In the corridors of power

One of the privileges of being Convener of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council is that people want to talk. 

As my family, colleagues and congregation will testify, I like talking.

This week I have been able to meet with Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, minister for Science in the Scottish Government, and with Johann Lamont MSP, leader of the Scottish Labour Party. 

After I took up this role in May I wrote them – and lots of other people – to introduce myself and the work of the Church.  Alasdair and Johann asked to meet, to talk and reflect together as colleagues and people I’ll need to work with for the next four years.

So this week I was down in the Scottish Parliament twice, once on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.  What a fantastic and inspiring place that is! 

The Council's work is seen through the lens of the Gospel bias to vulnerable, marginalised and poorest people.  So when I meet politicians and influence-shapers, this is the message I want to get across to them: the love of God is open to all, and to follow Christ is to show love to all.  In terms of policy making and political process, this means equality, fairness, justice and help to those who need it most.

I realise that my role in speaking on behalf of the Church in the political world is a privilege – having half a million members behind me is both massively uplifting and incredibly daunting!  But I am assured that serious politicians take the Church seriously – not because it is big, but because of what it does in terms of serving others, and for the values of love, generosity and graciousness that are at the heart of what we do.

A Healthy Relationship

July in Dunblane means a lot of weddings in the Cathedral and I must admit I'm a sucker for romance!  I'm always a bit humbled by the commitment it takes to walk down that aisle and make those promises.

Maybe that' s why the comments regarding relationship in the media over the last wee while resonated with me particularly. And while I don’t want to take a shot over anyone’s bow, I do want to unpack some thoughts I've been having about the power of relationship.

To my mind, there is nothing healthier for a human being than a committed, loving, stable and nurturing relationship with another person. To have another to hold you, support you, gently warn you when your ego might take you one step too far, or push you when you hit neutral and want to park in a comfort zone you might get stuck in, is one of the greatest kindnesses God ever gave us.

I have seen committed, loving, stable relationships be the glue that has helped to hold folk together when their world was teetering in uncertainty.  I personally know that my marriage has been the foundation that has kept my feet on the ground and let my dreams take flight.  In every story told of Jesus, he was breaking down barriers and building bridges so that we could find each other and forge relationship.

We must be careful, very careful indeed, to uphold the foundation that all human beings build best from - committed, stable, loving, nurturing relationships. They are our common ground, our best starting point and the healthiest way to be.