Assembly Trustees Update – October 2025
On Thursday, 9th October, the Assembly Trustees came together for their monthly meeting, where, as usual, a number of items were discussed. We started with opening devotions by convener Rev David Cameron that grounded our work in Christian service to see God's Kingdom grow.
This was followed by a presentation from Mr Jamie Spurway on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Mr Spurway has spent the last 15 years working as a trainer for large organisations such as ours, which has given him extensive experience to draw on.
He challenged the Trustees to see ourselves and what we do as others might see us. He took us through different scenarios where we were encouraged to consider things from different perspectives, such as how a person from a minority or disadvantaged background might experience things. His approach very much resonated with the basic Christian understanding of everyone having worth and dignity as we are all God's children. Those present found it a very useful exercise.
Updates were given on ongoing projects, such as how we finance ministry across the denomination post 2027, when the Trustees have been instructed to bring a balanced budget to the General Assembly and the underlying theological reasoning behind the new direction being proposed. Whilst these are ongoing works and subject to change, what we feel confident to share with you at this point is that the theology underpinning the new direction is based around covenant.
Ministers, as everyone knows, are not paid a wage but receive a stipend. The minister covenants to spend their life serving God's people, who in return covenant to support that minister by supplying them a living. This is actually not new, but has been the historical relationship between minister and congregation for centuries within the Church of Scotland. There are, of course, considerations of what happens when a community is not able to supply an adequate living and all of that is being taken into account.
Other matters discussed relate to being Trustees of a large charitable body. This meant time spent looking at and assessing various organisational risks, maintaining an up-to-date risk register, and making sure preparations are in place for when the unexpected happens. Included in this area are the ongoing management of finances. Each month, there is an update on where we are financially, which sometimes includes hard decisions because declining finances cannot be ignored.
A first look at the projected budget for next year was presented, before it comes for formal approval in December. Whilst the Trustees are always mindful of the financial challenges facing the Church we were encouraged that, as a result of difficult decisions taken over the past months including the prioritisation exercise for work undertaken by national office staff, the projected deficit for next year is significantly lower than previously anticipated.
As always, the Trustees recognise their role in serving the Church. They are drawn from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of experience inside the Church, outside the Church, in education, in public service and a host of other places. That which unites them is a desire to see the Church of Scotland thrive in its mission to serve the people of Scotland (and beyond) through living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Trustees serve for a period of 3 years with potential for a further 3, after which they must stand down. The denomination will need 7 new Trustees. Please give careful and prayerful consideration to whether this could be you? Anyone interested in exploring this should contact David Cameron.
Formal advertising for new Trustees will be going out soon. Please share widely and pray for the right people to respond.
Norman Smith