The reforming charge is being led by author and minister of Dundee Free Church, the Rev David Robertson. (Ed. Note: David is a Twin Lakes ‘Fellow’)

A Free Church of Scotland minister has dubbed the controversy over plans to include hymns and instrumental music in services as “worship wars”.

A special meeting of ministers and elders is being held at Dingwall on Monday and Tuesday, after the church’s general assembly agreed to discuss forms of worship in detail.

The fiercely-guarded institution of exclusively singing unaccompanied psalms has come in for criticism.

The conference, organised by the chairman of the church’s board of trustees, University of the Highlands and Islands principal James Fraser, is hoping to defuse any divisions regarding worship, with organisers saying there will be full engagement and debate among delegates.

It will make a final recommendation on sung praise, which will be put before a special assembly of the church in November.

The reforming charge is being led by author and minister of Dundee Free Church, the Rev David Robertson, who has dubbed the issue “worship wars”.
The minister has suggested updating the church’s form of worship could attract new members to the Presbyterian denomination.

Mr Robertson said: “Currently, the church has only two options. You can either allow, not enforce, congregations to implement changes they’re comfortable with, or you can remain with the status quo and stick with the unaccompanied psalms.

“The status quo cannot remain. Nobody wants a split, but we run the risk of driving people out of the church with our worship.”

Additional Reports from David Robertson’s Facebook Page:
8/23: I am in Dingwall at the ‘Worship’ conference organised by the Free Church. Over 200 Free Church ministers and elders gathered to discuss the issue of worship and whether we will permit the use of hymns and musical instruments. Although there is disagreement on the issue I hope that we can allow diversity in unity.

8/24: Enjoying being at the worship conference. 200 men being led by a woman! Julie is a professional facilitator and she is excellent. What a difference she has made. A bit frustrating that it seem difficult for people to grasp the issues invalid and I am constantly amazed at our ability to live in some kind of fantasy land. But overal it seems to be going well.