News from The Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland is preparing for the 2025 meeting of the General Assembly. Ahead of the annual gathering, which also takes place online, various news releases are being issued.
Here’s one from Rev David Cameron of the Assembly Trustees.
Church Reduces Costs to ensure Sustainability in Mission
Amongst the proposals from the Assembly Trustees is the readjustment of congregations which fail to meet their Giving to Grow allocation. This may also involve the severing of a pastoral tie (essentially making a minister redundant) so the congregation can be readjusted e.g. uniting with a neighbouring congregation, or perhaps dissolution.
This does come across as a pretty brutal approach and may portray the painful financial situation the Church of Scotland is in. There is no slack in the system to compensate for congregations who do not or cannot meet their financial targets. Let’s be clear it requires a congregational income of around £100,000 p.a. to pay for full time ministry and maintain, insure, heat and light the church building.
As one who wears a Dog Collar, I now know what it feels like to be a Football Manager!
The General Assembly opens on 17 May under the theme ‘Extravagant Love”. Yes, you read that correctly.
For the brave you can download the Volume of Reports to the General Assembly 2025 or read them online below