Kirk must abolish undemocratic Presbytery system if it is to regain any ground
Rev Dr Robert Anderson sums it up perfectly in his letter (9 May) concerning the Church of Scotland reversing the Reformation’s direction of travel. Dr Anderson is one of a rare breed – an experienced minister willing to publicly criticise the Church. Of course, he is right. Brave and right. The Reformation was about empowering congregations and members. The Church of Scotland has reversed that process. It is in turmoil: plummeting membership; falling attendance; closing churches and a shortage of ministers. Presbyteries operate with a rod of iron controlling mere congregation sand making decisions in not a veil, but a solid casket, of secrecy of which the Soviet politburo would have been both proud and envious. What is the Church doing about this? Considering the use of non- ordained amateur“clergy ”. Expecting ministers to look after two or more parishes instead of one and conducting multiple services on Sundays with travel in between. Some churches see services just monthly. Will this increased workload encourage folk to train for the ministry? Why try to operate two( or more) potentially disparate churches with one minister? And much of this forced on unwilling congre - gations. The church is considering reducing the numb er of Presbyteries from 46 to 12. Will these be all-powerful (I shy from the word “omnipo - tent” but you can’t argue it’s not apposite) ruling bodies dictating unwelcome policy and instruction from afar and without local knowledge?
It is time, as Rev Dr Anderson says, for democracy in the Church. This will not go down well with the higher-ups. But nonetheless, it is time for congregations to make their own decisions about new ministers, about the style of an appropriate man se, about their own finances.
It is time for the abolition of the undemocratic Presbytery system so we can let congregations get on with what they know and do best. Developing their faith, managing their affairs and worshipping the Lord.
ALASDAIR SEALE Cluny Avenue, Edinburgh