Following my earlier post I received a comment from James Miller which was supportive of the call to live in the Church of Scotland. James directed me to a post he made on his blog in July and I'm very happy to post a link to James' post here.
http://fivesidedchristian.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-evangelicals-should-stay-in-church.html
I would also commend for your interest the three talks given at a meeting held in Inverness East Church on 19th August. These talks can be downloaded from the Inverness East web site under sermons, or at this page
http://www.invernesseast.com/resources/sermons
Please pray for the Church of Scotland. Please work and serve to live in the Church of Scotland.
Showing posts with label Church of Scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church of Scotland. Show all posts
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Living in the Church of Scotland
The following I received from a much admired minister, now friend, and hope it is helpful for you if I pass this on in this way.
A possible bible based response to the decision of the General Assembly of 2011
While
adhering to the bible as the supreme rule of faith and life
profoundly disagreeing with the decision of the General Assembly of 2011
and
affirming that decisions should be made on the basis of theological principle rather than individual situations
nevertheless being aware
that the preamble and questions at ordination are still bible-based and mission centred
that currently there is no interference with the faithful preaching of the word
that there are other issues which are absolutely central to the Christian faith and about which there can
be no possible “alternative interpretation”,
e.g. the uniqueness of the person and action of Jesus
of the importance of unity in so far as it is possible, e.g. in the NT there was clear firm resistance
against false teaching, but a reluctance to separate (bearing in mind the wheat and the tares)
of the opportunity of Christian witness provided in the parish system of the national church
therefore it is suggested
1. that every effort be made to take a clear stand for the Bible as the supreme rule of faith and life
2. that all ministers and elders remain in and actively take part in the Church of Scotland as presently structured to ensure the maximum number of votes at the General Assembly of 2013 and possible subsequent barrier procedure
3. that there be a faithfulness in prayer, especially for those who are in the “front-line” of difficulty e.g. on the theological commission and in the presbytery of Aberdeen
4. that, bearing in mind the question put at the ordination of ministers
“Are not zeal for the glory of God, love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and a desire for the salvation of men so far as you know your own heart, your great motives and chief inducements to enter into the office of the Holy Ministry?”
maximum energy be used for continued outreach to lost souls in our communities for whom we are answerable to the Lord
certainly until after the General Assembly of 2013.
A possible bible based response to the decision of the General Assembly of 2011
While
adhering to the bible as the supreme rule of faith and life
profoundly disagreeing with the decision of the General Assembly of 2011
and
affirming that decisions should be made on the basis of theological principle rather than individual situations
nevertheless being aware
that the preamble and questions at ordination are still bible-based and mission centred
that currently there is no interference with the faithful preaching of the word
that there are other issues which are absolutely central to the Christian faith and about which there can
be no possible “alternative interpretation”,
e.g. the uniqueness of the person and action of Jesus
of the importance of unity in so far as it is possible, e.g. in the NT there was clear firm resistance
against false teaching, but a reluctance to separate (bearing in mind the wheat and the tares)
of the opportunity of Christian witness provided in the parish system of the national church
therefore it is suggested
1. that every effort be made to take a clear stand for the Bible as the supreme rule of faith and life
2. that all ministers and elders remain in and actively take part in the Church of Scotland as presently structured to ensure the maximum number of votes at the General Assembly of 2013 and possible subsequent barrier procedure
3. that there be a faithfulness in prayer, especially for those who are in the “front-line” of difficulty e.g. on the theological commission and in the presbytery of Aberdeen
4. that, bearing in mind the question put at the ordination of ministers
“Are not zeal for the glory of God, love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and a desire for the salvation of men so far as you know your own heart, your great motives and chief inducements to enter into the office of the Holy Ministry?”
maximum energy be used for continued outreach to lost souls in our communities for whom we are answerable to the Lord
certainly until after the General Assembly of 2013.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
A General Assembly Statement
The following statement was made by David Arnott, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, on Monday 23 May.
I think it is a very helpful statement and deserves to be widely known, so I am copying it here and invite you to pass it on to others.
Statement from Right Reverend David Arnott, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on the Special Commission into Same Sex Relationships and the Ministry
As you will be aware by now the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland today (Monday, 23 May 2011) voted to establish a theological commission that will further explore issues around same sex relationships of the ministry of the Church.
The General Assembly held a full and open debate on this issue and I want to thank all commissioners for the courteous and compassionate way in which this was carried out.
I am conscious that this has been a matter of contention for some time and many people on all sides hold their beliefs very firmly.
