19 February 2026

In 2016, the Church of Scotland borrowed the ‘Five Marks of Mission’ from the Church of England and has been using them as a managerial instrument to determine the health of a congregation and, more especially, to determine its future use of buildings.

There are five things that disturb me about this. Firstly, there is no instrument which we can create to ensure that we have determined what God is doing in a particular congregation. The Spirit is like the wind, ‘it bloweth where it listeth’. We cannot pin it down.

Secondly, the ‘Five Marks of Mission’ are used to encourage congregations  to share with the world what they are doing. Instead of forgetting self, taking up the cross and following Christ, we are to do the opposite. We have to tell people what we are doing in order to gain a commendation.

Thirdly, this instrument suits more evangelical congregations where people are used to giving their testimony, sharing with others what God is doing in their lives and how their prayers have been answered. Auld Kirk fold and broad Kirk folk view their faith and spirituality more modestly.

Fourthly, in explaining  the life of the church, Jesus suggests we should be like salt. Once salt is added to the food, it cannot be removed. Nor can we trace its work. Similarly with our work as Christians. What we have done for the Kingdom cannot be unravelled. It is not I who lives  but Christ who lives within me.

Fifthly, the use of an instrument to rate congregations doesn’t acknowledge an obvious truth. Congregations like human beings are all different. The idea that the ‘Five Marks of Mission’ would be a suitable instrument for every congregation is foolish. Like Cinderella’s slipper, it looks beautiful until the glass breaks and cuts our feet!