Associated Presbyterian Churches
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The Associated Presbyterian Churches (APC) is a Presbyterian church, with congregations in
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, and formerly in
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and
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. It was formed in 1989 as a result of division in the
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (FPC Church; , ) was formed in 1893. The Church identifies itself as the spiritual descendant of the Scottish Reformation. The Church web-site states that it is "the constitutional heir of the historic Chu ...
.


History

The division occurred because of a continuing difference over liberty of conscience (as defined in the Westminster Confession of Faith), which came to a head over the attendance of Lord Mackay of Clashfern at a Requiem Mass which formed part of the
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of a colleague, former Lord Justice Clerk Lord Wheatley. As Mackay was
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for
Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
, it was expected that he attend the funeral of a deceased member of the judiciary; Wheatley was also a friend of Mackay. However, Mackay was also an elder in the Edinburgh congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church, and some within the leadership of the denomination (but not within the Edinburgh congregation) found his attendance intolerable, as it regards the
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as spurious and the Mass as idolatrous. As a result, Mackay was suspended from office as an elder. In addition, the Rev. Alexander Murray (Lairg) was suspended on the same day as Lord Mackay for asking a Catholic priest to say a prayer at a meeting. Some in the church disagreed with this punishment and a split ensued on 25th May 1989, not only over the Mackay affair (and Alexander Murray) but also the ongoing issue of freedom of conscience. Those who formed the APC believed that liberty of conscience was not being given sufficient place in the Free Presbyterian Church, and that the disciplinary action taken by the Free Presbyterian authorities against Lord Mackay was inappropriate. They also asserted that the Free Presbyterian Church failed to put into practice the Westminster Confession of Faith's teaching on Communion of the Saints. "The APC seeks to re-assert this communion as expressed in the ''Westminster Confession of Faith'' itself." The APC made various unsuccessful attempts at encouraging unity among similar churches in Scotland ( Free Church of Scotland, International Presbyterian Church, Free Church (Continuing), Reformed Presbyterian Church). Since 1989, the majority of its congregations have merged with Free Church of Scotland congregations. In the months and years after the split, there were legal issues, as the departing ministers often were still residing in the manse, and using the Free Presbyterian buildings for worship, as often the vast majority of the original congregation departed the denomination alongside their minister. Rev. Alexander Murray was the inaugural moderator of the Associated Presbyterian Church.


Founding Ministers

Around 13 serving ministers left the Free Presbyterian Church to form the APC denomination, as well as three others who were retired or suspended ministers. These ministers include: * Rev. Douglas Beattie (Vancouver) * Rev. Donald Macaskill (Dundee) * Rev. George Macaskill (Dumbarton) * Rev. Donald A. Macdonald (retired) * Rev. Angus F. MacKay (retired) * Rev. Hamish Mackinnon (Oban) * Rev. Archie MacPhail (Lochinver) * Rev. Malcolm (or Calum) MacInnes (Toronto) * Rev. Angus Morrison (Edinburgh) * Rev. Alexander Murray (Lairg) ad been recently suspended by the FPC, so had to be reinstated by the APC * Rev. P. Lloyd Roberts (Applecross) * Rev. John Walter Ross (Lochcarron) * Rev. John Ross (Tain) * Rev. Robert Ross Sinclair (Wick) * Rev. Fraser Tallach (Kinlochbervie) * Rev. John A. Tallach (Aberdeen)


Doctrine

The Associated Churches website states: "''We believe that it is correct to allow Christians to make their own decisions on matters that are not fundamental to the faith."'' The church's beliefs "are stated in a confession that is catholic, Reformed, and biblical, and which states the historic convictions of the Church of Scotland" the Westminster Confession of Faith.


Churches


International organisations

The Associated Presbyterian Churches is a member of the World Reformed Fellowship.


External links


Associated Presbyterian Churches websiteFree Presbyterian Church of Scotland


References

Christian organizations established in 1989 Presbyterian denominations established in the 20th century Presbyterian denominations in Scotland Members of the World Reformed Fellowship Reformed denominations in the United Kingdom 1989 establishments in Scotland {{Presbyterianism-stub