BASIS OF REVIEWABLE CHARGE
By decision of the Presbytery of Edinburgh and West Lothian, permission is granted to the congregation of Edinburgh Northwest Kirk: Cramond Kirk and The Old Kirk and Muirhouse (Church of Scotland) (SC006457), to call a minister on a Basis of Reviewable Charge in terms of Act VIII 2021, section 9 (1), and that on the following conditions:
- The Presbytery shall review the appointment five years from the date of induction of the minister.
- At the review, the Presbytery shall consider with the Kirk Session:
- Whether the life of the congregation exhibits the five Marks of Mission, i.e.
i) To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom;
ii) To teach, baptise and nurture new believers;
iii) To respond to human need by loving service;
iv) To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation; and
v) To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth developed.
- The success or otherwise of reaching out to younger generations, the unchurched and local community groups;
- The extent to which a leadership core has been established and developed to enable the resourcing of all aspects of church life;
- The effectiveness or otherwise of building relationships within congregations, with other denominations and with the wider community to create new connections in Christ’s name; and
- Such other matters as may be relevant by that time.
- Following such review, the Presbytery shall take a further decision on the future arrangements for ministry to the congregation and parish of Edinburgh Northwest Kirk: Cramond Kirk and The Old Kirk and Muirhouse, recognising that one of the options available to it is the termination of the tenure of the charge on giving the minister six months’ notice in writing.
The minister shall be free to seek to demit or to be translated as in the ordinary case of any minister inducted to a charge, provided that, if this Reviewable Charge is his or her first charge, the Presbytery hereby agree that these conditions constitute exceptional circumstances in terms of Section 4 of Act VIII 2003, and will accordingly issue the necessary Certificate if he or she seeks to be translated within five years.