Printed on 20 Might 2025
6 minutes learn
A name to rise up and transfer ahead to higher days forward was issued to the Basic Meeting as Rev Tommy MacNeil, convener of the Religion Motion Programme Management Staff (FAPLT), introduced its annual report.
Acknowledging that the Church was “in a monetary, ministerial, congregational, and denominational disaster”, Mr MacNeil added that he felt it was not an excessive amount of to say that the Church was in its “Gethsemane second”, the scene of the arrest of Jesus and a spot of nice psychological and religious anguish.
“There are elements of our report that come on account of strain and fill us with a way of grief,” he stated.
“We have made the tough resolution to stop publishing Life and Work in its present kind. We have introduced our joint report on assisted dying. We have additionally been by a prioritisation train the place we have needed to let go of a variety of our Religion Motion employees. Painful decisions. Painful moments.”
Nevertheless, there was some mild within the darkness.
“During the last 18 months I’ve had the blessing of visiting 10 of our Presbyteries for roadshows in partnership with Seeds For Development. At every of our roadshows there was a tangible sense of God’s presence with us and His blessing upon us,” he stated.
“I am additionally happy to say The Good Information Undertaking, which might be a brand new nationwide marketing campaign for our complete church to interact with.
“There are different lights we’re seeing, however time would not allow me to talk about new worshipping communities, church planting, church revitalisation, the quiet revival amongst youth and younger adults, and the truth that all presbytery plans have now been agreed and in place.”
Mr MacNeil concluded his opening remarks by commenting: “I’m completely satisfied there are higher and brighter days forward for our church. However we’ll solely see them if we rise up and get going with what God has known as us to do.”
A kind of lights within the darkness for Mr MacNeil was the Church’s Vivid Imaginative and prescient, which appears to be like in direction of the way forward for the Church.
Describing Vivid Imaginative and prescient as a dream of what might be, three years into the longer term, Mr MacNeil continued: “The struggles of the current previous are behind us and we’re now responding to a brand new season of life and progress in native church buildings and our denomination. Such has been the shift that native and nationwide newspapers are working with tales of the stunning flip round within the affairs of the church, domestically and nationally.”
A video commissioned by FAPLT for instance that imaginative and prescient is among the many sources obtainable to presbyteries and congregations to assist them give you their very own imaginative and prescient for the longer term.
In a movement, the Basic Meeting was requested to welcome and endorse the Vivid Imaginative and prescient video and related sources.
When requested about the associated fee and impression of the video, Mr Tommy McNeil defined it was £8,000 and that this was the most cost effective of three quotes that have been requested for. He reminded the Meeting that there will probably be a convention session round it on Wednesday and that congregations are ready to make use of the video and sources to begin conversations at an area stage.
Mr MacNeil was additionally in a position to announce an extension to the Assistant Minister Scheme, enabling newly ordained ministers to retain a place with the Church till new ministry alternatives open up.
FAPLT has now issued over 70 assistant minister contracts.
The scheme was as a consequence of end on the finish of September, however the Basic Meeting authorised a movement to increase this till the top of the yr.
Mr MacNeil commented: “As FAPLT, a part of our dedication to the church is to pay attention. As such, we’ve got heard there’s a want for the scheme to proceed for an additional quick period and so are proposing extending it for a ultimate three months.
“With this, we wish to guarantee the Meeting that we are going to proceed to journey with and help all our assistant ministers, however the nature of this help must be completely different.”
Rev Brian Kerr welcomed the extension and commented: “It is a short-term resolution, however permits native presbyteries to determine alternatives that may permit the presents and abilities of native ministers to stay inside the Church right now.”
Rev Robbie Hamilton, Clyde Presbytery Clerk, took the chance to thank assistant ministers for the work that they had completed in his space.
“Let’s not neglect that this scheme has supported vacant congregations in tough instances,” he stated.
“Their assist has been invaluable.”
One thing recent
Mr MacNeil additionally described the brand new Apprenticeship Route as “one other mild” within the darkness and an thrilling improvement for the Church.
The initiative, which is aimed toward 18 to 40-year olds, supplies a non-traditional route in direction of management and ministry, widening entry to coaching and opening up alternatives for youthful individuals who could not have the educational {qualifications} required by present coaching pathways.
