Overall I think the Free Church has behaved in a mature, biblical and balanced manner. Outside observers who were at the Assembly have all spoken of their appreciation of that.

I have been greatly encouraged by the discussion and decision made by the Plenary Assembly. To me it showed Presbyterianism at its best and the compromise solution decided, was biblical and balanced.

We asked the question, ‘what does the Bible say?’ and we gave ourselves the permission to think biblically! We called for prayer that the mind of the Holy Spirit would be revealed – and it was.

We discussed a subject which is for many people an identity issue and thus involves a great deal of emotion, culture and history – and we managed to do so with passion, clarity, humour and general good will and acceptance. We took a tough decision and did not fall apart.

One speaker said that he thought we were big enough not to allow ourselves to be torn apart by this.

However there was always going to be a reaction and of course there has been. There are those who are absolutely delighted (including one elderly lady who said she had waited 50 years for this!), there are those who do not mind much one way or the other, there are those who are fearful, there are those who disagree with the decision but are happy to continue to work together for the work of the Gospel, and there are those who think that this is the end of the Free Church.

It is to my mind astonishing how emotional and desperate this sometimes comes across. And it does get very personal (not just because they are campaigning for the right to throw me out of the church! – that is what would happen if they got their way – they are not seeking freedom to practice their position, they already have that, they are seeking permission to prevent anyone else having a different practice) but even in terms of the language and accusations that are made. My own personal correspondence bears evident testimony to that.

But what is far worse are those who circulate accusations and analysis behind one’s back. Even though it hurts and is difficult I much prefer to have open debate and discussion and not to demonise those whom one may disagree with on some things. It is for that reason that over the next few weeks I am going to try and deal with some of the accusations that are flying around and offer a more personal perspective on the whole issue.

I do so in this place because I do not feel it is right to use my position as editor of the Record for such a purpose – as a church we need to move on. The issue has been settled and we have to get on with more important things.

I also do not agree with sending round circular letters as though I were campaigning. Such church politics is in my view less than helpful. It is better to deal with these things openly and honestly.

At the very least I hope that those who want to pontificate about my motives in this will be able to read this for themselves, and even though they may disagree, they will not need to speculate about the reasons or motivation. I will be clear about them. It is a personal ‘blog’ and does not reflect the opinions of anyone other than myself.

I also think that we need to keep a sense of perspective. The amount of noise does not indicate the extent and depth of feeling. Overall I think the Free Church has behaved in a mature, biblical and balanced manner. Outside observers who were at the Assembly have all spoken of their appreciation of that. We need to be careful not to let that be derailed by church politics, over emotive language (of which I am sometimes guilty!) and hyperbolic attacks on individuals.

(The Aquila Report will publish each of the papers that Mr. Robertson publishes as they become available. The first paper will be published on Wednesday.)

David Robertson is a minister in the Free Church of Scotland. He is currently serving as the pastor of St. Peter’s Church, Dundee (a pulpit once filled by Robert Murray M’Cheyne. He serves as editor for the Free Church of Scotland Monthly magazine, as well as being chaplain to international students for the University of Dundee Football Club. This article first appeared on his blog, http://www.stpeters-dundee.org.uk/davidblog

, and is reprinted with his permission.