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“ As the Christian world rejoices in the promise and hope of Easter, the season should offer fresh impetus and renewal to the Church of Scotland as it continues its journey of reform.

EASTER offers hope and the promise of new life for all Christians around the world.

As the Church of Scotland celebrates the joy of hope this month, it is worth looking back at the most recent chapter in its history and acknowledging how far the Church itself has come in a short time.

When facing up to the reality of the world in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Church found itself existing in a very different place.

In the past it could have taken many, many years for attempts to be made to reform.

But a realism has ensured the premise of change has been at the forefront of planning.

Many different factors have necessarily driven the pace of reform and change, but, as noted last month, there are shoots of hope.

Building on that, this Easter is an opportunity to briefly pause and reflect on the journey so far. For despite what have felt like insurmountable challenges, the Church is still very much alive and very much engaged with the lives of the people of Scotland.

Such change in such a relatively short space of time would have been unthinkable in the not too distant past.

Critics will likely carp and dismiss this as delusion, but ultimately despite difficult times (which are not over yet), the Church of Scotland remains a visible presence in communities.

In future the Church will look very different – although serious questions have still to be considered about a number of issues including the continuing provision of a territorial ministry and the need to work more closely with ecumenical Christian partners. Buildings and their future provision will continue to be to the forefront but perhaps the example of new worshipping communities needs to be kept in mind. Those charged with establishing new communities do not have buildings, but find places to meet and build mission. For the early church was not bound within walls, but by where people met and gathered: ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ (NRSV Matthew 18:20). There is also the question of digital church and the impact of online worship and gathering.

As the Christian world rejoices in the promise and hope of Easter, the season should offer fresh impetus and renewal to the Church of Scotland as it continues its journey of reform. The promise for the future (and much needed encouragement) is perhaps best reflected in the worlds of 2 Corinthians 5:17: ‘So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see everything has become new!’ (NRSV) ¤

Lynne McNeil Editor