Church leaders in the Western Isles have urged people not to leave the Kirk over its new stance on gay clergy.
The Presbytery of Lewis said that while it did not approve of a decision to give congregations the freedom to appoint a person in a civil partnership as their minister, it wanted to remain part of the denomination.
Presbytery Clerk John Cunningham said a special service was held on Wednesday to discuss decisions taken by the General Assembly last month because members of 11 congregations were “hurting and confused”.
The Kirk is determined to strike a balance between the views of traditional and revisionist members to hold the denomination – which has 380,000 members – together.
General Assembly commissioners decided last month to ask presbyteries if they thought gay people who are married should be allowed to become ministers.
So far, a total of 21 clergy have left the Kirk in the wake of the row triggered by the appointment of the Rev Scott Rennie to Queen’s Cross Church in Aberdeen in 2009.
The 43-year-old converted his civil partnership to David Smith to marriage in December.
A statement said: “We want to state firmly and categorically, that while as a presbytery we recognise and remain under the authority of the General Assembly, on this matter, we strongly disagree with and distance ourselves from the decisions that have been made.
“We believe that these decisions represent a denial of and departure from the clear teaching of God’s Word.
“As a presbytery, we fully share in the dismay, disquiet and despondency that many of you feel at the Church taking this step.
“We remain wholly committed to the scriptures being the supreme rule in all matters of life and doctrine and will oppose the proposal to extend what the General Assembly has decided, to include those living in same-sex marriages.”
The statement said ministers and elders were “determined to work and pray for the Church to be restored”.
“We therefore call on you to stay involved in the work and opportunities we have for him in our congregations and parishes,” it added.
Mr Cunningham said he believed the service had achieved its aim to show solidarity across the presbytery.
The Very Rev David Arnott, co-ordinator of the Kirk’s principal clerk’s office, said: “What is important in the statement from the Presbytery of Lewis is the expressed commitment to participate fully in the life of the Church of Scotland despite their obvious disappointment at the General Assembly decision.
“The Church of Scotland does not seek to make clones of its members, rather it acknowledges diversity of opinion within the peace and unity we all seek.”