Because the Apprenticeship Route was authorised by the Basic Meeting final yr, FAPLT had obtained 21 registrations of curiosity and 12 formal functions, Mr MacNeil revealed.
Religion Motion vice-convener for individuals and coaching Rev David Clarkson stated the scheme was one thing recent that spoke to a wider and extra various name to serve.
“This isn’t a shortcut,” he advised commissioners.
“It is a pastoral response to a deeply religious actuality: that many individuals hear God’s name lengthy earlier than they see themselves in a pulpit.
“The Apprenticeship Route is about catching that spark of calling — and giving it area to develop. By means of expertise, reflection, and mentoring in native congregations, we wish to stroll with individuals early — and discern vocation collectively.”
Rev Callum MacFarlane-Grieve, who advised the Meeting that he comes from a working-class background, counseled FAPLT for making the hurdles to pursuing ministry much less daunting.
“I nearly turned my again on my name as a result of I felt it wasn’t for me,” he admitted.
“What number of have we misplaced as a result of we felt the identical? The Church cannot let our constructions be boundaries to these known as by God.
“I commend the Apprenticeship Route and can watch carefully to see the way it develops.”
A global imaginative and prescient
The Meeting appeared past Scotland with a sequence of motions protecting Europe, Asia, Africa and the Center East.
Following an emotional assertion from Rev Doug McRoberts, the previous minister of St Andrew’s Church in Valetta, in regards to the experiences of a Sudanese lady who was rescued from the Mediterranean and brought to security in Malta, the Basic Meeting handed a movement encouraging the Church to recollect and pray for the Church and folks of South Sudan as they stay with the consequences of battle, dealing with local weather adjustments.
The movement additionally known as for a simply and peaceable transition to new political management, and welcomed a brand new management within the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan.
The Meeting additionally drew consideration to the work of Mediterranean Hope over the past decade in welcoming and supporting refugees and migrants in Italy, and pledged to proceed to hope for peace in Lebanon and Syria, but additionally to discover methods wherein the Church in Scotland can provide tangible help for the rebuilding of church buildings and communities.
Printed on 20 Might 2025
6 minutes learn
A name to rise up and transfer ahead to higher days forward was issued to the Basic Meeting as Rev Tommy MacNeil, convener of the Religion Motion Programme Management Staff (FAPLT), introduced its annual report.
Acknowledging that the Church was “in a monetary, ministerial, congregational, and denominational disaster”, Mr MacNeil added that he felt it was not an excessive amount of to say that the Church was in its “Gethsemane second”, the scene of the arrest of Jesus and a spot of nice psychological and religious anguish.
“There are elements of our report that come on account of strain and fill us with a way of grief,” he stated.
“We have made the tough resolution to stop publishing Life and Work in its present kind. We have introduced our joint report on assisted dying. We have additionally been by a prioritisation train the place we have needed to let go of a variety of our Religion Motion employees. Painful decisions. Painful moments.”
Nevertheless, there was some mild within the darkness.
“During the last 18 months I’ve had the blessing of visiting 10 of our Presbyteries for roadshows in partnership with Seeds For Development. At every of our roadshows there was a tangible sense of God’s presence with us and His blessing upon us,” he stated.
“I am additionally happy to say The Good Information Undertaking, which might be a brand new nationwide marketing campaign for our complete church to interact with.
“There are different lights we’re seeing, however time would not allow me to talk about new worshipping communities, church planting, church revitalisation, the quiet revival amongst youth and younger adults, and the truth that all presbytery plans have now been agreed and in place.”
Mr MacNeil concluded his opening remarks by commenting: “I’m completely satisfied there are higher and brighter days forward for our church. However we’ll solely see them if we rise up and get going with what God has known as us to do.”
A kind of lights within the darkness for Mr MacNeil was the Church’s Vivid Imaginative and prescient, which appears to be like in direction of the way forward for the Church.
Describing Vivid Imaginative and prescient as a dream of what might be, three years into the longer term, Mr MacNeil continued: “The struggles of the current previous are behind us and we’re now responding to a brand new season of life and progress in native church buildings and our denomination. Such has been the shift that native and nationwide newspapers are working with tales of the stunning flip round within the affairs of the church, domestically and nationally.”
