Tuesday at General Assembly 2025

GA2025 Tuesday highlights (using the term “highlights” very loosely)

Convener’s speech: palliative care and midwifery services being provided to Church; we are in middle of crisis, a Gethsemane moment; Assistant Ministers scheme being extended until end of December as the Team listen to voices in the Kirk; we are in this challenging time together and God is with us; national day of prayer being mooted; light appears in the darkness with Seeds for Growth, strength for today, hope for tomorrow; responding to a new season of growth; what future can we dream of? Vivid Vision?; quiet revival amongst young adults (this is anecdotal, but I hope and pray it is true); greater blessings await us; we need to get up and get going!

§  No general questions or comments on the Report – so much work and areas being covered, and no general questions or comments?

§  Vivid Vision to be used as a resource and encouragement to the Church – this passed quite quietly – apart from someone asking how much it cost to produce (£8000) – I would like to have seen some passion from the floor of the Assembly on this, if indeed people have passion for this Vivid Vision. My Kirk Session and congregation have already seen this video – vision is important but so is the dismantling of the archaic structures that congregations still meet and see in Presbytery and National Church. Reformers, I may appear a tad cynical at times, but I’m all in in watching for the new thing God is doing, even as the institution goes down the tubes!

§  Assistant Ministers scheme extended, good news for them and for the stretched Kirk!

§  Team to take action on ministry wellbeing (wonder if they might have a word with the Assembly Trustees about stipend revision?) And Assembly has asked that the Team write to Session Clerks to strongly encourage them to arrange Elders to meet and discuss the Ministerial Wellbeing Survey. (see section 2 of the Report for full details) This includes simple things like encouraging ministers to claim expenses they are due, whatever the financial situation of the congregation. Two weeks in the Maldives coming up!

§  Assembly adopted the ‘Competency Framework for Inducted Ministers of Word and Sacrament’ as the basis for a Capability and Competence Process, for which the details of the process will be considered by the General Assembly of 2026. Ministers who fulfil this will be worth their weight in gold to the Kirk!

§  Focus on peace and justice, watch this space for joined up thinking on this within the next 12 months!

§  Mike Goss appointed a Trustee of Housing and Loan Fund – I know this might not be exciting news, but Mike seconded one of my Assembly motions, so power to your elbow, Mike!

§  We will work with partners to combat “misinformation” and care for creation and uphold truth in the public square!

§  Commissioner noted we need people in local places to take up issues of peace and justice – indeed we do – and not rely on central body in Church – mmm… but we still need a voice to speak out on behalf of the Church – on the webite, on social media, etc. but the million-dollar question, who does that?

§  Looking to name one Academic Partner for ministry studies, wait a little longer for the winner to be named! Apprenticeship route is up and running, which assists in thinking more about ministry avenues, you don’t become a minister at the end of it, but it could bring you to the start of training if you become a candidate. This differs from other apprenticeships, like a joiner doing their time and becoming a joiner after a few years! 12 Apprentices aged 18-38 have signed up. Jesus is wondering why we’ve ditched the three-year course he gave the disciples!

§  Put forward proposal that Study Leave scheme should be decentralised and given to Presbyteries to administer. FAPLT wanted to retain it. Lost vote by 207-117. Given that Presbytery know local ministers’ situations, it would be best served by Presbyteries, I reckon. The application for study leave can be quite onerous and in which we have got to find the “right wording” in order to succeed! I think this concern has been heard, so get applying ministers and we’ll see!

§  Christian Aid was highlighted in a speech after lunch break. Christian Aid is part of the DNA of the Church of Scotland. Let’s keep the support going for this wonderful organisation, let poverty one day be over!

§  Life and Work magazine is coming to an end! Standing ovation given to Editor Lynne McNeil. When asked about our Communications Strategy as a Church, the vice-convener replied that we would hear more about that next year rather than bring “half-baked ideas” to this Assembly. Maybe before ending one form of communication, we should have something more than “half-baked ideas” about a new communication strategy? Just saying.

§  As usual at Assembly, one begins to tire, the mind starts to get foggy, and the last hour or so became a blur…one last thing…

§  Passing Acts of another million pages. Approved by Pharisees, with one abstention in the name of Nicodemus!

General Trustees coming up tomorrow! Can’t wait! Mon the reformers!