The Record - August 2022 by Free Church of Scotland

THE

RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND AUGUST 2022 • £2.00

Editor • Sarah Robinson The Editor, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS editor@freechurch.org

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CONTENTS

WELCOME TO THE AUGUST RECORD

04 HEALTHY WORSHIP IN HEALTHY CHURCHES? Iver Martin

he trials and tribulations we face in life can often feel overwhelming.

We face difficult situations, grief, and weariness, in our personal lives and collectively as part of a community. In this edition we address those tough times and look towards the one who gives us the strength and grace to face each day. God, who is merciful and gracious, is with us in all circumstances. May you be encouraged by the piece by Will Lind who writes about how a healthy gospel church feels its weakness. He reflects that ‘So often, it is the struggles we have that God seems to use to point people to a suffering Saviour. It is in lives and churches that are cracked that the light of Jesus shines most brightly. Apart from him we can do nothing, and, as Paul learned, it is then, when we are weak, that we are strong.’ A moving poem called For one who is tired by Grace Noel Crowell reflects these sentiments and points us towards God, the one who gives us rest. Do look out for the column by Catriona Murray, who has penned a beautiful piece, and there is a thought-provoking article about worship by Free Church Moderator, Rev Iver Martin. Thanks goes to all the contributors in this month’s edition. If you would like to send in your church news or letters for the next edition, please do so by emailing editor@freechurch.org.

FREE CHURCH NEWS

ETS NEWS

PARLIMENTARY PRAYER BREAKFAST Ian M. Watson

A HEALTHY GOSPEL CHURCH...FEELS ITS WEAKNESS Will Lind

WORLD NEWS U.K., U.S., Egypt, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

PAUL'S TRAVELS Donald Mackay

REFLECTIONS Sean Ankers

FOOD FOR FELLOWSHIP

WfM UPDATE Fiona Macaskill

BOOK REVIEWS

OBITUARIES: REV NEIL MACDONALD, ALEXANDER JOHN MACAULAY

MISSION MATTERS David Meredith

POETRY PAGE Grace Noel Crowell

PAGES FROM ADAM'S DIARY: CHRIST VISITS A MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

PRAYER DIARY

DEAGH CHOMHAIRLE Janet MacPhail

Yours in Christ Sarah Robinson

40 POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray

That in all things he might have the pre-eminence Colossians 1:18 2022

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Healthy Worship in Healthy Churches? REV IVER MARTIN, Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, writes about what it means to have healthy worship in healthy churches.

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‘There is no end to what we “could have” in a service but we need to remember that worship is God originated, God centred and God focused.’

ne of the side benefits of covid was to force the church to re-examine what worship is.

This conversation is no bad thing, and indeed should take place extensively within our current mission goals. As a people called to proclaim the “excellencies of him who called us out of darkness” (1 Peter 2:9), a healthy church will have worship at its core. It is not enough to have an attractive building, a large congregation or even a strong focus on evangelism. The church that doesn’t worship is not a church and the church that doesn’t place a strong emphasis on worship is not a healthy church. That means that worship must lie at the heart of what we mean by healthy church. So how do we ensure that the worship in our churches is healthy? What even is healthy worship and how can it be measured? And how can we benefit more from our services each Sunday? It’s important, first of all, to be guided by the Bible rather than our own imaginative and creative ideas. There is no end to what we “could have” in a service but we need to remember that worship is God originated, God centred and God focused. Our question is therefore, not, what do we want, but what does God want? The marvellously simple pattern in New Testament worship appears to be composed of prayer, Bible reading, singing praise, preaching and the sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper). Of course, within that simple biblical framework lie many sub-components like confession of sin, thanksgiving, intercession, the giving of finances and teaching, but nonetheless there is a sense in which true, authentic worship can take place anywhere with few, if any, external pre-requisites. There are two levels at which healthy worship operates. Firstly, the level of the leadership. In our Presbyterian tradition the minister is the worship leader. It is his responsibility, not simply to preach a sermon, but to make sure that each component of the service takes place in such an orderly and reverent manner that it reflects the awesomeness of what we’re doing. Furthermore, as a fellow worshipper himself, his job is not to stand back and tell the congregation what to do. Rather, he is to lead from the front, by inviting the congregation to join him in prayer, singing and hearing God’s word. This is a huge responsibility because it involves the mood as much as the “doing” of the service. The way we speak to God ought to express not only a sense of who he is, but the reality of God’s actual presence. If we believe in the God who is there our worship needs to reflect that. But, as worshippers, we too have a responsibility. Our first mistake is to imagine that we are passive because we don’t appear to “do” anything. This is a serious misunderstanding. Worship is no more passive than drinking a glass of water. Our gathering, singing, praying, reading the Bible and indeed, listening involves our active participation in what is taking place. A healthy church will also have a high view of the sacraments, which means that Baptism and (more regularly) communion will be a central feature. Despite the fact that Covid has done away with the common cup, we can nonetheless authentically remember the Lord’s death by eating and drinking the bread and wine that represent his broken body and shed blood. We must never allow communion to become a “routine” such that we lose sight of the particular blessing that Jesus promises, and we must never allow regularity to obscure the poignancy of the moment. So healthy worship must never be assumed. The services should be the main event on a Sunday at which preaching should take the centre stage, the leaders prepared and worshippers prayerfully and eagerly expectant. Lastly, while order, simplicity and biblical faithfulness are important, these components, important as they are, do not, by themselves, make for true worship. There is something additional and mysterious, in which somehow God responds. When God’s people gather on a Sunday, he is active, feeding and encouraging his own family with his word — sometimes in ways in which the indescribable happens. When this happens; when the church is lifted up to heaven and God comes down to fill his people, the church is healthy. •

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FREE CHURCH NEWS IN A BIG COUNTRY BY REV ANGUS MACRAE

round seventy delegates attended the second

“in

a big country” conference

on rural ministry held at dingwall free

church on the 18th june 2022.