A video commissioned by FAPLT for instance that imaginative and prescient is among the many sources obtainable to presbyteries and congregations to assist them give you their very own imaginative and prescient for the longer term.
In a movement, the Basic Meeting was requested to welcome and endorse the Vivid Imaginative and prescient video and related sources.
When requested about the associated fee and impression of the video, Mr Tommy McNeil defined it was £8,000 and that this was the most cost effective of three quotes that have been requested for. He reminded the Meeting that there will probably be a convention session round it on Wednesday and that congregations are ready to make use of the video and sources to begin conversations at an area stage.
Mr MacNeil was additionally in a position to announce an extension to the Assistant Minister Scheme, enabling newly ordained ministers to retain a place with the Church till new ministry alternatives open up.
FAPLT has now issued over 70 assistant minister contracts.
The scheme was as a consequence of end on the finish of September, however the Basic Meeting authorised a movement to increase this till the top of the yr.
Mr MacNeil commented: “As FAPLT, a part of our dedication to the church is to pay attention. As such, we’ve got heard there’s a want for the scheme to proceed for an additional quick period and so are proposing extending it for a ultimate three months.
“With this, we wish to guarantee the Meeting that we are going to proceed to journey with and help all our assistant ministers, however the nature of this help must be completely different.”
Rev Brian Kerr welcomed the extension and commented: “It is a short-term resolution, however permits native presbyteries to determine alternatives that may permit the presents and abilities of native ministers to stay inside the Church right now.”
Rev Robbie Hamilton, Clyde Presbytery Clerk, took the chance to thank assistant ministers for the work that they had completed in his space.
“Let’s not neglect that this scheme has supported vacant congregations in tough instances,” he stated.
“Their assist has been invaluable.”
One thing recent
Mr MacNeil additionally described the brand new Apprenticeship Route as “one other mild” within the darkness and an thrilling improvement for the Church.
The initiative, which is aimed toward 18 to 40-year olds, supplies a non-traditional route in direction of management and ministry, widening entry to coaching and opening up alternatives for youthful individuals who could not have the educational {qualifications} required by present coaching pathways.
Because the Apprenticeship Route was authorised by the Basic Meeting final yr, FAPLT had obtained 21 registrations of curiosity and 12 formal functions, Mr MacNeil revealed.
Religion Motion vice-convener for individuals and coaching Rev David Clarkson stated the scheme was one thing recent that spoke to a wider and extra various name to serve.
“This isn’t a shortcut,” he advised commissioners.
“It is a pastoral response to a deeply religious actuality: that many individuals hear God’s name lengthy earlier than they see themselves in a pulpit.
“The Apprenticeship Route is about catching that spark of calling — and giving it area to develop. By means of expertise, reflection, and mentoring in native congregations, we wish to stroll with individuals early — and discern vocation collectively.”
Rev Callum MacFarlane-Grieve, who advised the Meeting that he comes from a working-class background, counseled FAPLT for making the hurdles to pursuing ministry much less daunting.
“I nearly turned my again on my name as a result of I felt it wasn’t for me,” he admitted.
“What number of have we misplaced as a result of we felt the identical? The Church cannot let our constructions be boundaries to these known as by God.
“I commend the Apprenticeship Route and can watch carefully to see the way it develops.”
A global imaginative and prescient
The Meeting appeared past Scotland with a sequence of motions protecting Europe, Asia, Africa and the Center East.
Following an emotional assertion from Rev Doug McRoberts, the previous minister of St Andrew’s Church in Valetta, in regards to the experiences of a Sudanese lady who was rescued from the Mediterranean and brought to security in Malta, the Basic Meeting handed a movement encouraging the Church to recollect and pray for the Church and folks of South Sudan as they stay with the consequences of battle, dealing with local weather adjustments.
The movement additionally known as for a simply and peaceable transition to new political management, and welcomed a brand new management within the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan.
The Meeting additionally drew consideration to the work of Mediterranean Hope over the past decade in welcoming and supporting refugees and migrants in Italy, and pledged to proceed to hope for peace in Lebanon and Syria, but additionally to discover methods wherein the Church in Scotland can provide tangible help for the rebuilding of church buildings and communities.
