Our Church is currently undergoing the most significant transformation since 1929 – we have known for some time that something different was needed but now have the momentum to make it happen. It is recognised that the necessary speed and pace of the change, particularly in relation to Mission Planning, has been a difficult, challenging and a painful experience for many. There will also be relief for some that the burden of trying to keep a place of worship open with few people and little if any contribution from other community sources has finally been lifted. Closure of much-loved places of worship is a grief we all bear as ministers, elders, members and staff of the Church. The majority of mission plans have been agreed and we must now turn our attention to the work of forming the new connections and communities within our congregational life.
It is to the future that we must look as a national church, discerning the direction of travel whilst holding close the first two of the five marks of mission ‘to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom’ and ‘to teach, baptise and nurture new believers’.