Reflections on ‘A Future with Hope’ from a lay perspective

This short reflection responds to papers presented at two ‘A Future with Hope’ events held at New College, Edinburgh in 2023 and 2024 (featured in this issue of Theology in Scotland). John Sturrock provides a layperson’s perspective on the Church of Scotland’s failure to grasp the implications of the profound social and cultural changes that have occurred in Scottish society over recent decades. He further explores the potential for the church to adapt by empowering the laity and embracing new forms of church life.