up to £185,000
including VAT, to be met from congregational funds and fundraising.
6.2 St Andrew’s and St George’s West
grant permission to St Andrew’s and St George’s West to sell the former St
George’s West building in Shandwick Place to Charlotte Baptist Chapel.
6.3 Kirkliston
grant approval to Kirkliston to remove existing steps from the chancel area and
reduce the height of the pulpit at an estimated cost of up to £8,000, to be met
from congregational funds.
6.4 St Martin's
grant approval to St Martin's for the redevelopment of the church site, replacing
the existing buildings with a mixture of housing and a new church/hall facility at
no net cost to the congregation
7. MINISTRIES COMMITTEE
The Convener, Rev Bill Brown, gave in the report.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery
Appendix 3
7.1 Nominate Mr Ivan Brown, Reader, as a Candidate for the Ordained Local
Ministry.
7.2 Tribute – Eleanor Pountain
It was with sadness that on 5th March we received news of the death of Eleanor
Pountain. A member at Juniper Green Church, Eleanor was in training for the
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Auxiliary Ministry and therefore a corresponding member of Presbytery. Eleanor
died peacefully in the Marie Curie Hospice. Awareness of being prayed for and
the awareness of God’s love were a wonderful support to a lady of deep faith
and we give thanks to God for her life and service.
Condolences have been expressed on behalf of Presbytery to her family and
particularly her daughters Hannah and Naomi.
8. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The Convener, Rev Alistair, gave in the report.
It was taken as read, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery
8.1 note the following five persons will serve on the Presbytery Staffing Fund
Committee: Rev Dr Russell Barr (Convener), Rev Gayle Taylor, Rev Carol Ford,
Mrs Tricia Kingston, Mr Craig Duncan
8.2 Presbytery note Rev Jack Holt will represent Presbytery on the Merchant
Company Endowments Trust
9. RECORDS COMMITTEE
The Convener, Mr David Nicholson, gave in the report.
It was taken as read, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery
9.1 note that the Records Committee has examined the Minute Book of
Presbytery from December 2010 to December 2011 [page 131-277 inclusive]
and has found them to be in very good order.
9.2 report accordingly to the Legal Questions Committee.
9.3 note that records have been submitted by all congregations within the
bounds and that these have been examined and attested in the name of the
Presbytery,
9.4 note that the general standard of record keeping continues to improve and
is very satisfactory.
9.5 remind session Clerks that loose leaf minutes should be bound in some form
to secure these documents which form the churches’ history.
9.6 direct the attention of those responsible for maintaining records to the
comments made by the examiners and trust that these will be assimilated in the
records for 2013.
9.7 record its thanks to those responsible for the keeping of all records of the
congregations and to the staff at Holyrood Abbey, Morningside, Murrayfield and
Palmerston Place, who provided accommodation and hospitality for the purposes
of the examination.
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10. REPORT OF THE CLERK
The Clerk reported.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery:
10.1 Stated Annual Meetings
grant permission to Currie, Kirkliston, Mayfield Salisbury, St Andrew’s and St
George’s West to hold their Stated Annual Meetings after 31st March 2012.
10.2 Practising Certificates
 issue a Practising Certificate to Mr McQuarrie on his retiral and note that Mr
McQuarrie will retain his seat in Presbytery.
 issue a Practising Certificate to Rev Douglas Galbraith who wishes to transfer
his membership to the Presbytery of Kirkcaldy.
 note receipt of a Practising Certificate from the Presbytery of Kirkcaldy for the
Rev Alistair Wynne and agree to admit him to membership.
10.4 Services
grant permission to the congregations of Portobello Old, Portobello St James and
Portobello St Philip’s Joppa to hold joint services on 22 April, 1 July, 16
September and 2 December 2012.
11. CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS
11.1 Leave Taking Rev Ian McQuarrie
Presbytery having already accepted the demission of Rev Ian McQuarrie from the
charge of Colinton Mains, Mr Gordon Weir spoke on behalf of the congregation.
The Moderator expressed the thanks of the Presbytery to Mr McQuarrie for his
ministry in Edinburgh and assured him of their good wishes.
Mr McQuarrie made suitable reply.
