THE Church of Scotland is facing a "silent rebellion" over the issue of gay ordination from traditionalists who stay in the Kirk amid claims its coffers could face being hit by the loss of millions of pounds a year from those who leave.
The claims came as father and son ministers said they would leave the Church over the Kirk's move to further back gay clergy at its May General Assembly, despite the decision still having to be ratified over the next two years.
Traditionalists within Kirk sessions and presbyteries could move to block gay clergy by refusing to administer ordination, the clergy Aberdeen minister Rev Louis Kinsey suggested, as Rev David Randall of Ayrshire followed his father Rev David Randall senior of Logie St John's in Dundee in becoming the latest to say publicly that they will leave.
It follows three congregations in Edinburgh and five in the north of Scotland reported to have signalled discontent since May's decision.
About 10 congregations in total are understood to be in specific negotiations with the Kirk to leave over its struggle with gay ordination was brought to the fore after the appointment of openly gay Rev Scott Rennie to an Aberdeen church in 2009.
Rev Louis Kinsey, of St Columba's Church in Aberdeen, advocates unity in the Church but said: "It is almost like a form of corporate denial of the real state of affairs (to say there is no crisis).
"Those who know that there is a crisis will be astonished that our Church should think that the effects of the General Assembly's recent decision about the Report of the Theological Commission are minimal."
He also said the Kirk might "see evangelical Presbytery Clerks refusing to administer the ordination or induction of ministers in civil partnerships, evangelical Presbytery Moderators refusing to ordain or induct ministers in civil partnerships".
He added: "Any Church that permits its spiritual leaders to exhibit a lifestyle which the Bible describes as a threat to participation in the kingdom of Christ is in a crisis."
Mr Randall jr said: "I've finally come to the decision that the time has come to depart from the Church of Scotland."
A Church of Scotland spokesman said it was saddened by anyone considering leaving the Kirk. We do not anticipate a serious effect on the current budget and our overall finances."
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