The church holds the key to change.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, recently addressed the Christian community, emphasizing their significant role in tackling the nation’s challenges. Speaking at an event at the Scottish Parliament hosted by the Evangelical Alliance, Forbes encouraged Christians to engage confidently in serving their communities and the country with love. She highlighted the historical impact of Christian efforts in driving change in Scotland and expressed her desire to continue that legacy.
The occasion marked the release of the Evangelical Alliance’s report titled What Kind of Nation?, which outlines various areas for Christian engagement, including the economy, education, drug addiction, depopulation, and poverty alleviation. Forbes acknowledged that many individuals might feel hesitant about getting involved, but she urged them to embrace the opportunity to contribute positively, stressing the urgent need for action from faith communities.
This report is particularly significant as it comes ten years after the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. It emphasizes the pressing issue of depopulation and calls for improvements in how faith is integrated into school curricula. The report also showcases examples of initiatives led by Evangelical Alliance member organizations, illustrating the positive work already underway in these critical areas.
At the report launch, Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour spoke about the impact of churches and faith groups on vulnerable populations. He posed a thought-provoking scenario, asking what Scotland would look like if these organizations ceased their activities for 48 hours, highlighting the importance of recognizing and supporting their contributions.
Lynne Paterson, head of the Evangelical Alliance in Scotland, urged policymakers to take note of the Church’s significant role in society. She expressed that the organizations featured in the report represent only a fraction of the valuable work Christians are doing in Scotland. Paterson emphasized that these efforts are driven by a mission to spread God’s love and compassion, aiming to create a more just and caring society as envisioned in biblical teachings.