One of the lessons I took away from this year’s General Assembly was the importance of consultation.
The fact that our Overture regarding support for congregations without the Right to Call had to be brought in the first place was because legislation was passed in 2025 which nobody had been consulted about. Not only was their no consultation, but it became clear that the General Assembly had not fully appreciated what they were voting for in the first place, because the changes had not been properly explained.
The same thing happened this year when it came to the proposed new Ill Health Act f and a new Capability Act for ministers. This time the lack of consultation led to both pieces of legislation being postponed until next year’s General Assembly. Today I attended a meeting of Presbytery Clerks and officials at 121 George Street about the Capability Act and it was very useful and worthwhile.
It is far better to take our time and get legislation right by listening to the people on the ground, than rushing things through without proper consultation. That is why the Barrier Act can be such a beneficial process, but it is only used in specific situations.
Consultation is about ensuring that everyone is made to feel involved in a decision making process, that people understand exactly what is being proposed and that changes are not imposed on people without them having a say.
I recall in the early years of my first Charge, I suddenly decided not to have the National Anthem on Remembrance Sunday. (Keep in mind I was in my late twenties at the time). I hadn’t consulted anyone and there was consternation from the congregation, because it came out of the blue without any explanation. It was a salutary lesson in the importance of taking people with you. (I brought it back the next year by the way).
As a Presbytery, we also need to ensure that people are consulted, especially when it comes to matters such as Presbytery Planning when difficult decisions are being made about the future of congregations, as well as their buildings. Presbytery is sometimes seen as the superior court which imposes its will on Kirk Sessions and gives orders from on high. This is not how we should operate, All those who are members of Presbytery are also members of local Kirk Sessions and congregations. We are all in this glorious job of spreading the Good News of Christ together. Presbytery needs to always respect the views of others, listen well and ensure that people understand what is being proposed at any given time. When we fail to do this, we need to hold up our hands and say – we got it wrong.
The author Keith Waterhouse once said – “A consultation process is what some authority sets in motion preparatory to doing what it intended all along.”
I hope that as Church, we never act like that and instead ensure that we listen and learn and are always prepared to adapt and develop as a result.