Presbyteries bid binned

THE Church of Scotland's General Assembly has thrown out controversial plans for "super presbyteries" designed to streamline the Kirk's organisation across the country.

A committee had spent three years developing the plan, which convener Reverend David Cameron said would free church people to concentrate on mission.

But Rev Brian Sheret from Glasgow said the plan to merge existing presbyteries, hold meetings twice a year and create local executives was "less democratic" and would put too much power in the hands of a few.

The Assembly backed his view by 291 to 252 and then rejected the committee's plan by 300 to 269 in favour of a motion from Kirkcaldy minister Rev Rosemary Frew encouraging presbyteries to work imaginatively with their neighbours.