Faith Action Programme, committees, councils and departments

The Church of Scotland's day-to-day policy making and practical decision making at local, national and international level are organised through the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team, committees, councils and departments.

Faith Action Programme Leadership Team

In May 2023 the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland decided to merge the Faith Impact Forum with the Faith Nurture Forum to become the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team.

The remits of the forums were as follows;

Faith Impact Forum: Seeks to enable and support the church, congregations and presbyteries as they engage with local, national and international issues.

Faith Nurture Forum: Supports the recruitment, education, training and ongoing development of ministers, deacons, readers and anyone else who is confident and eager to share their faith. The Forum is also involved in presbytery planning and developing new ways of being church across Scotland.

From June 2023 the Faith Action Leadership Team will continue the work of both fora through a single Faith Action Programme

Committees

• Assembly Business - Organising the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
• Audit Committee - Advises and assists the Assembly Trustees in the oversight of financial reporting, systems of internal control and risk management
• Church Art and Architecture - Provides advice on renovations and alterations to Church buildings
• Ecumenical Relations Committee - Encouraging local, national and international work with other denominations
• Forces Chaplains Committee - Supporting our ministers and those dedicated to the spiritual well-being of the women and men of the Armed Forces
• Legal Questions Committee - Advising the General Assembly on questions of Church and constitutional law
• Nomination Committee - Bringing before the General Assembly the names of those to serve on councils and committees
• Registration of Ministries Committee -  Deals with applications related to the Registration of Ministry
• Theological Forum - Resourcing, expressing and challenging the theology that informs the life and work of the Church

Councils

• Social Care (known as CrossReach) - Offering services in Christ's name and specialist resources to further the caring work of the Church to people in need. CrossReach also has its own website at www.crossreach.org.uk

Departments

• Communications - Liaises with the media and responsible for design services and the website
• Central Properties - Provides a professional property, facilities and health and safety service
• Law - Acting in legal matters for the organisation and all of its courts, councils, and committees
• IT - Provides computer facilities to councils and departments within the Church Offices at 121 George Street in Edinburgh
• Human Resources - Managing recruitment, employment conditions and learning and continuing development
• Facilities Management - Responsible for the day-to-day running of the Church Offices at 121 George Street in Edinburgh
• Safeguarding Service - Aiming to prevent harm or abuse where possible and ensuring that the Church makes a timely and appropriate response when harm or abuse is witnessed, suspected or reported
• General Trustees - Holding properties and investments for the Church
• Housing and Loan Fund - Helping ministers, their widows, widowers, separated or divorced spouses with housing needs in retirement
• Stewardship and Finance - Promoting and encouraging Christian stewardship by providing programmes and training for congregations
• Church of Scotland Trust - Holding properties outwith Scotland and acting as trustee in third party trusts
• Investors Trust - Offering Church groups a medium for the investment of their funds
• Pension Trustees - Responsible for the investment of all the Church pension schemes

Service Departments

This report provides a summary of the services and capabilities that are available from the National Office of the Church of Scotland. We are here primarily to support the local church and enable the Assembly Trustees to fulfil their overall governance, co-ordination and reporting function for the Church, which is one of the largest charitable organisations in Scotland. This Service and Capability Statement is another step towards raising awareness of the services that are available to support you.

Other

• The Guild - Scotland's largest voluntary Christian group, supporting Scottish and international projects

Appointment to councils and committees

The Nomination Committee identifies individuals with the necessary skills and experience who are then recommended for appointment by the General Assembly. Information on the process and what is expected from members is included on the Nomination Committee's page.