It is, of course, too early to say what the impact of today's decision will be but we as the National Church will continue to provide guidance and spiritual leadership for the people of Scotland.
Yesterday I had the privilege and pleasure of attending an event called Roll Away the Stone in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh. This was a wonderful and happy occasion attended by thousands of people who celebrated and worshipped together in glorious sunshine. That is the true face of the Church of Scotland.
I want to clarify what happened today as best I can.
The Church has agreed to embark on a path that will allow us in two years time to consider lifting the moratorium on acceptance for training and ordination of people in a same sex relationship.
This direction is one that explores inclusion but the new theological commission will report in two years time on that matter and no decisions have yet been made.
We very much hope that people who disagree with what has been decided will nevertheless remain in the Church and work with us as we seek to find a way forward.
Indeed I have had many expressions from commissioners today that they are willing to work for the greater good of the Church.
The existing moratorium on the ordination of ministers in same sex relationships is continued until 2013 so nothing will happen immediately. Importantly, the dialogue will continue.
I am aware that many people will be hurting today and the Church of Scotland has a pastoral duty to look after all our people and show them our love and compassion.
Today has been a challenging day for the Church of Scotland but our history shows that we are able to take on board many challenges and continue to be a clear voice in 21st century Scotland.
I think it is a very helpful statement and deserves to be widely known, so I am copying it here and invite you to pass it on to others.
Statement from Right Reverend David Arnott, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on the Special Commission into Same Sex Relationships and the Ministry
As you will be aware by now the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland today (Monday, 23 May 2011) voted to establish a theological commission that will further explore issues around same sex relationships of the ministry of the Church.
The General Assembly held a full and open debate on this issue and I want to thank all commissioners for the courteous and compassionate way in which this was carried out.
I am conscious that this has been a matter of contention for some time and many people on all sides hold their beliefs very firmly.
It is, of course, too early to say what the impact of today's decision will be but we as the National Church will continue to provide guidance and spiritual leadership for the people of Scotland.
Yesterday I had the privilege and pleasure of attending an event called Roll Away the Stone in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh. This was a wonderful and happy occasion attended by thousands of people who celebrated and worshipped together in glorious sunshine. That is the true face of the Church of Scotland.
I want to clarify what happened today as best I can.
The Church has agreed to embark on a path that will allow us in two years time to consider lifting the moratorium on acceptance for training and ordination of people in a same sex relationship.
This direction is one that explores inclusion but the new theological commission will report in two years time on that matter and no decisions have yet been made.
We very much hope that people who disagree with what has been decided will nevertheless remain in the Church and work with us as we seek to find a way forward.
Indeed I have had many expressions from commissioners today that they are willing to work for the greater good of the Church.
The existing moratorium on the ordination of ministers in same sex relationships is continued until 2013 so nothing will happen immediately. Importantly, the dialogue will continue.
I am aware that many people will be hurting today and the Church of Scotland has a pastoral duty to look after all our people and show them our love and compassion.
Today has been a challenging day for the Church of Scotland but our history shows that we are able to take on board many challenges and continue to be a clear voice in 21st century Scotland.
Monday, 30 August 2010
An Idolatry of the Mind
I'm preparin for preaching on Isaiah 40:21-31.
Reading John D W Watts commentary in the Word Biblical Commentary series I came across this:
So the people are accused of a lack of trust [verses 28ff] which is akin to idolatry. It is an idolatry of the mind that demands that God and his word make sense to them. They want God to convince them, to listen to their plan which compares him to nations and to governments that they know or that they have known. They expect God to fit his plans to their specifications. (page 96)
Every now and then you read a paragraph written about Israel in the time of Isaiah and it could have been written about the Church of Scotland in 2010.
The idolatry of lack of trust is alive and well among us, too few trust God and his word.
The idolatry of the mind has taken deep root, too many seek to submit God and his word to their feeble understanding, as though our sin darkened minds, and depraved lifestyles, could ever sit in judgment over our eternal, all-powerful, sovereign God.
The promise of strength is for those who wait upon the Lord. Those who have a proper submission to God and his purposes and will depend upon God alone to be King and God.
Reading John D W Watts commentary in the Word Biblical Commentary series I came across this:
So the people are accused of a lack of trust [verses 28ff] which is akin to idolatry. It is an idolatry of the mind that demands that God and his word make sense to them. They want God to convince them, to listen to their plan which compares him to nations and to governments that they know or that they have known. They expect God to fit his plans to their specifications. (page 96)
Every now and then you read a paragraph written about Israel in the time of Isaiah and it could have been written about the Church of Scotland in 2010.
