|PIC1|Churches in Edinburgh are setting their sights on reaching thousands of faithless people in the Scottish capital with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The Edinburgh Presbytery of the Church of Scotland has agreed to a radical shake-up that will see the city’s churches drop the less efficient structures of parish life as part of their renewed focus on saving souls.

The plans are outlined in a report written by Presbytery Clerk the Rev Dr George Whyte, who argues that churches can seize upon the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly secular society if they move forward and take the Gospel message to their neighbours.

The report comes not long after an internal survey found that falling numbers, ageing congregations and a lack of funds and leadership ranked among the greatest concerns of office bearers within Edinburgh’s churches.

“These are rigorous times for the Church. We do not live in days where the Gospel finds an easy reception so the health of Christian communities is severely tested,” he said.

Changes include the closure this September of the Superintendence Scheme, a monitoring body which supports and reviews churches every five years.

The Presbytery will instead send a special delegation to every congregation in Edinburgh during 2010 to assess and consider their role in the mission of Jesus Christ, and help leaders maintain congregational health and viability.

The report also encourages churches to work together to increase mission work in six key areas – the city centre, inner city, outer city, suburbs, housing schemes, and towns and villages.

“The people who live within the bounds of our Presbytery need the Gospel even if they are unaware of this fact,” said Dr Whyte.

“We should have confidence in the Gospel and in our calling as disciples.

“To be a missionary church is surely a more exciting and fulfilling task than clinging on to what must inevitably sink.”

The Presbytery hopes that “by looking at Christ’s mission first”, churches will be able to make better use of their resources as they seek to engage spiritually with the people of Edinburgh.