'We need to change' says new Church of Scotland moderator

Rev Gordon Kennedy worked in Strathclyde's roads department before deciding to study divinity

The new moderator for the Church of Scotland has said members must be ready for the challenge of changing the Kirk's direction.

Rev Gordon Kennedy, 62, said his message to those who are feeling disillusioned was that the previous ways of the church were "great" for the past 30 to 40 years, "but it isn't great for this moment in time".

"We need to change but the challenge is we're not always sure about how we need to change and in what direction we need to change," he said.

Rev Kennedy, currently a minister in Edinburgh, will succeed Rev Rosie Frew when her term comes to an end next year.

He has served as the minister of Craiglockhart Parish Church since 2012.

Challenges with reform

Raised in Glasgow, Rev Kennedy attended Crookston Castle Secondary School before studying at the University of Strathclyde where he earned a degree in civil engineering.

Between 1985-1989, he worked for Strathclyde Regional Council in the roads department before leaving to study divinity at the University of Glasgow.

He previously served at New Cumnock Parish Church in East Ayrshire and Portpatrick Parish Church linked with St Ninian's Parish Church in Stranraer.

He is married to Rev Fiona Kennedy, an ordained local minister who works with churches in Edinburgh, and has two sons.

He said he was "surprised" and "delighted" to take on the role of moderator.

Rev Kennedy also acknowledged that the church is continuing to grapple with challenges of reforming, but urged members to be "confident and bold".

"Somebody once described faith as not just standing at the edge of the cliff but leaning out over the edge with only the wind of God's spirit to hold you up," he said.

"Not only is it frightening, it is exciting.

"We know Jesus as our lord and saviour so let's walk in his way and that will lead us into paths of service in our community which are outward facing."

Rev Kennedy added that going to church is about more than sitting in a pew on a Sunday morning.

"It's life transforming, it's joining in on Jesus's mission to renew and restore all things - justice, peace, mercy," he said.

What does the Church of Scotland moderator do?

The church's moderator serves in the role for a period of 12 months.

They chair the General Assembly of the church, which makes decisions about its future.

They also act as the church's ambassador, representing the church in Scotland and abroad.

Rev Kennedy's selection comes at a challenging time for both the Church of Scotland and the Catholic church.

Many of Scotland's sacred buildings have been sold off in recent years, with both churches citing changing congregations and financial issues.

The Church of Scotland is planning to sell the Mackintosh Halls in Glasgow

For the Church of Scotland, this year's planned sales include historic buildings in Glasgow designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

In May the church also announced it could no longer afford to print its 146-year-old magazine, Life and Work.

Falling readership and a "growing" financial deficit was blamed for the situation.