11.3 Leave-Taking: Rev John McMahon
Presbytery noted the departure of the Rev John McMahon from his post as
Health Care Chaplain at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
The Rev Tom Gordon paid tribute to Mr McMahon’s ministry.
The Moderator expressed the thanks of the Presbytery to Mr McMahon for his
ministry and assured him of their good wishes in his new post of Spiritual and
Pastoral Care Team Leader based at Broadmoor Hospital
Mr McMahon made suitable reply.
11.4 Leith St Andrew’s
The Convener, Mr Norman Jamieson, gave in the report.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery approve the basis of Reviewable Tenure for Leith St Andrew’s
(Appendix 4)
BASIS OF REVIEWABLE TENURE
EDINBURGH LEITH ST ANDREW’S
By decision of the Presbytery of 20 March 2012 and with the concurrence of the
Partnership Development Committee of the Ministries Council, the Presbytery
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grant permission to the Congregation of Edinburgh: Leith St Andrew’s
(SC012680) to call a minister on a basis of Reviewable Tenure in terms of Act
VII 2003, section 12 (2) (a), and that on the following conditions:
1) The Presbytery shall review this appointment five years after the induction of
the minister.
2) At the review the Presbytery shall consider with the Kirk Session:
a. Whether the life of the congregation exhibits the five purposes of the
church, i.e. worship, service, discipleship, fellowship and evangelism
and whether these are in a healthy balance;
b. The extent to which the plans of the Leith Churches Forum have been
realised, in particular relation to the diversifying of ministries and
congregational life;
c. The progress of the Leith Waterfront developments and the response
of the Leith Churches Forum to these developments; and
d. Such other matters as may be relevant by that time.
3) Following such review, the Presbytery shall take a further decision on the
future arrangements for ministry to the parish and congregation of Leith St
Andrew’s recognising that one of the options available to it is the termination
of the tenure of the minister on giving him or her six months’ notice in
writing.
4) As a sign of working together, the congregation of Leith St Andrew’s shall
invite the Leith Churches Forum to nominate two people, who shall serve as
non-voting members of the Nominating Committee.
5) The minister shall be free to seek to demit or to be translated as in the
ordinary case of any minister inducted to a charge, provided that, if this
reviewable tenure is his or her first charge, the Presbytery hereby agree that
these conditions constitute exceptional circumstances in terms of Section 4
of Act VIII 2003, and will accordingly issue the necessary Certificate if he or
she seeks to be translated within five years.
11.5 Leith South
The Clerk reported that, in terms of Act VIII 2003 anent Vacancy Procedure, the
Strategy Committee, sitting as the Vacancy Procedure Committee for Leith
South, had received a Call signed by 124 members 1 adherent and 1 regular
worshipper from the congregation in favour of Mr Iain May, Graduate Candidate.
The Committee had agreed to:
1. sustain the Call to Mr May, Graduate Candidate.
2. agree to meet for the Ordination and Induction of Mr May on Wednesday 18
April 2012 at 6.45pm for service at 7pm in Leith South Parish Church; the
Moderator to induct and give the charges.
3. report these decisions to the Presbytery on 20 March 2012.
4. instruct the Clerk and Strategy Team Convener to make arrangements for
the service.
5. instruct the Clerk to cite the congregation to appear at the Presbytery
meeting on 20 March.
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He further reported that he had received a letter from Mr May accepting the Call
and that Mr May has signed a copy of the Basis of Reviewable Tenure.
11.6 A Plan for Presbytery
The Convener of the Plan Team, Rev John Smith, gave in the report and spoke
to the document “A Plan for Presbytery” as a whole.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery
Appendix 5
1. approve the Report of the Presbytery Plan Team with the following
amendment: add Muirhouse St Andrew’s and the Old Kirk to the list of
parishes under the heading “Soft Focus”.
The Strategy Team Convener, Rev Tom Gordon, introduced Section One.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery approve Section One of “A Plan for Presbytery”
The Plan Team Convener, Rev John Smith, introduced Section Two for approval.
Mrs Carol Turnbull (Corstorphine Craigsbank), Mrs Sheila Wells (Ratho), Mr
Michael Gibson (Dean), Mr Finlay Buchanan (Carrick Knowe) and Mrs Irene
Sinclair (Kirk o’ Field) spoke on behalf of their congregations.
