The 2026 General Assembly met in Partick Free Church (Continuing), Glasgow, with proceedings beginning on
Monday 18th May at 6pm. Members of the public were present and the live stream enabled others to join. This
brief report highlights the main events at the Assembly.
The opening Sermon was preached by the retiring Moderator, Rev. Trevor Kirkland (Ballyclare & Doagh).
He focused on Paul’s words concerning Christ, “that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18).
His subject was ‘Retaining the Vision of the Absolute Priority of Christ in this World’, as this applies
universally, in the Church and in salvation. It was a fitting theme for the Assembly as it took up its work and an
encouragement for us all in our labours.
The Assembly then elected Rev. Kenneth Macdonald (retired) as its new Moderator. Mr Macdonald thanked
the Assembly and sought the prayers of the commissioners. Following some initial business the Moderator’s
reception took place in the hall. Three men spoke warmly of Mr Macdonald and his ministry, in ways reflecting
their relationship with him, as colleague, friend or family. The evening concluded with worship.

Tuesday 19th
The first item on Tuesday was the Moderator’s Address. Mr Macdonald’s subject was a very timely one: ‘Our
Supreme Authority: Government or God?’ It was based on Acts 5:17-33, with words spoken Peter and the other
apostles to the Jewish council particularly in view: “We ought to obey God rather than men”. Mr Macdonald
pointed out that the Word of God is no longer seen as the only rule to direct us. Asking the question, “When and
where has it all gone wrong?” he referred to topical moral and spiritual issues in a most helpful and searching
way, challenging us to be faithful to the Lord in standing for the truth. This address, together with the Sermon
from the retiring Moderator, can be listened to online HERE.

The Loyal & Dutiful Address to His Majesty the King was then read and approved by the Assembly.

Part of the Tuesday Morning Session.

Ecumenical Relations. The Ecumenical Relations Committee is responsible for our relations with other
denominations, generally of a similar faith and order. Their report covered our interactions during the past year
with churches in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and Africa. Delegates from nine denominations
addressed the Assembly at different times during its meeting: Presbyterian Reformed Church (USA & Canada),
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales, Reformed
Presbyterian Church of North America, Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Reformed Presbyterian
Church of Scotland, Church of England (Continuing), Christian Reformed Churches in Netherlands, and United
Reformed Church of North America. Other churches sent letters of greeting. In some cases we have been able to
support faithful brethren in resisting moves in their churches towards the ordination of women.

Finance & Sustentation. Reflecting the Committee’s report, the Convener spoke of another year in which the
Lord has been very good to us. The greatest asset we have, however, is the gospel, and the constitution of our
Church that has been handed down to us. We have a faithful version of the Bible, purity of worship and faithful
people. The Assembly approved funding arrangements drawn up by the Committee for ministers and
probationers who are foreign nationals, to enable them to accept a Call from congregations in Scotland and
elsewhere in the UK.

Welfare of Youth & Education. The Committee’s report referred to how in our day our youth grow up in an
environment that is extremely hostile to Christianity, the public education system being a particular snare. The
Committee provides financial assistance to Christian Schools and to home-school families. The question was
raised as to whether Presbyteries have ever considered the matter of Christian Education and the principle and
propriety of the Church giving sums of money to individual families for this purpose? The Assembly voted to
continue the practice of grants. Tribute was paid to Rev. Greg MacDonald for his work with the Church’s youth
camps (bookings for this year are still being accepted).

Mr Jonathan Arnold (Trinitarian Bible Society) was introduced to the Moderator. He referred to the 500th
anniversary of the first printing of William Tyndale’s New Testament. A translator from Manipur, northeastern
India, working for the Society, had been killed recently. Mr Arnold presented the Moderator with a Bible.

Publications. The main focus of Committee’s work is the Church magazines, but they are also responsible for
other publications, the Church’s website and social media platforms, and the Spring Conference. A lack of
manpower and individuals with the appropriate skills has hampered the work. An urgent matter is the need for
someone to take on the work of Magazine Distributor. Anyone wishing further details is invited to contact the
Clerk to the Committee. The US Presbytery’s Publications Committee published several titles during the past
year and hope to publish a new edition of the split-leaf Psalter in July or August.

