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Church sees changing society as an opportunity, not a threat

In its report to the General Assembly, the Ministries Council will highlight the challenges facing the Church. In an ever-changing Scottish society the Church is presented with a unique opportunity to evolve and develop a pro-active vision for the 21st century.

A major part of future development is a more flexible approach to the way ministers are deployed. In addition to full-time ministry an increase in personnel available to the church can be achieved by part-time working and through people working in a non-stipendiary capacity.

The Assembly will hear of plans by the Council to establish a Local Ordained Ministry which would offer the opportunity to identify and authorise people locally who have gifts for the ministry. The focus of a Local Ordained Ministry is that of conducting worship, preaching and the administration of sacraments.

It is the responsibility of the Council to plan and provide for resources for ministries and as part of this responsibility it has compiled a 10-year projection on the number of people available for ministries. It is envisaged by 2017 the number of parish ministers will remain constant with an almost equal number of new appointments and departures from service.

The vast majority of people in Scotland have a belief in God but the population shift, with more families living in large new housing developments, means that many established churches are quite often detached from the large number of “incomers”. To address this problem the Emerging Ministries Task Group has been established. This think-tank will receive contributions from some of the Church’s most creative thinkers and will seek to develop worshipping communities that are accessible to all.

The key role of chaplains and a recognition of their importance is highlighted. The report notes that the changing face of Scotland has altered their pivotal role in hospitals, universities and prisons. There are currently thirty-five health care chaplains working in hospitals throughout the country and it has been established that access to spiritual care can contribute to better health for the patient. The Church’s twenty-four prison chaplains play a crucial role in encouraging new direction in people’s lives and the twenty-one university chaplains work with young people at the most formative period of their lives. However, the emphasis on chaplaincy work has shifted to that of the more modern Spiritual Care Adviser and the Council’s Chaplaincies Task Group, established in 2006, will address the changes in their roles and the new opportunities that will be presented.

The Ministries Council will report to the Assembly of their continued support for the Support Group For Ministry Among Deaf People which has seen local churches provide signed interpretation for services and for sermons and prayers to be made available in print form. The Council believes that future long-term planning is essential for effective ministering to the deaf community including training some ministers in British sign language.

A changing Scotland has meant a different focus for the Priority Areas Strategy Group, which directs additional resources to communities where poverty is at its highest. In response to recent Scottish Executive data which indicates a movement of poverty eastwards, southwards and northwards, the Council has initiated additional research to ensure the continued effectiveness of the Strategy Group. In addition the Council is extending its financial resources to a wider range of parishes where poverty is at its deepest.

Full story at the Church of Scotland.