Last year, an overture was approved which affirmed the church’s current doctrine and practice that marriage is between a man and a woman, but permitted a ‘constrained departure’ from this should a congregation call a minister in a ‘vowed’ civil partnership. 31 presbyteries subsequently voted in favour and 14 against.1 This was again debated. Although the debate was presented as being between two groups of ‘Scripture-loving people’ this was not immediately apparent. Many evangelicals spoke well and showed there was no biblical or theological support for such a change, which could only harm the peace and unity of the church. Those on the other side appealed more to the need for ‘equality’ and the importance of human rights.