Forward Together (Scotland)
Encyclopedia
Forward Together is an evangelical
organisation within the Church of Scotland
which acts as a pressure group on a variety of issues. It currently represents 600 ministers and members of the Church of Scotland.
It supports traditional biblical values on all issues including civil partnerships, same-sex blessings and embryonic stem cell research.
In 2006 the group's Secretary, Rev Ian Watson, said the central management of the Church in Edinburgh
was following a "left-wing, liberal
agenda" which was contrary to the wishes of the vast majority of ordinary Church members. He also criticised the continual appointment of liberals to the position of Moderator
. This view was supported by a survey which showed that 60% of respondents thought the Church had lost its way spiritually and theologically, and 75% said the appointment of Moderators did not reflect the Church membership, lamenting the reluctance of the Church to speak out against issues such as gay adoption and civil partnerships in the same way the Roman Catholic Church
does.
In 2007 it was successful in securing the rejection of same-sex blessings by 36 presbyteries against to 9 in favour.
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
organisation within the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
which acts as a pressure group on a variety of issues. It currently represents 600 ministers and members of the Church of Scotland.
It supports traditional biblical values on all issues including civil partnerships, same-sex blessings and embryonic stem cell research.
In 2006 the group's Secretary, Rev Ian Watson, said the central management of the Church in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
was following a "left-wing, liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
agenda" which was contrary to the wishes of the vast majority of ordinary Church members. He also criticised the continual appointment of liberals to the position of Moderator
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
. This view was supported by a survey which showed that 60% of respondents thought the Church had lost its way spiritually and theologically, and 75% said the appointment of Moderators did not reflect the Church membership, lamenting the reluctance of the Church to speak out against issues such as gay adoption and civil partnerships in the same way the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
does.
In 2007 it was successful in securing the rejection of same-sex blessings by 36 presbyteries against to 9 in favour.