The conference was facilitated by the Rev David Meredith, Mission Director for the denomination. The event this year was kept to a tight threehour timetable but managed to include some interaction and discussion along with two main talks by Rev Ivor MacDonald and Rev Neil Lachie MacDonald. Ivor MacDonald challenged the church to contextualise the gospel for a rural context, as it has done for the urban context. A healthy Gospel church can contribute to life in a rural community, serving as a key hub, connecting the population with schools and community groups. Low-key and long-term evangelism can overcome barriers of social caution, resistance to change, or the memory of our past failures. Ivor was critical of giving priority to cities and urban areas in ministry if this was done without proper regard for the needs and claims of rural areas. The cultural mandate from Genesis should not be used to disregard small and rural situations. He argued that while most cities have some access to the Gospel, there may be greater need in country areas. Our work and ministry must be rooted in and responsive to the places we serve, seeking a place for Christ in the heart of the community. He gave several examples of good practice in rural ministry from around Scotland, reminding delegates that ‘the Gospel is your brand’. Lachie MacDonald spoke about the significant social and moral changes that have transformed rural communities over the past century. But from a Biblical perspective there was ‘nothing new under the sun’. We may lament the passing of the old ceilidh culture, communities working together and a vibrant oral tradition of story and song, which often went along with a meaningful church connection. Moving forward from 1922 to 2022, despite technological and cultural changes, the word and worship of God was, and should be, essentially unchanged. Our future as rural churches should not be a

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choice between assimilating to this world or kind of stealthChristianity. Following the pattern of Philippians 3:13-14 and Deuteronomy 8, the modern church should love the best of the past, live actively engaged in the present world, while straining towards the future with a biblical church culture. Delegates were also able to choose two from four optional seminars: Dr Hannah MacLeod led a seminar on the spiritual and compassionate response to social challenges and needs, particularly in the light of the recent pandemic; Rev Iain MacAskill discussed entrepreneurial approaches to rural ministry; Dr Ann MacRae spoke on the challenges and opportunities of village church life; and Rev David Meredith on verbal and non-verbal communication of the gospel to make maximum impact in a rural settings. It was inspiring to meet delegates and hear stories of churches making and training disciples in our village churches. There were also warnings to shake off small dreams and an unhelpful ‘village mentality’. The Lord Jesus spent much of his life in villages, and even after returning to the glory of God, he remembered his village and called himself Jesus of Nazareth. The vision cast by the conference was to ensure that rural areas do not reject the Son of God today, as sadly so many did in Jesus’ own rural life and ministry. Smaller churches can and do serve as incubators for future leaders and feed positively into the life of urban churches. •

L-R Rev, Ivor MacDonald, Rev. Lachie MacDonald, Rev. David Meredith, Rev. Iain MacAskill, Dr Ann MacRae and Dr Hannah Macleod

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WINCHBURGH CHURCH PLANT

inchburgh community church, west lothian

relationship with one another and have unity around the Gospel and what that looks like at different stages of life. We’re like a family that mucks in together.” Speaking about the plans for the church plant over the coming months, Robin added, ‘We’re meeting once a month now. We’re planning to take a break over summer and then resume when the schools go back when we’ll meet once every two weeks. We’re aiming to meet every week from October with the view to formally launching at Easter next year. We are building towards launch. We are currently having monthly worship services in our house but give thanks for the provision of a bowling club function room to meet in the Autumn as we move towards weekly services. In addition, there are many practical details that need sorting. Pray that we would be wise and know the Lord’s guidance.’ The community at Winchburgh are thankful for all those who are part of the core team and are looking for more people to join them. Robin said, ‘Pray for the community in Winchburgh. It is a rapidly expanding area and has a mixture of new people moving in and people native to the area. Pray for opportunities and courage to share faith so that many would come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Pray also that the Lord would send labourers for the harvest in order to grow our team with locally committed believers.’ •

is set to launch, easter 2023

A group of church members from St Columba’s in Edinburgh, who live in Winchburgh, have been meeting regularly for community groups and Bible studies. It has been their desire, for some time, to transition from church community group to an established church congregation, in a process known as church planting. Their aim is to live out and share the good news of Jesus in the Winchburgh community. Rev Robin Silson was appointed as the church plant leader last August. He and his family — his wife Annabel, and their three children, Heidi (6), Angus (4) and Naomi (1) — moved to Winchburgh last September. Originally from a small village in Yorkshire, Robin came to faith at the age of 25. However, following a move to London and becoming a member of a small local church, he began to understand what it meant to live as a disciple of Jesus. He also met his wife, Annabel, who is from the Isle of Lewis. They stayed in London for seven years and moved to Scotland in 2018 as they have a heart for being involved in gospel ministry north of the border. Robin is currently on staff at St Columba’s and has undertaken training with other apprentices and ministers in training. He has also joined intensive church plant training programme. Robin said: ‘Over the last few months we have developed a clear vision, identity, and philosophy regarding what ministry at Winchburgh Community Church will look like. Incorporated into that is the acknowledgement that each one of us is uniquely gifted to make that vision a reality as we serve Christ together. The Lord is constantly surprising us, often showing us we possess gifts we didn’t even know we had. Our life experiences, backgrounds, personalities, and work have shaped us to be instruments in the hands of our Redeemer.’ ‘We are a small team of 14 adults and 9 children,’ said Robin. “Please pray that we continue to grow in

PORTREE & BRACADALE CHURCH BUILDING

building has been expertly laid by the team at RK Joinery. Dr Charles Crichton, Session Clerk & Treasurer for Portree & Bracadale Free Church, said: ‘The whole building is dependent on this cornerstone being straight and true and we pray that the new building will be ‘built on the foundation of the apostles and

here is much to celebrate as work finally begins

bracadale

new

free

build

for

portree

church

and

the

and

church

community rallies to fundraise for the project.