The idolatry of lack of trust is alive and well among us, too few trust God and his word.
The idolatry of the mind has taken deep root, too many seek to submit God and his word to their feeble understanding, as though our sin darkened minds, and depraved lifestyles, could ever sit in judgment over our eternal, all-powerful, sovereign God.
The promise of strength is for those who wait upon the Lord. Those who have a proper submission to God and his purposes and will depend upon God alone to be King and God.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Sell Half, Demolish The Rest
Interesting, and unusually accurate, report in The Herald today.
We have too many buildings in the Church of Scotland today. It is a scandal that we allow congregations to spend £500,000 on repairs that do not in any way affect the shape or structure of the building, when for the same price a new building could have been constructed. It is wicked of Presbyteries to give priority status to buildings in the middle of a field, surrounded by a community of sheep, while giving lower status to buildings in a village serving a needy community.
Most of our buildings were built 100+ years ago on a model of church architecture that was, at that time 100+ years old. The buildings we are using today largely do not communicate anything of the gospel to our generation. What they do communicate is old fashioned, uncomfortable, cold and alien.
New people decide about the gospel by their experience of our buildings, and for most the decision is not positive.
We should dispose of all church buildings more than 30 years old and replace our present building stock with about 800 new, purpose built properties on the understanding that they will need replaced to serve a new generation in about 50 years.
We have too many buildings in the Church of Scotland today. It is a scandal that we allow congregations to spend £500,000 on repairs that do not in any way affect the shape or structure of the building, when for the same price a new building could have been constructed. It is wicked of Presbyteries to give priority status to buildings in the middle of a field, surrounded by a community of sheep, while giving lower status to buildings in a village serving a needy community.
Most of our buildings were built 100+ years ago on a model of church architecture that was, at that time 100+ years old. The buildings we are using today largely do not communicate anything of the gospel to our generation. What they do communicate is old fashioned, uncomfortable, cold and alien.
New people decide about the gospel by their experience of our buildings, and for most the decision is not positive.
We should dispose of all church buildings more than 30 years old and replace our present building stock with about 800 new, purpose built properties on the understanding that they will need replaced to serve a new generation in about 50 years.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Dismayed
I'm dismayed, upset at the news on the Free Church of Scotland web site that they have suspended all talks with the Church of Scotland - read about it here.
The Free Church of Scotland have been, and will remain, the closest sisters and brothers to the Church of Scotland in terms of polity, governance, doctrine and history. It is sad beyond expressing that growing and developing relations between our two denominations have been harmed in this way.
Amongst other things the Church of Scotland does need to give thought to our increasing isolation and separation from the Church Catholic as we pursue a path of our own choosing which if followed to its end will lead us not only out of fellowship with other Christians, but out of step with our God.
The Free Church of Scotland have been, and will remain, the closest sisters and brothers to the Church of Scotland in terms of polity, governance, doctrine and history. It is sad beyond expressing that growing and developing relations between our two denominations have been harmed in this way.
Amongst other things the Church of Scotland does need to give thought to our increasing isolation and separation from the Church Catholic as we pursue a path of our own choosing which if followed to its end will lead us not only out of fellowship with other Christians, but out of step with our God.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Special Commission
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland appointed a special commission this year. Today I received an email asking me to make the information I'm posting in this blog widely known.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
EAGLAIS NA H-ALBA
Special Commission on Same-sex Relationships and the Ministry
The Remit
The General Assembly of 2009 has given the Special Commission this remit:
“A Special Commission composed of nine persons, representative of the breadth and unity of the Church, to consult with all Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions and to prepare a study on Ordination and Induction to the Ministry of the Church of Scotland in the light of the issues (a) addressed in a Report welcomed by the General Assembly of 2007: “A challenge to unity: same-sex relationships as an issue in theology and human sexuality”, and (b) raised by the case of Aitken et al v the Presbytery of Aberdeen, and to report to the General Assembly of 2011.”