Wednesday 20th
The morning session began with a prayer meeting. This is always a refreshing time, when the hearts and minds
of the commissioners are drawn upward to heaven where Christ, the Head of the Church, reigns as the “King of
kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). Seven men were asked to pray by the Moderator.

Public Questions, Religion & Morals. The issues covered by the Committee’s report were largely as in the
previous year. The Assembly recorded their thankfulness to God that the Assisted Dying for Terminally Adults
(Scotland) Bill failed during the previous session and thanked those politicians who gave the matter of life and
death serious consideration. They also commended those of the Lord’s people who contacted their elected
representatives about this matter and who remember them regularly in their prayers. The Assembly appointed a
Day of Fasting and Prayer to be held on 27th June or the nearest convenient date.

A Petition from the Presbytery of Navarre & Aragon seeking the appointment of an Evangelist / Church Planter
was granted by the Assembly.

Lord High Commissioner. The 2025 Assembly formed a Committee to express their concern at the appointment
of a Roman Catholic as Lord High Commissioner (LHC) to the 2025 Church of Scotland General Assembly. The
Committee reported that they had received either unsatisfactory responses or none at all. The Assembly agreed to
discharge the Committee and remit its work to the Public Questions, Religion & Morals Committee.

Rev. Alastair MacLeod-Mair addressed the Assembly on behalf of the Scottish Reformation Society.

Training of the Ministry & Admissions. The Committee reported that there will be no UK Divinity Students in
the Seminary when the next session begins. The Assembly urged us to plead that the King and Head of the
Church would be pleased to call suitable men into His service. Mr Christian Lou Ramos, a member of our
congregation in Spain, has been recognised as a Candidate for the Ministry. The Assembly approved an
Application for Admission from Rev. Eduardo Martorano, presently living in Italy. The Committee had
conducted a Quinquennial Visitation of the Seminary during 2026. The Assembly approved its recommendations
regarding the Seminary and instructed the Committee to review the current practice in Exit Examinations.

Assembly Arrangements & Nominations. The Committee proposed a restructuring of the Church’s Committees,
to come into effect at the 2027 Assembly. This was approved, although some commissioners wondered whether
this would remedy the lack of manpower, a problem which is ultimately spiritual in its nature and its solution.

Home & Foreign Missions. The evening session was largely given over to the Church’s mission work. Mr Paul
Pontacq (Pau, France) told us that the Presbytery of Navarre & Aragon were committed to the Great
Commission and hoped to commence a church plant in Anglet soon. Various delegates addressed the Assembly.
Rev. Jonathan Mattull (St. Louis, USA) spoke on progress in the preaching station in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
Our Church has an interest in Jewish Missions, and Asaf Pelled (International Mission to Jewish People), spoke
of a number of people from a Jewish background who have recently professed faith in Jesus Christ as Messiah.
Rev. Timothy McGlynn (Aberdeen) informed us of his recent visit to Sri Lanka and the diligent labours of Rev.
Partheepan. Christian Lou Ramos (Spain), spoke of growth and the ordination of office-bearers in Valencia.
Other reports were given by Rev. Craig Scott (Greenville, Texas) on the USA Presbytery, David Norris
(Edinburgh) on Braga, Portugal, and Rev. Gavin Beers (Burlington) on the preaching station in Nobleford. The
Committee’s report is well worth reading, as it shows us what the Lord is doing in our midst and stirs us to pray.

Thursday 21st
The main business on Thursday morning was taken in private and was of a solemn nature. The Moderator
pronounced a sentence of deposition on Rev. James Haram, former minister of Shettleston. Prayer was offered
for Mr Haram’s repentance and for all affected by the grievous sins that led to this sentence.

Legal Advice & Property. The Committee had done a lot of work on updating the Church’s Safeguarding Policy
to take account of the ‘Protecting Vulnerable Groups’ legislation, and on visa applications for overseas ministers
and probationers to enable them to accept a Call from a UK congregation. The Assembly approved this work.

The Assembly records the death of ministers and elders within the denomination. There were four such deaths
since the Assembly last met, all of elders and all from within the Presbytery of the Outer Hebrides.

Having appointed the date of its next meeting, the Assembly concluded with the singing of Psalm 122 and was
dissolved with the pronouncement of the Apostolic Benediction. God willing a fuller report of the proceedings
will be provided in the July-August issue of the Free Church Witness Magazine.

(The Committee reports are available HERE.)