Over the past few months concrete has been laid on the site at Shepherd’s Way, and the cornerstone of the

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prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone’ (Ephesians 2:20).’ The single storey building, which will have disabled access, is set to be completed by early summer 2023. It has taken a lot of work to get to this point. Most of the money has been raised for the church building so far. Unfortunately, the unprecedented rise in building costs throughout 2021 means the congregation still needs to raise funds, to reach the final total of £2.1 million. Charles said: ‘We are all aware that there is a long way to go with our fundraising efforts but even since February over £50,000 has been donated towards the new build project. Every single penny counts, and we will keep the totaliser updated as we get ever closer to our target of £400,000.’ Among the amazing fundraising efforts by church members is runner Bruce Crawford. He tackled a double marathon plus a few more miles to raise over £12,000 for the building project. Bruce said: ‘I would like to thank you all so much for the support and encouragement I’ve received for my fundraising event. I set out to run 52 miles and raise £2,000 and I am astonished to say that the total raised sits at over £12,684 towards our new building project, having run over 63 miles. ‘Seeing the congregation come together to support and encourage each other has been great to see and hopefully this has shown what we can continue to achieve when our building is completed.’ He said there was a real sense of community through the fundraising venture, and he was so thankful for the support he had received from the community. Bruce added: ‘This was uncharted territory for me having never ran as far or for as long as I did during this challenge but the kind words from everyone spurred me on to complete and go even further than intended. The wind and rain added another challenge to the run and really pushed me to my limits. ‘I would like to thank Donnie G for being with us at the start and being ever present throughout the night, everyone who saw me off at midnight and who missed out on many hours of sleep to keep track of me through the night.’ The gruelling double marathon has been just one of the fundraising efforts taking place. Celebrations were held by the church to mark the

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Queen’s Jubilee. A baking stall raised an amazing £558.74. Calendars showing picturesque scenic views have also been sold to raise funds. The congregation has not had its own church building for the past two decades, so it has been meeting in a local primary school. Around 80 people meet on Sunday mornings with up to 70 people joining online. This new build, which will be on a housing estate, is intended to be a real hub for the community. To support the new-build project, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/portreefreechurch Thanks goes to members of Portree and Bracadale Free Church for this selection of photos. •

AUGUST

DUNFERMLINE NEW CITY CHURCH

n celebration of dunfermline becoming scotland’s

but looking forward, we are new city people belonging to the heavenly city.’ Mr Ross said the congregation is also looking forward to welcoming minister-intraining, David Ferguson, in September. The church was planted by Kirkcaldy Free Church in 2002, and meets on Sunday mornings at Masterton Primary School, Aberdour Road, Dunfermline. More information can be found on the congregation’s website: www.newcitychurch.scot •

newest city, dunfermline free church will now be

known as new city church. The decision comes days after Dunfermline was granted city status, as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, joining Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling as Scotland’s eighth city. Rev Jeremy Ross, of New City Church (Dunfermline Free Church) said, ‘the reason for the change is Dunfermline becoming a city. We want to reach the city and be known as a church in our city, fulfilling our mission as a congregation which is to love God, love His people, and love our community.’ He added, ‘We also want to show that, as we are part of a new city just now, we think of ourselves as new city people- not just that we belong to Dunfermline,

ORDINATION & INDUCTION IN OBAN FREE CHURCH

n saturday 22nd january 2022, many folks

recalled that Presbytery knew the vacancy period would not be a long one with MacAskill at the helm, and so it turned out. Rev Ian Watson with Charges to the Congregation read from Hebrews chapter 13, v17 encouraging us to support our new minister so that it will be a joy for him to be with us. Rev Iain MacAskill was so looking forward to the day and he messaged that he was so pleased for Iain and the Oban Congregation, that he had enjoyed his time as IM, and wished for God’s blessing on everyone for this special day, with the message “This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it”. Rev Morrison thanked Rev Shearer and all present and was thankful for so many friends including childhood friends and friends from Rosskeen coming to Oban. Iain introduced speeches which were all full of advice, encouragement, love, and much humour, firstly from Rev Calum ‘Honda’ MacMillan, Rosskeen, whom Iain had worked alongside for four years. Calum brought Iain an egg timer with the time set for length of sermon purposes! Rev Kenny MacLeod, Dowanvale, a fellow Hearach, spoke fondly of Iain, and Kenny was sure that our Eternal Harbourmaster had brought Iain to the port of Oban. Rev Innes MacSween, Smithton, former pupil at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway (where Iain had been Deputy Rector), and also a former classmate at ETS, was ‘chuffed to bits’ that Iain was our new minister. Much laughter was enjoyed as we listened to these talented speakers.

gathered for the joyous occasion of the induction and ordination of rev iain morrison

This included many friends who had travelled by bus from Iain’s previous congregation at Rosskeen, Iain’s sons Johnny and Christopher, and others who had travelled long distances to be present. Iain’s daughter Abbie and her husband, who live in Wales, had visited Iain earlier and had stayed at the manse. Preaching and Presiding was Rev Allan Shearer, Dunblane. We were called to worship with Psalm 24, vs7-10 ‘Ye gates, lift up your heads on high.’ This opening Praise was truly powerfully sung; precenting were Kathryn Wilkie and Angus Smith, Elder. The beauty of this was commented upon by many afterwards. Rev Shearer read and preached fittingly from 2 Timothy 1:1-17 and 2:1-13. Rev Ian Watson, Presbytery Clerk Glasgow Argyll, introduced the formal aspects of the day with the Narrative of Vacancy, mentioning the unanimous call for Iain from Oban, Mull, Coll, and Tiree. Rev Roger Crooks as Moderator put the required Questions to Iain. This was followed by signing of the Formula and Laying on of Hands by the fourteen ministers present. The Moderator congratulated Iain. Rev Colin Dow, Glasgow City, and Rev Ian Watson followed – both giving words of counsel and encouragement. Colin was standing in as the Charges to Ordinand should have been by Rev Iain MacAskill, Interim Moderator, who unfortunately, because of Covid, was unable to attend. Colin

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It was fitting that Rev James Beaton, former Oban minister for 30 years (recently retired in April 2021) and his wife Jenny were present. James added some words after the speeches as he handed the baton as it were over to Iain. The Oban congregation during its long history had been blessed and James reminded us of the importance of living our lives in God’s service. Ian Watson read out kind greetings from folks who had sent cards from various places including Back, Isle of Lewis, and from Rev Kenny I MacLeod Stornoway. Rev Roddy (Barvas) MacRae gave thanks for the food about to be served. Angus Smith, Elder handed over a money gift to our new minister from the congregations. Gifts would be posted on to Iain MacAskill and to Rev Macleod who had helped so much during the vacancy. Rev George Cringles had previously been presented with a gift for all his gracious help during the vacancy. Matters finished in the church building with the cutting of a beautiful cake by Iain with the helping hand of Kate Ann Fortieth. The cake had been baked by our John Simpson and tasted just as beautiful as it looked. Ian Henry from our congregation videoed the entire event in the church and a copy was later handed to Rev Morrison. Proceedings then moved to the hall next door for a beautiful finger buffet, cakes, and refreshments, with folks overspilling back into the church building to get a seat. A wonderful time of fellowship was enjoyed by all. We are thankful for what was a memorable and special day, and for everyone who made it so, by being present, and by sending good wishes, especially friends from Rosskeen and other places. Much thanks to our own folks who made all the preparations for the day and organised things when we had to remain vigilant with Covid-19.

