A number of churches in Lanarkshire could face closure due to congregations suffering dwindling numbers.
The Church of Scotland is currently drawing up plans to determine the future of local parishes and their sustainability for their respective communities.
Head organisation the Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale say "change is necessary" as they begin consultation with church members.
Church buildings will be assessed on various factors and will determine whether they are relevant for a congregation's missional role.
No decisions have yet been finalised as the consultation process continues.
It comes as dozens of local churches in South Lanarkshire are impacted by falling parish members, a lack of ministers and a reduction in financial contributions.
The Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale will now share their draft mission plan with affected churches which show how funds are allocated over a five-year period.
Some of the building criteria which will be assessed includes whether it is wind and watertight, safe, accessible, and if they face essential repair costs.
It will be later decided if it is "appropriate" to spend money on these repairs or improving standards within existing churches.
A Church of Scotland spokesman told Lanarkshire Live : “The Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale, like all Church presbyteries, will shortly start consulting church members on a draft mission plan which will determine how limited resources are allocated to congregations over a five-year period.
“It is a roadmap to the future because change is necessary in order to deliver sustainable and realistic new expressions of ministry and ensure well equipped spaces are in the right places to effectively deliver Jesus’ call to mission and discipleship.
“The Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale is drawing up plans at the behest of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland against a backdrop of declining numbers of people training for the ministry, a reduction in financial contributions and falling membership.
“Presbyteries are using a toolkit created by the General Trustees and Faith Nurture Forum to determine which buildings are required to achieve the Church’s primary purpose of worship and mission.
“It sets the criteria by which a building should be assessed - is it wind and watertight, safe to use, secure, accessible, have adequate facilities, offer flexibility of use and are the maintenance and repair costs realistic and sustainable.
“The objective is to determine whether buildings are relevant for a congregation’s missional role and whether it is appropriate to spend local and/or central resources on introducing or improving standards.
“No final decisions have been taken as this work is in progress and subject to change.
"Draft mission plans must be agreed by presbyteries, the Faith Nurture Forum and the General Trustees by December 31.
“Approved mission plans will be reviewed on an annual basis.”
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