Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I have decided to revert to writing a weekly ‘letter’ on this blog. Partly because it means I am less restricted than I am when I write for others – and partly because some have asked why I have reduced my writing so much. But I now feel constrained…. We will look at a variety of subjects – from throughout the world – but I will always go with what is on my heart – and right now – after a week of watching the Assemblies in Scotland – I am deeply burdened….so forgive me if this is where we begin. Those of you from other countries can learn from Scotland’s mistakes, sins and glories….
I am a bit of an Assembly geek – and therefore was one of the very few who watched most of the Church of Scotland and Free Church General Assemblies last week. Through the wonders of YouTube, I could watch and, in the car listen, as I did a lot of travelling during the week. For those of you who don’t have the pleasure of being Pressies (see how I have adapted to the Aussie lingo!), let me explain that the General Assembly of Presbyterians churches is the annual gathering of ministers and elders seeking to review the work of the church and plan for the future. I will leave the Free Church to next week, but this week lets reflect on what happened at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
A few questions based on my observations.
- Where is the theological clarity? The Church of Scotland continued to hold to its traditional Christian position that euthanasia is wrong. Although with caveats. The vote was close – 149 to 145 and the motion itself noted the ‘differing theological positions’ within the church. I wonder what theological position would justify the church supporting the State killing its citizens? Would the church be as happy admitting that ‘there are different theological positions’ on slavery? Indeed, there are. And some of them are wrong. Sadly, the winning motion referred to ‘assisted dying’. Words matter. The church is not opposed to assisted dying – we are all for good palliative care. We are opposed to assisted suicide or euthanasia.
- Where are the new churches? The Church of Scotland in 2017 expressed a desire that each church should plant a church by 2020. It didn’t happen. The wish for 100 new ‘worshipping communities’ (much harder to define than churches and so much easier to say you have achieved it) at this Assembly is just as likely to go unrealised. It was interesting to hear one delegate speak of his visits to several Free Church congregations and commending the Free Church for its church planting work. He noted that he had been to one former Church of Scotland building which had been sold to the Free Church and was surprised to see it full with young families and a growing congregation. He noted that the Free Church had a programme for 30 new churches by 2030 – an increase of a third and wondered what would happen if the Church of Scotland did the same thing. If only wishes were reality.
- Where is the prophetic voice? The discussion on the Public life and Social Justice Programme Group was especially depressing – demonstrating just how irrelevant the Church of Scotland has become precisely because it has moved away from the Gospel and just become an echo chamber for the middle-class chattering classes. We heard about peace and climate action and Gaza – all the usual suspects. We heard nothing about abortion, marriage, transgenderism or the decline of education in Scotland. The fantasy persists that the Church of Scotland is somehow able to ‘influence public policy making’. Given that the Church of Scotland just reflects back to the civic elites the policies they are already doing this is both unlikely and useless.
The most revealing speech on this was from Marjory Clark an elder from Perth St Matthew’s, who said:
“Increasingly we hear of climate change deniers, those casting doubts about vaccine safety, the blaming of Muslims and asylum seekers following the Southport attacks, and our Prime Minister’s astonishing comments last week about ‘an island full of strangers’ to name but a few examples where truth is challenged and dangerous opinions are presents as fact, only encouraging further division and fear.”
The Assembly then went on to agree a motion which encouraged the Church to uphold truth in the public square and to challenge misinformation. To Ms Clark anyone who disagrees with her political views is guilty of ‘misinformation’. What saddened me about this was not the views of Ms Clark. They are after all the views that one would expect of the middle-class tea parlours of Perth. What saddened me is that not one person stood up to challenge her own misinformation.
It was somewhat ironic to hear of delegates complaining of the dangers of ‘populism’ by which they meant views which they did not like which were popular. The Scottish National Party is a populist movement, but you would never hear the Assembly say anything about the dangers of their kind of populism.
It was also ironic to hear of delegates talking of themselves as though they were the downtrodden powerless – ‘we can speak truth to power’…. blissfully unaware that they were the representatives of power, surrounded by all the trappings of power.
- Where are the men? …. Watching the Assembly, it struck me both how old it is – and how it is increasingly being dominated by women. The number of American women – largely from the PCUSA – who spoke was fascinating. If the C of S is looking to the PCUSA as a model – they need to grasp that it is a model of decline – probably the only Presbyterian church in the world which is declining faster than the C of S! The fact is that the Church of Scotland will soon not be able to have gender balance on its boards, committees and Kirk Sessions – the men are leaving in droves. One delegate pointed out that it would be impossible to have gender balance on Kirk Sessions because there are not enough men.