Iain preached the following day, Lord’s Day 23rd January. We are indeed blessed to have Iain as our new minister here in Oban & The Isles and we look forward to the days that lie ahead. •

POSITIVELY PRESBYTERIAN CONFERENCE 2022

future generations for the ministry of preaching, teaching, pastoral care and leadership.’ There will be sessions about Post Pandemic Pastoral Care by Louise MacMillan, Pastoral Care at Presbytery level by Rev Colin Macleod and Preparing candidates — a new training model by Rev Thomas Davis. There will also be times of discussion and prayer as well as worship. Free time will be available for people to relax, go for a walk, enjoy putting and five a side football. The Board hopes that the conference will be an opportunity to present their vision and strategy for pastoral care, lifelong training and the new training model for ministry. It is important for

peakers and topics have been announced for the positively presby terian conference

taking pl ace next month . The event, which is being organised by the Board of Ministry, will be held Wednesday 21 st–Friday 23 rd September at Carronvale House, Larbert. The theme of the conference is, ‘A Shared Vision: To Care and Prepare.’ Rev Derek Lamont, who is part of the Board of Ministry, said: ‘Following over two years of isolation and pandemic, this is a great opportunity to worship, relax, and learn together as we consider the need to care for each other and our people, and also discuss the plans to prepare

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ministers, presbyteries and boards to share together in developing the denominational vision for Healthy Gospel Churches, and this conference will be a step in the process, through presentations, discussions, feedback, fellowship

and prayer with one another. The cost for the conference is £130 which covers accommodation and all meals. Go to the Latest News section on the Free Church website for booking details. •

ORDINATION & INDUCTION IN DORNOCH FREE CHURCH

aturday 11th june was a good day.

Around two hundred people gathered at Dornoch Academy for the induction of Rev Al MacInnes to be the new Minister at Dornoch Free Church. It really was a joyful day, not just for the congregation at Dornoch, but for the Presbytery — and for that we are thankful to the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD for the quick settlement in Dornoch. Please commit Al and family to the grace of God for the task that lies ahead of them—undoubtedly full of challenges but equally undoubtedly nothing beyond the grace of God. His grace is sufficient. He equips those that he calls. At the induction, Rev Ben Fiddian (Lairg & Bonar Bridge) preached a most appropriate sermon from 1 & 2 Kings, looking at three references to Elisha and the cloak of Elijah, and applying them to Al and Dornoch’s situation. He opened with the following words: We often focus on ordinations and inductions as new beginnings. Of course, in one sense they are new beginnings – but ‘zoom out’ a little and you see that they are really transitions. No minister steps out of a vacuum or into a vacuum. Every Joshua has a Moses. Every Timothy has a Paul. The honour and glory of building the church belong to Christ and to Christ alone. Ministers of the gospel are his tools: picked up, used, laid aside, moved on, at his sole discretion.

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Paul plants, Apollos waters, God directs the whole process, God gives the increase. Every ministry is limited – limited by the gifts a man has, his health, age and so on. Christ alone is able to fulfil a continuous and unending ministry: he alone “continues forever” and is consequently able to “save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for us”. We look forward to hearing what the LORD is doing in Dornoch through the congregation over the coming weeks and months. • www.dornochfreechurch.co.uk

From L-R. James Mackay, Murdo Macdonald, Rev Duncan Macleod (previous minister), Rev Al MacInnes, Mark Robinson

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CHURCH PLANTING VISION DAY

ave the date: generation vision conference

–

saturday 19th november 2022, glasgow, with speaker dr dan strange.

The conference is a great opportunity to celebrate what God is doing within the Church, to enjoy great teaching and fellowship together, and to hear about future plans. Everyone is welcome to attend, and we would love to see you there. Further details will be released in due course, but for now please save the date and spread the word. Speaking at the event will be Dr Dan Strange. He is director of Crosslands Forum, a centre for cultural engagement and missional innovation. Formerly he was college director and tutor in culture, religion, and public theology at Oak Hill College, London. He is a contributing editor for Themelios, and is a member of Hope Community Church, Gateshead, UK, which is part of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (FIEC). He is the vice president of The Southgate Fellowship. He is the author of a number of books, including Their Rock Is Not Like Our Rock: A Theology of Religion. Dan is married to Elly and has seven children. •

LAUNCH OF NEW FREE CHURCH PODCAST

Look out for the first series on Spotify and Apple Podcasts when it launches at the end of August with first guest, Rosaria Butterfield. •

he free church of scotland is launching a new podcast entitled the

healthy

gospel

church podcast. Beginning in late August, it will replace the Generation Podcast, comprising three 10-episode series each year. Launched three years ago, the Generation Podcast focussed on discussing ideas about mission, from a Scottish context, by chatting to guests from a variety of backgrounds and locations. The Healthy Gospel Church Podcast will now come under the Free Church banner with a broader remit, addressing church life more widely. It will also tie in with the Church's vision to see a ‘Healthy gospel church in every community in Scotland.’Podcast host David Meredith said, ‘The Healthy Gospel Church Podcast will explore all aspects of church life, while also shining a spotlight on good practice. We have a fantastic list of guests lined up, and I hope these conversations will both encourage and provoke.’

