Presbyterian Church Government
Church Services
Congregation
Being Married in the Cathedral
Tour of the Cathedral Precinct
The Church of Scotland's governing system is Presbyterian, which means that no one person or group within the Church has more influence or say than any other. The Church does not have one person who acts as the head of faith, as that role is the Lord God's. Its supreme rule of faith and life is through the teachings of the Bible. The Church is organised on the basis of courts at local, district and national level, mainly along lines set between 1560 and 1690.
Each of these courts has developed committees, which may include other members of the Church, and those at national level now employ full-time staff.
As the national Church in Scotland, we are committed to providing communities of worship and the comfort and care of the Christian faith in every area of the country. This is done through the system of parishes.
Every part of Scotland is divided, geographical, into local parish congregations led by a Minister and a group of elders, who have responsibility for public worship and for the pastoral care of the people who live in that area. The Minister and elders meet regularly in the local level court, known as a Kirk Session. The Minister presides over the Kirk Session as the Moderator and is assisted by the Session Clerk.
As well as public worship, the Minister conducts services such as baptisms, weddings and funerals within the parish, and in addition to elders, carries out visits to people at home or in hospital. School and industrial chaplaincy may also be part of the Minister's remit.
At district level – Presbytery:
Presbyteries make up the middle court of the Church of Scotland. Presbyteries consist of all the Ministers in a particular region, also referred to as 'the Presbytery', and an equal number of elders, along with members of the diaconate (a form of ordained ministry, usually working in a complementary role in a ministry team in both parish and industry sector contexts). They have responsibility for ecclesiastical activity within its 'bounds' (boundaries). The Presbytery supervises the Ministers, Kirk Sessions and congregations in its area, and elects the local Ministers and elders who will attend the annual General Assembly.
Most Presbyteries meet monthly up to 11 times a year, although the frequency of meetings may depend on the geographical spread of parishes within the bounds. The principle office-bearers are the Presbytery Moderator, who is selected annually, and the Presbytery Clerk. Between meetings of Presbytery, several committees carry out its business.
The Presbytery is the court of appeal for all matters which are dealt with by Kirk Sessions, as well as having the power to review decisions made at congregational meetings. Each congregation is visited once in every five-year period by members of Presbytery (who are known as Presbyters), when its spiritual well being and congregational activities are examined.
The objective is to encourage and advise the Minister, Kirk Session and congregation, and to draw to their attention any matters which appear to be unsatisfactory or not in accordance with Church law.
Currently there are 48 Presbyteries, including one for England, one for Europe, and another for Jerusalem and Tiberias.
At national level – General Assembly:
The General Assembly, which meets each year in Edinburgh, is the highest court of the Church. It has the authority to make laws determining how the Church of Scotland operates and is where cases can be heard in matters of litigation. The General Assembly consists of around 400 Ministers, 400 elders, and members of the diaconate, all representing the Presbyteries.
The role of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is an honorary one, held for 12 months. It involves carrying out a series of visits to several Church of Scotland presbyteries, as well as undertaking a number of international tours during the year.