The membership
Rev John Chalmers, Pastoral Adviser and Associate Secretary (Ministries Support and Development), Ministries Council
Mrs Ruth Innes, advocate, member of Palmerston Place Church
Very Rev Dr Sheilagh Kesting, former Moderator of General Assembly; Secretary & Ecumenical Officer, Ecumenical Relations Committee
Rev Dr Donald MacEwan, Minister of Largoward linked with St Monans, secretary of the working group which produced "A Challenge to Unity"
Rev Dr Angus Morrison, Minister of Stornoway St Columba, immediate past Convener of Mission & Discipleship Council, also a member of the working group
Rev James Stewart, Minister of Perth: Letham St Mark’s, with experience of a previous commission
Rev Professor Allan J Torrance, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of St Andrews
Miss Kim Wood, Student at St Andrews; a youth representative commended by the Moderator of the Youth Assembly
The Hon. Lord Hodge (Patrick Hodge), Convener, Court of Session Judge; former Procurator of the Church
Rev W Peter Graham, Clerk, former Clerk to the Presbytery of Edinburgh
Our proposed method of working
We will prepare a short consultation paper which will invite Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions to express their views on the questions which we consider arise from our remit and the divisions in our Church which have led to our appointment. We are considering using the Church’s website to make available documents to supplement the consultation paper.
In order to inform the consultation document, and in particular to enable us to express accurately the competing views within the Church and the views of other Churches, we are engaged in a pre-consultation exercise of obtaining current statements of such views. The aim is to enable us to summarise those views accurately in the consultation paper.
We hope to send out the consultation paper by the end of February 2010 and to have a consultation period until the end of May 2010, during which we will expect every Presbytery and Kirk Session to hold a special meeting in order to prepare a response. We will spend the latter part of the year in analysing the responses and preparing our report for the General Assembly of 2011.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
EAGLAIS NA H-ALBA
Special Commission on Same-sex Relationships and the Ministry
The Remit
The General Assembly of 2009 has given the Special Commission this remit:
“A Special Commission composed of nine persons, representative of the breadth and unity of the Church, to consult with all Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions and to prepare a study on Ordination and Induction to the Ministry of the Church of Scotland in the light of the issues (a) addressed in a Report welcomed by the General Assembly of 2007: “A challenge to unity: same-sex relationships as an issue in theology and human sexuality”, and (b) raised by the case of Aitken et al v the Presbytery of Aberdeen, and to report to the General Assembly of 2011.”
The membership
Rev John Chalmers, Pastoral Adviser and Associate Secretary (Ministries Support and Development), Ministries Council
Mrs Ruth Innes, advocate, member of Palmerston Place Church
Very Rev Dr Sheilagh Kesting, former Moderator of General Assembly; Secretary & Ecumenical Officer, Ecumenical Relations Committee
Rev Dr Donald MacEwan, Minister of Largoward linked with St Monans, secretary of the working group which produced "A Challenge to Unity"
Rev Dr Angus Morrison, Minister of Stornoway St Columba, immediate past Convener of Mission & Discipleship Council, also a member of the working group
Rev James Stewart, Minister of Perth: Letham St Mark’s, with experience of a previous commission
Rev Professor Allan J Torrance, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of St Andrews
Miss Kim Wood, Student at St Andrews; a youth representative commended by the Moderator of the Youth Assembly
The Hon. Lord Hodge (Patrick Hodge), Convener, Court of Session Judge; former Procurator of the Church
Rev W Peter Graham, Clerk, former Clerk to the Presbytery of Edinburgh
Our proposed method of working
We will prepare a short consultation paper which will invite Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions to express their views on the questions which we consider arise from our remit and the divisions in our Church which have led to our appointment. We are considering using the Church’s website to make available documents to supplement the consultation paper.
In order to inform the consultation document, and in particular to enable us to express accurately the competing views within the Church and the views of other Churches, we are engaged in a pre-consultation exercise of obtaining current statements of such views. The aim is to enable us to summarise those views accurately in the consultation paper.
We hope to send out the consultation paper by the end of February 2010 and to have a consultation period until the end of May 2010, during which we will expect every Presbytery and Kirk Session to hold a special meeting in order to prepare a response. We will spend the latter part of the year in analysing the responses and preparing our report for the General Assembly of 2011.
Saturday, 29 August 2009
The God of Miracles
I'm preaching on Gen 16 tomorrow at Portpatrick and read this in Derek Kidner's wonderful commentary (but aren't all Kidner's commentaries helpful in their brevity and clarity).
"This chapter marks another stage in eliminating every means but miracle towards the promised birth."
Yes, nothing but Yahweh's sovereign, powerful intervention, confounding every human expectation will bring the child of promise to birth. Give thanks and praise to the God of miracles.
One of the reasons this has struck me so powerfully is that two weeks ago I met with some friends and one, whom I respect very much, commenting on our present situation (in the Church of Scotland) said, 'Miracles happen, and we need one now.'