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FREE CHURCH YOUTH CAMP ROUND-UP

uddy assault courses, high-energy games

Donald A Macleod, Free Church Camps Supervisor, said: ‘It has been my privilege to visit a number of the camps and see so many young people and leaders sharing food, fun and fellowship. We are especially delighted to see so many campers come with us for the first time this summer. We hope to see them all back next summer!’ During the camps the youngsters met together to discuss God’s Word, as well as taking part in a variety of activities, depending on which camp they attended. Activities included bubble football, swimming, safari parks, paintballing and a very muddy assault course by Scottish Assault Courses. Nine camps were held in total. We'll have more pictures from camp in the next issue of the magazine. Registration for next year’s camps is set to open later this year. •

and learning more about god has been the aim of a number of action-packed fcyc camps

this summer.

More than 250 young people have enjoyed a host of youth camps in Renfrew, Oswestry and Kincraig. It’s been a chance for them to make new friends, reunite with some old friends and continue to learn about the goodness of God. Mairi Beaton, Free Church Youth Camps Coordinator, said: ‘It has taken a lot of organising and preparation by leaders and volunteers to make sure this year goes ahead. We are so thankful for everyone involved. ‘Most importantly the camps have been an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus and to spur young people on in their faith.’

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ETS NEWS NEW LECTURER IN GREEK AND NEW TESTAMENT AT ETS

business and then graduated with an MDiv from Westminster Seminary California in 2012. He spent a year as a missionary in Uganda and then six years in ordained pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). This year he completed a PhD in New Testament from the University of St Andrews and currently serves as an elder in the St Andrews Free Church congregation. Ben and his wife, Bethel, have five children. Do pray for Ben and his family as he settles into these new roles at ETS. •

new course organiser and lecturer in greek and new testament has joined the staff team at edinburgh theological seminary .

Rev Ben Castaneda, who started his new role at ETS last month (July), said he is excited about training people for ministry in the church. He has replaced Prof John Angus Macleod, who has recently retired. Ben said: “I’m looking forward to meeting students and seeing how God is going to work through ETS over this coming year.” Speaking about his role as Lecturer, he said: “I love teaching Greek and making the language come alive, and I’m excited about the opportunity to open up the New Testament with students.” He is also working closely with Alistair Wilson, Lecturer and Postgraduate Supervisor, to organise course timetables and modules for ETS students. Ben, who is keen to encourage students in their faith and ministry, has spoken about his own testimony of faith and how God has worked in his life from a young age. He said: “I was born into a Christian home in Virginia and grew up in Texas. My family read the Bible and prayed together, and we grew up going to church. It was through watching the example of my parents that led me to accept Jesus as my Saviour when I was six years old.” As a teenager Ben wrestled with big life questions, and it was through this experience that his faith in Jesus grew and strengthened. “I struggled over the doctrine of the assurance of my salvation and worried how I knew I was truly converted. It was through this inner wrestling that I became convicted of the Reformed faith when I was about 16 years old. About the same time, my family started going to a Presbyterian church where the doctrines of grace and the sovereignty of God were presented. The Gospel came alive!” It was at that point in life that he sensed a call to ministry. Ben first completed an undergraduate course in

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SATURDAY COURSES AT ETS

academic and theoretical knowledge, although learning of that kind is a necessary foundation. Rather, it is to explore how to approach this subject and its real-life examples with a Biblically balanced and compassionate understanding of the challenges and complexities in this area. You will also look at some Biblical tools for the application of pastoral care in the context of Christian ministry. Alex J MacDonald will lead the Biblical Studies where he will focus on studies of Jesus’ personal, pastoral and evangelistic interactions in the Gospels. His lectures are entitled People Jesus Helped. The Christian Doctrine lectures will be led by Cory Brock and are entitled Creation and New Creation: How Grace Restores Everything. In this course we will explore the doctrines of creation, the fall, and re-creation or how the grace of Christ restores nature. The work of Christ is the work of restoration and so Christ came to be our great physician. Organisers would like to encourage people to find out more about the courses. To enrol, go to: ets.ac.uk/saturday-courses-application For more information, email: offices@ets.ac.uk •

nderstanding the foundations of christian faith

the

aim

part-time

courses

edinburgh theological seminary (ets).

The new 2022/2023 Saturday Course programme has been launched and applications are now open. The courses are held on a Saturday, once a month in Edinburgh, Stornoway, Knockbain and online. Those attending can gain a Certificate in Theology as they look at Biblical Studies, Practical Theology and Christian Doctrine. Attendees can also go on to complete a further 2-year course, if they wish, to gain a diploma in Christian Studies. The courses are open to anyone who would like a deeper knowledge of scripture. Cory Brock, Andy Hunter and Alex J MacDonald will be leading the 2022/2023 programme. Classes normally meet in Edinburgh and Stornoway one Saturday a month from 10 am to 3.15 pm on the following dates: 2022: 17th September, 8th October, 12th November, 10th December 2023: 14th January, 11th February, 18th March, 22nd April On each of these Saturdays, lectures will be given by all three course leaders. Please note, classes at venues other than Edinburgh and Stornoway will make their own arrangements for meeting. The Practical Theology courses will be led by Andy Hunter who will speak on a foundation for understanding the Biblical background, purpose, and practices involved in Christian Pastoral Care. There are many different situations and contexts where pastoral care is needed in Christian Ministry. In these series of lectures, you will learn that the goal of Pastoral Care is not simply to provide

ETS CONFERENCE 2022: ‘KNOWING CHRIST’

dinburgh theological seminary will hold its first annual faculty conference next month on the theme knowing christ.

