The Church of Scotland’s governing system is Presbyterian which means that no one person or group within the Church has more influence or say than any other. The Church does not have one person who acts as the head of faith, as this role is the Lord God’s. Its supreme rule of faith and life is through the teachings of the Bible. 

The governance of the overall Church is organised on the basis of Courts at National, Regional and Local levels. At the local level, the Parish, the Court is the Kirk Session. This is responsible for overseeing the local Congregation and its Parish and consists of Elders presided over by a Minister. 

In line with the foregoing, St Mungo’s Parish Church operates under a Quoad Omnia constitution, this means that the Kirk Session is literally “responsible for all things”. However, it can and does exercise this responsibility through a structure of Committees and Groups comprising in some cases both Elder and non-Elder Members; all Groups, however, reporting to the Session through the Convener, who is an Elder and therefore sits on the Session. 

In our case the operating structure is the Session and four standing committees which cover respectively Mission, Events, Property, and Communication. To further aid the efficient operation of this structure and the Principal Office Bearers, i.e. the Minister, Session Clerk, Treasurer and Church Officer, we also operate two sub groups, one on Finance, the other, a coordination group which comprises the said Office Bearers together with the four Committee Conveners. 

The Session and each of the Standing Committees meet a minimum of six times per year, with the sub-groups meeting as and when required. 

Under our constitution, however, it should be noted that all decisions of Committees are subject to Session approval. 

Should any Member wish further detailed information on the role and remit of any, or all, of this operating structure, or indeed, to offer to serve on any of the Committees, this information can be obtained from any of the Office Bearers. 

Marie Campbell