G.K. Chesterton believed that a little comic relief in a discussion or debate did no harm, no matter how serious the topic. In his own experience, the funniest things occurred during serious conversations and debates. It was little different with your own distinguished scientist, thinker and diplomat Benjamin Franklin. He was so renowned for delivering comic insights into serious matters that some believe the reason Thomas Jefferson rather than Franklin was asked to write the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was that some of the Founding Fathers suspected Franklin might include a touch of humour in this extremely serious document!
Lord Mackay, the Queen’s representative to this year’s General Assembly, was Scotland’s former Lord Advocate. He later served as Lord Chancellor in John Major’s government. Lord Mackay is in the Chesterton/Franklin mould. He has a brilliant mind and a mischievous sense of humour. He began his address to the Assembly by recalling how he had been present in the Assembly Hall in 1994 when I had been in the chair. “In his address to the Assembly that year,” he said, “Dr Simpson recounted how his predecessor as Moderator had written an article making certain comments relating to the Virgin Birth. The article had evoked a large amount of correspondence. Dr Simpson then added that the most telling comment made to him about this theological controversy was also the shortest. ‘I wish you Moderators would stick to politics!'” Lord Mackay went on to say, “While influencing public policy is part of the mission of the church, it is clear that her mission encompasses a great deal more than that.” He recalled how at the coronation of the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury had said to Her Majesty, “To keep your Majesty ever mindful of the law and the Gospel of God as the rule for the whole life and government of Christian princes, we present you with this book, the most valuable thing that the world affords.” The Church of Scotland Moderator then presented the Queen with a Bible, saying, “Here is wisdom; this is the Royal law; these are the lively oracles of God.” The Bible was then placed reverently on the altar.
“This,” said Lord Mackay, “is still the message of the church to the nation. … The Bible is no dead letter, but a living word speaking authoritatively to every generation, a word worthy of careful study, teaching as it does the meaning and object of human life, why we were born, what we should be doing with our lives, and how to prepare for our ultimate departure from this earthly scene and what lies on the other side.” In this latter connection he recalled how the first yellow box with diagonal stripes to be painted on Edinburgh’s roads was beside the premises of a well-known funeral undertaker. Adjacent to the name of the undertaker a new road sign had been erected. “Do not enter the box unless your exit is clear.” Then Lord Mackay added, “Biblical wisdom is required in studying what lies behind that admonition.” The Lord High Commissioner was warmly thanked by the new Moderator, the Right Rev. David Lacy, a former student assistant of mine.
One of the matters dealt with on the opening day of the Assembly was whether former moderators should be eligible in future to attend the Assembly each year. By a large majority the Assembly voted that they should. I mention that simply because this means that I will hopefully be able to continue to report to you on future Assembly proceedings!
The Convener of the Council of Assembly reported on the major task given to it by the 2004 Assembly– the restructuring of the central administration of the Church. Twenty boards and committees have been regrouped into six councils. It is hoped that there will be considerable financial savings. Looking to the future and the Kirk’s budget, she highlighted a number of key questions addressed:
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How many Ministers of Word and Sacrament and other parish staff does the church require?
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How many is it willing to afford?
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How many buildings are really necessary for local mission?
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How can we explore ways to encourage Christian liberality and to generate income from other sources?
There is no doubt that many of the Kirk’s financial problems stem from the fact that so many of her members give weakly rather than weekly. A Scottish newspaper recently carried the story of a Scottish pound note that met a £20 note in a man’s wallet. “Where have you been?” asked the pound note. “Oh pretty near everywhere” said the twenty-pound note. “A day at the races, posh hotels, late nights out. What about yourself?” “Oh just the usual” said the pound note: “Church, church, church.”
During the subsequent debate the Assembly decided presbyteries and kirk sessions should be asked for their views on spending priorities for the church. The results of this consultation will be considered when the 2007 church budget is determined.
The launch of the Church’s new hymnbook took place in a packed St Cuthbert’s Church. The charismatic John Bell introduced and helped lead what was a most enjoyable and inspiring evening. The new hymnbook includes a very broad range of material, including many hymns to Scottish tunes. The language of many of the new hymns, unlike some of our present hymns, will be readily understood by church members and those on the fringe of the church. The wonderful, full-throated hymn singing in St Cuthbert’s recalled for me Bishop Tutu’s remark, “Worship is fun isn’t it.”
During the Assembly week commissioners heard concern expressed
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about the number of buildings owned by the Kirk, and the amount of time, money, effort and worry spent on maintaining these buildings.
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the AIDS pandemic and the poverty which haunts whole continents,
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the impact of the war in Iraq.
But it was certainly not all doom and gloom. The Assembly also heard of
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the development of the readership, as a vital strand in the ministry of the church.
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the increase in the number of candidates coming forward to train for the ministry, many of them of exceptional ability. (Our problem now is–can we afford to employ them when they qualify?)
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the plan for the future allocation of ministers so that some of the more remote presbyteries will not be substantially understaffed.
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the burning need for the Kirk to act alongside and in partnership with other denominations.
The Kirk is changing its shape. The cumbersome central structures are now trimmer. I am sure commissioners would have a great deal to tell their fellow- members back home.
JAMES A. SIMPSON, a retired minister and former moderator of the Church of Scotland, lives in Bankfoot, a suburb of Perth.
