The Church of Scotland Assembly
At the Church of Scotland Assembly Rev. Dr. Bill MacMillan was appointed the new Moderator while Lord Ross, the Lord Justice Clerk, represented the Queen as Lord High Commissioner. The difficulties that the Church of Scotland is facing in some quarters with regard to the ordination of women elders came to the fore in the Assembly when the Assembly was asked whether local parishes could decide who became an elder. By endorsing the Act that the Assembly passed in 1966 in favour of women elders, the Assembly showed that it will not allow any discrimination in this matter against women. It is strange to see a professed Christian Assembly so insistent in this matter which is anti-Scriptural and which can only lead to more confusion. It places Conservative evangelicals in that Church who hold that the ordination of women is contrary to the Word of God, in an even more impossible situation. Let them be consistent and forsake a Church which has turned its back on the Word of God.
The question of whether children should be allowed to take Communion was referred to Presbyteries for discussion. Rev. Prof. Davidson, the former Moderator supported the idea while other speakers, including Rev. George Philips opposed it. To what extremes some Churches will resort to try and retain the rising generation within their bounds. The issue of child communion has already been discussed in the pages of the Magazine.
The Assembly gave its overwhelming support to the people of Lewis in their fight against Caledonian MacBrayne over the proposed running of Sabbath ferries. It was agreed that the Church and Nation Committee should approach the Government on this matter. The Lewis Presbytery pointed out that though Caledonian MacBrayne had been compelled through the weight of public opinion to withdraw their plans, yet it appeared likely that they would try to revive them when a replacement vessel is completed.
The American Evangelist Billy Graham was given the opportunity to address the General Assembly. He told delegates that Scotland could provide the beginnings of a spiritual revival and prayed that Scotland could become the spiritual superpower of the world. It should be obvious to Graham as well as to us that what Scotland needs is a God-sent revival and not a man-induced revival. It is only divinely-given revivals which will give lasting fruit in the hearts and lives of individuals and nations. It should also be clear to everyone that Arminian doctrine will never procure a genuine revival of religion.
The Roman Catholic Church was represented at the General Assembly. How far astray the Church of Scotland has gone from the time of Knox when Cardinal Winning can sit there as an honoured guest! May better days come to Scotland.