Structure, Governance and Management
The government of the Church of Scotland is that of a hierarchical court structure, with a history stretching back several centuries.
The General Assembly is the highest court of the Church of Scotland and determines operational matters for all congregations within presbyteries.
The Presbytery is a regional court of the Church of Scotland, composed of ministers and elders, and responsible for supervising local Kirk Sessions and managing church life within a specific district. It acts as an intermediate court between the Kirk Session and the General Assembly,
The Greenbank Parish Church congregation was founded in 1900 as a United Presbyterian Church. With the Union of the Churches in 1929 Greenbank became part of the Church of Scotland.
Edinburgh: Greenbank Parish Church is within the Presbytery of Edinburgh and West Lothian.
Congregational Governance
The Kirk Session is the lowest church court in the presbyterian system. Its role is to lead and govern a congregation. Every congregation, including Greenbank, has a Kirk Session.
The Minister, who is a member of the Kirk Session, is elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery.
The Kirk Session meets at regular intervals during the year. The Minister as Moderator normally presides over the Kirk Session. (Note that Greenbank Parish Church currently does not have a minister. The Kirk Session is currently presided over by our Interim Moderator, the Rev Moira McDonald.)
Greenbank operates under the ‘Model Constitution’, which means that it has a Congregational Board responsible for the financial and property interests of the congregation. The Congregational Board is chaired by an elected Preses.
New members of the Kirk Session and Congregational Board are recruited from those members of the congregation considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills.
All members of the Kirk Session and Congregational Board are Trustees of the congregation for the purposes of recent charities legislation.
Kirk Session
The Minister and Kirk Session are responsible for all matters affecting the spiritual welfare of the congregation, and consider reports and recommendations from committees, groups and members.
Congregational Board
The Congregational Board is made up of appointed members from the Congregation and a number of Kirk Session members. Board members are appointed at the Annual Meeting to serve for a period of three years, after which they may seek re-election. Certain responsibilities are delegated to the Finance Committee and the Property Committee as appropriate.
Membership of the Church
Greenbank Congregation, March 2024
You do not have to be a church member to take part in worship or in activities at Greenbank Parish Church. Worship is open to all, as is the provision of pastoral support and inclusion in Church-based community activities.
If you wish to consider joining the Church of Scotland, please first read this page.
Specifically, if you wish to join the congregation of Greenbank Parish Church, please talk to the Locum Minister. If you are not currently a member of the Church of Scotland, the normal pattern is to take ‘Enquirers’ classes’ or ‘Confirmation classes’, which are run as required. Thereafter you must decide whether you are ready to make a ‘profession of faith’ before the congregation.
It is a condition of membership of the church that a person is required to be admitted on profession of faith, or by resolution of the Kirk Session. Membership is required for participation in the Courts of the Church.
The Church of Scotland has an open communion table to members of any branch of the Church. Outreach of the congregation is for all, not just members.
Our Mission
We are the local church for everyone. We aim to show how our Faith leads us to care for all people and for the world around us.
Our main themes and aims are:
- Discipleship – Placing Christian faith and worship at the heart of congregational life
- Outreach – Reaching out to our community and being welcoming and open to all
- Care – Caring for people everywhere and for Creation by being a nurturing, loving and prophetic community
- Society and Creation – Caring for creation and people throughout the world through direct action, campaigning, support of agencies, advocacy, and debate
Activities in Furtherance of Our Mission
Greenbank provides facilities for worship, fellowship and the enriching of community life. Greenbank provides regular opportunities for worship and celebration and the teaching of Christian Faith.
Greenbank provides pastoral care to the people of the parish in times of difficulty, illness, bereavement, crisis and stress. The minister is also called upon to conduct funerals of those who are not members.
Greenbank provides appropriate ceremonies to mark or celebrate special points in life – baptism, marriages, funerals – as well as the celebration of local or national events.
Greenbank provides social and recreational facilities for groups of all ages within the Church and community groups throughout the week – including Babies and Toddlers, Greenbank Pre-school, the Uniformed Organisations, the Guild, Work Party and Friendship Club as well as badminton groups, Scottish Country Dancing and many others. Please see Groups at Greenbank for further details.
Greenbank also supports the work of religious and charitable bodies beyond the immediate area – Christian Aid, Fresh Start, the Bethany Trust, The Open Door, An Open Hand, Scottish Love in Action and others. Support is given in time, talents and money.