Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
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The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) is a Scottish Presbyterian denomination founded in 2000.
[edit] Overview
The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) has congregations in Scotland, Canada, the USA and Australia and is a member of Affinity. It supports mission work in Zambia and maintains its own theological seminary.
The denomination has been refused full membership of the International Conference of Reformed Churches due to their court action.
[edit] History
The Free Church of Scotland endured a major division in 1900 and and a minor division in 2000. Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) represents a body which was involved on the minority side in this second schism. For the Free Church of Scoltand during the 19th century, see Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900). For the Free Church of Scotland during the 20th century, see Free Church of Scotland (post 1900).
Over a period from the late 1980s to 2000 there was a small number both within and outwith the Free Church of Scotland had regard to gossip to the manner in which allegations, both moral and spiritual, against a Minister of the Gospel.
In January 2000 more than twenty ministers(many of whom were retired) who had expressed disquiet, refused to adhere to their ordination vows to accept a decision of the General Assembly were removed from their pulpits for alleged contumacy. They were forbidden to preach anywhere and other ministers were given charge of their congregations.
Those expelled ministers and other sympathetic ministers now constitute the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). They sued the Free Church of Scotland, claiming to be the legitimate owners of the property and assets held by the denomination. The court ultimately decided against them, and they deferred from pursuing the case by way of Appeal. They are less than 20% of the ministerial strength of the pre-2000 Free Church of Scotland and claim to represent the continuing witness of the Free Church of Scotland of 1843 and 1900.
