Possible Answers to the Questions posed by the Commission 

1 Structure and Administration 
1) Rather than going back to a situation where there was Presbytery representation on Boards and Committees (now Councils) we consider that it is important to find ways to identify the skills among Ministers, elders and Church members to serve on central bodies.
   2) § 8.2 states that power and administrative resources could be devolved. This should be followed up, as more decisions should be able to be taken by presbyteries. 
a This does not need to wait for a review of presbyteries, as no matter how many or how few there are decisions could be taken by them instead of centrally
 
   3) The question of resourcing, responsibilities and function of presbyteries should be revisited but again this        does not need to take into account their size.
 
   4) We also believe that it is preferable that the Clerk to any Court of the Kirk should be a member of that Court

2 Finance Issues
    1) 
a The idea of separating the' allocation into four elements (Local Ministry, Presbytery Ministry, Central Church Development and Central Church Overheads) seems a good one. It is important to change the perception than money goes into a “black hole” rather than to pay for ministry. . 
b The idea of "Offering to God" rather than a Collection should be re-emphasised in all kirks.
     2)
a The idea of "twinning" of congregations should be looked at not only within presbyteries but also between presbyteries - maybe a rural congregation with an urban or suburban one, and the possibility should also be explored of twinning larger congregations with smaller ones. It is important to avoid a culture of patronizing smaller and/or less-well-off congregations. The strengths of all congregations need to be identified. 
b The suggestion of "rewarding congregations where individuals' efforts are commendable, whilst penalising congregations where insufficient effort has been made" is not a good idea. It does not seem correct to penalise those who have a low giving, and it will probably make it even harder to raise money.
c We also should emphasise that giving to God and the Church is a privilege and not a burden. So many complain about the "Tax" instead of realising that the money they are giving is to help others who are in need.
 
3 Parish Appraisal Issues 
       1) With the lack of applications for rural ministry and the tendency for long vacancies in the rural areas is there not a case for granting a rural allowance to ministers in those areas (similar to the island allowance) This could be based on a weighting scale similar to the one used in the Appraisal plan so that it takes into account local factors relevant for each presbytery.

a Maybe the idea of "twinning" of congregations from the same or different presbyteries could re-invigorate the idea of Scotland being a mission field.

b "Twinning" congregations could also involve changes in resource allocation, so that say financial help given to another congregation would be part of the ministerial giving to the Kirk as a whole. 


				Responses from Duns Presbytery
				10 October 2007