Five-year plan could lead to closure of 14 churches
A wide-ranging consultation has been launched to discuss new proposals which could see more than a dozen church buildings closed and several jobs lost across part of Perth and Kinross – including in the Strath.
The planning and development committee of the Presbytery of Perth has produced what a spokesperson described as a “draft mission plan” to determine how “limited resources” should be allocated over a five- year period to ensure the Church of Scotland “meets 21st century mission needs”.
The presbytery has 45 church buildings within its boundary and is asking members to consider the possible closure of 14 of them at some point within the five-year lifespan of the plan.
A provisional list released by the Church of Scotland on Monday last week features the churches in Cleish, Portmoak, Arngask, Forteviot, Forgandenny, St Leonard’s in the Fields in Perth, two buildings attached to Craigie and Moncrieffe – also in the Fair City – Kilspindie and Rait, which is one building, Trinity Gask and Collace.
Presbyters have been advised that two buildings connected to Mid Strathearn Church, and “one building in Crieff”, may have to be closed, although a final decision has yet to be taken.
Rev Allan Wilson is convener of the Presbytery of Perth’s planning and development committee.
He said: “We are at the beginning of a process to determine how limited resources should be allocated to congregations over the lifetime of the draft mission plan, which is five years.
“It is a significant time of change and the proposals, which are based on evidence provided to the committee by congregations, represent a concerted effort to continue the mission of the Church and nurture green shoots of growth within the limitations set by the General Assembly.
“It requires increased co- operation between congregations and the sharing of resources across existing parish boundaries.”
The draft plan suggests that some congregations could be united and others, which the report describes as “having shown less evidence of growth in recent years”, may be placed under presbytery guardianship to ensure that they continue to function.
For example, it is proposed that pastoral needs associated with St John’s Kirk in the centre of Perth would be handled by nearby St Matthew’s Church, while Perth North Church would support its ongoing city centre outreach work.
In addition, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has instructed presbyteries to reduce their current staffing levels.
For the Presbytery of Perth, the number of Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Ministries Development Staff posts is to be reduced from 26 to 16.5.
The 37 per cent reduction decision was taken in May last year against a backdrop of declining numbers of people training for the ministry, a reduction in financial contributions and falling membership.
Mr Wilson said reducing the number of ministries posts by 37 per cent has been a task that “none of us relished”.
“We recognise that they represent real people and real communities within our presbytery,” he added.
Mr Wilson continued: “However, not only have we taken seriously the requirement to reduce the number of ministries in Perth and Kinross, we have also taken seriously Jesus’ call to mission and discipleship.
“This is an opportunity to refocus our efforts and prepare for ministry in the years ahead and some of these changes may have been needed for some time.
“We are confident that in this plan we offer a considered, effective and robust structure for ministry.”
The consultation will last for eight weeks and a “comprehensive” audit of buildings will inform the plan as it progresses.
A new plan needs to be agreed by the Presbytery of Perth, the Faith Nurture Forum and the General Trustees by December 31.
Looking to the future, Mr Wilson said the presbytery is committed to considering any proposal to buy a former church building and maintain it for community use.
This includes the acquisition of a building opposite the new Bertha Park High School near Perth by the General Trustees – the property holding arm of the Church of Scotland.
It also includes “a willingness to develop ecumenical partnerships where possible”, according to the draft plan.
A spokesperson for the Church of Scotland said it was down to each individual presbytery to publish a draft plan in advance of the December 31 deadline.
It requires increased co-operation between congregations and sharing of resources across existing parish boundaries Rev Allan Wilson