PRESBYTERIANISM in SCOTLAND The Reformation 16th - 21st Century
The Church of Scotland (1560) and The Scots Confession
Westminster Confession of Faith - 1646 Covenanters/ The Act of Union between Scotland and England (1707) Cameronians
1732 Associated Presbytery 1747 1761 Relief Church Anti-Burger Burger
1806 1799 New Old Lichts Old New Lichts Lichts Lichts
1820 1820 United Original United Secession ChristiansSecession Church Church
1839
1843 Disruption Free Church Reformed 1847 Presbyterian Church 1852 United Presbyterian Church of Scotland 1876 1876 Together1893 Free Presbyterian 1900 Church United Free Church United 1929 1929 Free Church
1956 1989 2000
web-site2011 2012 (Largely American)
Associated Free Church Associated (National) United International Free Church Free Reformed Reformed Church of Presbyterian of Scotland of Scotland Presbyterian Presbyterian Presbyterian Free Presbyterian 2010/11 Church Psalms & no Psalms/hymns Churches Church of Church of Scotland Church Church (Continuing) instruments + instruments Scotland Scotland
Notes: These denominations range in size from having hundreds of congregations and ministers to – at the smallest – single churches in Scotland. As each successive schism produces every smaller groupings, so these groupings tend to form associations on an international level. Invariably they subscribe to the 17-th century Westminster Confession of Faith as a common ‘Subordinate Standard’: the document itself is flawed, and the varying levels of allegiance to it has – and continues to be – a continuing, though not exclusive, cause of strife. (See article: ‘The Westminster Confession: a critique’). For brief history of the above see article: ‘Presbyterianism - Scottish style’. At the time of writing the situation regarding the Church of Scotland is very fluid with a wide variety of responses and non-responses to the Kirk’s stance on sexuality. Some have left, others are planning to leave and still more might find themselves yet in that position. The Free Church of Scotland remains internally-divided along reformist/traditionalist lines. © Christians Together - www.christianstogether.net - March 2012