“Preaching by live video link to vacant congregations is one of many radical changes being proposed by the Ministries Council in consultation with the Mission and Discipleship Council,” Gordon Bell, media relations officer with the Church of Scotland told Ecumenical News International.
He said the ministries report to the Presbyterian church’s general assembly, running May 21-27, suggests “the Kirk”, as the Church of Scotland is known locally, should investigate the use of video technology in churches that struggle to attract full-time ministers.
There are 21 congregations in the Presbytery of Orkney spread over more than 10 islands. Initially four congregations in Rousay, Shapinsee, Flotta, and Hoy in the archipelago will be linked.
“The intention,” said Bell, “is that this will allow the minister to be physically present in a different island each week and virtually present in other ones. We think this is not only a first for Scotland but also a first for the whole of the United Kingdom.”
There are presently an estimated 190 full-time vacancies for clergy across Scotland, which has a population of 5.1 million. Under the proposal, churches would be linked by technology similar to that used in video conferencing.
As a result, a number of congregations in some of the most remote parts of Scotland would be able to take part in the same service.
If the scheme is successful, it could offer similar benefits to congregations in other rural areas that do not have a full time minister, Bell said.
Trevor Hunt, a clerk of the Presbytery of Orkney, told The Scotsman newspaper on May 12 that it is vital the congregations participate in services and not sit in their pews imaging they were watching a television program. “I think it has potential,” said Hunt.
The company involved in the plan to bring virtual ministers to different parts of Scotland is Sanctus Media Limited at Bo’Ness, central Scotland, near Falkirk.
The company’s chief executive officer, Neil MacLennan, told ENI: “I’ve visited Orkney and we’re waiting to hear their decision if they want to be first in this project. The islands are not served by broadband but we’ll be able to put in microwave transmitter links. It’s an exciting project and will fill the gap caused by a shortage of clergy in Scotland.”
