Faithful find finance must take priority: Money issues are set to dominate the Church of Scotland's annual meeting, writes James Cusick

First Edition

FINANCE, not faith, will be the dominant theme at the annual gathering of Scotland's main presbyterian church, the Church of Scotland General Assembly.

The church's stewardship and finance report said it 'cannot be immune from the effects of recession, high unemployment and declining membership', and some ministers describe this year's assembly as an 'economic summit'. Faith will be forced to 'take a back seat'.

Perhaps for the first time the Church of Scotland will be forced into an audit of its role. The report said church boards had to 'discard the notion that everything they do is top priority and can be continued indefinitely'. Cuts and capped Christianity will undoubtedly be challenged at the assembly which begins in Edinburgh on Saturday.

On paper, the Church of Scotland is still relatively wealthy: congregational income for last year was pounds 64.7m. But loss of members - down 17,490 last year - and a shortfall in money to pay ministers' wages are likely to mean an increasing role for the church's accountants. The report warned that 'the full potential of Christian giving has not been reached'. It was a polite way of saying that not enough was being thrown into the Sunday plate.

For the Rev Sheila Spence, minister at Kirk O'Shotts, between Edinburgh and Glasgow, one option will have to be faced. 'I know this is not popular, but we have to freeze stipends (salary paid to the clergy).'

There has been a church at Kirk O'Shotts since the 17th century with the present building dating from 1820. 'It seats 1,200, but I've never seen it,' Mrs Spence said. The congregation has 350 members, but a typical Sunday gathering is 60.

Mrs Spence said: 'The congregation are very apathetic. Giving to God as an act of commitment is regarded as a strange idea.'

The kirk was once one of the wealthiest in Scotland. At the turn of the century, when farmers in the area all gave tithes, the minister had his own servants. But the church has since suffered a loss of status.

Mrs Spence has another problem. 'The congregation thinks the Government pays my salary. In 1630 this old church played a crucial part in what was called the 'revival'. Many turned to the Lord then. We need another revival today.'

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