TRADITIONALIST congregation leaders have had closed-door talks with Church of Scotland lawyers about quitting the Kirk because of this week's decision on gay clergy.

It is understood conservative parishes including some in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayrshire, have entered into tense negotiations over hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of property.

The claim followed Monday's historic decision to allow gay clergy who are in same-sex relationships.

The issue has dominated debate across the Church and has already brought division.

Six ministers and two entire congregations have quit. It is expected more will follow.

There remains unrest after the vote to sanction ministers who are in same-sex relationships.

One evangelical source said: "There are conservatives who have signalled dissent. They have gone further than before by doing so, but the departure won't be immediate. It will be a drip- drip effect."

The debate over openly gay clergy was sparked by the appointment of the Reverend Scott Rennie to Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen four years ago.

In a broadcast interview after the decision by the Kirk's General Assembly, Mr Rennie said he hoped it would lift many out of years of limbo.

He said: "It's about the number of gay people in our churches and the place and the dignity that I think this decision offers them, and I think also offers the church for peace and unity going forward.

"I think both of these things are important, and I think the General Assembly came to a very wise decision.

"There's no doubt it's a milestone because it is at last a recognition of the place of gay and lesbian people within the ministry, and there are a number.

"It also recognises liberty of conscience on this matter, as there is on many other matters within the broad church that is the national church.

"So for all these reasons it's important, and there's no doubt that an important step has been taken."

The Kirk said its Legal Questions Committee and its new Theological Forum would bring reports to next year's General Assembly about how to do so.

The annual gathering of Kirk leaders will face further challenges: the Ministries Council today addresses how to fill more than 220 clergy vacancies.

It came as the Convener of the Church of Scotland's Social Care Council, the Reverend Syd Graham, said that despite "serious financial challenges" services would not suffer.

The Kirk provides care and support for some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society, from children to older people.

Kirk services such as residential schools and specialist residential care, respite care, day care, care in the home, community-based care and housing support for older people are highly regarded by service-users and their families.

Mr Graham told commissioners the Social Care Council, which operates under the name CrossReach, would have to "seriously consider the viability of services" if funding is reduced, for example by local authorities seeking savings.

In recent years CrossReach has invested heavily in many of its services, particularly in adult care, children and families, and services to older people.

Like other third-sector providers, CrossReach faces challenges maintaining services because of changes in statutory funding.

Coupled with falls in other sources of income CrossReach's financial resources are being stretched.