The theme for this year’s General Assembly was “People of the Way,” seeking to highlight the Church of Scotland’s Christian community and the contribution that it makes within Scotland and also in the wider world. The General Assembly was held in Edinburgh, at the General Assembly Hall on the Mound, from May 21-27, 2016. Over 730 commissioners from congregations across the Church of Scotland, both domestic and international, came together to soak up the mix of debate, tradition, and worship that make up the remarkable event. Throughout the course of the week commissioners were joined by more than 150 people from associated partners and organizations, including over 35 youth representatives and around 40 international emissaries. The proceedings were led by the Kirk’s new moderator, Rev Dr Russell Barr.

According to the Church of Scotland, “The General Assembly considers reports from each of the Church's councils, discusses issues of national and international importance, and makes decisions that help set the Church of Scotland's direction for the coming years.”

Decisions made at the General Assembly can have lasting consequences on the future of the national Church, and so more contentious issues are usually debated and discussed for many years before final resolutions are reached. This year saw a host of vibrant discussions on topics such as a congregations right to call a minister who is in a same-sex marriage to serve, the importance of providing pastoral care for transgender and non-binary congregation members, how close personal relationships effect the work of the church, the future role of Elders in congregations, and also the process of Local Church Review.

Other important topics were discussed such as the World Mission Council’s vital eco-justice projects with partners around the world, the specific challenges facing churches in rural communities, the need for fresh pastors to serve in congregations around Scotland, and the importance of researching ways to make hymnbooks and worship resources more accessible and intuitive for all.

In a historic move, the Archbishop of Canterbury became the first head of the Church of England to take part in a debate at the GA during the presentation from the Committee on Ecumenical Relations. The committee asked the assembly to adopt the Columba Declaration, a formal acknowledgement of common faith between the two denominations to provide the basis for future ministerial cooperation between the churches. The committee calls it a, “historic step forward in the relationship between the two churches,” a sentiment which the Archbishop seconded during his time at the assembly.

The Church of Scotland also took a strong political stance when it voted overwhelmingly to back the case for the United Kingdom to stay in the European Union. Debate was vibrant as commissioners discussed the issue itself, as well as the fact that the church was publically supporting it.

Two specific RCH programs were also commended by the Church of Scotland in their committee reports, including the Eco-Congregation movement and the work with refugees that is being undertaken at the Scottish Mission in Budapest. Both of these were highlighted as excellent ways of being the prophetic church in the wider world.

During the week in Edinburgh, the Church of Scotland, thanks to its dedicated commissioners in the General Assembly, took important strides towards being the church of the future – one who accepts all, loves all, and doesn’t shy away from having hard discussions. No matter how heated a subject was, those in attendance discussed and debated it with a sense of poise and Christian love that brings a renewed sense of hope to the direction of the church.   

Delegates from the RCH and the Scottish Mission were represented at this year’s General Assembly, including Rev Tamás Kodácsy, Head of the Eco-Congregation Council of RCH, representing the RCH; Carolyn Otterness, RCH mission co-worker and Elder at the Scottish Mission, representing the Scottish Mission; and Kearstin Bailey, Global Mission Intern with the RCH and member at the Scottish Mission, representing the CofS International Presbytery as a youth representative.

 

Article by Kearstin Bailey