Editing Church of Scotland (section)

==Theology and practice==
[[File:Iona Abbey, Entrance and St John's Cross. - geograph.org.uk - 113441.jpg|right|thumb|190px|[[Iona Abbey]] in Scotland was founded by [[Saint Columba]].]]

The basis of faith for the Church of Scotland is the ''Word of God'', which it views as being "contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament". Its principal subordinate standard is ''[[Westminster Confession of Faith|The Westminster Confession of Faith]]'' (1647), although here liberty of opinion is granted on those matters "which do not enter into the substance of the faith" (Art. 2 and 5).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Articles Declaratory of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland|url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/church_law/church_constitution|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319153259/http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/church_law/church_constitution|archive-date=19 March 2017|access-date=14 April 2018|publisher=The Church of Scotland|quote=The principal subordinate standard of the Church of Scotland is the Westminster Confession of Faith approved by the General Assembly of 1647, containing the sum and substance of the Faith of the Reformed Church. Its government is Presbyterian, and is exercised through Kirk Sessions; Presbyteries, [Provincial Synods deleted by Act V, 1992], and General Assemblies. Its system and principles of worship, orders, and discipline are in accordance with "The Directory for the Public Worship of God," "The Form of Presbyterial Church Government " and "The Form of Process," as these have been or may hereafter be interpreted or modified by Acts of the General Assembly or by consuetude.}}</ref> (The 19th century Scottish distinction was between '[[evangelicals]]' and '[[Moderate Party (Scotland)|moderates]]'.) There is no official document in which substantial matters and insubstantial ones are clearly demarcated.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

The Church of Scotland has no compulsory [[prayer book]], although it does have a [[Hymnbooks of the Church of Scotland|hymn book]] (the 4th edition was published in 2005). Its ''[[Book of Common Order]]'' contains recommendations for public worship, which are usually followed fairly closely in the case of sacraments and ordinances. Preaching is the central focus of most services. Traditionally, Scots worship centred on the singing of [[Metrical psalter|metrical psalm]]s and paraphrases, but for generations these have been supplemented with [[Christian music]] of all types.<ref name="Bowden2005">{{Cite book |last=Bowden |first=John Stephen |title=Encyclopedia of Christianity |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2005 |isbn=9780195223934 |page=242 |language=en |quote=A distinctive part of Scottish Presbyterian worship is the singing of metrical psalms, many of them set to old Celtic Christianity Scottish traditional and folk tunes. These verse psalms have been exported to Africa, North America and other parts of the world where Presbyterian Scots missionaries or Emigres have been influential.}}</ref> The typical Church of Scotland service lasts about an hour. There is normally no sung or responsive liturgy, but worship is the responsibility of the minister in each parish, and the style of worship can vary and be quite experimental. In recent years, a variety of modern song books have been widely used to appeal more to contemporary trends in music, and elements from alternative liturgies including those of the [[Iona Community]] are incorporated in some congregations. Although traditionally worship is conducted by the parish minister, participation and leadership by members who are not ministers in services is becoming more frequent, especially in the Highlands and the Borders.

In common with other [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] denominations, the church recognises two [[sacraments]]: [[Baptism]] and Holy Communion (the [[Eucharist|Lord's Supper]]). The church baptises both believing adults and the children of Christian families. Communion in the Church of Scotland today is open to Christians of whatever denomination, without precondition.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} If baptised as an infant, one is expected to make the public profession of faith as part of a [[confirmation]] ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2018|title=Joining the Church|url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/our_faith/joining_the_church|access-date=15 April 2018|publisher=Church of Scotland|language=en|quote=The usual pattern for joining the Church of Scotland is that infant children of Church members are received into the Church through Baptism. In time it is hoped that the child will come to make his or her own public profession of faith and the congregation will support the family in this task. This public profession of faith is sometimes referred to as confirmation.}}</ref> Communion services are usually taken fairly seriously in the church; traditionally, a congregation held only three or four per year, although practice now greatly varies between congregations. In some congregations, communion is celebrated once a month.

