GENERAL TRUSTEES

The Rev Scott Rennie explains why the Church of Scotland’s cathedral-style churches offer a ‘real missional opportunity’.

BEING a national church presents us all with particular opportunities as well as challenges, not least in the area of buildings.

The Church of Scotland more than any other denomination in Scotland is the steward of buildings of both architectural and cultural significance across the land. Too often, in my view, this is seen as a problem or liability, and not enough as a unique opportunity to share our faith and the story of faith in Scotland. Yes, these buildings bring significant costs to the congregations entrusted with them, but also unique settings which draw people far and wide, and from beyond the usual worshipping congregation. This presents the Kirk with a real missional opportunity.

The aesthetics of these buildings, particularly our cathedral style churches, offer a platform for the arts and music in worship and in the wider cultural life of our communities that is unrivalled.

I worry at times when talk about buildings and their futures is reduced to matters of functionality alone without reference to either aesthetic or historic quality, as if these were somehow irrelevant.

One of the interesting things to note (from a perspective based south of the border) is how good the Church of England has been at harnessing its cathedral style churches as spaces for the arts, music and tourism, using them as a space for exploring life and faith, and reaching out to a whole section of the public that might not come in contact with the church or the story of faith otherwise. At high days and holy days in particular people flock to these churches to seek meaning and search for faith.

It seems to me that in the Kirk we have not fully looked into the possibilities our cathedral style churches offer for the future. There are various reasons for this – perceived barriers around the adaptation of buildings, rarified attitudes that will not allow these buildings to evolve, and the belief that the wider church will not be supportive of these and other new and innovative endeavours. In terms of stewardship it feels like the Church of England has a more realistic view of the stewardship of these buildings, being less sniffy about charging for tourists to visit (and thereby creating a dependable income stream for the care and upkeep of the buildings as visitor attractions.

That said, within the Kirk many of our cathedral style churches are living into the promise of their buildings. They deserve all our encouragement and support at Presbytery and national level. Different models for development and growth will be required in different locations and contexts.

“ Different models for development and growth will be required in different locations and contexts.

One interesting example within the Kirk itself is the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling where the Kirk Session entered into a management arrangement with a notfor-profit community organisation, Stirling District Tourism, whereby they run the church professionally as a visitor attraction through the week, with the congregation responsible for Sundays and for the fabric of the building itself. It is a visionary and laudable community partnership, and one that is reaping rewards for both church and community.

These gems in our portfolio of churches have huge potential for the Kirk’s growth and future, but to live into that promise it will require for all of us to appreciate their unique character and the opportunity they bring for our national church’s witness and mission to the nation. ¤

The Rev Scott Rennie is minister at London: Crown Court and Vice-Convener of the General Trustees