Leadership

The Free Church of Scotland is a Presbyterian church. This means that it is governed by presbyters (elders). In each congregation there is usually a teaching elder (the minister) and several ruling elders (laymen), and they are all of equal status. The minister and ruling elders are elected by the congregation and together make up the Kirk Session.

In addition, there are deacons who manage the temporal affairs of the church. These are also elected by the congregation and are known collectively as the Deacons’ Court. Unlike in the political arena, elders and deacons do not need to stand for re-election every few years.

Rev. Sandy Willson on the role of elders and deacons:

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Smithton Elders

David Meredith, Minister
Murdo “Mud” Macleod, Associate Minister
George Maclean, Session Clerk
Charlie Anderson
Donald Angus Campbell
Calum Graham
Scott Lauder
Stephen Loch
James MacArthur
Ian MacGillivray
Donnie Maclean
Gillies Maclennan
Donnie Peter Macleod
David Sutherland
Iain Wilson

Smithton Deacons

Laurie Chancellor, Clerk of the Deacons’ Court
Jim Chalmers
John Lee
Angus Mackay
Iain Mackay
Sammy Macleod
Donald MacRitchie
David “Titch” Roberts
Vince Tough