The Church of Scotland's historic approach to partnership in mission 1929-1965

Abstract

The Church of Scotland has exercised a long term commitment to mission and its twentieth century expression, partnership in mission. However, its theory and practice have often been at odds with one another. This has raised issues of trust, integrity, responsibility, sensitivity and mutual accountability. A key requisite is consultation also often more honoured in the breach than in its observance. The struggle has been how to make partnership in mission an authentic two-way process. This article examines this development until 1965 when a novel approach, the partner church consultation, was introduced.