The core calling of the Church is to follow Jesus Christ as Lord, to share in the mission of Christ.

Our Church is currently undergoing the most significant transformation since 1929 – we have known for some time that something different was needed but now have the momentum to make it happen. It is recognised that the necessary speed and pace of the change, particularly in relation to Mission Planning, has been a difficult, challenging and a painful experience for many. There will also be relief for some that the burden of trying to keep a place of worship open with few people and little if any contribution from other community sources has finally been lifted. Closure of much-loved places of worship is a grief we all bear as ministers, elders, members and staff of the Church. The majority of mission plans have been agreed and we must now turn our attention to the work of forming the new connections and communities within our congregational life.

It is to the future that we must look as a national church, discerning the direction of travel whilst holding close the first two of the five marks of mission ‘to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom’ and ‘to teach, baptise and nurture new believers’.

The £25m Seeds for Growth Fund is to be a catalyst for new forms of ministry and creating new worshipping communities. It is to our newly formed presbyteries that we now look to progress this. To empower, assist and resource, to create and deliver mission strategies in what must become a new era of evangelism from the Church of Scotland, touching all parts of our communities through outreach work and support. I see this as a nationwide project, the aim of which is neither to preach the church nor to enhance the institution, rather to save souls; a church committed to seeking God through charity, social justice and community. Evangelism is everything the Church is and does. This ranges from simply being present and witnessing to a holy life, to explicitly proclaiming Jesus Christ and his Gospel. It is not one activity among many. Evangelism is most effective when it is done in partnership with the local church. By working together with others, we can have a greater impact on our communities. At the same time, we must make use of new media resources and available technologies in facing up to the changes in our world.

Embarking on a new era of evangelism in Scotland will be a hugely challenging but also a rewarding endeavour. Within new presbytery mission strategies this could involve collaborating on projects and events, sharing resources, and building relationships with other churches, organisations, and Christian leaders. Partnering with local churches will help build confidence in each other to effectively share the message of the gospel and lead others to faith in Jesus Christ.

The core calling of the Church is to follow Jesus Christ as Lord, to share in the mission of Christ. We are called to risk in the way of Jesus, by being imaginative in a way that meets the local need, releasing the gifts of God’s people to the call of the Kingdom. By moving now from a phase of managing the numbers in our plans to the next phase of releasing these steps of faith and obedience – a new Church will emerge by God’s creative hand, strong enough to stand in the face of increased secularism. This is a call to renewal of the church. Co-operation in the church at every level is imperative.

We must all work together. We after all are the Body of Christ in our land with a Gospel to proclaim.

Rev David S Cameron

Convener of the Assembly Trustees