This is the place for those who serve in church to find resources:
New Presbyter
Are you a New Presbyter? Then this is a place for you!
Here is the list of resources that will help you make sense of how Presbytery works:
Guide to Being a Commissioned Elder
Presbytery Cheat Sheet (All Things Presbytery in four pages)
Did you attend a presbytery meeting and are about to write a report for your Kirk Session? Here is a sample for it:
Presbytery has a Code of Conduct, that covers the purpose of presbytery, conflicts of interest, social media and whistleblowing:
Would you like to test your knowledge of the conflicts of interest policy - take a look at these questions:
Conflict of Interest Questions
And here is the video introduction of the Presbytery Staff:
Our very own Rev Dr Marjory MacLean from Orkney Islands wrote a book “Church of Scotland Governance: The Underlying Principles” which serves as an introduction to Presbyterianism.
Employment Law
We had a series of workshops run by the Church of Scotland Law Department Solicitor David Di Paola on employment law.
Here are the links to webinars and slides:
1) Employment, Recruitment and Contracts.
2) Absence Management
3) Staff Handbooks and Policies
4) Grievance and Disciplinary Training
Divinity Library
Divinity Library Access to Alumni and Public on Fridays, 10am-5pm
The Divinity Library is giving access to the University of Aberdeen alumni and the general public on Fridays from 10am-5pm.
Thanks to a grant, we have bought a number of Biblical commentaries which we are hoping will be useful to ministers and lay preachers.
We also have around 7000 books on a wide array of theological and religious topics which may be of interest (the full catalogue is available here).
Please email Dr Joel Pierce (joel.pierce@abdn.ac.uk) beforehand for he needs to be present during your visit.
People with Disabilities
You can find useful resources and training here:
Through the Roof is a Christian disability charity equipping disabled people to fully participate in the kingdom of God and use their gifts for God's glory.
Prospects Across Scotland resources churches to welcome people with learning disabilities and autism and tell them about Jesus.
Scotland Churches Trust
Scotland Churches Trust offers Church Recording
Please see the message from SCT here.
Creating a website for your church?
Here is a the Presbytery and Church Website Guidance from the Church of Scotland.
Eco-Congregation Scotland
Eco-Congregation Scotland's new Season of Creation webpage for 2026:
https://ecocongregationscotland.org/resources/season-of-creation-2026/
Eco-Congregation Scotland's Eco-Chaplain David Coleman (with others) has created a diverse range of materials, with notes/prayers, major video reflections, short versions, and some location video readings, as well as global links and poems etc. The thematic side will continue to grow in the next few weeks.
Here are some aspects that David highlights:
Poetry page (developing):
https://ecocongregationscotland.org/poetry-2026-season/
Video Trailer - mostly for the sermon-slot videos:
https://vimeo.com/1208499367
Chaplaincy ethos:
https://vimeo.com/1209625705
Withdrawal Act - CofS Summary
You may already be aware that legislation governing certain aspects of Religious and Moral Education and Religious Observance/Time for Reflection were amended in April this year.
The Act is known as the “Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Act” and it received Royal Assent on 2 April 2026.
The changes in direction, and potential further changes, indicated by this Act will be of interest to the Church in general and to those who work in schools in particular.
We trust that the summary of this Act will be helpful to you.
Outreach Resources
Outreach Opportunity for 2027 Jesus: The Evidence
Are you looking for:
New ways to engage the community you serve about Jesus?
Ways to empower your congregation to have the confidence to talk to non-Christians about Jesus?
Ways to strengthen the faith of your congregation?
Resources to encourage your congregation to share their faith with others?
Ways to promote outreach courses like Alpha, Christianity Explored etc.
If any of the above are relevant, then Jesus: The Evidence may be for you.
Jesus: The Evidence (https://www.jesustheevidence.com/) is a one-session event that provides the extensive rational and historical evidence for Jesus being the Son of God. This outreach tool has been developed in conjunction with Cathcart Church in Glasgow.
Read more here.
Counselling Education and Training
Counselling Education and Training
The Institute of Counselling is a Christian based, independent, educational body committed to promoting counselling and pastoral care. All our courses are modular and available by distance/on-line learning on a part time basis.
The Institute of Counselling has the following mission:
To provide a high level of counselling education and training through tutor-supported online and distance learning in a manner which sustains and develops both practical counselling skills and theoretical knowledge, within a Christian context.
The specific aims of the Institute include:
- provision of high quality training
- development of counselling skills
- production of training material for the caring professions and the voluntary sector
- provision of counselling services for individuals and groups
The Institute is committed to providing counselling and therapy skills training to all who will benefit from the courses. On this basis a non-discriminatory policy applies with regard to students’ background, culture, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age or creed.
Please see attached Prospectus for more details.
Institute is offering 20% off the course fees of selected courses, including Course Instalment plans (listed on our website).
You can enrol for these courses through the webpage on our website https://www.instituteofcounselling.org.uk/
or over the telephone on 0141 204 2230
or send us an email to admin@instituteofcounselling.ac.uk
See the Institute's prospectus for more information.