The moderator of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly has urged members to stop “navel gazing” about subjects the public are not interested in.
The Right Rev John Chalmers yesterday told ministers and elders to “get out there and capitalise on the fact” that people still wanted faith in their lives.
He said the Kirk must live with diversity and the public needed its message to be “accessible, relevant, generous and forgiving – just like Jesus”.
Mr Chalmers was reflecting on a day-long debate on Wednesday which resulted in commissioners voting 369 to 189 to further explore gay clergy appointment plans at presbytery level.
The debate was sparked by the appointment of the Rev Scott Rennie to Queen’s Cross Church, in Aberdeen, in 2009.
Mr Chalmers said the Kirk was not perfect but it was time for people who pour “cold water on risky ideas to button their lip for once” and work together.
“We have dealt with our own internal struggles and we have sent to our presbyteries an overture which may pave the way for a period of Church life when we will set the issue of human sexuality to one side,” he added.
“It will allow us to focus on the urgent business of mission, ministry and service to the people of Scotland.
“Over the last two years I have patiently absorbed much of the rancour by the very few who have set out their stall for leaving the Church of Scotland.
“But before anyone thinks any more about leaving, I ask them to think ecclesiologically.”
Mr Chalmers said ecclesiology described an understanding of the shape, scope, constitution and structure of the church.
A total of 13 ministers and hundreds of members have left the Kirk in the last five years – and evangelical group Forward Together have warned more will follow.
But Mr Chalmers said the Church of Jesus Christ had “never been a place of such easy safety and security” and urged people to pull together and refocus on spreading the love of God.
Mr Chalmers told commissioners the Kirk was facing serious issues it could not “turn a blind eye” to, notably a minister shortage.
“This Church of ours has to stop its navel gazing, get out from under subjects that no one is actually talking about,” he added.
“It must get out there and capitalise on the fact that people still want purpose and faith in their lives.”