- Where were the evangelicals? – They seemed to be fewer than ever. Sadly, the majority of those who are left seem to have been entirely assimilated into the Kirk. 15 years ago, I was
assured that evangelicals were at a tipping point and would soon be taking over. They were right. It was a tipping point. Into a downslide unlike any the Church of Scotland has seen in its history. And many evangelicals facilitated that. Not for 30 pieces of silver. Just some seats at the table and a few moderatorships.
- Why is the Kirk in such decline? Only 68,000 are now regularly attending services. Apparently, the report on this couldn’t be given because the committee was divided on it. The convenor suggested that it was all tied in with sociological factors, industrialisation, the breakdown of community etc – In other words – external factors. The Kirk was just the canary in the coal mine. It would never cross anyone’s mind – or at least they would not admit, that the decline could as likely be due to internal factors – not least the turning away from the Word that they are supposed to be preaching.
- Where is the Reality? Nobody does spin and fantasy like the Kirk (actually that may not be true – other churches are also pretty adept at this!). This was seen for example in the report which proposed shutting down the Kirk’s magazine – Life and Work – after 146 years. I was astounded to discover that the circulation was only around 6,000 (I am one of the few subscribers!). Yet this closure – so devastating for staff and readers alike – was spun as something positive. This is not the end – it is about looking forward and seeing new forms of communication. The same thing with the Business Committee’s report – the Assembly will change to a weekend assembly because they cannot get enough elders to attend.
- Tommy MacNeil from Stornoway was as always refreshing and upbeat – a good Gospel man. But even he couldn’t hide the underlying despair. No matter how many times you state that we should stop managing decline and start reimagining our witness, it still won’t stop the tide flowing out.
As someone who saw this happening more than 35 years ago – and who longed for the C of S to turn around – I am truly in despair at just how far down the road the Kirk has gone. I thought that in my lifetime it could easily become irrelevant – it has. But I never thought that it would become virtually extinct – and yet that is now a real possibility within the next decade.
The Church of Scotland is dying – and will die. https://theweeflea.com/2022/05/26/unless-the-church-of-scotland-returns-to-the-gospel-it-will-die/
If you need any further evidence of this – consider this from three weeks ago. The induction of the Rev Scott Rennie to St Giles. If you are unaware Scott Rennie was the minister in Brechin cathedral who, after he had divorced his wife, had a civil partnership (and then ‘marriage’) with Dr David Smith. This led to the battles within the Kirk from 2008 for just over a decade. Now he has been admitted as minister of St Giles. Even Archbishop Laud would be throwing his stool! The service was typical of the blasphemy that is now so acceptable in the Kirk. Reading from a Bible they don’t believe, singing words they don’t mean, making a mockery of the Christ they purport to follow, but don’t know. The most astonishing part of the service was when the call was read, and it was announced that after due notice was given no one appeared to object to the life or doctrine of Rev Scott Rennie. Every evangelical who was silent about this – is complicit in it. Mind you the taking of the vows was breathtaking in its audacity and hypocrisy. And to hear the words ‘we give thanks to your husband David’ – was chilling…. I hope and pray that not one evangelical took part in this blasphemous farce!
Incidentally another indicative factor is that such has been the decline in St Giles that it has been united with another church, Canongate. The decline will, and should, continue. I have seen an internal report which even suggested the possibility of selling or at least leasing out St Giles. ( I was asked if I would be tempted to return to Scotland (aka John Knox) if I could preach at St Giles – that would have been such an unlikely miracle how could I refuse!)
Is there a solution? Yes – I think there is. That solution is not in the redistribution of declining resources (rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic); nor is it in some kind of vague hope of a ‘quiet revival’ (which is so quiet everyone is hearing about it!). Neither is it in the repetition of endless spiritual cliches and memes such as ‘the most important thing for the church is to speak about Jesus more than the church”. The name of Jesus is not a magic mantra to be used to get rid of our own personal demons or advance our own causes. I think of the Jewish exorcists in Ephesus (Acts 19) who were commanding demons to come out in the name of Jesus and were told by the evil spirit – ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”! It’s no use evoking the name of Christ if you are going to ignore what Christ says, and throw away his Word. The Church needs to return to the real Christ – the Christ of the Bible. Not the fantasy Christ of the progressives at prayer.
