A Kirk body is strenuously defending its right to employ Christians despite fears that a row between it and a Glasgow housing association could lead to funding for its work being withheld.
The Board of Social Responsibility's employment policy has led to a dispute with Govanhill Housing Association.
The Glasgow organisation gave the board six months' notice to terminate a lease on accommodation for nine adults with learning problems after condemning its employment policy.
The Govanhill body last year claimed the board was failing to operate an acceptable equal opportunities policy by excluding from access to employment individuals who did not have a Christian belief and current Church commitment.
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations later accused the board of ''poor practice'' and the row threatened to escalate as other Scots housing associations indicated a possible re-think about their relationship with the Kirk.
The board will this month urge the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to stand by it in what it claims in a report is its ''bad news'' story.
The board which says the issue is ''extremely serious'' will call on the Assembly to ask the Government to take steps to ensure the Church's right ''to deliver a professional Christian social work service''.
Govanhill Housing Association in 1992 leased two houses providing tenancies for nine adults to the board, which claimed it knew from the outset the employment policy.
In the report to the Assembly, the board says the association contended the policy did not satisfy its understanding of equal opportunities practice.
The report says that faced with a difficult situation it discussed it with service users and their families who urged the board to find alternative accommodation.
Property, it states, was found that could accommodate five and the search was continuing.
''The board is strenuously defending the right to appoint Christians in terms of its policy, published and pursued.
''Contact with Scottish Homes, the Commission for Racial Equality, and central government will continue.''
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