The Tron situation has moved on. And we need to move on too. But because of the importance of what has happened in recent days and what it reveals about the state of the Church in Scotland today, I want to continue to examine what has been going on. I do so with a great deal of trepidation not least because of my own inabilities, lack of knowledge and sin.
There are many reasons for not going here again but I simply feel constrained to do this because there is so much gossip and misinformation that I believe it is now essential to set out the situation as it now is. Again I am very open to new information, correction and rebuke. I do not intend to write on this situation again but if there are any corrections that need to be made, or anything I write that is wrong let me know and I will make sure they are corrected. The following is based upon press reports, press releases from the Church of Scotland and the Tron, and personal correspondence from a number of people.
Background
For those who are not yet aware, one of the main evangelical congregations in the Church of Scotland, St Georges Tron, decided to leave the Church of Scotland after the denomination had agreed to accept ministers who were in same sex relationships. In October the Glasgow presbytery voted to remove the congregation from the Tron building that had recently been refurbished at a cost of £3.1 million. They also voted to evict the minister, Dr William Phillip from the church manse. The congregation were preparing to leave the building on December the 9th when things took a somewhat nasty, if not surprising turn. The Wednesday before this the prayer meeting of the congregation attended by 100 people was interrupted by Messengers at Arms who on the instruction of the Church of Scotland, removed the minister from addressing the meeting, and served him with a citation demanding that various items such as the organ, hymn books etc. be handed over to 121 George Street. The following day the same citation was again served on the minister and his wife at their home. On Sunday December the 9th the congregation held their last meeting in a packed church and that evening held their first service (again packed) in the Bath Street Halls. Since then both sides have given their point of view. Read more
Read also:
Statement on St George's Tron
To see something of the building, check this video. And please pray for the clergy and congregation of St. George's Tron and for all Scottish congregations and clergy seeking to uphold the Scriptures' teachings.
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