Theologically, the Church of Scotland is Reformed (ultimately in the [[Calvinist]] tradition) and is a member of the [[World Alliance of Reformed Churches]].<ref name="WCRC2018">{{Cite web|year=2018|title=Members|work=World Communion of Reformed Churches |url=http://wcrc.ch/members|access-date=15 April 2018|language=en}}</ref>

===Ecumenical relations===
The Church of Scotland is a member of ACTS ([[Action of Churches Together in Scotland]]) and, through its Committee on Ecumenical Relations, works closely with other denominations in Scotland. The present inter-denominational co-operation marks a distinct change from attitudes in certain quarters of the church in the early twentieth century and before, when opposition to Irish Roman Catholic immigration was vocal (see [[Roman Catholicism in Scotland|Catholicism in Scotland]]). The Church of Scotland is a member of the [[World Council of Churches]], the [[Conference of European Churches]], the [[Community of Protestant Churches in Europe]], and the [[World Communion of Reformed Churches]]. The Church of Scotland is a member of [[Churches Together in Britain and Ireland]] and, through its Presbytery of England, is a member of [[Churches Together in England]]. The Church of Scotland continues to foster relationships with other Presbyterian denominations in Scotland even where agreement is difficult.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} In May 2016 the Church of Scotland ratified the Columba Agreement (approved by the Church of England's General Synod in February 2016), calling for the two churches to work more closely together on matters of common interest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pocklington |first=David |title=Columba Declaration: Church of Scotland and Church of England {{!}} Law & Religion UK |date=24 December 2015 |url=https://lawandreligionuk.com/2015/12/24/columba-declaration-church-of-scotland-and-church-of-england/ |access-date=2022-06-25 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2022, the Church of Scotland and the [[Bishops' Conference of Scotland|Catholic Bishops Conference of Scotland]] agreed a declaration of friendship between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Church of Scotland approves friendship declaration with Catholic Church in Scotland |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/church-of-scotland-general-assembly-2022-friendship-declaration-with-catholics-approved-3708866 |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=www.scotsman.com |date=25 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==="God's Invitation"===
While the Bible is the basis of faith of the Church of Scotland, and the [[Westminster Confession of Faith]] is the subordinate standard,<ref>''Ordinal and Service Book'', Open University Press 1931</ref><ref>[http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/our_faith/westminster_confession_of_faith Westminster Confession of Faith] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022093419/http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/our_faith/westminster_confession_of_faith |date=22 October 2016 }} page at Church of Scotland website</ref> a request was presented to a General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for a statement explaining the historic Christian faith in [[jargon]]-free non-theological language. "God's Invitation" was prepared to fulfil that request. The full statement reads:<ref>{{Cite web |title=God's Invitation |url=http://www.dullandweemparish.org/godsinvitation.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228054937/http://www.dullandweemparish.org/godsinvitation.htm |archive-date=28 December 2011 |publisher=Parish Church of [[Weem|Dull and Weem]]}}</ref>
<blockquote>[[Genesis creation narrative|God made]] the world and all its creatures with men and women made in [[Image of God|His image]].

By [[Fall of man|breaking His laws]] people have broken contact with God, and damaged His good world. This we see and sense in the world and in ourselves.

The Bible tells us the [[Good news (Christianity)|Good News]] that God still loves us and has shown His love uniquely in [[Son of God|His Son]], Jesus Christ. He [[Incarnation (Christianity)|lived among us]] and [[crucifixion of Jesus|died on the cross]] to [[Atonement in Christianity|save us from our sin]]. But God [[resurrection of Jesus|raised Him from the dead]]!

In His love, this living Jesus invites us to [[repentance (Christianity)|turn from our sins]] and enter by [[Faith in Christianity|faith]] into a [[Reconciliation (theology)|restored relationship]] with God Who gives true [[abundant life|life before]] and [[Eternal life (Christianity)|beyond death]].

Then, with the power of the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] remaking us like Jesus, we—with all Christians—[[Christian worship|worship]] God, enjoy His friendship and are available for Him to use in sharing and [[good works|showing]] His love, justice, and [[peace of God|peace]] locally and globally until [[Second Coming of Christ|Jesus returns]]!

In Jesus' name we gladly share with you God's message for all people—You matter to God!
</blockquote>
It was approved for use by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in May 1992.<ref>Reports to the General Assembly 1992, Church of Scotland, Edinburgh 1992</ref>