Governance and structure

Church of Scotland

Rutherglen West and Wardlawhill Parish is a congregation of the Church of Scotland, congregation number 160880.

The Church of Scotland is Trinitarian in doctrine, Reformed in tradition and Presbyterian in polity. It exists to glorify God and to work for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom throughout the world.

As a national Church, it acknowledges a distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinances of religion to the people in every parish of Scotland through a territorial ministry. It co-operates with other Churches in various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond.

Governance

While the congregation is under the authority of the Church of Scotland General Assembly and Glasgow Presbytery in matters of a spiritual nature, it is financially independent.

Rutherglen West and Wardlawhill Parish is administered in accordance with the terms of The Church of Scotland’s "Model" Deed of Constitution.

We are a charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC007585. As such we are required to make our constitution and our financial statements available for public scrutiny.

Download our Deed of Constitution
Download our 2009 Report and Financial Statement
Download our 2008 Report and Financial Statement
Download our 2007 Report and Financial Statement

Organisational Structure

Two main bodies look after the affairs of the church.

The Kirk Session is the first, and kirk is simply a Scots term meaning church. The Kirk Session is the local court of the parish church, made up of a group of elders and chaired by the minister. The elders of the parish are a group of voluntary, ordained leaders who are responsible, along with the minister, for the spiritual and practical aspects of local church life and for local church government.

The second body has the responsibility for looking after the temporal affairs of the church and it's called the Congregational Board. The membership of this board consists of the minister, all the elders and a number of communicant members 18 years of age or over elected by the congregation. In the case of Rutherglen West and Wardlawhill Parish, certain responsibilities have been delegated to a Business Committee. The Congregational Board is also chaired by the minister.

Volunteers

No church is able to function without the hardwork and commitment of those prepared to volunteer their time and skills.

We're lucky to have a small army of people who do just that, from counting offerings, to serving on the T-Bar, to providing skilled trades to the church.

There's lots to get involved in, if you'd like to help out just ask!