Comments on the Church of Scotland GA
Well, having concluded, it is interesting to look back at the GA and some reflection on specific issues.
From my observation and reading, the most significant debate was on the topic of same-sex civil unions on Tuesday afternoon. It was probably the longest debate and most complex from a parliamentary perspective. The motion from the council was actually pretty narrow, just protecting ministers from the fear of disciplinary action if they were, or were not, to participate in a service marking a same-sex civil union. It was pointed out that this was simply a legal and discipline issue to reflect the legal status in Britain as a whole at the present time. However, the strongly held opinions were reflected in the success of the motion to send the action to presbyteries for approval, and for the main vote where the original motion carried by 322-314.
It should be noted that the debate was handled very well by the moderator and the commissioners and all sides were heard and their opinions respected. It must also be noted that this was in response to secular actions and that a report will be coming to next year's GA on the theological underpinnings. It is impossible to tell at this point how many commissioners, in their voting, were acting on the issue as a whole, and how many were just concerned with the narrow parameters of the motion as it was presented.
Another major issue was the concern over the reorganization of the church. The assembly on Monday agreed to an overture to evaluate the new structure and particularly the new financial implications and whether it takes away from local churches and presbyteries. As is always the case in the presbyterian system, since we are connectional an adequate balance and tension must be observed between each of the governing bodies. I don't know if it is codified in the Church of Scotland, but in the PC(USA) the understanding is that power originates from the presbyteries.
One of the items that I found most interesting was the discussion about whether to recognize the Highlands Theological College in the Highlands and Islands University Millenium Institute as a teaching college for the ordained ministry of the church. The debate was interesting and wide ranging, sometimes straying from the specific issue at hand. Did the Kirk need another college in addition to the existing four? Was the University broad enough to provide the instruction for ministers that John Calvin desired? The college has been described as a "Bible College" without the theological rigor of the "Ancient Universities." (I am not familiar with Highlands so this may not be relavant, but the largest trainer of presbyterian ministers in the USA is not one of the denominational schools but Fuller Theological Seminary, a school that started out with a "Bible College" reputation.) In the end the new college was approved by a wide margin.
Another interesting item came up in a presbytery overture asking for a review of the "voluntary additional payment scheme." This allows congregations who can afford it to pay a minister up to 15% over the Kirk's base stipend. A concern was raised that the scheme was applied differently by different presbyteries. There was a counter motion to abolish the scheme which was carried by a vote of 225-135. From watching the news wires this appears to be the issue which got the most press coverage. It is interesting to note that the total vote here (360 votes) was noticeably less than the total (636) for the civil-union's action.
Thanks for your interest,
Feel free to leave your observations
Blessings
Steve
From my observation and reading, the most significant debate was on the topic of same-sex civil unions on Tuesday afternoon. It was probably the longest debate and most complex from a parliamentary perspective. The motion from the council was actually pretty narrow, just protecting ministers from the fear of disciplinary action if they were, or were not, to participate in a service marking a same-sex civil union. It was pointed out that this was simply a legal and discipline issue to reflect the legal status in Britain as a whole at the present time. However, the strongly held opinions were reflected in the success of the motion to send the action to presbyteries for approval, and for the main vote where the original motion carried by 322-314.
It should be noted that the debate was handled very well by the moderator and the commissioners and all sides were heard and their opinions respected. It must also be noted that this was in response to secular actions and that a report will be coming to next year's GA on the theological underpinnings. It is impossible to tell at this point how many commissioners, in their voting, were acting on the issue as a whole, and how many were just concerned with the narrow parameters of the motion as it was presented.
Another major issue was the concern over the reorganization of the church. The assembly on Monday agreed to an overture to evaluate the new structure and particularly the new financial implications and whether it takes away from local churches and presbyteries. As is always the case in the presbyterian system, since we are connectional an adequate balance and tension must be observed between each of the governing bodies. I don't know if it is codified in the Church of Scotland, but in the PC(USA) the understanding is that power originates from the presbyteries.
One of the items that I found most interesting was the discussion about whether to recognize the Highlands Theological College in the Highlands and Islands University Millenium Institute as a teaching college for the ordained ministry of the church. The debate was interesting and wide ranging, sometimes straying from the specific issue at hand. Did the Kirk need another college in addition to the existing four? Was the University broad enough to provide the instruction for ministers that John Calvin desired? The college has been described as a "Bible College" without the theological rigor of the "Ancient Universities." (I am not familiar with Highlands so this may not be relavant, but the largest trainer of presbyterian ministers in the USA is not one of the denominational schools but Fuller Theological Seminary, a school that started out with a "Bible College" reputation.) In the end the new college was approved by a wide margin.
Another interesting item came up in a presbytery overture asking for a review of the "voluntary additional payment scheme." This allows congregations who can afford it to pay a minister up to 15% over the Kirk's base stipend. A concern was raised that the scheme was applied differently by different presbyteries. There was a counter motion to abolish the scheme which was carried by a vote of 225-135. From watching the news wires this appears to be the issue which got the most press coverage. It is interesting to note that the total vote here (360 votes) was noticeably less than the total (636) for the civil-union's action.
Thanks for your interest,
Feel free to leave your observations
Blessings
Steve
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