Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 112 – FCS (Free Church of Scotland)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Committee for Ecumenical Relations (CER) Report 21: Free Church of Scotland (FCS) (8.2.10.21).
  • 1.2    Letter from Glanbrook (Trinity) (8.3.10.27).

2.   Admissibility

  • 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It was mandated by the previous synod and was received on time.
  • 2.2    The letter was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It interacts with a report sent to GS 2025 and was received on time.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 134) decided:
    • [3.1]    To continue the relationship of ecclesiastical fellowship (EF) with the Free Church of Scotland (FCS) under the adopted rules.
    • [3.2]    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER).
      • [3.2.1]    To continue personal contact with the FCS whenever that is feasible (e.g., at meetings of the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC), and mutual presence at assemblies of sister-churches)
      • [3.2.2]    To send a delegation to their assemblies at least once every three years.
      • [3.2.3]    To submit its report to the churches 6 months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
  • 3.2    From the CER report, the following:
    • 3.2.1    The FCS is very focused and intent on sharing the gospel throughout Scotland;
    • 3.2.2    For various reasons, relationships with other churches outside the country does not appear to be a priority currently;
    • 3.2.3    Discussions will continue at opportune times on differing church polity or practices. It will be appropriate to carefully observe how the FCS continues to honor its historical legacy by remaining faithful to their confessions and church order. It will be good to learn from their struggles in a similar secularized context.
  • 3.3    The CER recommends that synod decide:
    • 3.3.1    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category B with the Free Church of Scotland (FCS) according to the adopted rules;
    • 3.3.2    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
      • 3.3.2.1   To continue personal contact with the FCS whenever that is feasible (e.g., at meetings of the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC), and mutual presence at assemblies of sister-churches);
      • 3.3.2.2   To submit its report on its activities with respect to the FCS to the churches 6 months prior the convening of the next general synod.
  • 3.4    The Glanbrook (Trinity) CanRC raises a concern that the FCS maintains a relationship with the GKv (now NGK) and the CER does not address this.

4.   Considerations

  • 4.1    As far as can be determined, the Free Church of Scotland (FCS) continues to display the marks of a true and faithful church of Jesus Christ. Although the distances are great, financial costs are substantial, and there has been limited contact and interaction since a relationship was established, it is appropriate to continue the relationship with the FCS as Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category B.
  • 4.2    With increased globalization, it is good to have interactions with the FCS to learn from their struggles in a similar secularized context. Continued contact can be experienced in bilateral exchanges in settings other than FCS General Assemblies.
  • 4.3    The concern of the Glanbrook (Trinity) CanRC is valid, however, the FCS’s continuing relationship with the Reformed Churches in the Netherland – liberated (GKv) (now NGK) is not an endorsement, but a result of a preoccupation with the Scottish context. Their ecumenical contact committee has acknowledged that it would be appropriate to take another look at their various relations and probably recategorize some churches.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category B with the Free Church of Scotland (FCS) according to the adopted rules;
  • 5.2    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER) to:
    • 5.2.1    Raise concerns with the Free Church of Scotland (FCS) regarding its ongoing relationship with the Reformed Churches in The Netherlands (liberated) (GKv; now NGK);
    • 5.2.2    Continue personal contact with the FCS whenever that is feasible (e.g., at meetings of the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC), and mutual presence at assemblies of sister-churches) and express our desire to intensify our relationship;
    • 5.2.3    Submit its report on its activities with respect to the FCS to the churches no later than six (6) months prior the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED