YOUR report of a study which is to go before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is a sad indictment of leadership within the Kirk (“Kirk plans online baptism in bid to boost its membership”, The Herald, May 17). Currently part of any Church of Scotland baptism ceremony involves not only the new entrant’s immediate family but also the assembled congregation who express spoken vows in welcoming the child to church membership.
The key element is the physical presence of all whilst the minister conducts the sacrament.
To "accommodate" families by dispensing with the requirement of actual attendance is to devalue the act of baptism. Certainly the benefits of technology should be utilised in church affairs.
Perhaps clarity on actual membership and weekly attendances should be a priority in view of the Rev Norman Smith's remarks that the nature of membership and belonging to the Church of Scotland is becoming more and more blurred". That is the concern which needs to be addressed before fanciful variations of church services are considered.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.
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