An Aberdeen minister has admitted being at the centre of a debate about gay clergy for the last five years has been “a challenge at times”.
But the Rev Scott Rennie said he was “glad” and “proud” to have had the opportunity to try and change the culture of the Church of Scotland.
“It is a challenge at times and I am very fortunate that I have a good network of support within the Church, friendships and family,” he added.
“I have been able to cope with that and someone else might have been placed in that position and not had the same support network.
“I am proud of what has been achieved for lesbian and gay people within the life of the Church.”
Mr Rennie said he was very pleased with his achievements at Queen’s Cross Church and preaches to about 200 people each Sunday.
He said there had been a “upsurge” in attendees who share the same views as him.
“The biggest influx of people we have had in the five years of my ministry are young families where parents want to bring up their children in a Christian environment that is open, tolerant, questioning and reasonable,” he added.
“We have been fortunate to have people who were formally Church of Scotland, families who have come from the Roman Catholic tradition and Episcopal Church.
“We have all kinds of people and that has been a great blessing to us.”
Mr Rennie, who decided he wanted to be a minister when he was 14, said he understood why people did not share his outlook.
“I grew up in an evangelical church and I know what it is like to read the Bible in that way and have earnest and honest opinions,” he added.
“I value being in this church with people who think differently to me and I really don’t want them to let go of that unity we share together.”