The event, which will be held on Saturday 10th September, is open to students, church members and the general public. It will take place at Stockbridge Parish Church, Edinburgh. Iver Martin, ETS Principal, will welcome attendees. There will be talks by Daniel Sladek on the topic of The Shepherd while Benjamin Castaneda will speak about The Gospel and the Gospels. Zachary Purvis will focus on The Centre of Worship and Jonty Rhodes will speak on The Prophet, Priest, and King. Cory Brock will speak about The Gospel and the Kingdom and Sinclair Ferguson will speak about Knowing Christ. Registration (£10) and other details are available at ets.ac.uk •

2022

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PARLIAMENTARY PRAYER BREAKFAST

BY REV IAN M WATSON

Parliamentarians, that in all their decision making they would keep their eyes fixed on eternity. Later in the day I met up with Rev Andrew Longwe and his wife Marina, recently called to be minister of London City Presbyterian Church, the Free Church in London. Ministering in the heart of London has meant a change of gear for Andrew. People seem to have very little time to spare and stress levels are high. Waiting in the airport lounge that evening I learned of the resignation from the Cabinet of men I had seen earlier that day. The words of Psalm 146 seem appropriate: Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men who cannot save… Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. •

n tuesday 5th july i had the privilege of representing the free church of scotland at the annual national parliamentary prayer

breakfast in westminster hall,

an event organised and hosted by Christians in Parliament. I was there as the guest of Dr Lisa Cameron, my constituency MP. This year’s theme was ‘Serving the Common Good’, and the keynote speaker was Rev Les Isaac OBE, founder of the Street Pastors movement. The event was attended by Christians from all over the country and from all walks of life, as well as some of our leading politicians, including the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, on what turned out to be the day on which a trickle of resignations from the government turned into a flood. In the providence of God, then, 600 people or so were involved in praying for integrity to characterise our political leadership. It is so encouraging to realise that there are real Christians working in Parliament who love the Lord Jesus and who are called by God to serve him at the very centre of political power. The prayer by Tim Farron MP, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, was particularly poignant, as he compared the nation to sheep without a shepherd. Afterwards, I was able to spend time with Dr Cameron and gain more insight into her work as a constituency MP. High on her list of priorities is the cost-of-living crisis and the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees. She also chairs the all-party disability group. I left the Houses of Parliament that morning with a deeper sense of how important it is to pray for our

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Rev Ian M Watson is the minister of Hope Church (Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill)

AUGUST

A Healthy Gospel Church... feels its weakness BY WILL LIND

ne of the signs of a healthy church is counterintuitive: the people who belong to it often feel weak.

This feeling of personal inadequacy was something the Apostle Paul learned to embrace. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 he writes about his infamous ‘thorn in the flesh’. Not surprisingly, rivers of ink have been spilled by Bible commentators as they’ve tried to identify it! Whatever it was, it’s clear Paul would have loved it to disappear. Three times he pleaded with the Lord to take it away (v 8). Yet it was during this excruciating experience that Paul was given a wonderful reassurance from the Lord, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (v 9). Part of the reason Paul shared his story was that the church in Corinth needed to learn this lesson too. They loved the idea of looking impressive in the eyes of the world and often tried to compete and out-do one another. But in his first letter Paul reminded them of their humble beginnings, ‘Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth’ (1 Cor. 1:26). Instead of boasting in themselves, they were to boast in the Lord (1 Cor. 1:31). What was true then is true now. There are lots of ways we can feel weak as God’s people: We can feel weak as we pray. Often you and I just don’t know what to pray for. We can feel weak as we try to share our faith. It can be hard to put into words all that Jesus means to us when speaking to family or friends. We can feel weak as we battle sin. Often we don’t feel we’re making much progress. We can feel weak as we age or face pressures at work or in our family life. Sometimes we’re just relieved to get to the end of a day, week or month. But we should never think any of this means we would be more effective Christians or churches if our lives were trouble free. Throughout the Bible and church history God seems to take a special delight in working through weak people. In his sermon, The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way, Francis Schaeffer captures it well: ‘The more the Holy Spirit works, the more Christians will be used in battle, and the more they are used, the more there will be personal cost and tiredness. It is quite the opposite of what we might first think. People often cry out for the work of the Holy Spirit and yet forget that when the Holy Spirit works, there is always tremendous cost to the people of God – weariness and tears and battles.’* So often, it is the struggles we have that God seems to use to point people to a suffering Saviour. It is in lives and churches that are cracked that the light of Jesus shines most brightly. Apart from him we can do nothing, and, as Paul learned, it is then, when we are weak, that we are strong. • *This can be found in a collected volume called No Little People Will Lind is set to be assistant minister St Peter’s Free Church, Dundee

2022

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WORLD NEWS

AMERICAS AFRICA EUROPE ASIA AUSTRALASIA PRAYER MEETING MOVES JAVID TO RESIGNATION England's former Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has revealed that it was the most recent Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast that moved him to quit his position. The suspension of MP Chris Pincher, over sexual assault claims, led to a wave of parliament resignations, beginning with Javid. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson appointed Mr Pincher deputy chief whip. However, it later transpired that Johnson did so, even though he was aware of concerns about Mr Pincher’s conduct and, for Javid, this was the ‘final trigger.’ It was hearing a sermon on integrity that resolved Javid to ultimately resign. He told the BBC, ‘It might sound a bit strange but I was listening to the sermon by this amazing man, Reverend Les Isaac — you know, he started Street Pastors. I was listening to him talking about the importance of integrity in public life and, just focusing on that, I made up my mind. I went straight back to my office and drafted the resignation letter and went to see the Prime Minister later in the day.’ •

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION ACKNOWLEDGE NATIVE AMERICAN TRAUMA A federal report found that half of just over 400 Indian boarding schools (in the U.S.) were run with the help of a variety of Christian denominations. Mike Keahbobe, pastor of First Baptist Church, Lawton, Oklahoma proposed at the Southern Baptist Convention that the Church respond to this accordingly, acknowledging that Native Americans were often subject to forced assimilation and conversion in these institutions. As a result, the Southern Baptist Church Resolution of 2022 has condemned forced conversion and committed the Church to ‘stand in support of Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians...as they process the findings of this report and discern next steps toward healing.’ A Native American himself, as a member of the Comanche tribe, Keahbone told Christianity Today, ‘For Native American people, this is opening up a pretty significant wound and one that we're having to process and work through.’ The hope is that this historic Resolution might pave the way for sharing the Gospel with more Native American people. •

