Faith Action Programme Leadership Team (FAPLT)

We have a vision for the church which we hope to see realised through local congregations and in local communities all across our land and beyond. Find out about Vivid Vision.

The Leadership Team will deliver the objectives of the Faith Action Programme over a five-year period, 2023-2028.

Over the next five years, we will:

• Build and launch an integrated training programme for members of local churches, carrying in the first instance resources for faith, life and mission. Learn about our training programme.
• Create pathways that attract and allow us to recruit the required number of resilient and emotionally intelligent leaders for the recognised ministries for which they are suited and called.
• Establish a programme to develop and support churches to grow in Christian faith and deliver missional activity throughout the year and establish 100 new worshipping communities.
• Establish and deliver with all presbyteries a comprehensive programme of support to equip all those responsible for evolving fresh forms of worship, including digitised ministry alongside continued support for developing best practice in existing worship.
• Contribute to public life and social justice on behalf of the church.
• Deliver the Presbytery Mission Plan Act -with the configuration of ministries and congregational estates which is sustainable and affordable. Read the Act.
• As agreed with the Assembly Trustees, annually decrease operating costs as work is devolved or ended and income generated.

Remit of the Faith Action Leadership Team

The Leadership Team will seek to shape and then implement the instructions, policies, priorities and strategic objectives of the General Assembly relating to the Faith Action Programme. It will work with the Assembly Trustees, Presbyteries and other parts of the Church to achieve a collaborative approach to nurture the people of the Church in their witness, worship and service.

Membership of the Faith Action Leadership Team

• A Convener - Rev Tommy MacNeil (Stornoway: Martin's Memorial)
• Five Vice Conveners to deputise for the Convener when unavailable and to lead Programme Groups:
• Rev Jonathan Fleming, Depute Convener and Presbytery and Partnership Support Programme Group (Incorporating Presbytery Mission Planning Implementation) Convener (Greenock Lyle)
• Rev Sarah Brown, Public Life and Social Justice Programme Group Convener (Cathedral Church of St Machar)
• Rev David Clarkson, People and Training Programme Group Convener (Barclay Viewforth)
• Rev David Gray, Resource and Presence Programme Group Convener (Govan & Linthouse)
• Rev Scott McRoberts, Mission Support Programme Group Convener (Inverness St. Columba)
• Five members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee
• Twelve members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, having first been nominated by their Presbytery.
• The Convener, or substitute, of the Theological Forum
• The Convener, or substitute, of the Ecumenical Relations Committee.

Email the Faith Action Leadership Team

The five Programme Groups of the Faith Action Leadership Team

The four Programme Groups are;

• Mission Support
• People and Training
• Public Life and Social Justice
• Resource and Presence
• Presbytery Partnership Support (incorporating the work of PMPIG)

They report to the Leadership Team and will have written delegated authority from the Leadership Team to take forward their respective elements of the Faith Action Programme. This will include the development of strategy and policy, and working alongside staff members in their implementation.

Responsibilities of the Programme Groups of the Faith Action Leadership Team

Programme Groups which report to the Leadership Team will have responsibility for these work streams of the Programme:

The Mission Support Programme Group

The purpose of the Mission Support Programme Group is to inspire, help, and enable the Church, at every level, to love, serve, and share the hope of Jesus in relevant and meaningful ways, making disciples in our communities across Scotland. Their remit is to:





1. Equip, inspire, resource and support the Church locally, at Presbytery and at the national level in mission with a focus on digital ministry, Priority Areas, young people and young adults' ministry and church planting.
2. Support worship renewal and the renewal of inherited congregations.
3. Encourage and develop new ways of being Church, fostering innovation and church growth.
4. Provide oversight of: the Gaelic Committee; the Education and Schools Group; and Scottish Workplace Chaplaincy.

The People and Training Programme Group

1. The recruitment, training and formation of those in the Recognised Ministries of the Church of Scotland.
2. The training, discipleship and support of members and elders of the Church of Scotland and maintaining key partnerships including those with Presbyteries and Academic Partners.
3. Alongside Presbyteries, recruiting, resourcing and training people intentionally for the mission of God, especially nurturing those who are new to faith.
4. Supporting ministries and learning through the ASCEND programme.

The Presbytery Partnership Support Programme Group

1. Resource and equip those in recognised national ministries through the provision of appropriate support.
2. Support the deployment of all ministries – Full Time Ministers of Word and Sacrament, including Interim and Transition Ministers; Ordained Local Ministers; the Diaconate; Readers; Ministries Development Staff (MDS); and Ministry to the Deaf congregations, in delivering the mission of God.
3. Work with Presbyteries and the Office of the General Assembly in developing and disseminating best practice in the areas for which Presbytery and Partnership Support is responsible.
4. Ensure that all Mission Plans are being visibly implemented, including advising on bases of adjustment and reviewable charge, with regard to their consistency against the Presbytery Mission Plan.
5. Support Presbyteries in evaluating their Mission Plans.
6. Support the development of 100 new worshipping communities to equip those taking part to live out the mission of God by 2028.
7. Provide oversight and governance of Safeguarding arrangements for the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team (FAPLT) and those in recognised ministries.
8. Liaise with the General Trustees (who are the lead body) in the classification and use of buildings and on other matters, including the Manse Adjudication process.
9. Take such actions as required for it to carry out its duties and functions, including but not limited to offering advice, consulting with, and issuing guidance to the national Church, Presbyteries and Congregations.
10. Provide oversight and governance of the FAPLT partnership with Place for Hope.

The Public Life and Social Justice Programme Group

The vision of the Public Life & Social Justice Programme Group is for the Church of Scotland to be empowered with knowledge, understanding and courage to respond to and pursue issues of social justice public life both within the Church and in wider society, using our distinct Christian voice to influence policies and decision-making. Their remit is to:
1. Share ideas and opportunities for learning, advocacy and worship with Presbyteries which contribute to the Church's work and witness on issues to do with public life and social justice.
2. Provide accountability for and ownership of short life task groups which develops the Church's public issues positions in response to the requirements of the General Assembly or FAPLT. ​
3. Deliver ongoing programme work relating to Integrity, the Church of Scotland's task group on gender-based violence; Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees and the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office, and support ad hoc project work as the need and opportunity arises on any public issue, particularly those relating to peace, justice and the integrity of creation. ​
4. Represent the Church to the wider world on a range of public issues, particularly with regards to civic and political engagement and what the Church says about public life and social justice in the media and parliament, working in close collaboration with the Communications Department, Moderator and Office of the General Assembly. ​
5. When there is capacity available, seek to support other parts of the national Church in relating to and sharing ideas with Government, Parliament, the media, faith groups and civil society.

The Resource and Presence Programme Group

The purpose of the Resource & Presence Programme Group is to optimise assets in a manner that resources and engages people with the mission of God. Their remit is to:


1. Use our presence and assets to promote and strengthen the church's witness, mission, resilience and profile, particularly partnering with Stewardship and Finance and the General Trustees Creative Commercial Collective.
2. Maximise and rationalise the use of the Furlough properties for international students and partners, and mission partners, and ensure the Fund is managed effectively to safeguard these provisions for the future.
3. Enable a financially sustainable operation for the Scottish Storytelling Centre and John Knox House, partnering with the ATs on future works and partnerships.
4. Sustain and develop the Church of Scotland's international partnerships.
5. Contribute to the work of the Israel Palestine committee, particularly bringing support to Tabeetha School.
6. Contribute to the Church of Scotland's communications strategy, providing membership to the Communications Forum and developing the replacement for a membership magazine.