Scottish Churches’ National Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenical Partnerships

Convener: Rev Murdoch MacKenzie
Vice-Convener: Rev Bill Slack

Launched on the 29 October 2004, the Scottish Churches National Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenical Partnerships exists:

• to provide a means whereby those involved in LEPs in Scotland can share their stories and learn from each other, carrying forward a process begun previously by ACTS in its Local and Regional Unity Committee
• to act as a reference and support body providing advice and guidance to those who seek to develop LEPs in Scotland.

The National Sponsoring Body seeks to achieve these aims through three channels:

The Scottish Churches National Sponsoring Body, consisting of church-appointed leaders, will normally meet at least twice a year and will:

• enable the establishment of Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) through agreed procedures, guidelines and models;
• support LEPs through receiving annual reports, setting up advisory bodies and agreeing vacancy procedures;
• initiate reviews and oversee terminations.

A Local Ecumenical Partnership Gathering will be organised by the Sponsoring Body under the auspices of ACTS in order to:

• provide space for sharing and reflection for those involved in LEPs;
• bring together those involved at local, regional and national levels;
• address particular themes related to life in an LEP;
• enable a focus from time to time on LEPs outside Scotland;
• enable the involvement of other interested churches, including those not organised on an association basis.

Advisory Groups will be set up at regional level to:

• assist local congregations in setting up LEPs using the guidelines agreed by the National Sponsoring Body;
• work with all the LEPs in a defined geographical area;
• bring together those responsible for overseeing ministry and mission at regional level;
• ensure that the requirements of the denominations are met, and act as a mediating body in areas of dispute or over-burdening.

The Sponsoring Body's membership comprises the nine member churches of ACTS together with the Baptist Union of Scotland, and its work is facilitated by ACTS through the staff support of the Assistant General Secretary.

A Convener is appointed for three years by the Scottish Churches Forum and currently this post is held by Revd Murdoch MacKenzie from the United Reformed Church. A Vice Convener is appointed by the Sponsoring Body itself, again for a three year period, and this post is currently held by Rev Bill Slack from the Baptist Union of Scotland.

Further information about the work of the Scottish Churches’ Sponsoring Body can be obtained from the Ecumenical Officers (or their equivalents) of the participating churches or from the Secretary to the National Sponsoring Body, Revd Lindsey Sanderson.