EGYPTIAN SEMINARY CELEBRATES GROWTH A felucca, a traditional Egyptian boat, on the Nile was where it all began for Evangelical Theological Seminary, Cairo (ETSC) in 1863. Since then, the college has grown substantially, enrolling more students than ever. In 1995, ETSC taught 50 students and seminary research conducted in 2005 identified 311 affiliated churches. 2019 saw the enrollment of 300 students and, this year, that figure has increased to 500, with 450 affiliated churches. In Egypt, Christians make up 10% of the population and evangelicals, less than 2%. Tharwat Wahba, president of the seminary told Christianity Today, ‘when I see the work of our graduates, it gives me hope for the Church's future.’ •

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POLITICAL CHANGE IN LEBANON Lebanese evangelicals are hopeful that last month’s general election will result in real change amidst economic problems in the country. Lebanon, considered one of the most democratic states in the Middle East, is governed by a unicameral parliament whose seats are divided equally between Christians and Muslims. The key offices of state are also reserved: the President must be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim and the Speaker of Parliament a Shi’a Muslim. The system is intended to deter sectarian conflict, but many Lebanese argue that a corrupt political class has developed within the traditional sectarian parties. A popular uprising against the established parties was gaining ground, but a combination of Covid-19, the Beirut port explosion and a grinding economic crisis caused the movement to falter. The World Bank has described the economic situation as a ‘deliberate depression orchestrated by the country’s elite that has long captured the state and lived off its economic rents…it has come to threaten the country’s long-term stability and social peace.’ As a result, those not represented by the political elite, such as evangelical Christians, sought alternatives during this year’s election. ‘For three years we have cried out to God, reflecting his love as we ministered to everyone regardless of religion,’ Nabil Costa, executive director of the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development (the Baptist Society) told Christianity Today, ‘and then at the fourth watch of the night, when everyone was losing hope, God said, “I am still here.”’ According to Costa, most evangelicals voted for civil society candidates associated with the uprising. Their representation has increased from one seat to 14 in the 128-seat parliament. Other opposition parties also gained ground. The ruling political alliance has lost its majority. Although many fear that no clear majority may mean political gridlock, and the vexed issue of how to approach key Muslim party Hezbollah remains, the election results have renewed many people’s hope for positive change. Martin Accad, founder of Action Research Associates, which supports emerging political leaders, was previously chief academic officer of Arab Baptist Theological Seminary. He told CT, ‘The top priority of change MPs must be to build a strong state,’ one that can support those who are struggling financially. ‘It may be that God brought them here for this purpose,’ Accad continues. ‘This is a unique chance in the history of Lebanon; we need prayer and wisdom not to miss it.’ •

PRAY FOR SRI LANKA ‘The scenes unfolding form the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the country where my family originate, have taken me a while to process,’ wrote Dayalan Mahesan, coordinator for Evangelical Alliance's South Asian Forum. The people of Sri Lanka are currently living in economic turmoil - the consequences of a ban on chemical fertilisers, the effects of Covid-19, and soaring debt payments for infrastructure projects. Many have also accused the government of misusing public funding, resulting in protests across the country. Very little food remains on supermarket shelves, queues for petrol are lasting many days and power cuts, a daily occurrence. The government has been forced to appeal to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) just to survive. Evangelical Alliance and South Asian Concern are urging people pray for Sri Lanka, with Mahesan adding, ‘we have the opportunity and the responsibility to leverage our earnest prayers to change despairing situations, even from afar.’ •

2022

THE IMPACT OF THE LAW ON BELIEF AND RELIGION In January 2018, the Law on Belief and Religion was implemented in Vietnam stating, ‘the state shall respect and protect the right to freedom of belief and religion for everyone.’ Four years on, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) are reflecting on its impact. Under the law, in order to receive recognition as a religious organisation, groups are required to register with the government - a process that is lengthy and complex. Approval is also required before carrying out a wide variety of religious activities. Should unregistered organisations meet or partake in unregistered activities, church gatherings are vulnerable to violent police intervention and the imprisonment of those attending. In addition, state officials often abuse this system, rejecting or ignoring applications with no explanation. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has raised concerns that, due its vagueness, the Law on Belief and Religion has had the opposite effect of its stated intentions, and has unnecessarily restricted religious freedom in Vietnam. It is the recommendation of CSW that 2018 law be repealed, with the immediate release of those in violation of it and all other laws that restrict freedom of religion. In addition, CSW are asking the Vietnamese government to ‘ensure that any form of registration system is optional... and is not used as a tool to control religious activities.’ •

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PAUL’S TRAVELS M

miles in total, including about 4,000 miles on land. That means almost certainly on foot, because the only time we hear of Paul being mounted is when, as a Roman prisoner, he was being rushed from Jerusalem to Caesarea. So all these journeys on the dusty roads of Asia Minor and Macedonia were weary trudges, sometimes on solid Roman cobbles but more often on dirt tracks. I have covered some of these miles (in a comfortable coach) and can testify to their inordinate length. To give an example – on the map Perga and Pisidian Antioch seem close together but they are in fact 120 miles apart, separated by a formidable range of mountains. A Roman legionary might be expected to march 30 miles a day on a Roman road, but for the ordinary traveller 20 miles was the average, and there were stopping points (they could hardly be called inns) at about that interval on the main highways. But we have no evidence that Paul used them. He would simply rely on the bread and water or wine that he carried with him. Sea travel was much quicker than land and was sometimes used as an alternative to coastal roads. Paul, in preference to journeying to Ephesus to

ost people know that paul was a great traveller.

The book of the Acts is an enthralling travelogue — and of course much more — and it gives a lot of detail about his journeys. Some of the more down-to-earth aspects of his expeditions tend to be neglected, however, in favour of the spiritual component. This is a pity, because they shed a lot of light on the whole story.

THE JOURNEYS There are three that are well documented (four, if we count his travel to Rome as a prisoner). These are (all starting from Judea or Syria): To Cyprus and Galatia — with Barnabas (1,500 miles) To Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia – and Asia (Ephesus) — with Silas (3,000 miles) To Galatia, Asia, Macedonia and Achaia — with Timothy and Luke (3,300 miles). Stanford University in California have devoted a lot of effort into researching these journeys and have come up with some interesting statistics. They reckon that Paul would have travelled over 10,000

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Photo by Geran de Klerk on Unsplash

BY DONALD MACKAY

meet the church there, disembarked at Miletus and asked the Ephesian elders to meet him at the port. He did similar at Ptolemais and Tyre on the Palestinian coast. However, sailing was riskier than land travel and in fact the open season was generally limited to June-September.

the Anatolian highlands. He describes himself to Philemon as Paul the aged, even though he cannot have been much above sixty.

