General Assembly

The General Assembly is a significant annual event in the Church of Scotland calendar. Throughout the week, commissioners to the General Assembly examine the work and laws of the Church and make decisions that affect its future.

The Assembly does not shy away from discussing the big political topics of the day. In recent years the Assembly has received national and international attention for debating assisted dying, the war in Ukraine, and fossil fuel divestment.

General Assembly 2025

The 2025 General Assembly will take place from 17- 22 May 2025 at the Assembly Hall on the Mound, Edinburgh. The proceedings will also be made available to watch online.

Lord High Commissioner

The Lord High Commissioner is the Sovereign's personal representative to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and is appointed by His Majesty The King to attend proceedings on his behalf, taking up residence for the week in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

By custom, they address the Assembly at its opening and closing sessions, and attend much of the daily business, but they do not directly engage with or influence the debates. The Lord High Commissioner also undertakes a round of official visits in Scotland, usually to Church and social care projects, as well as hosting evening engagements at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Moderator of the General Assembly

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland chairs the daily proceedings, leading daily worship, keeping order, ruling on points of order, and signing documents on behalf of the Assembly.

During the next 12 months the Moderator acts as the Church's ambassador, meeting with ecumenical partners and faith leaders, visiting presbyteries and projects and representing the Church at home and abroad. When asked for an opinion on important issues, the Moderator is expected to have in mind the views of the General Assembly or the relevant Church committee.

The role is honorary and the Moderator is neither the leader nor the head of the Church: the Church of Scotland holds that Jesus Christ is, 'the King and Head of the Church'. The correct title is 'Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland', or 'Moderator of the General Assembly'.

Moderator of the General Assembly 2024-25

Rev Dr Shaw James Paterson, who has served as the minister of Strathaven Trinity Parish Church since 1991, was installed as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday 18 May 2024. He will spend a year as an ambassador for the Church of Scotland.

Dr Paterson succeeded the 2023-24 Moderator, Very Rev Sally Foster Fulton.

Find out more about Dr Paterson.

The Moderator Designate

Rev Rosemary Frew, minister of Bowden and Melrose Parish Church in the Borders, is the current Moderator Designate.

Mrs Frew will be installed as Moderator on Saturday 17 May 2025 to preside over this year's General Assembly, marking the start of her duties as the public face of the Church of Scotland for 2025-26.

She will succeed the current Moderator, Rev Dr Shaw J Paterson.

Find out more about Rev Rosemary Frew.

Previous General Assemblies

Photos, video highlights and documents from earlier meetings of the General Assembly are available on our previous General Assemblies page.

Reports and deliverances presented to General Assemblies prior to 2020 are available on our publications page.

Laws of the Church of Scotland

Visit our Church Law section for more information about the Acts, Regulations, and Constitution of the Church of Scotland, and the Barrier Act.