The steady decline of Church of Scotland membership to some 360,000 persons is well documented. It is therefore no surprise that linkages, closures and reduction in number from the prevailing 46 presbyteries are envisaged. However, the main challenge is the alarming lack of young adults attending church. In many congregations perhaps 70 per cent will be 60 years of age and more. It is no longer one generation missing, but two. This is the emergency which must be addressed even before the present structure of presbyteries is considered.
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The statistics in the article are not well documented. The highlight of the article for me is that the author takes the time to mention that Millennials are not the only ones that are leaving the church, but that absence of Gen X is also causing the decline of the church. (Please note that like most other scholars and resources – the articles does not mention Gen X by name or act as if they matter.)
Dr. G. David Boyd is the Managing Director of EA Resources. He has a passion to equip parents and churches to minister to emerging adults.
