Church of Scotland Congregations Face £1m Cutbacks

The Church of Scotland's Council of Assembly is to seek approval for a £1m reduction in the sum paid by congregations into the Church of Scotland's overall budget for 2008.

Last year's Assembly endorsed a freeze in the overall level of congregational contributions, as part of a determined policy of maximising the resources available for local church work across the country.

The Church of Scotland's commitment to strengthening the church at the local level is to be emphatically re-emphasised this year with a planned £1 million reduction in congregational contributions outlined in the Council of Assembly's report to the Assembly.

A major part of this year's report relates to the Guidance for Charity Trustees, issued by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. The report acknowledges that the new regulatory regime brings both challenges and opportunities to the Church as it endeavours to align fundamental principles of Presbyterian polity with the requirements of contemporary charity governance.

Questions to be addressed include the identification of who the Church's charity trustees are, the adequacy of internal supervisory structures and the size of Kirk sessions and congregational boards.

The report states: "Some will see in this a direct challenge to fundamental principles of Church government and polity. Others will see it is a galvanising impulse to reform which is necessary and can only benefit the Church's life and witness".

The Council of Assembly will also inform the General Assembly of its Co-ordinated Communication Strategy which has been prepared by the Council's Communication Committee.

Over the last year, a diverse range of opinions have been gathered from representatives of the different Church Councils and staff members. This has resulted in a draft policy document that will see the Church's enthusiasm for proclaiming and living the Gospel reach an extended audience and enable it to speak effectively and clearly in the wider world.

The document highlights the need for the Church to be more accessible and to encourage communication which is direct and inclusive. It is also highlight a need within the Church to nurture able communicators who can contribute a Christian perspective and engage effectively with the whole community, including key policy makers at every level of society.

The Church of Scotland General Assembly will meet in Edinburgh from 19 to 25 May.