The new Moderator of the Church of Scotland was Rev. Prof. Robert Davidson, Principal of Trinity College, Glasgow. As already reported in the pages of our Magazine, Prof. Davidson had already indicated where his sympathies lay by making an attack on fundamentalists who believed in an infallible Bible. Lord Ross, Lord Justice Clerk, represented the Queen as Lord High Commissioner. Referring to the happenings in Eastern Europe, he suggested that these events were surely a clear manifestation of humanity’s longing for freedom. He reminded the Assembly of Scotland’s long tradition of freedom but made clear that freedom brings responsibility and must be used sensibly so that others may be able to enjoy their freedom also. Of the Church he had to say that further changes will be needed if the Church is to continue to meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Scotland. The same theme of the need to be receptive of change was emphasised by the Moderator when he preached in Glasgow Cathedral.
A Tayside minister, Rev. John Cameron, asked the Assembly to support the legalisation of the use of drugs. He claimed that efforts at control of drugs abuse had failed. The Assembly rejected his proposal as one would expect. The Assembly deplored the fact that the Government refused to listen to Presbyteries that had opposed proposals to let off-sales open on the Sabbath. The Convener of the Board of Social Responsibility said that the Board were deeply worried about attempts to further relax the licensing laws.
The Assembly decided to review its rules on eligibility for baptism. At present one parent has to be either a communicant or agree to become one. Hamilton Presbytery had sent an overture to the Assembly proposing that it should be sufficient for a parent to have been baptised and to profess the Christian Faith. It appeared from the debate that different standards prevailed in different parts, and as we know very well in the
Highlands, Church of Scotland ministers have been very ready to give baptism to those refused baptism in our Church where the standards are higher. The Kirk’s Panel on Doctrine were asked to examine the issue fully and report to the next General Assembly.
The givings of the people in the Church of Scotland showed an increase of £3.7 million although the membership of the Church had declined by 18,500. Givings per member amounted to £44.81 per annum. This is a very low figure when present day incomes are considered.
Rev. David Levinson told the Assembly that marriage was one of the most important questions facing them. Britain had a higher rate of one parent families and children born out of wedlock than other nations. He also referred to the rising number of abortions and the spread of AIDS which was causing concern. The Assembly agreed to review the Church’s theology on marriage. The Chief Rabbi who addressed the Assembly referred to the family break down today. He said we need to intensify the reverence for human life.
A new draft Statement of Faith is to go to congregations and presbyteries for consultation. This statement has been produced because of concern over aspects of the Westminster Confession of Faith but is not intended to replace it. It refers to Christ’s resurrection but has no reference to the Virgin Birth.
The Assembly had a proposal put before it to abolish Synods. The Convener of the Committee responsible said that Synods had outlived their usefulness and should be abolished. This was attempted in 1978 but the proposal at that time did not get the two-thirds majority needed for implementation. The new proposals have been sent to kirk-sessions and presbyteries and if approved could become law in 1992.
A Roman Catholic delegate is to be allowed to attend all the debates of the Assembly and also have the right to speak. For the last twenty years or so a Roman Catholic observer attended meetings of Assembly but this proposal is even more far reaching. Rev. David Wright, Stornoway opposed the proposal stressing the opposing views of the two Churches on the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. It was also agreed to seek discussions with the Roman Catholic Church over the question of communion for non-Catholics. Rev. David Levinson said it was a step towards that richer, greater, completer Church that is surely coming. So the Church of Scotland continues to follow the path which ultimately leads to the absorption by the R.C. Church. In the debate the leader of the Iona Community confirmed that in Iona Abbey Roman Catholics had received communion from non-Catholic clergy and that in the ecumenical setting of
Iona, Roman Catholic priests had opened up their table to members of other denominations.
The Assembly also dealt with a great number of social and political issues. On the question of Church worship, Rev. Andrew Herron opposed the view put forward in the outline of a revised Book of Common Order that communion should be included in the service every Sabbath. He moved that the Panel revising the book be instructed to reflect the normal practice which was a morning service without communion. Prof. Whyte said that the tradition of the Kirk since John Knox and the Westminster Confession was based on infrequent communion.
On the second last day of the Assembly, the Lord Chancellor, Lord MacKay of Clashfern, addressed a lunchtime public meeting. He told the meeting that when churchmen put forward detailed views to the Government they should always be ready to quote the Scriptural basis for their opinion. The Church can say ‘this is what Parliament should do because this is what Christ has taught us’.