LETTERS

Refocused business

The General Assembly Order of Business published in May’s Life and Work struck me as a listing without a strategic structure or message for our church members in the pews.

General Assembly core business involves change management, governance, judicial and legislative issues.

At this year’s Assembly the Assembly Trustees proposed reviewing the working relationships between the Trustees, the General Assembly, Presbyteries, Standing Committees including General Trustees, and Church congregations to improve alignment, accountability, performance and internal and external communication.

I would argue that the following strategic objectives are also important for the development of our National Church: ‘Caring in the Community’ (CrossReach, Chaplaincy), ‘National Church Engagement with Theology’ (our broadly understood theological perspectives and training), and ‘Church Engagement within Society’ (our outreach to and place in Scottish society).

An important aspect of this discussion framework is whether it will be possible to develop a new ‘common’ set of General Assembly “Order-of-Business” workstreams which are reflected in the workstreams adopted by Presbyteries and the Assembly Trustees?

I would propose a consistent agenda structure across the General Assembly, Assembly Trustees, Councils of Assembly, and Presbyteries.

I look forward to a structured Order of Business for the shortened and refocused 2026 General Assembly which more evidently reflects the Church’s outreach, strategic, and viability priorities.

James Houston, Stranraer

‘Fundamental doctrine’

While on holiday, the week after Easter, I attended a Church of Scotland in another city. The locum minister, in his sermon, which made doubt to be a virtue, went on to make the astonishing statement, that is was alright for Christians not to believe in the resurrection of Christ.

I thought to myself, what would Jesus say to that? Then I remembered the passage in Luke chapter 24, when He walked beside the two disciples, on the Road to Emmaus. Jesus said to them, “ How foolish you are and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken.” His words were direct and to the point. They didn’t have the effect of demolishing the two disciples, but made their hearts burn with joy.

The resurrection is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15 makes it quite clear that there is no Christian faith without it. Ministers of the Church of Scotland are committed to believing it and it requires to be proclaimed, not denied.

Alex Glen, Glasgow

Practical Atheists?

In his first sermon the new Pope described those lacking a high (or perhaps any) Christology as ‘Practical Atheists’. This surely is quite wrong.

Many people quite sincerely believe in God while not wishing to give Jesus the titles suggested in the Gospel of Matthew.

Andrew McLuskey, Ashford, Middlesex

Praise for Carol

Must comment on that wonderful ‘This Is Your Life’ in June’s edition, on our dear friend to all who ever needed any help with anything to do with World Mission!

Carol Finlay you are a star, always humble, always helpful and always a Joy to meet and be with.

What a wonderful pathway The Lord set before you Carol, and may He have future paths for you even yet!

Many Continued Blessings dear girl!

Patricia Chapman, Linlithgow and Avon Valley Church, West Lothian