Minister in job clash with FP Kirk says he had taxed pay
Sacking-claim clergyman rejects church view that he was not employee
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A minister who claims he was unfairly sacked by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland said yesterday he considered himself to be their employee because he received a salary and expenses and was liable for income tax.
The Rev Allan Macdonald, in evidence to an Inverness employment tribunal, said that based on his previous 15 years as a police officer for Northern Constabulary, he believed that he was employed by the church.
Mr Macdonald, 48, of the Free Presbyterian Manse, Farr, Inverness-shire, launched an unfair dismissal case after the church’s ruling synod refused to overturn its decision to suspend him without limit of time.
But the Church has argued there is no case to answer as Mr Macdonald had no contract of employment and was an “employee of God”.
Mr Macdonald, a father-of-six, was suspended “sine die” in May after the synod found him guilty of attacking another minister in writing, in his book Veritatem Eme (Buy The Truth), and refusing to apologise.
He is also alleged to have quoted at length from private church documents for his book.
Mr Macdonald has always denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly demanded to be reinstated.
The preliminary hearing in Inverness must determine if Mr Macdonald, of the Daviot, Stratherrick and Tomatin congregation, was employed by the church.
The hearing in Inverness was told that during his time at the church, Mr Macdonald was paid a monthly “ministerial salary” which was paid for from a central fund and was taxed, as well as expenses.
He also had his National Insurance contributions paid for by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and was eligible to join their pension scheme.
Mr Macdonald was also assessed by the FP Church during his two years’ probation, before he received his “calling” from the Farr congregation in 2001.
Solicitor Alan Strain, representing Mr Macdonald asked him: “Did you consider yourself to be employed by the church?”
Mr Macdonald replied: “I did in the general sense, yes.”
He added: “Based on my own life experience.
“I was paid a salary in the police and I got expenses and I had duties to perform.
“Within my calling to preach the gospel and fulfil my calling, I certainly saw myself being employed in that particular context by this particular church.”
Earlier, continuing his evidence from Monday, William Campbell, general treasurer of the Free Presbyterian Church, said he did not consider Mr Macdonald to be an employee of the church.
He compared the church to a “professional body” and not an employer.
He said: “Preaching the word of God to a congregation is not employment at all.”
The tribunal, before chairman Roddy MacKenzie, continues today.
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