RADICAL plans to give individual presbyteries and congregations greater financial and administrative autonomy were approved by the Kirk's General Assembly yesterday.
The move was passed despite warnings from the Church of Scotland's finance committee that it could have dire consequences for less affluent churches.
There is a growing discontent among congregations that successful fundraising does not directly
lead to more funding for their parish.
Instead, it means a greater amount is contributed to the central Church fund.
Members claimed the current allocation system was closer to a tax than a voluntary contribution and acted as a disincentive to raise funds, while presbytery powers had shrunk.
Professor Ian Percy, who sat on a commission studying the issue, said returning financial responsibility to local churches was pivotal to the Kirk's greater well-being.
He said: "Many members of the Church are frustrated and stifled by the present allocation system.
"There is an argument that if you take money from one and give it to another, there will be an imbalance.
"If we release the Church to raise money, there will be no imbalance."
He added that the central Church had to give parishes more freedom to allow them to fulfil their financial potential.
Vivienne Dickson, convener of the stewardship and finance committee tried to stop the move.
She said the committee was "acutely aware of the concern" among congregations with the highest levels of incomes and had moved to address the issue within the existing system.
Ms Dickson said any change would have negative repercussions, as poorer churches would not be able to contribute more, while richer ones would cut contributions, leaving those in between to make up the shortfall.
However, ministers from across the country criticised the current system, and claimed it took no account of the financial burdens churches faced locally.
Reverend George Whyte of Colinton, Edinburgh, said his congregation could give more if it was allowed to choose how it was spent.
He added: "We need a system that allows people to be excited by giving. There's money there, but (the congregation] have to be given ownership, they need to catch what it's for – not simply paying into some great pot.We will give money, but let us choose to do it."
Ms Dickson's attempt to halt proceedings was voted down.
The stewardship and finance committee is to report next year with proposals to bring in the changes.
The issue formed part of the findings of a special commission set up to investigate fears by General Assembly members that reforms of the Kirk's councils placed too much power in too few hands, damaging its Presbyterian principal of collective decision-making.
The full article contains 450 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