Printed on 20 Might 2025
6 minutes learn
A name to rise up and transfer ahead to higher days forward was issued to the Basic Meeting as Rev Tommy MacNeil, convener of the Religion Motion Programme Management Staff (FAPLT), introduced its annual report.
Acknowledging that the Church was “in a monetary, ministerial, congregational, and denominational disaster”, Mr MacNeil added that he felt it was not an excessive amount of to say that the Church was in its “Gethsemane second”, the scene of the arrest of Jesus and a spot of nice psychological and religious anguish.
“There are elements of our report that come on account of strain and fill us with a way of grief,” he stated.
“We have made the tough resolution to stop publishing Life and Work in its present kind. We have introduced our joint report on assisted dying. We have additionally been by a prioritisation train the place we have needed to let go of a variety of our Religion Motion employees. Painful decisions. Painful moments.”
Nevertheless, there was some mild within the darkness.
“During the last 18 months I’ve had the blessing of visiting 10 of our Presbyteries for roadshows in partnership with Seeds For Development. At every of our roadshows there was a tangible sense of God’s presence with us and His blessing upon us,” he stated.
“I am additionally happy to say The Good Information Undertaking, which might be a brand new nationwide marketing campaign for our complete church to interact with.
“There are different lights we’re seeing, however time would not allow me to talk about new worshipping communities, church planting, church revitalisation, the quiet revival amongst youth and younger adults, and the truth that all presbytery plans have now been agreed and in place.”
Mr MacNeil concluded his opening remarks by commenting: “I’m completely satisfied there are higher and brighter days forward for our church. However we’ll solely see them if we rise up and get going with what God has known as us to do.”
A kind of lights within the darkness for Mr MacNeil was the Church’s Vivid Imaginative and prescient, which appears to be like in direction of the way forward for the Church.
Describing Vivid Imaginative and prescient as a dream of what might be, three years into the longer term, Mr MacNeil continued: “The struggles of the current previous are behind us and we’re now responding to a brand new season of life and progress in native church buildings and our denomination. Such has been the shift that native and nationwide newspapers are working with tales of the stunning flip round within the affairs of the church, domestically and nationally.”
A video commissioned by FAPLT for instance that imaginative and prescient is among the many sources obtainable to presbyteries and congregations to assist them give you their very own imaginative and prescient for the longer term.
In a movement, the Basic Meeting was requested to welcome and endorse the Vivid Imaginative and prescient video and related sources.
When requested about the associated fee and impression of the video, Mr Tommy McNeil defined it was £8,000 and that this was the most cost effective of three quotes that have been requested for. He reminded the Meeting that there will probably be a convention session round it on Wednesday and that congregations are ready to make use of the video and sources to begin conversations at an area stage.
Mr MacNeil was additionally in a position to announce an extension to the Assistant Minister Scheme, enabling newly ordained ministers to retain a place with the Church till new ministry alternatives open up.
FAPLT has now issued over 70 assistant minister contracts.
The scheme was as a consequence of end on the finish of September, however the Basic Meeting authorised a movement to increase this till the top of the yr.
Mr MacNeil commented: “As FAPLT, a part of our dedication to the church is to pay attention. As such, we’ve got heard there’s a want for the scheme to proceed for an additional quick period and so are proposing extending it for a ultimate three months.
“With this, we wish to guarantee the Meeting that we are going to proceed to journey with and help all our assistant ministers, however the nature of this help must be completely different.”
Rev Brian Kerr welcomed the extension and commented: “It is a short-term resolution, however permits native presbyteries to determine alternatives that may permit the presents and abilities of native ministers to stay inside the Church right now.”
Rev Robbie Hamilton, Clyde Presbytery Clerk, took the chance to thank assistant ministers for the work that they had completed in his space.
“Let’s not neglect that this scheme has supported vacant congregations in tough instances,” he stated.
“Their assist has been invaluable.”
One thing recent
Mr MacNeil additionally described the brand new Apprenticeship Route as “one other mild” within the darkness and an thrilling improvement for the Church.
The initiative, which is aimed toward 18 to 40-year olds, supplies a non-traditional route in direction of management and ministry, widening entry to coaching and opening up alternatives for youthful individuals who could not have the educational {qualifications} required by present coaching pathways.