The Church needs to hear the word of Christ – “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: there are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Rev.2:14-16)
“20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” (Rev. 2:20-23)
14 ‘To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me”. (Rev 3:14-20)
Hear the Word of the Lord…. or Ichabod.
Join me in praying for the Church of Scotland, and the Church in Scotland (not the same thing!),
Yours in Christ
David
PS. Come back next week for the Free Church….
PPS. For the avoidance of doubt I feel heart sorry for the evangelicals who remain in the C of S – especially the ordinary members. And there are still a few faithful ministers who are keeping their head down and getting on with the local work….but for how long can that continue? Evangelical congregations are being forcibly amalgamated with liberal ones…..I cannot understand how any evangelical could be a member of the Edinburgh and West Lothian Presbytery and be complicit in the blasphemous farce of a service their presbytery did.
And here is the St Giles induction service.
The Slow Death of the Church of Scotland – Accelerates
Letter from Australia 125 – Debating Suffering with Stephen Law on Unbelievable…some feedback!
Excellent article but the decline of the Church of Scotland is a tragedy in so many ways .
I attend Home Church in Kirkintilloch which is independent and is expanding rapidly , in just over two years it has gone from one location to 5 , the Gospel is preached and is touching hearts . On Sunday 23 people were baptised in a remarkable and inspiring service , so God is moving in Scotland but clearly not in the C of S.
The baptism service is available on YouTube.
Exactly the same situation applies to the Methodist Church in England – a huge decline in membership and attendance, almost entirely dominated by women, an obsession with gender ideology, DEI and LGBTQ+ activism….. and most crucially, a complete disregard for the Word of God. I seriously doubt whether many of the church’s leadership actually believe in the God of the Bible. They certainly don’t appear to believe or trust in his Word anymore.
One can be forgiven for thinking that we are witnessing the great apostasy before our very eyes.
Even so, come Lord Jesus, come……
David, there are good churches in Scotland. For one example, look on Youtube at weekly services in Kurkliston Community Church.
The C of S is dead and won’t be revived. But Jesus is alive in Scotland!
Indeed – I hope you were not thinking that I was suggesting otherwise. I know many of them. Furthermore there are still some good churches within the C of S!
Yes. Thank you David. I’m heartbroken for them! 🙏🙏🙏
Tis the modern world in decline. In some quarters younger people are returning to Christ’s word, presumably because the “rewards” promised in Western Society are false, hollow.
The madness of climate wars, gender and profit grip the population. Fueled by the media and government provoked fear of catastrophe.
Depressing indeed.
I think also that more people are realising, although perhaps not fully understanding, that we’re in a spiritual battle between good and evil. Our mission is to point them to Jesus and the Bible, so that what’s happening currently will make more sense, particularly regarding Israel.
It seems to me that Christ is no longer the head of the Church of Scotland. A decapitated body is a corpse. Why any Christian would stay in the sinking Titanic is beyond me. I am, of course, not denying that there are true believers in the established Kirk. Here in Scotland David might be charged with a hate crime, but the truth has been spoken in love.
‘Visit of the Lord High Commissioner – General Assembly 2025’ at Free Church Assembly 2025 felt heart warming and authentic. CoS Assembly clips I saw had nil of that magnetism and warmth.
David like you I grieve for the Church of Scotland. I too watched bits and pieces of the General Assembly and with the exception of Tommy MacNeil I witnessed little to be positive about.
The Public Life and Social Programme Group (the very name is bureaucratic and depressing) had minimal debate and wrestling with the major issues of the day. It was like witnessing the Liberal Demaocrats’ conference. Even the debate on The Assisted Dying Bill seemed devoid of serious theological argument. Much of it twas emotional and anecdotal.
The C of S might be in serious decline but I get the impression this is not the case for the Church in general. There are many anecdotes of church growth and people coming to faith. The recent Bible Society report suggests a significant increase in Church attendance in England and Wales and a huge surge in the sale of printed bibles. This is perhaps the first time in 100 years such and uptick has been observed.
Thank you for your reflections. I may not agree with you on everything but you always make me think.
Very good article. Tragic days in Scotland, and around the Globe.
“a la” John Knox
Funny, I used to get depressed with the Church of Scotland situation on past consideration of its decline. However, I now think we should maybe celebrate this. The divine power to revive or extinguish a Church is a central biblical theme. We would prefer the former to the latter, but do both affirm the absolute consistency of God?
