There has been a rise in union membership

The public sector union Amicus confirmed that since October last year membership among Kirk ministers has risen from 20 to 43.

It said that proposed changes to the working conditions had prompted many more calls from ministers "anxious for the protection of the union".

The Kirk said it is committed to "being a good employer" and described increased union membership among ministers as "unnecessary and unfortunate".

A number of clergy from the church are due to attend the Amicus clergy and church workers annual conference which starts next Monday in Hertfordshire.

People are coming into the trade union because they want the support of an organisation which knows how to negotiate and to achieve better conditions of service Rev Ian Fraser, Church of Scotland

The union said its members will discuss Kirk proposals to place more ministers on "reviewable tenure, under which their congregations review their performance and can sack any minister that is not deemed up to the job".

Amicus national secretary Chris Ball said, "This is a form of rolling renewable contract and is deeply unsettling for the ministers concerned.

"The possibility that the practice could be extended to all members of the Kirk is a great worry to Amicus members and all ministers in the Kirk."

Under the new proposals being considered, the Church of Scotland would also be able to move more ministers around instead of allowing them to stay for life in one area.

Reverend Ian Fraser, a union member for the past 20 years, said more ministers want the support and protection that union membership can offer.

Support network

He said: "I think people are coming into the trade union because they want the support of an organisation which knows how to negotiate and to achieve better conditions of service for all those involved in the work of the church.

"The church is a complex organisation with committees and the minister very often feels very alone, so, it needs the support of a network, like a trade union, to see us through the difficult times."

The church is committed to being a good employer and we will actively ensure that people are treated as fairly as they would be in any secular employment Rev Bill Wallace, Church of Scotland

But others within the Kirk feel that union membership is not necessary.

Reverend Bill Wallace, convener of the church's board of ministry, said: "I think it's unnecessary and unfortunate that people have interpreted the possibility of more flexibility in this sense that they will have to get someone to fight their corner.

"The church is committed to being a good employer and we will actively ensure that people are treated as fairly as they would be in any secular employment."