The challenges of the Church of Scotland have been catalogued by independent researchers, Scotcen.
THE MINISTER
Rev Fiona Smith gave up a career as a lawyer in London to become a minister in Inverness.
She remembers her appointment in 2010 raising a few eyebrows but Fiona, 48, feels times are changing. “When I worked in the City of London, there were very few women so I think the Church of Scotland has been pioneering,” said Fiona, from Ness Bank Church.
“It has definitely made women feel more part of the Church. It has a huge impact for them to think, ‘Gosh, that’s a woman up there’.”
Fiona will be in the procession on Tuesday and feels the decision taken half a century ago can’t be overstated. “With Susan Brown installed, all but one person at the top table of the General Assembly will be a woman, which is marvellous,” said Fiona.
“The moves made in 1968 were very progressive and it’s lovely there have been women ministers for the entirety of my life. “It was so forward thinking and worthy of celebrating.”
THE RESEARCHER
“There has been a change about how people think on a range of issues including same-sex marriage and premarital sex. “The legalisation of same-sex marriage reinforced for some the legitimacy of taking a liberal outlook on life.
“If you contrast that with religions seen as bastions of social conservatism, then many people are unwilling to identify with them.
“But religious identity in general is declining among all age groups.”