Simon Barrow: What kind of church for what kind of nation?

The speeches, reports and ceremonies are over. But where does the Kirk now sit in the esteem of a changing nation, following its 2011 General Assembly? The answer is heavily bound up with sex, money, identity … and rock music.

The Church of Scotland sees hanging out with Kasabian and the Chemical Brothers at a music festival in the Highlands this summer as "the perfect opportunity for the younger generation to find out more about the Kirk".

But what happened if they turn up in the congregation of a Sunday - to which, some would respond, "chance would be a fine thing!"

The culture gap between the growing number of non-adherents (especially the young) and the formalities of church deliberation could hardly be greater. Wrangling over organisation, forms of ministry, the fine points of doctrine and who to keep outside the Kirk's lovingly constructed walls will hardly do the trick.

Likewise, church theological commissions excite few beyond the pool of specialists who vie to populate them. But two of these many-limbed beasts may nevertheless be caught up in headlines after this week's proceedings.

The first concerns an ongoing debate about partnered gay people in membership and ministry within the Kirk. The second is an apparently more obscure affair involving religious perspectives possible changes to the Treaty of Union, if the Scottish people opt for a changing relationship with the UK.

In 20 years, that second commission may prove to be even more significant than the first. But the sharpest exchanges are around the former. Monday's vote boldly tilted towards the acceptance of ministers living in same-sex relationships.

More

• Assembly closes with question that will haunt Kirk

• Faith and transition: the four big questions

• Simon Barrow: What kind of church for what kind of nation?

• Craig Brown: A vibrant, busy ministry whose message is heard

A moratorium on further gay appointments before a report in 2013 will not satisfy those most opposed to change. The tide is moving against the conservatives. They will fight tenaciously, with inevitable cost and casualties. But there is modest hope too.

While the Assembly sexuality debate was seen by some observers as "bland", it illustrated the capacity to handle deeply divisive questions with some containment of rancour. This small victory for Christian charity and unity over vituperative politics indicates a survival instinct. But much more is needed.

The Kirk continues to experience a decline in money and numbers. Income is just about stable, but spending still too high. Proposals for re-sizing presbyteries were rejected - showing that much-needed radical change will be tough.

In a nation whose strong Christian cultural roots are moving in plural, secular directions, the issue for the Church of Scotland is "what kind of church for what kind of nation?" The debate about national identity only deepens that dilemma.

The Kirk needs flexibility without losing substance. On the evidence of the 2011 General Assembly it gets six out of ten for effort.

Will that prove sufficient?

• Simon Barrow is co-director of religion and society think-tank Ekklesia (www.ekklesia.co.uk)