Registration of Ministries Committee

The Register of Ministry

The Register of Ministry is maintained in terms of the Registration of Ministries Act (Act II 2017) and lists all individuals who hold status as Ministers of Word and Sacrament or Deacons within the Church of Scotland. Registration is in one of the following categories:

Category O (Office Holder)

Ministers authorised to hold a pastoral charge and to perform the functions of ministry generally and OLMs/Auxilliary Ministers authorised to hold designated appointments and to perform the functions of ministry generally.  This Category includes parish ministers, interim ministers, transition ministers and associate ministers, and OLMs/Auxiliary Ministers holding a designated appointment.

Category E (Employed)

Ministers authorised to perform the functions of ministry in connection with an employed ministry post and in other circumstances, but not to hold a pastoral charge, and Deacons authorised to hold a recognised diaconal appointment and to perform the functions of the diaconate generally.  This category includes chaplains, ministers with contracts of employment outwith Category O and Deacons holding a recognised diaconal appointment.

Category P (Practising)

Ministers, OLMs/Auxilliary Ministers and Deacons authorised to perform the functions of ministry or the diaconate (as appropriate) outwith an appointment covered by Category O or E. This category includes those who have retired but still serve as locums or provide pulpit supply.

Category R (Retired)

Ministers, OLMs/Auxiliary Ministers and Deacons who are no longer practising and no longer permitted to perform the functions of ministry or the diaconate (except by special permission) but who retain status as a Minister of Word and Sacrament or Deacon.

Category L (Limited)

Ministers authorised to perform the functions of ministry on a limited basis as specified in a Legally Binding Agreement.

Category S (Suspended)

Ministers, OLMs/Auxiliary Ministers and Deacons who have been judicially suspended.

Extracts of registration

A certified extract of your entry on the Register of Ministry can be obtained by emailing RegistrationofMinistries@churchofscotland.org.uk. Extracts are valid for one month and can be requested any time. An extract is required:

  • by those registered in Category O when invited to preach as nominee for a charge.
  • by those registered in any category who wish to transfer to the jurisdiction of another Presbytery.

Registration of Ministries Committee

The Registration of Ministries Committee is a standing committee of the General Assembly consisting of a Convener, Vice-Convener, one member appointed by the Legal Questions Committee (‘LQC'), one member appointed by the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team (‘FAPLT') and three other members appointed by the General Assembly.

The current membership of the committee (2026-2027) is:

  • Rev Robbie Hamilton, minister at Glasgow: Garthamlock, Ruchazie and Craigend linked with Stepps (Convener)
  • Rev Alison Meikle, minister at Grangemouth: Parkview (Vice-Convener)
  • Rev Lynn Brady, transition minister at Gretna linked with Hoddom, Kirtle-Eaglesfield and Middlebie
  • Mrs Lorraine Fraser, elder at Dunfermline: Abbey (FAPLT appointee)
  • Mr Richard Henderson, elder at Edinburgh: Balerno
  • Rev Gary Peacock, minister at Dumfries: St. Michael's and South linked with Irongray, Lochrutton and Terregles
  • Mr John Ritchie, elder at Edinburgh: Barclay Viewforth (LQC appointee)
  • Mrs Barbara Finlayson, elder at Edinburgh: The New Town (co-opted member)

The Clerks of the General Assembly and the Head of Ministries and Mission in FAPLT attend the Committee ex officiis in an advisory capacity. The Clerk to the Committee and Registrar is Darren Philip, Presbytery Support Manager.

Applications to change category of registration

The Registration of Ministries Committee receives and decides upon the following:

  • Applications for Category O registration from those registered in Categories E, P or R.
  • Applications from those registered in Category S to change their category of registration, i.e. to return from suspension.
  • Applications for Category O or E registration from those who left a post for reasons of ill health.

No Minister registered in Category L may apply for a change of Category of registration. Application is only possible if FAPLT has first resolved to re-register the Minister in Category P during a review as specified in the Legally Binding Agreement.

All other applications to change category should be made to the Presbytery having jurisdiction over the individual using this form.

Application process

1. Download the relevant application form, complete it and ask your Presbytery Clerk to add their comment and sign it:

2. Return the form to RegistrationofMinistries@churchofscotland.org.uk.

Deadline for submission Date of hearing
November 20th 2026

December 3rd 2026

January 22nd 2027 February 4th 2027
April 16th 2027

April 29th 2027

May 28th 2027June 10th 2027

3. The Registration of Ministries Committee will take up references and obtain any other information required. If you left your last post on the grounds of ill health, the Committee will take up an Occupational Health report.

4. The Committee will decide upon the application at its next hearing. You will normally be invited to meet with the Committee – this takes the form of an informal discussion of the application and usually takes place online via MS Teams. (Please note that if the applicant requires an in-person interview, this will take place at 121 George Street, Edinburgh and the Committee is unable to reimburse any expenses incurred in attending in-person.) A representative of the Presbytery (and, in the case of applications from chaplains to HM Forces, a representative of the Committee on Chaplains to HM Forces) is also entitled to attend.

5. The Committee will assess the application and discussion against the ‘Criteria for Assessment' found in Schedule 2 of the Act. The Committee may decide to:

  • Grant the application.
  • Grant the application subject to the applicant completing a specified programme of mentoring, familiarisation, further education or training.
  • Refuse to grant the application, subject to grounds being clearly stated.

6. You will receive an email or letter within 10 working days advising you of the outcome. Applicants have the right to appeal this decision to the Ministries Appeal Panel within fourteen days in terms of Sections 32 and 33 of the Act.

Contact for further information

Email the Clerk of the Committee at RegistrationofMinistries@churchofscotland.org.uk or contact the Church Offices on 0131 225 5722.