Greetings from just down the coast a bit.
I’m Presbyterian (NSW, Au) by conviction, but grew up Methodist in the 60s and 70s. Reading your article I could just as easily substitute ‘Uniting Church’ for ‘Church of Scotland’ and see many many parallels. I am not anything ‘special’ inasmuch as I am not ‘ordained’ or even ‘theologically trained’ (just a Calvinist that has made it through the ‘Cage Stage’ ;), but I see the same path of irrelevance in the UCA as you outline for the CoS. I expect that within a decade or so the only remains of the UCA will be the ‘Uniting’ social services organisation. the rest? old buildings decaying and waiting to be sold (to further fund the social services organisation).
Harry – how lovely to hear from you….come and visit us in Scots sometime!
Interesting how you call out the blasphemy in the Church of Scotland, but fail to see the blasphemy going on in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Operations “Cast thy bread on the waters” – one of the examples my late Jimmy used to cite – and the current Gideon’s Chariots are good examples of this blasphemy.
It depends what you mean by blasphemy? Are you arguing that all sin is blasphemy? That is of course true – but then why mention only one situation. If blasphemy is the misusing of the name of Christ or turning away from his Gospel – then evil though Gaza may be (and the horrors that Hamas is inflicting). it is not blasphemy – neither the Jews nor the Muslims are claiming to be acting in the name of Christ. Cast your bread on the waters is a quote from the book of Ecclesiastes. It is not blasphemy….
Thanks for this David.
I am not a member of the Church of Scotland but have long felt an affiliation to it.
Brought up in a Christian family (my parents were officers in the Salvation Army), I hold onto faith in our lord each day. I learned of that faith not only at home, but at school where there was a strong connection to the local Kirk. I also attended the B.B. in a Church of Scotland hall. After school I joined H.M. forces, enlisting in a Scottish regiment. When away from home, I attended the Regimental Kirk regularly where the Padre there was a gracious man of God who was a great influence on me as a young soldier. It has saddened me greatly to see the demise of our National Church in recent years, especially in the county where I now live. I pray often for the Kirk, that God will bring renewal and new life to it. I too can only hope it is not too late.
Sadly, the hierarchy of the church is increasingly apt to closing ranks (and has become what litigious, threatening this journalist with legal action).
https://youtu.be/FqKl79TTm3E
The blasphemy lies in the nomenclature and details of the ‘Cast thy Bread’, ‘Gideons chariots’, etc, etc, campaigns themselves along with the AI killing algorithm ‘The Gospel’.
So sad! I was brought up in McChyene Memorial Church, Dundee baptised as an infant, attended Sunday School, BB, joined the Church, sang in the choir, yet I cannot recall hearing the message of the Gospel. That church had 1100 member and 35 elders when I was a boy; today it is an empty shell. I remember my mother telling me that ‘we preached in Gospel in the Mission Hall in Taylors Lane and when folks got converted and wore a suit, they could join the kirk’! It was the place to be. When I was converted in the RAF and studied for 4 years at London Bible College, I asked to be considered for the ministry in the COS. The committee told me I had do an arts degree, then a BD and be licensed to preach (which I’d been doing for 5 years in the Brethren!!) , in order to have ’rounded ministry’. Instead, the Lord took us for 35 years as missionaries to South America. On return at the age of sixty, my wife and I offered to go for nothing to rural churches in the North, again the answer was ‘too old. not prepared…’ By the grace of God, the Presbtery of Sutheland asked us to come, and we rejoiced in serving in Lochinver, Lairg and Rogart and also in the FC and the FPC. God does not have retirement in his vocabulary!
How lovely to hear from you. McCheyne Memorial Church died during my time in Dundee – eventually the building was sold to a Muslim businessman.
This is a good take on GA. The trouble is, what you see at GA is not what you see on the ground. I was at a CoS national ministers conference a couple months ago. The number of men under 50 (and even 40) present shocked me. The number of African ministers has increased sharply. New ministers/probationers coming through the pipeline have almost exclusively been training with HTC. And—again on the ground—the number of those who unwittingly subscribe to key elements of evangelicalism but (rightly or wrongly) disown the label never ceases to amaze me, especially in contrast with how things were not too long ago.
Now, statistics don’t lie. But it’s difficult to resist the impression big changes are coming. You’re correct: if you look at the public face of the CoS, it’s pretty dire. But the public face is far from indicative of what the Spirit is up to where it actually matters (if I can be forgiven for saying so).