The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland concluded on 22 May. Once more, the week was book-ended by debates about human sexuality.
Last year, an overture was approved which affirmed the church’s current doctrine and practice that marriage is between a man and a woman, but permitted a ‘constrained departure’ from this should a congregation call a minister in a ‘vowed’ civil partnership. 31 presbyteries subsequently voted in favour and 14 against.1 This was again debated. Although the debate was presented as being between two groups of ‘Scripture-loving people’ this was not immediately apparent. Many evangelicals spoke well and showed there was no biblical or theological support for such a change, which could only harm the peace and unity of the church. Those on the other side appealed more to the need for ‘equality’ and the importance of human rights.
A small thing?
The assembly was repeatedly ‘reassured’ that what was at stake was simply an issue which did not enter the ‘substance of the faith’ and one where sincere Christians interpreted Scripture differently – that all this Act does is recognise the ‘mixed economy’ of opinions which exist within the Kirk and make space for each. 309 voted in favour, 182 against. Whatever may have been said in the hall was heard differently in the world with headlines quickly announcing ‘Church of Scotland votes to allow gay ministers in civil partnerships’2.
