Church of Scotland’s refusal to learn lessons from Malawi borders on racism

In May 2015 I attended the General Assembly as a delegate. During that week I proposed a Motion that the Assembly invite the three General Secretaries of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) in Malawi, one for each Synod, to Scotland.

During the next two or three weeks they would each, from a different area in Scotland, prepare a joint report as to how, from their long Church experience, the lack of attendance for worship in Scotland could be addressed for the better.in Malawi, Sunday by Sunday, for over 100 years, their churches have been full each week, with many holding several services, one after another, on Sunday mornings.

My Motion, despite its financial implications, was supported by the appropriate Committee Convenor. The Assembly itself, however, after considerable debate, voted overwhelmingly not to consider this proposal, and if some sort of advice was to be offered by Malawi, all that was required could be dealt with by Skype.

In my view this response was paternalistic, discriminating and bordering on racism. Delegates from 121 George Street – the Church’s headquarters – visit Malawi and other countries, and this is right and proper, but with no artificial restraints such as Skype.

With this letter I seek the assistance of a delegate to this year’s Assembly to reintroduce such a Motion so that the principle involved might be reconsidered.

The Assembly, as the highest court in the Church, is a gathering of quality, a high level of debate with a good deal of pomp and ceremony. Sadly, today it can at best be described in its core work as almost “Dead Sea fruit”, serving just more and more empty pews.

To date, Presbytery plans developed throughout the country are not producing more churchgoers, they are only tinkering with the problem. I feel the Assembly should be mature and humble enough to accept the opportunity of advice and experience from one of its daughter churches, such as the CCAP in Malawi.

Scotland has no shortage of ministers for the total number of people worshipping on a Sunday. It does have, however, a real surplus of empty pulpits which it continues to try to fill and appears not to have the will or courage to deal with this glaring situation.

In conclusion, may I remind the Assembly that the ongoing, very successful Malawi project was set up by Scots missionaries more than a century ago. This organisation has remained effective over the years despite it always having a limited number of ministers, and limited funds.

COLIN CAMERON Elder, Old Parish Church Irvine and former member of CCAP in Blantyre, Malawi