Kirk members must now put energy into ‘reshaping church life’
The Church of Scotland has cut its central costs by 30 per cent and will dig into reserves to find at least £16 million to help congregations recover from Covid, the General Assembly has been told.
The Kirk is also planning a major reorganisation, with fewer ministers and a reduced number of presbyteries.
The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers, convener of the powerful Assembly Trustees, told the opening session of the Assembly on Saturday there would be a “very different kind of church” in the future.
He said: “Building on the remarkable imagination and adaptability shown during the pandemic, each of us must concentrate now our energies on reshaping every aspect of our church life.
“We have streamlined the central administration, but that will be for nothing unless we complete the work of reforming our presbyteries as the planners of mission and implementing a radical reshaping of the local church around a realistic and affordable number of ministries.
“We have reduced central costs by 30 per cent and we will use £11m of our reserves this year and at least a further £5m in the coming year to reduce pressure on congregations and help recovery from the pandemic.”
But the Assembly agreed to suspend for two years a review of the Kirk’s headquarters at 121 George Street, which could lead to a recommendation to sell the building.
Dr Chalmers said no more than £100,000 would be spent on essential repairs before the end of 2022. “By then we should have a clear indication of what our future plans are for staying or going or developing – heaven forfend – 121 George Street.”
Rev Michael Goss from Carnoustie voiced “deep disappointment” at the delay, adding: “If we manage not to spend more than £100,000 I will be surprised. Old buildings have a habit of needing money spent on them.”
He suggested the church could have decided to rent office space while working out what would be needed long-term – “not finalising the space we will have, but getting rid of the old space in the meantime”.
Assembly voted 254 to 221 to approve the Trustees’ decision to suspend the review and operate a basic maintenance programme.