GA – FAPLT

The single biggest report to the GA this year was from FAPLT.  The Faith Action Programme Leadership Team is split into a number of sub-groups:

The report was split by sub-group and the debate was split over two days.  At times the debate was heated and this is the committee that was most impacted by the reduced timetable.

Initial Ministerial Training

One of the most significant set of proposals at this year’s GA related to the training of those entering full time ministry of Word and Sacrament or Word and Service (Diaconate).  The GA approved the appointment of the University of Glasgow as our Lead Academic Partner.  Candidates will be able to undertake their training onsite in Glasgow or online.   There were several questions about the process of the appointment and what the changes would mean for candidates, particularly given the challenges around online learning.  There will be major changes to the way in which candidates are trained, with an emphasis on connecting placements with university learning and on compulsory training for those in their first five years.  There will be a new 3-year BD degree and 2-year Diploma.  Those currently in training will continue with their programmes and the new training scheme will come into effect on 1st September 2027.

Other academic providers will continue to provide training for OLMs and readers, as is currently the case.  The desire to continue to work with the other academic providers was expressed at the GA but it was evident in the debate that the process has impacted those relationships.

This will have an impact on our Presbytery in terms of where/how people train for ministry, the workload of our supervisors, our working relationship with the University of Aberdeen and the future of Christ's College.

Other highlights

  • Presbyteries were urged to implement a Sabbatical scheme for ministers. This would be in addition to the Study and Reflection Scheme to be developed for those in their first five years.  We were encouraged to develop system to ensure that the learning done by ministers taking study leave is appropriate disseminated.
  • FAPLT was instructed to learn from the lessons of those who have entered ministry in the CoS from a country outside of the UK and to provide recommendations on steps that could be taken to offer support.  This section of deliverance was brought by Rev Julia Pizzuto-Pomaco and was well received by the GA.
  • FAPLT was also instructed to carry on its work with regards to providing support to Nominating Committees of vacant charges in the area of equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • The concept of a Capability Procedure was welcomed but a revised act will be brought to the GA of 2027. Consultation has begun regarding the details of that procedure.
  • A set of resources are being developed which are entitled the Good News Collective. They will be designed to help congregations and member of the Church to share the good news of the gospel.
  • Priority Areas are under review, with a new proposed methodology to come to the GA in 2027. A new Priority Areas list would be introduced in 2028 but there was an acknowledgement that adjustments across the Church have resulted in areas of deprivation being subsumed into larger parishes.  It was agreed that this should be considered when developing the methodology.
  • New liturgical resources are to be developed for the Church.  These will reflect changes in culture as well as considering the kinds of services that are now happening more frequently.
  • Those in public life were urged by the GA to uphold the values of integrity, compassion, justice and wisdom, in their discourse and decisions. The GA affirmed that people have a right to seek sanctuary from danger and persecution and committed to continued advocacy with and for refugees; for an asylum system that is fair, humane and respectful of human dignity; and for policies and practices that support integration from day one of arrival.  Congregations were urged to be places of welcome and support for refugees, playing an active role in facilitating community cohesion.
  • FAPLT was instructed to review the Guardianship Allowance and whether it should be brought in line with the Vacancy Allowance.  This was a motion in my name and the Convener was very supportive of exploring the possibility of increasing the Guardianship Allowance from where it is currently.
  • The revised Ill Health and Income Protection Act was not approved this year, but it is anticipated that an amended Act will be brought again next year.  This particular debate was difficult.  There had been a counter-motion which sought to change the proposed Act in relation to the payment of stipend during sick leave, and the conversation around the counter-motion raised the issue of equality between ministers and employees of the Church.  The counter-motion did not succeed but far fewer people voted at that point in proceedings.  A few moments later and it was proposed that the GA depart from the business - which meant that the relevant sections of deliverance were dismissed without being voted on and the matter has to come back to a future GA.  Hopefully one of the things that will be carried forward is the work done around amending the proposed Act to take into consideration the impact of a minister suffering two different health conditions in short order.
  • And finally, in an update to the 2015 Regulations on the Remuneration and Reimbursement of Parish Ministers a few additional expenses are now allowable and ministers are requested to submit expenses within three months of incurring them.

Ministers' Annual Travel Expenses

On that final note, I am reminded that only a handful of ministers have submitted their logbooks for inspection, despite the instruction from Presbytery at the April meeting.

Here is the link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/sGQbZmr1qtIFCyp3p5mg

If you've not already fulfilled all righteousness, please can you submit your 'logbook' as soon as possible.  The process is no different from the last few years and David Stewart is patiently waiting to get this important piece of work done for the Presbytery.

Rev Stella