THE challenges the Church of Scotland faces are well known, in the pulpits and the pews. The number of regular church-goers in Scotland is falling, humanist services are becoming increasingly popular, and, more widely, religion is often seen as out of touch with the fast-changing realities of modern life.

So serious are these and other factors that The Very Rev Albert Bogle, a former Moderator, believes the Church is sleepwalking into oblivion. A cultural tsunami has turned church life on its side, says Mr Bogle, and the only answer is for ministers and elders to reach out much more beyond the formal church. Mr Bogle even wonders whether, in a time when few people live and socialise in one small community, the days of parochial ministry are over.

To some, Mr Bogle’s warnings might seem over the top, but his potential solution is spot on and the good news is that the Kirk is making some progress. Many more people are watching services from home; ministers are being trained to make their sermons more engaging. And happily, there is the real prospect of the Church of Scotland following the Scottish Episcopal Church in taking concrete steps towards allowing gay marriage.

All of this should count as reaching beyond the walls of the Church as Mr Bogle would like. The trickier part will be to keep the momentum going.