Rev John Smith then spoke to Section Two.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery approve Section Two – Ministries Deployment with the following
amendments to the text:
 page 18 London Road: add to the paragraph headed “Presbytery Plan”
the words ‘provided there is agreement with the Kirk Session of
Greenside.’
 page 27 Dean: add a sentence to the paragraph headed “History”
“Since 1997 the post of Minister of Dean has been split 80% parish and
20% duties elsewhere (currently Fresh Start) in the Presbytery”
 page 82 Marchmont St Giles’: add to the second paragraph under
“Parish” ‘and several housing complexes for the elderly’; and in the
third paragraph delete the reference to Sciennes Primary School.
 page 100 Slateford Longstone: alter the final sentence of paragraph 4
under “Parish” to read ‘Longstone Primary School and Redhall Special
School are both located within the parish.’
Rev Ian Wells proposed as a counter motion that in the final paragraph headed
“Presbytery Plan” for Ratho (page 104) all the words after ‘Reviewable Tenure’
should be deleted
On a vote being taken the motion carried.
The Rev Mark Foster asked that his dissent be recorded.
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The Moderator expressed the thanks of Presbytery to the Rev John Smith for his
diligence and work on the “Plan for Presbytery”.
The Superintendence Committee Convener, Mr Chas Godon, introduced Section
Three.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery approve Section Three – Local Church Review.
The Resourcing Mission Convener, Rev Norman Smith, introduced Section Four.
It was moved, seconded and agreed:
The Presbytery approve Section Four – Resourcing Mission.
The Deliverance as a whole was then approved.
ADJOURNMENT
The Presbytery adjourned to meet
 in hunc effectum on 18 April 2012 at 6.45pm in Leith South for the
Ordination and Induction of Mr Iain May.
 for ordinary business on 8 May 2012 at 6.45pm in Palmerston Place
Church.
Closed with Prayer
Moderator
Clerk
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Appendix 1
Portobello St Philip’s Joppa
Background
Presbytery will recall that on 11th October 2011 it approved extending the stay of
the probationer for a period of six months to 31st March 2012.
The Minister reports that the assistant, Chris Galbraith, has been excellent in
pastoral care, worship, alternative worship and outreach / mission.
The post will continue to be full time at a salary equivalent of a minister in
his/her first year in post. It will be funded locally from interest accrued on
legacies.
Portobello St Phillip’s Joppa is served by one ordained minister. It has a parish
of some 5,000 people and there are 588 on the Congregational roll. It is in a
parish grouping with the other Portobello churches of Old and St James.
Appendix 2
Property Background
Colinton
The refurbishment of the pipe organ at Colinton is necessary both to deal with
the consequences of wear and tear, and to undo some ‘improvements’ made in
1976 which have adversely affected the sound. The work will bring the organ
back to its original sound and will allow the congregation to maintain the variety
of music in worship offered by the church. The Kirk Session has commissioned
several reports into this work, including one in 2008 by Mr Alan Buchan, Church
of Scotland Organ Adviser. Costed proposals have been drawn up by the
proposed contractor, Forth Pipe Organs Limited. Most of the cost will be met by
fundraising, and the final extent of the work will depend on the amount raised.
The Committee, with the concurrence of the Deployment of Resources
Committee, recommends approval.
St Andrew’s and St George’s West
The former congregations of St Andrew’s and St George’s and St George’s West
united on 1 January 2010 and subsequently decided to use the church in George
Street as their principal place of worship. Since then, consideration has been
given to possible futures for the Shandwick Place building including setting up a
separate charitable trust to run the building as a community hub, commercial
leasing and sale. Following an expression of interest by Charlotte Baptist Chapel,
the Kirk Session voted in November 2011 to enter into discussion with that body
with a view to selling the building. Negotiations have proceeded to the stage
17
where the congregation now seeks the permission of Presbytery to apply to the
General Trustees for approval of the sale, which would also be conditional on a
vote of the purchasing congregation on 15 June. The Property and Deployment
of Resources Committees have considered whether there is any case for
retaining the Shandwick Place building for the wider needs of the Presbytery, but
have concluded that there is not. Presbytery is therefore recommended to grant
permission.
