The latest census figures have demonstrated a steep decline in followers of the Church of Scotland. At a time when the institution is already rationalising its future, this prompts questions about its role in society today. The results of Scotland’s Census 2022 published last year revealed that 20.4% of the population identified as belonging to the Church of Scotland, which is a decline of over 12% since 2011.
Church in the process of making changes
Alison Jack, Professor of Bible and Literature at the University of Edinburgh and Principal of New College highlights that the Church of Scotland is currently making changes to its approach in light of declining numbers of followers.
She said, “I think there’s a moment of realism that the church, congregations, members, ministers, are saying that the old ways are not serving us anymore.”
Alison, a Church of Scotland Minister herself, also leads ministerial training for Church of Scotland candidates at New College. She highlighted that this process is also undergoing a shift.
“The church is asking us to look at ways in which we can integrate the practical aspects of a candidate’s training with what they’re doing in the educational world, and that closer integration so people understand why they’re studying the New Testament better, in order then to be better and more imaginative creatures.”
Alan Hamilton is the Minister at Boclair Community Church in Glasgow, previously known as the Killermont Parish Church before it merged with another local congregation last May.
He shared, “It’s no secret that the Church of Scotland is rationalising. And it’s long, long, long overdue. Probably 50 years overdue.”
Alan described to me how centuries of churches splitting off led to various congregations forming, many of which then came together again in the 1920s and early 30s. A decrease in followers coincides with less need for, and capacity to look after, as many church buildings.
At his church in Glasgow, the recent merging “has been a very positive experience.”
He said, “We spent a lot of time talking to one another, understanding one another. We entered into the union with real hope that was going to be the right thing for both congregations and so far, I would say that that’s been so.”
The Church’s role today
Results from the census show that, despite losing a large number of followers, the Church of Scotland is still the most popular religion in the country, as of 2022.
However, it’s not just the Church of Scotland which saw a steep decline in followers. The results show that over half of the Scottish population now have no religion, with 51.12% of people identifying as belonging to none.
Christianity is by far the religion with the highest number of identified followers, with those belonging to the Roman Catholic Church coming second to the Church of Scotland.
Reasons for decline
Considering the reasons behind the decline in followers, Alison said, “Speaking as a Christian and as a Church of Scotland Minister, we’ve just not been good at sharing the very best of what we believe and the very best of what the church might be in a way that touches people.”
Jamie Sutherland is a student for the ministry of the Church of Scotland and locum at North & South Leith Parish Church in Edinburgh. He explored the context of the loss. “This is something which has been going on for quite a long time, since the late 50s, as society has changed.”
Jamie continued, “People are still maybe nominally identifying as Church of Scotland, but it doesn’t mean all that much in practice. Over time the census has just become more realistic.”
Alan highlighted the secularisation of Western Europe as contributing to the decline. “In almost every other part of the world, religious belief is central to how people live, and the countries work. Scotland, I think, is one of the most secularised countries now.”
Rise of non-traditional ways of worshipping
The percentage of Scotland’s population who identify as having no religion has increased rapidly since 2001, growing from 27.5% to 51.1%.
Alison puts this down to “new ways for people to express their spirituality, which is not to do with organised religion.”
She continued, “People have more choice that if they do sense something beyond themselves that they want to explore, they want to understand something about themselves in terms of worship or service, the Church isn’t the only show in town.” John Tait, a Pastoral Assistant Minister at North & South Leith Parish Church, was previously the Minister at Pilrig St Paul’s in Edinburgh for 27 years, before retiring in 2012.
He commented, “There’s more individualism in human society today. It’s more what the individual wants or needs, rather than any willingness to look for input from God.”
“Sometimes people need to be in a really dire situation in order to feel that they need the help that God can give them.”
Looking to the future
Considering what may be next for the Church of Scotland regarding the next census, Alison said: “Levelling off is my hope.”
Alan elaborated, “The Church has to change; the Church has to respond. But the Church, in the broader sense, is alive. It’s very healthy in some areas, not so healthy in others. And I don’t for one minute think that the voice of Christian faith is going to be silenced in Scotland.”
Responding to the results, a Church of Scotland spokesperson said, “The census figures reflect what the Church has identified as an area of considerable concern, notably, a decline in membership numbers. Radical reform is necessary to address this alongside our falling ministry numbers and a reduction in income both nationally and locally. But our faith and our relevancy cannot be expressed simply as a set of numbers in a table.”
The Church advises that the 2021 General Assembly instructed presbyteries across Scotland to create a Mission Plan by the end of 2022 to ensure the Church can continue its mission over the coming years.
They continued, “whether we are many or we are few, the Church will always seek to be a force for good in society and our congregations continue to make a positive impact on the communities they serve.”
My final thoughts
As someone who studied religion for four years at university, I have retained a strong interest in the extent to which belief impacts people’s daily lives, and how powerful it can be. I do not see myself as religious, but potentially spiritual – I am not completely sure yet. The decline in support for the Church of Scotland from the most recent census shows that organised religion is increasingly less popular. However, at the same time, there are many other ways in which people are engaging with belief and spirituality which I find particularly interesting.
Writing this article has allowed me to speak with many members of the Church and hear how they are continuing in light of the loss of followers. I truly enjoyed these discussions and found the topic fascinating, and I hope the piece can shine a light on the situation for readers and help to place the census in context.
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