Because the Apprenticeship Route was authorised by the Basic Meeting final yr, FAPLT had obtained 21 registrations of curiosity and 12 formal functions, Mr MacNeil revealed.
Religion Motion vice-convener for individuals and coaching Rev David Clarkson stated the scheme was one thing recent that spoke to a wider and extra various name to serve.
“This isn’t a shortcut,” he advised commissioners.
“It is a pastoral response to a deeply religious actuality: that many individuals hear God’s name lengthy earlier than they see themselves in a pulpit.
“The Apprenticeship Route is about catching that spark of calling — and giving it area to develop. By means of expertise, reflection, and mentoring in native congregations, we wish to stroll with individuals early — and discern vocation collectively.”
Rev Callum MacFarlane-Grieve, who advised the Meeting that he comes from a working-class background, counseled FAPLT for making the hurdles to pursuing ministry much less daunting.
“I nearly turned my again on my name as a result of I felt it wasn’t for me,” he admitted.
“What number of have we misplaced as a result of we felt the identical? The Church cannot let our constructions be boundaries to these known as by God.
“I commend the Apprenticeship Route and can watch carefully to see the way it develops.”
A global imaginative and prescient
The Meeting appeared past Scotland with a sequence of motions protecting Europe, Asia, Africa and the Center East.
Following an emotional assertion from Rev Doug McRoberts, the previous minister of St Andrew’s Church in Valetta, in regards to the experiences of a Sudanese lady who was rescued from the Mediterranean and brought to security in Malta, the Basic Meeting handed a movement encouraging the Church to recollect and pray for the Church and folks of South Sudan as they stay with the consequences of battle, dealing with local weather adjustments.
The movement additionally known as for a simply and peaceable transition to new political management, and welcomed a brand new management within the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan.
The Meeting additionally drew consideration to the work of Mediterranean Hope over the past decade in welcoming and supporting refugees and migrants in Italy, and pledged to proceed to hope for peace in Lebanon and Syria, but additionally to discover methods wherein the Church in Scotland can provide tangible help for the rebuilding of church buildings and communities.
Printed on 20 Might 2025
6 minutes learn
A name to rise up and transfer ahead to higher days forward was issued to the Basic Meeting as Rev Tommy MacNeil, convener of the Religion Motion Programme Management Staff (FAPLT), introduced its annual report.
Acknowledging that the Church was “in a monetary, ministerial, congregational, and denominational disaster”, Mr MacNeil added that he felt it was not an excessive amount of to say that the Church was in its “Gethsemane second”, the scene of the arrest of Jesus and a spot of nice psychological and religious anguish.
“There are elements of our report that come on account of strain and fill us with a way of grief,” he stated.
“We have made the tough resolution to stop publishing Life and Work in its present kind. We have introduced our joint report on assisted dying. We have additionally been by a prioritisation train the place we have needed to let go of a variety of our Religion Motion employees. Painful decisions. Painful moments.”
Nevertheless, there was some mild within the darkness.
“During the last 18 months I’ve had the blessing of visiting 10 of our Presbyteries for roadshows in partnership with Seeds For Development. At every of our roadshows there was a tangible sense of God’s presence with us and His blessing upon us,” he stated.
“I am additionally happy to say The Good Information Undertaking, which might be a brand new nationwide marketing campaign for our complete church to interact with.
“There are different lights we’re seeing, however time would not allow me to talk about new worshipping communities, church planting, church revitalisation, the quiet revival amongst youth and younger adults, and the truth that all presbytery plans have now been agreed and in place.”
Mr MacNeil concluded his opening remarks by commenting: “I’m completely satisfied there are higher and brighter days forward for our church. However we’ll solely see them if we rise up and get going with what God has known as us to do.”
A kind of lights within the darkness for Mr MacNeil was the Church’s Vivid Imaginative and prescient, which appears to be like in direction of the way forward for the Church.
Describing Vivid Imaginative and prescient as a dream of what might be, three years into the longer term, Mr MacNeil continued: “The struggles of the current previous are behind us and we’re now responding to a brand new season of life and progress in native church buildings and our denomination. Such has been the shift that native and nationwide newspapers are working with tales of the stunning flip round within the affairs of the church, domestically and nationally.”
