I Go to a Free Church of Scotland Church

Leaders

The leader in a congregation is called the Minister. Ministers do not wear special clothes although some wear a special collar. There are no women Ministers.

The Minister is supported by the Kirk Session. Members of the Kirk Session are called Elders and are always men and must be born again Christians and members of the Church.

Some congregations, usually the larger ones, have Deacons' Courts. Deacons are also men who are members of the Church. Finance Committees deal with the practical matters of the congregation and sometimes the members include women.

There are a large number of 'adherents' in the Free Church. These are people who come to the Church but do not take part in the Communion service (the 'Lord's Supper'). They may be Christians who do not feel ready to do so or they may be people who would say they are not Christians. To become Members of the Church and take part in the Communion service, people must have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, being 'born again'.