From your lips to God's ears. May God remove from us every hope and every human scheme that all the glory and praise may be his when he works in sovereign power.
"This chapter marks another stage in eliminating every means but miracle towards the promised birth."
Yes, nothing but Yahweh's sovereign, powerful intervention, confounding every human expectation will bring the child of promise to birth. Give thanks and praise to the God of miracles.
One of the reasons this has struck me so powerfully is that two weeks ago I met with some friends and one, whom I respect very much, commenting on our present situation (in the Church of Scotland) said, 'Miracles happen, and we need one now.'
From your lips to God's ears. May God remove from us every hope and every human scheme that all the glory and praise may be his when he works in sovereign power.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Let Love Be Found Among Us
The Lord has a way of bringing things together. I’m preparing to preach on 1 John 4:7-5:4 for Sunday evening. The key theme is ‘love one another’ which is intimately connected by John to the nature of God, who is love, to the gift of God, which is Christ, to the purpose of God for our lives that we display his love before one another, for one another.
Yesterday I read in the Times of a minister in our church comparing those who disagree with him to Nazi panzer divisions storming into France. Today I read in the Press and Journal another minister in our church calling those who disagree with her fundamentalist terrorists. (I've deliberately note included links to these offensive articles).
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Sisters and brothers, listen to yourselves. Is this what we have come to? Is there no way we can disagree with one another without also descending into name calling and insulting one another? For the avoidance of doubt ‘insulting one another’ is not close to the same as ‘love one another’.
I believe that God has revealed to us, in his word, that human sexuality is to be enjoyed and celebrated in celibacy or between one man and one woman within the covenant of marriage. I know that my believing this is offensive to those who disagree with me. But I too am offended when I hear my God and my Saviour condemned as a liar or a fool by those who seek to reject his revelation and dismiss his word. It is easy to be offended.
Given that holding any position in this debate will offend someone for whom Christ died, can we not agree with one another, because we love one another, that we will speak and act in a way that does not add to this offence? If we find ourselves unable to speak or act in support of what we believe to be a Godly, Christian position in a way that is loving and Godly perhaps the position we are speaking for is not Godly. If we are unwilling to speak or act in a way that is loving, for the sake of God, in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord we should be silent.
What we need today is not greater displays of offensive rhetoric, but greater displays of Christ like love.
Please, pray for the Church of Scotland, pray for all who speak on this sensitive and contentious matter, pray that in all we do and say the love of Christ would be seen and displayed among us.
Yesterday I read in the Times of a minister in our church comparing those who disagree with him to Nazi panzer divisions storming into France. Today I read in the Press and Journal another minister in our church calling those who disagree with her fundamentalist terrorists. (I've deliberately note included links to these offensive articles).
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Sisters and brothers, listen to yourselves. Is this what we have come to? Is there no way we can disagree with one another without also descending into name calling and insulting one another? For the avoidance of doubt ‘insulting one another’ is not close to the same as ‘love one another’.
I believe that God has revealed to us, in his word, that human sexuality is to be enjoyed and celebrated in celibacy or between one man and one woman within the covenant of marriage. I know that my believing this is offensive to those who disagree with me. But I too am offended when I hear my God and my Saviour condemned as a liar or a fool by those who seek to reject his revelation and dismiss his word. It is easy to be offended.
Given that holding any position in this debate will offend someone for whom Christ died, can we not agree with one another, because we love one another, that we will speak and act in a way that does not add to this offence? If we find ourselves unable to speak or act in support of what we believe to be a Godly, Christian position in a way that is loving and Godly perhaps the position we are speaking for is not Godly. If we are unwilling to speak or act in a way that is loving, for the sake of God, in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord we should be silent.
What we need today is not greater displays of offensive rhetoric, but greater displays of Christ like love.
Please, pray for the Church of Scotland, pray for all who speak on this sensitive and contentious matter, pray that in all we do and say the love of Christ would be seen and displayed among us.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Blizzards and Budgets
Just home from the Budget Group meeting in Edinburgh. A long day.
All the way east of Kilmarnock snow and blizzards. Didn't think to take any pictures with my phone (must remember next time!).
I used to think the Ballieston Interchange was the boundary, I've moved it to the Fenwick Hotel - east of there is a land of snow and ice, and there are dragons.
All the way east of Kilmarnock snow and blizzards. Didn't think to take any pictures with my phone (must remember next time!).
I used to think the Ballieston Interchange was the boundary, I've moved it to the Fenwick Hotel - east of there is a land of snow and ice, and there are dragons.
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