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Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)

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Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
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The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) (abbreviation: FC(C), Scottish Gaelic: An Eaglais Shaor Leantainneach) is a separatist Scottish Presbyterian denomination which was formed in January 2000. It claims to be the true continuation of the Free Church of Scotland, hence its name.

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Formation

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In 1996, Professor Donald Macleod, later to be principal of the Free Church College in Edinburgh, was acquitted of charges of sexual assault when a sheriff ruled there had been a conspiracy against him.[1] An organisation called the Free Church Defence Association believed that "it was wrong not to put Professor Macleod on trial in the General Assembly and that the majority has therefore departed from the principle that allegations of misconduct must be investigated not by a Committee of the General Assembly but by the whole General Assembly."[2] The FCDA's chairman, Rev Maurice Roberts, was suspended for contumacy in June 1999 for refusing to withdraw his claim that General Assembly in May of that year was characterised by "gross and irremediable wickedness and hypocrisy".[1]

In August 1999, the FCDA's magazine, Free Church Foundations, referred to "the evil of Mr Roberts' suspension".[1][3] A deadline was set for 30 November 1999 for the FCDA to disband, which it did not.[4] Libels were drawn up against 22 ministers who refused to comply, and in a hearing by the Commission of Assembly on 19–20 January 2000 those libels were declared to be relevant.[5] The 22 ministers were suspended, and they responded by leaving the commission.

On 20 January 2000 the 'Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)' was formed when those ministers and a number of others adopted a "Declaration of Reconstitution of the historic Free Church of Scotland".[6] Johnston McKay suggests that although on the surface the split was about Donald Macleod, in reality it was about theology, with the FCDA "composed of people who adhere much more firmly to the Westminster Confession of Faith".[2]

List of Ministers Suspended by the Free Church of Scotland

Below are the list of the 22 Ministers of the Free Church of Scotland who were suspended on 20th January 2000, and became the first ministers of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing).[7]

  • Rev. B. H. Baxter
  • Rev. Graeme Craig - Lochalsh & Glenshiel
  • Rev. H. M. Ferrier
  • Rev. J. A. Gillies
  • Rev. James I. Gracie - North Uist & Grimsay
  • Rev. John W. Keddie - Minister of Bracadale
  • Rev. Donald M. Macdonald
  • Rev. Kenneth Macdonald - Minister of Snizort[8]
  • Rev. Allan I. M. Maciver - Minister of Broadford
  • Rev. Malcolm Maclean (retired from North Tolsta)[9]
  • Rev. Donald N. MacLeod (retired from Glasgow-Duke Street)[10]
  • Rev. John MacLeod - Minister of Tarbat
  • Rev. John MacLeod - Minister of Duthil-Dores
  • Rev. Murdo A. N. Macleod - Minister of Harris
  • Rev. William Macleod - Minister of Portree
  • Rev. John Morrison - Minister of Kilmuir & Stenscholl
  • Rev. Allan Murray
  • Rev. David P. Murray
  • Rev. John J. Murray - Minister of Lochcarron
  • Rev. H. R. M. Radcliffe
  • Rev. Maurice J. Roberts - Minister of Inverness Greyfriars [had been suspended by the Commission of Assembly on 24 June 1999]
  • Rev. Henry J. T. Woods - Minister of Paisley

Furthermore, four other Ministers were suspended separately and became part of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing).[11]

  • Rev. James Frew [Suspended on 14 February]
  • Rev. John J. Harding [Suspended on 24 June 1999]
  • Rev. Daniel Mackinnon [Suspended on 14 February] - Minister of Kilmorack & Strathglass
  • Rev. William B. Scott [Suspended on 29 February] - Minister of Dumfries
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Following their departure, the FC(C) sought a declarator from the Court of Session as to ownership of the central funds and properties of the Church. When the appeal was sent to the Outer House of the Court of Session, Lady Paton dismissed their action without granting absolvitor.[5] In March 2007 the Free Church of Scotland proceeded to take legal action at Broadford, on the island of Skye, seeking to reclaim the church manse. The Free Church (Continuing) lost the action at first instance on the decision of Lord Uist,[12] and also lost their appeal to the Inner House of the Court of Session.[13]

The FC(C) expressed its intention to appeal both the above decisions, but in 2009, the International Conference of Reformed Churches noted that the FC(C) had "withdrawn its appeal of the civil matter that was pending".[14]

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Recognition

The denomination is a member of the International Conference of Reformed Churches[15] and of Affinity.[16]

Congregations

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The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) presently has 25 functioning congregations in Scotland, as well as some overseas.[17] These churches belong to six presbyteries: the Northern, the Skye and Lochcarron, the United States of America, Navarre & Aragon, the Outer Hebrides and the Southern Presbyteries.[18] There are seven congregations and preaching stations in the United States: Atlanta metropolitan area; Washington Metro; Upstate South Carolina; Mebane, North Carolina; St. Louis, Missouri; Opelika, Alabama; Greenville, Texas; and Fredericksburg, Virginia.[19] There is also a congregation and a preaching station in Canada, a congregation in Northern Ireland, and a seminars and demonstration farm in Zambia.[20][21]

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Preaching Stations and Missions

Iglesia Presbiteriana Reformada de Nuevo Laredo Nuevo Laredo, Mexico United States Vacant
Nobleford Presbyterian Church Nobleford, Canada United States Vacant 2022
Reformed Presbyterian Mission Vavuniya, Sri Lanka Home & Foreign Missions Committee Rev. Shanmugam N.V. Partheepan 2012
Westminster Presbyterian Church Greenville, Texas United States Rev. Craig J. Scott 2022
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Seminary

The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) maintains a seminary on the outskirts of Inverness for the training of its ministers.

Music

The Free Church Continuing continues to hold to the exclusive use of metrical Psalms sung without instrumental accompaniment in worship, a position which the Free Church of Scotland has ceased to hold.[22]

See also

  • John MacLeod, Principal Clerk of Assembly, Moderator of 2006 General Assembly

References

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