AT the General Assembly 10 years ago I was denounced eloquently by a minister who objected to a book I had just written.
He admitted he had not read it but he was very upset by what he understood to be its content. The book was Outside Verdict, which had been commissioned 18 months earlier by the then moderator, Andrew McLellan.
Andrew had given me a challenging remit. He wanted a "shrewd analyst" who wasn't a church member to take a hard look at the Kirk and produce a robust report. He guaranteed this would be published in book form.
This was a brave initiative and I tried to respond in kind. I made many recommendations; only a few have been implemented. The book infuriated some people, but overall was generously received.
But the Kirk has continued to decline. I'm not claiming my blueprint could have prevented this. Yet some of my proposals now seem more relevant than ever. Two examples: I suggested the Kirk's grandiose administrative HQ in George St, Edinburgh be sold. This is even more pertinent now, when its cash crisis is worse. I suggested the General Assembly should become more informal, and should be peripatetic, touring around Scotland.
The book was written on the assumption the Kirk was, and could continue to be, the national church of Scotland. Sadly, I am not convinced it can manage this role any more. I think the Kirk should become a loose federation of congregations. As a national church, it cannot cohere; it is divided by issues it finds almost impossible to resolve. If people, particularly in the towns and cities, could choose the congregation that suited them, and put their commitment into their chosen congregation rather than a decaying national organisation, then there would be less division and strife. Church life would be further strengthened at local level.
Meanwhile, the Kirk finds it increasingly difficult to speak to Scotland. These days the Catholic church is more effective at national communication. Also, the Kirk is finding it impossible to provide a minister in every parish. It is no longer a key part of Scotland's national identity.
If it turned into a federation of congregations, most of which would be successful and strong at local level, it could stop wasting time, money and energy pursuing a role it can no longer fulfil. If it stopped trying to be a national institution it could set itself free.
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