EDINBURGH, Scotland — The Church of Scotland is being challenged to come to terms with a declining number of members and to no longer think of success in terms of mass membership.
In a report to the Kirk’s (church) General Assembly, which meets May 20-26 in Edinburgh, the Assembly Council argues “the time is ripe for profound changes” but questions whether the denomination is in fact ready to face them.
Membership in the Church of Scotland, the Presbyterian body that is Scotland’s official church, has declined from nearly 1.3 million in 1961, when active church members made up a quarter of Scotland’s total population, to just under 650,000 in 1998.
But, the Assembly Council said, “numbers are only one index of success and strength.” It said criteria other than numbers — strength of commitment, obedience and spirituality — were important measures of the church.
Share with others: