#ga2020 – 9 – Report of the National Youth Assembly 2019

Number of deliverance sections – 0 This report takes the form of a minute of proceedings, as such there is no deliverance.
Length of report – 5 pages
Appendix – none

What’s the report about?
The report details the work of the The Faith Impact Forum as it seeks to enable and support the church, congregations and presbyteries as they engage with local, national and international issues.

What’s the key point of the report?
The response of the church to the Climate emergency can wait.
The response of the Faith Impact Forum to the COVID19 pandemic has been good.
We are still trying to let people encounter each other whatever is happening.
We suspect for Racial Justice we need to address out history clearly.

Deliverance thoughts.

Thoughts on the Report
INTRODUCTION
Is this the first bible verse of the Blue Book 2020? (No, The Safeguarding Committee did it on page 49, but not many others are included in the blue book.)

DISCUSSIONS
Discussions were had on the topics “Hate Speech, Missional Buildings and Testimony and Confirmation.”
Discussions followed a pattern of input from a speaker, small group work ending with a whole group discussion.

Hate Speech
Hate speech has been directed personally at 53% of young adults attending NYA2019. 
Churches should be a safe space form hate speech. 
I agree hate speech is wrong, and the church should be a place without hate of any kind,

Missional Buildings
NYA discussed the importance of accessibility when considering missional buildings. Also, the practise of listening within buildings is important.
NYA found it essential to talk about how the buildings the Church of Scotland has can change to be accessible missional buildings.
The importance of transport links.

Testimony and Confirmation 
Input from Sarah lane Ritchie, about confirmation, profession of faith and testimony. 
NYA discussed what the distinction between the three is, and can they be separated, or always consider together. 
I would argue confirmation, profession of faith and testimony, form an experiencial whole, therefore, have to be considered together. But I don’t think all three are necessary and also sufficient to a Christian. I think they exist as markers in relation to the Church of Scotland primarily?
NYA discussed confirmation’s links to baptism and communion.
Is confirmation about “welcome to the family” or membership totals?
In European countries where confirmation has been academically tracked, the drop off of young people attending the confirming church is broadly similar to the CofS attendance figures. 

WORSHIP
There were many different types and forms of worship experienced over the weekend. 
Great.

WORKSHOPS
Delegates attended one on Faith in Everyday issues and one on National Church projects. 
Good stuff.

MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Colin and Ruth came for a visit. 

FELLOWSHIP
The physical meeting other people within the Church of Scotland is great and important.
I agree

SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING AND CELEBRATION
This went well.
 
CONCLUSION

Questions or amendments or suggested new deliverances.
Questions

Link to my thoughts on previous Reports to General Assembly
This the last year of NYA reports to the General Assembly.

• 2017
• 2018
• 2018 Suplimentry report
• 2019
  
  

#ga2019 report 31 – Minutes of the Proceedings of the National Youth Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2018

As a member of the Mission and Discipleship council I have debated and discussed this report in council. As I believe in Corporate Responsibility for reports like this, I will not be discussing it here.

(Although if you buy me a drink at some point…)

I would point you to the supplementary report that can accessed here.

#ga2019 report 04 – Minute of the Appeal Hearing before the Judicial Commission

Number of deliverances – 0
Length of report – 1 page
Appendix – 0

Whats the minute about?
One the marks of presbyterianism id Disciple, this has been a evident feature of the Kirk’s relationship with the state historically. currently the Church of Scotland still has some legal standing and hears cases in some circumstances.

In a case where someone can complain against an elder, deacon or minister of the Church of Scotland to the Presbytery, and if it is serious enough, an independent group called a presbyterial commission are appointed to come in and investigate the case, (they only start investigating after any police investigation and subsequent case is finished). They may find there is nothing to investigate, or there is, in which case they can call witnesses and hear the case. Legal aid is available in this process to the person subject to the complaint. At the end of the process, they rule, and if there is to be a censure of some kind they recommend what is appropriate in the case.
If you feel this is censure is unfair you can appeal the decision to the judicial commission. this tis the minute of one appeal

Thoughts on the minute.
This minute appears to say nothing but says quite a lot.
The appeal was about the severity of the censure given in this case.
then appeal grounds 1&2 point to a breach of natural justice, but the judicial commission found this wasn’t a material breach fo dismissed the appeal.
Unanimously dismissing appeal grounds 1-5, but grounds for appeal 6 was dismissed by a majority vote of 8 to 3. I wonder what gave ground 6 validity so 3 people voted for that ground.

