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Category - church of scotland report

  • 24 May 2013
    Assessing the Kirk's report on theologies of land in the context of Israel/Palestine

    At a meeting of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, on 23 May 2013, a report from the Church and Society Council on theology of land in the context of Israel/Palestine was discussed. Called The inheritance of Abraham? A report on the ‘promised land’, it has the potential to raise considerable awareness of these issues in congregations and groups, says regional analyst Dr Michael Marten. He examines the background, context, issues and controversies surrounding the report, adopted by the Kirk on 23 May 2013.

  • 23 May 2013
    Does the Kirk need to be constitutionally enshrined?

    The 2013 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has voted for what is effectively “establishment by the back door” in any new constitutional arrangements for an independent Scotland, says lawyer and commentator Carla J Roth. She questions whether this is helpful or appropriate either for the church or for the nation.

  • 21 May 2013
    Church 'issues' are about people, not abstract ideas

    Ask anyone reporting or commenting on the 2013 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and they will tell you that proceedings this year are being dominated by two 'issues': the reception, or otherwise, of same-sex persons in the life and ministry of the Kirk; and later this week 'The inheritance of Abraham: A report on the promised land' (which has provoked a substantial preemptive assault by the pro-Israeli government lobby, on account of its advocacy of justice for Palestinians and Jews alike).

  • 21 May 2013
    Kirk opens a door it will be very difficult to close again

    The Church of Scotland vote to allow civil partnered gay and lesbian ministers, despite no change in the official teaching on sexuality, shows that the drift towards accepting gay people in the Kirk is continuing, says Simon Barrow. Indeed, while seeking pastoral sensitivity towards their opponents, the advocates of change believe that full inclusion is now inevitable.

  • 21 May 2013
    Church of Scotland votes to allow partnered gay and lesbian ministers

    The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has voted to permit an individual Kirk Session to call a minister in a civil partnership if it so chooses.

  • 20 May 2013
    Kirk appeal for unity and respect as sexuality debate begins

    The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Lorna Hood, has called for respect for different views among Kirk members.

  • 21 May 2012
    Banker calls for mutuality as the basis of economic reform

    A ground-breaking Church of Scotland report on economics is calling for a recovery of vision based on people, mutuality and trust.

  • 1 Jun 2011
    Domestic violence a 'violation of God’s wish for humanity'

    Violence in the home is a “violation of God’s wish for humanity”, the Church of Scotland has been reminded in a hard-hitting report.

  • 25 May 2011
    LGCM welcomes Church of Scotland moves towards inclusion

    The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement has welcomed the Church of Scotland's "move towards the acceptance of ministers in same sex relationships".

  • 25 May 2011
    Churches, marriage and same-sex relationships

    This week, the Church of Scotland has been discussing a specially commissioned report on Same Sex Relationships and the Ministry at its General Assembly in Edinburgh. Alison Jasper from the University of Stirling unpacks the issues, as part of the Critical Religion series.