3 June 2026

It is good to recover our Kirk’s history and to realise the treasures which have been preserved within it. This includes the ministry of the eldership, Presbyterianism, the centrality of the Word, our responsibility to the parish and to seek unity with other Christian denominations. This gives us two things.

Firstly, an enlarged perspective. We are not alone, we belong to something much bigger than ourselves. We are put in touch with a distinct Christian tradition, its pioneers and prophets, its wisdom and pragmatism, its balance in conscience clause and acceptance of difference.

Secondly, our distinct identity. If we do not remember the significance of a congregation’s right to elect a minister or respect the  calling to preach which carries the authority of the Church and is given to those who understand  the huge responsibility in handling holy things, we will forget who we are.

The Kirk gave Scotland its schools. It was a founding principle – a school in every parish. The call to baptise is followed by the call to teach. This is in our DNA but we have neglected our ministry to  children, young people, families, schools and need to recover this in imaginative and collaborative ways.

But in telling the story, we are mindful of Peter’s advice to share the tale with gentleness and reverence. His words were born out of a particular circumstance of persecution. Ours is born out of indifference which is more likely to encourage apathy than martyrdom. His respectful words are just as apposite for us.

Our defence of the hope within us should be reasonable. We should be able to argue our case. But it should be done with gentleness. The truth cannot be changed by force. It is the truth regardless. We don’t need to oblige people to share our view. We have confidence in the truth and share it with gentleness.

It should also be shared with reverence. I have seen some bad behaviour in my retirement. Elders who have forgotten to show reverence to their colleagues and neighbours. Reverence means treating the other as if they were sacred. And they are. All have been made in the image of God.