A video commissioned by FAPLT for instance that imaginative and prescient is among the many sources obtainable to presbyteries and congregations to assist them give you their very own imaginative and prescient for the longer term.
In a movement, the Basic Meeting was requested to welcome and endorse the Vivid Imaginative and prescient video and related sources.
When requested about the associated fee and impression of the video, Mr Tommy McNeil defined it was £8,000 and that this was the most cost effective of three quotes that have been requested for. He reminded the Meeting that there will probably be a convention session round it on Wednesday and that congregations are ready to make use of the video and sources to begin conversations at an area stage.
Mr MacNeil was additionally in a position to announce an extension to the Assistant Minister Scheme, enabling newly ordained ministers to retain a place with the Church till new ministry alternatives open up.
FAPLT has now issued over 70 assistant minister contracts.
The scheme was as a consequence of end on the finish of September, however the Basic Meeting authorised a movement to increase this till the top of the yr.
Mr MacNeil commented: “As FAPLT, a part of our dedication to the church is to pay attention. As such, we’ve got heard there’s a want for the scheme to proceed for an additional quick period and so are proposing extending it for a ultimate three months.
“With this, we wish to guarantee the Meeting that we are going to proceed to journey with and help all our assistant ministers, however the nature of this help must be completely different.”
Rev Brian Kerr welcomed the extension and commented: “It is a short-term resolution, however permits native presbyteries to determine alternatives that may permit the presents and abilities of native ministers to stay inside the Church right now.”
Rev Robbie Hamilton, Clyde Presbytery Clerk, took the chance to thank assistant ministers for the work that they had completed in his space.
“Let’s not neglect that this scheme has supported vacant congregations in tough instances,” he stated.
“Their assist has been invaluable.”
One thing recent
Mr MacNeil additionally described the brand new Apprenticeship Route as “one other mild” within the darkness and an thrilling improvement for the Church.
The initiative, which is aimed toward 18 to 40-year olds, supplies a non-traditional route in direction of management and ministry, widening entry to coaching and opening up alternatives for youthful individuals who could not have the educational {qualifications} required by present coaching pathways.
Because the Apprenticeship Route was authorised by the Basic Meeting final yr, FAPLT had obtained 21 registrations of curiosity and 12 formal functions, Mr MacNeil revealed.
Religion Motion vice-convener for individuals and coaching Rev David Clarkson stated the scheme was one thing recent that spoke to a wider and extra various name to serve.
“This isn’t a shortcut,” he advised commissioners.
“It is a pastoral response to a deeply religious actuality: that many individuals hear God’s name lengthy earlier than they see themselves in a pulpit.
“The Apprenticeship Route is about catching that spark of calling — and giving it area to develop. By means of expertise, reflection, and mentoring in native congregations, we wish to stroll with individuals early — and discern vocation collectively.”
Rev Callum MacFarlane-Grieve, who advised the Meeting that he comes from a working-class background, counseled FAPLT for making the hurdles to pursuing ministry much less daunting.
“I nearly turned my again on my name as a result of I felt it wasn’t for me,” he admitted.
“What number of have we misplaced as a result of we felt the identical? The Church cannot let our constructions be boundaries to these known as by God.
“I commend the Apprenticeship Route and can watch carefully to see the way it develops.”
A global imaginative and prescient
The Meeting appeared past Scotland with a sequence of motions protecting Europe, Asia, Africa and the Center East.
Following an emotional assertion from Rev Doug McRoberts, the previous minister of St Andrew’s Church in Valetta, in regards to the experiences of a Sudanese lady who was rescued from the Mediterranean and brought to security in Malta, the Basic Meeting handed a movement encouraging the Church to recollect and pray for the Church and folks of South Sudan as they stay with the consequences of battle, dealing with local weather adjustments.
The movement additionally known as for a simply and peaceable transition to new political management, and welcomed a brand new management within the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan.
The Meeting additionally drew consideration to the work of Mediterranean Hope over the past decade in welcoming and supporting refugees and migrants in Italy, and pledged to proceed to hope for peace in Lebanon and Syria, but additionally to discover methods wherein the Church in Scotland can provide tangible help for the rebuilding of church buildings and communities.