Perhaps this says more about the decision making process than it does about the specifics of the case.

Questions

#GA2019 report 03 – Commission of the General Assembly

Number of deliverances – 0
Length of report – 1 page
Appendix – 0

Whats the minute about?
The minutes of the meeting to appoint a special commission that would look at the charity governance of the Church of Scotland, restructuring the Church of Scotland to support and the mission of the Local Church and recommend further steps to make in order to keep the focus on mission.

Thoughts on the minute.
Do they have enough time to consult widely, consider the consultation process and come up with recommendations.

Questions

#ga2018 report 30 – Minutes of the Proceedings of the National Youth Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2017

Number of deliverances – 0
Length of report – 5

Whats the report about?
The minutes of proceedings of the National Youth assembly gives General Assembly an update on the issues and discussions considered by a group of 17-25 year olds from within the church of scotland.

Whats the key point of the report?

Deliverance thoughts
–

Thoughts on the report.
page 03 paragraph 2
“Therefore, there was a cry for the council to better define and explain the different roles within the church, so that people can learn about them and pursue a path which best fits them, as opposed to feeling pigeon-holed into certain roles “because we’re young”.”
I wonder that. If we expect things to follow generational or sexuality norms of society 50-60 years ago?

page 05 paragraph 1
” As such, friendships formed at NYA are incredibly strong, and the sense of belonging is keenly felt by the young adults as the weekend progresses.”
Do such events replace what church seeks to do over a year, with a conscious effort over one weekend?

Questions or amendments or suggested new deliverances.

Link to previous Reports to General Assembly

2017

#GA2018 report 04 – Minute of Ministries Appeal Panel September 2017

Number of deliverances –
Length of report – 1

Whats the report about?
The Ministries Appeal Panel has the final say on matter pertaining to training and admission of candidates. You have the right to appeal a decision as detailed before you sign up. This is a minute of their hearing about someones training

Whats the key point of the report?
if you have an appeal under the term of your agreement appeal. If not, do not.

Deliverance thoughts
–

Thoughts on the report.
–

Questions or amendments or suggested new deliverances.
–

Link to previous Reports to General Assembly
2017

#GA2018 report 03 – Minute of the Appeal Hearing Before the Judicial Commission February 2018

Number of deliverances –
Length of report – 2

Whats the report about?
The Judicial Commission has the final say on a number of matters. you have the right to appeal a decision as detailed before you sign up. this is a minute of their hearing

Whats the key point of the report?
if you have an appeal under the term of your agreement appeal. If not, do not.

Deliverance thoughts
–

Thoughts on the report.
–

Questions or amendments or suggested new deliverances.
–

Link to previous Reports to General Assembly
–

#GA2017 report 21 – Minutes of the Proceedings of the National Youth assembly of the Church of Scotland 2016

Number of deliverances – 0
Length of report – 5pages

whats the report about?
The minutes of proceedings of the National Youth assembly gives General Assembly an update on the issues and discussions considered by a group of 17-25 year olds from within the church of scotland.

whats the key point of the report?
The youth assembly is doing important work.

Thoughts on the report.
Gender Justice
– what do we mean when we separate gender from biological sex.
– 82% felt that the church has a problem with gender justice.

Mental Health
– when asked how would you position your mental health (now) only 8% said negative. when asked how would you position your mental health (when it was at its worst) 50% said negative.

Future of Ministry and Fresh Expressions

Thought on deliverances.
none

Questions or amendments or suggested new deliverances.
Does youth assembly choose its own agenda, the future of ministry seems an odd topic.

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#GA2017 Report 33 – Minutes of Ministries Appeal Panel

Number of deliverances – 0
Length of report – 2

whats the report about?
If you apply to be trained for ministry by the Church of Scotland, you are assessed as you go along, at any of these assessments you can be told you will not progress to the next level. Similarly, if you want to apply to work as a minister at a vacant Church of Scotland church, you need to obtain a certificate of eligibility, after being assessed for suitability. (Certificates of eligibility are issued ministers within other denominations who wish to apply to vacant Church of Scotland parishes). If this happens you can appeal to this panel who will hear the case and adjudicate.

whats the key point of the report?
3 people appealed the decisions of ministries council to either, not accept them for training, or, not issue a certificate of eligibility.

Thoughts on the report.
It is good to see the process in action, and hear people are using the optioning order to appeal their case.

Questions or amendments or suggested new deliverances.