Kirkliston
The proposed alterations at Kirkliston would remove three tiers of steps up to
the dais, which have been identified as hazardous, and would lower the dais and
the pulpit so that they maintain the same relationship to each other but with a
reduced level relative to the floor. The work would be funded from the
congregation’s own resources. The Committee on Church Art and Architecture
has been consulted. The Property Committee recommends approval.
Appendix 3
Ministries - Background
Mr Brown was interviewed by a sub-committee of the Presbytery’s Ministries
Committee who supported his application to transfer from the Readership to
Ordained Local Ministry. Mr Brown then attended a Local Assessment Centre and
subsequently the Recruitment Task Group has accepted his application for
transfer.
Appendix 4
Leith St Andrew’s
Background
1. The charge became vacant on the translation of the Rev Elizabeth
Youngson to Aberdeen Mastrick, in December 2011.
2. Leith St Andrew’s is a relatively new congregation having united with St
Thomas, Junction Road in 2010 when approximately two thirds of the
former St Thomas’ congregation were judged to have joined the united
church. The basis of reviewable tenure that existed at Leith St Andrew’s
previously had been extended at that time of union up to 2014.
3. There were 353 on the roll at the end of December 2010 and average
weekly attendance at the survey in March 2009 was 101. Ministries and
Mission allocation for 2012 is £62k, well above the benchmark of £47k on
the basis of 86% for Ministries and 14% for Mission, Renewal, Support
and Services.
4. Information regarding the parish can be found on page 55 in the Final
Draft of A Plan for Presbytery.
5. As in the 2007 Presbytery Plan, the Leith Churches Forum (of Leith St
Andrew’s, Leith North, South Leith and Pilrig St Paul’s) became a Parish
Grouping in July 2009. This was a formal recognition of the working
together developed over a number of years in the Leith parishes. A
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Parish Worker (PPW) was appointed in 2010 to take forward outreach
work in Ocean Terminal and the Waterfront area.
6. While Forth Ports Authority was intending to develop the Waterfront area
with 16,000 new homes in the next thirty years, development has since
stopped and the future development of the area is being reconsidered.
7. Given this lack of clarity over the future developments in the area, the
Final Draft – A Plan for Presbytery envisages Leith St Andrew’s being led
by one Minister of Word and Sacrament inducted on a basis of reviewable
tenure. Leith North and South Leith are also on reviewable tenure and
the basis for Leith St Andrew’s is in similar terms.
8. The Basis was approved by the office bearers 17 for, 0 against on 13
February 2012 and at a congregational meeting held on 11 March 2012
there voted 83 for and 0 against.
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Appendix 5
REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY PLAN
TEAM – MARCH 2012
It may help readers to note the following points when reading the Ministries Deployment section
of the Plan.
Congregational Links (see p107 of “A Plan for Presbytery”)
We have identified a number of places where the Plan Team believes conversations between
congregations may be fruitful because there could be common challenges or common community
features. We should make clear that these are recommendations only, and are not exclusive.
Whatever seems right and useful to congregations in their mission and ministry should be pursued.
The Presbytery stands ready, particularly through the Mission Resourcing Committee, to encourage
and facilitate with discussions, guidance and advice wherever that would prove helpful.
Ecumenical Relationships
These are a very central feature of the lives of many of our congregations. Some of these are listed –
but again this is not intended to be an exclusive list.
Relationship to the “Unless the Lord builds the house” programme
The reports fed back through this programme have formed an essential part of the process of
building the narrative and Vocation Statements of many congregations. We remain very grateful for
the enormous amount of hard work and insight which was demonstrated through the process, and
we believe that the benefits will continue forward in years to come. However, we should be aware
that it will not always be the case that the Plan Team agrees with a conclusion in these reports.
Descriptions of Parishes
Readers should note that in a number of Statements reference is made to schools. On many
occasions these schools are not within the parish bounds, but they do serve the community of the
parish.
Tenure
It would have been the wish of the Plan Team that no specific references to Tenure appeared in the
Plan. We are in something of a limbo while we await the Report of the Special Commission to
investigate Tenure that will come to the General Assembly of 2013. However, it was made clear by
Ministries Council that projections with regard to Tenure must be included in the Plan. A number of
congregations and individuals asked us to consider giving all charges Reviewable Tenure. This was a
question that had already been asked, and the Legal Questions Committee advises that we are not
permitted to make blanket decisions about Tenure across the Presbytery.
A further point to make is – in terms of Act VII 2003 (as amended) – Reviewable Tenure may be
considered to allow readjustments other than Union or Linkage. For example, in section 10 (10) of
the Act the possibility is raised of Reviewable Tenure looking toward “Another Form of Ministry” –
20
which seems to correspond with our aspirations for ministry across a wider area than one parish or
sectoral ministry.
Meeting Deployment Targets
Some respondents have commented that the whole process seems to be driven by numbers of
ministries. That would be an overstatement as we have strived to think about the varied contexts of
mission across our Presbytery, and about the Mission which is our calling in this city. However, we
would remind readers that this is the Ministries Deployment section of a wider plan. We would also
have to say that any Plan produced by us that does not meet the Deployment allocation of 78.2 will
not be accepted by Ministries Council. This is the framework in which we work.
Financial Health
A number of congregations ask whether the Plan is driven by questions of financial sustainability,
and whether some decisions are made purely on that basis. On the contrary, we believe that our
Plan demonstrates our commitment to our poorest communities. However, we must also
remember the present situation of the Church of Scotland. In 2011 the cost of Ministries Staffing
would be £44.4 million pounds. Congregations would pay £38.2 million pounds towards this, a
shortfall of £6.2 million per annum. The Ministries Council’s own guidelines point out that one third
of congregations are net contributors and two thirds are net receivers and that “a degree of financial
realism is required.” Much though our hearts would suggest that the situation could go on forever
where we give unlimited ministerial support to congregations that are not financially sustainable,
the pragmatic truth is that we need to maintain our income stream from churches who can provide
it. So the answer to the question is two fold: we must continue to support the work of the church
in our poorest communities while taking into account the issues of financial sustainability. If not
now then certainly at some point in the future these issues will require to be addressed by some
congregations.
Soft Focus
Presbytery is, and should be, a living and dynamic entity so we can be sure that there are always
places, situations and people caught up in the process of change. The Presbytery Plan can only take
a snapshot of a moving object. Such snapshots produce blurs, or a soft focus as opposed to a sharp
one. The Presbytery Planning Task Group of Ministries Council recognizes that there are a few
places in the Plan where the staff allocation and mission focus are clear but the means to achieve
that have yet to be fully developed. These areas are Greyfriars/Kirk o’Field, Greenside, St John’s
Oxgangs/Colinton Mains, Newington/Blackford. In these settings more detailed consultations need
to take place as we together discern the appropriate patterns of church life.
Finally, it is good to remind ourselves of the theological basis which we adopted at the very
beginning of this process. We are grateful to the first convener, Rev David Denniston, who did this
work.
Rev John Smith, Plan Team Convener.
The Planning Process: Biblical, Theological and Spiritual Reflection
by David Denniston, St Cuthbert’s
Amongst the biblical images that might help us in our current situation are those that indicate the
‘fragility’ of the people of God. We could turn to the Old Testament accounts of Israel’s exile, or of
the slow painful decline of God’s people recounted in 1 and 2 Kings (a picture of God’s judgement)
or Jeremiah’s faithful preaching in the face of indifference or hostility.
But perhaps it is Jesus’ teaching about the mustard seed which may inspire helpful and hopeful
theological reflection on our present crisis.
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For centuries the Church in the West has been used to being powerful, respected and influential in
society. However, this is a picture of church with no New Testament parallel, but it is the reality with
which most present Scottish church-goers grew up. Within the church the experience of decline is so
recent and its progress so rapid that we are still struggling to come to terms with the new reality
with which we are operating. For the Church of Scotland, decline is an experience that has lasted
barely over 50 years. That means that the picture of a strong and dominant Church of Scotland,
active in missions abroad, confident in action at home, committed to ‘Church Extension’, engaged in
widespread telling out of the Good News (eg – ‘Tell Scotland’) and listened to by the nation is still
part of the actual memory of the majority of our present membership.
No wonder then that it is so difficult to grasp, accept and come to terms with the story of decline
that has dominated the last half-century and which now threatens to entirely marginalise the Kirk.
There is the inevitable fear that to recognise the present situation and accept it would be to
embrace despair or admit defeat.
However, if we recognise and accept the true situation in which we find ourselves, we will know that
the Church’s existence is a fragile thing. This fragility is new in our own nation and history. But it is
not a new experience for God’s people in history and certainly not in Scripture. The greater part of
the Old Testament narrative deals with the fragility of the people of God for one reason or another
and in one context or another. The church in the New Testament may be (in the main, and unlike
ours) a growing church, but it was still a very fragile community, facing virtual annihilation on the
one hand through persecution, and possible implosion on the other due to internal tensions,
divisions and disagreements.
It is in this context (of fragility) rather than as some kind of triumphalistic motto for Christendom
that we should read Jesus’ words about the ‘gates of hell’ not prevailing against the church. And
dense and difficult although the language and message of Revelation might be, the picture of the
ultimate victory of God as described in that book is offered to a church under persecution and with a
precarious existence through the vision and writings of one who was himself exiled for his faith –
alone and restricted.
We need to find the courage to open our eyes to the possibly unpleasant and unwelcome – certainly
unlooked for – truth that we are living out, holding onto and sharing our faith in a period of ongoing
decline. But while we should acknowledge and accept that reality, there is not therefore a need to
despair1 nor a case for resignation.
We are still called to pray, hope, wait and to keep worshipping, witnessing and working.
So to the Mustard Seed: a small thing indeed; an apparently insignificant thing; a fragile thing. And
yet it is destined to become ‘the greatest of all shrubs’ and in its shade ‘the birds of the air can make
nests’2
1
See for example Isaiah’s picture of a bruised reed that God will not break, or a flickering lamp which he will
not extinguish.
2
Mark 4: 30-32
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Declining numbers, fewer full-time ministers, smaller congregations, financial constraints, reducing
national influence are not reasons for abandoning our mission, embracing despair, or submitting to
hopelessness.
The Mustard Seed is both a powerful and a hopeful imagine. That which is small and insignificant will
yet give birth to something greater and bigger. The parable is a parable of the church and a parable
of mission.
However, our fragility must not be denied, but accepted and understood.
And it is worth recalling what Tim Dearborn said:
‘it is not the Church of God that has a mission in the world;
It is the God of mission who has a Church in the world!’3
Perhaps the Gospel image that the Presbytery Plan Team adopted at the outset of this journey, that
of the lamp on the lampstand provides another picture that is, in some ways, similar to that of the
Mustard Seed. For a lamp (in Jesus’ time an oil fuelled flame) would be protected and sheltered
under a basket, but it is unseen. On the lampstand the light shines out, but it is then vulnerable and
could easily be extinguished by the breeze. But light exists to be seen and to illuminate, not to be
hidden and protected.
Mission involves risk. The proposals we come up with must be well considered, shaped by agreed
principles and recognised parameters, and with as strong an evidence-base as we can provide.
However, the implementation of the proposals will also inevitably involve a degree of experiment
and risk. Mission is always like that. Experiment and risk imply the possibility of failure.
The Parable of the Sower (which has – like many of the parables – layers of meaning) provides a
striking metaphor for risk taking in mission. The sower’s primary concern is the broadcasting of the
seed. If the ‘success’ of his enterprise were measured in terms of the percentage of seed that had
ultimately borne grain, then there is a fairly poor return. But if instead the measure is the quality of
the final crop, then the apparent failure is put into perspective and the risk may be considered
justified and the ‘failure’ outweighed by the success.
While we may see our current situation of church decline in terms of fragility, it is important that we
appreciate that no matter the apparent ‘strength’ of the church, fragility is an inevitable and
unavoidable aspect of genuine Christian mission. And this is perhaps most clearly seen in the Cross
when seen as representing the apparent failure of God’s mission. But of course, in God’s plan it was
not ultimately failure at all!
When we finally present a Presbytery Plan shaped by the agreed principle of mission, we must do so
with the humility of those who can offer no guarantee of ‘success’, but also with the passion of
those who believe that inspired risks are worth taking and that such risk is inherent in any mission
experiment, and with the hope that the God of resurrection will yet bring new life to the Church.
DD November 2010
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Beyond Duty: a passion for Christ, a heart for mission” MARC, 1998
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