PAUL’S COMPANIONS This is a most important subject. So far as we know, Paul rarely, if ever, chose to travel alone. The reasons were companionship and security. The first of these is obvious: Paul was not a loner, and his objective was evangelism, which in his view should be carried out in the pattern established by his Master, i.e. two by two. As for security, the hazards of the way pointed to the value of a group — as did the need for sharing the weight and bulk of the traveller’s impedimenta. Each of Paul’s companions was a tried and trusted believer — Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus, Aquila, Priscilla. Mark was rejected as a companion because he failed the test of reliability, although he qualified later.

THE COST With sea travel, the question of cost becomes important. The ORBIS app developed by Stanford University came up with a figure of over 1,000 denarii for the cost of sea travel for Paul’s three missionary journeys — a staggering amount, equivalent to around £100,000 in today’s money. As against this, Edwin Yanauchi quotes a fare for a family sailing from Alexandria to Athens of only two drachmas (= 2 denarii, or about £200 in today’s money). We may not be comparing like with like — perhaps steerage with luxury cabin class. It is more than likely that Paul travelled steerage. This may be the point at which to say something about money more generally. Paul lived by faith — no one more so — but he was quite relaxed about accepting support: indeed, he enunciated the principle that those who preach the Gospel are entitled to live by the Gospel. We do not know in detail how his travel and living expenses were met: it is unthinkable, however, that the churches which sent him out would not give him a handsome sendoff. But money in these times meant silver — there were no such things as cheques or bankers’ drafts. And on at least one expedition he was charged with the responsibility of conveying large amounts from the daughter churches to Jerusalem. He would not wish to carry any more cash than was necessary. Hence the need for regular support from the daughter churches — even though, as Paul himself said, he was content to be in want or abundance as the Lord ordained. Of course, there is more to be said on this subject, especially in view of Paul’s resort to tent-making in Corinth, and his strong statement to the Corinthians that he was determined to make no demand on them — but these are matters for more specific study.

THE STOPS Paul did not travel for the sake of travel. He always had a destination, and that was typically a town or city where he could preach the gospel — usually one that the gospel had not yet reached. What is striking about these stays is how varied they were in length, sometimes a few days, sometimes a year or more. What determined their duration was the guidance of the Spirit, whether given by a direct vision or by circumstances, e.g. opposition from the synagogue or from secular interests. The pattern curiously resembles the progress of the Ark of the Covenant through the Sinai desert. The end-product in each case was a local church — itself a source of outreach to the surrounding area. Even when a congregation had been established and a local “management” appointed, Paul accepted a responsibility for its future. That might be by revisiting it, or by delegating an assistant to do so, or by pastoral letter — in all cases backed by fervent prayer.

THE STRATEGY It is probably a mistake to attribute strategic aims to Paul’s missionary activity. From the start, he knew himself to be a “one-off”, distinguished less by achievement than by faithfulness and a capacity for suffering. His only stated goals were to discharge a debt to Jew and Gentile, to finish his course with joy, and not to build on another’s foundation. He had a desire to go to Spain which was never realised, and he knew that he had to see Rome, although this happened in a way that he could not have expected. Paul’s driving ambition was to communicate the gospel, and he left it to the Spirit to determine how that was to be done – whether by preaching, or by example, or by patient endurance. •

THE HAZARDS The classic text on the hazards of Paul’s journeys is II Corinthians 11:25-27. He mentions, among other things, three shipwrecks, a day and a night on the open sea, dangers from rivers, from bandits, hunger, thirst, cold and exposure. These were perils to which all travellers were to some extent subject, but all the more Paul, in view of his mission and the intensity of his vision. The effect on his personal health was bound to be profound. His walking ability must have remained, but it is likely that he suffered from a chronic eye condition, doubtless exacerbated by the cold, wind and dust — and sometimes heat — encountered on

2022

Donald Mackay is a member of Knox Free Church, Perth

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By faith (Abraham) made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God… All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own… (Moses) chose to be ill-treated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward… Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. (Hebrews 11,:9-10; 11:13-14; 11:25-26; 13: 12-14)

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? Over these last six months, we have been looking to Jesus, and this has involved particularly looking back or up – back to what he did for us and as our example, and up to where he is and what he is doing now. But as we finish this series, I invite you to reflect with me on this question: what are you looking forward to? Whether we’ve thought about much or not, we all have our hopes pinned on something, and so much of our disorientation, disappointment or perseverance come from there. The church we’ve been alongside, as we’ve listened in to their letter, were tempted to forget what they were hoping for and looking forward to. So, our writer reminds them, and us of what we’re looking forward to. And what is that? It’s a city. ‘Hang on’, you may be thinking. ‘A city?’ Those of us who live in small towns and villages might not count it our life’s goal to settle permanently in a city, and many of us who do live in cities have already mapped out our countryside setting for raising our kids, rural retirement or simply a quiet place to work from home. Even those who are fond of urban life might feel some dismay at the thought of spending our whole life in that environment. We can understand why, can’t we? After all, we often associate crime, squalor, busyness, materialism and inequality with even the greatest cities of the world. Who’d look forward to those things when we could aim for a simpler life, centred on what really matters? But look at the city from the writer’s perspective and it all makes a bit more sense. In the Old Testament story, people were looking for a place to settle securely and belong to a community, just as we do today. That meant building something with walls and enough space inside for everyone to live together. All this was an attempt to achieve what God was always going to provide those who trusted him. We meet Abraham in the story as God calls him away from the city of Ur to a new land where he can settle safely, live with his expanding family and live with God. But he spends his days in tents – hardly a picture of security and permanence! Life is not ideal for Abraham and so he holds on to hope, ‘looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.’ Moses, too, has to leave a city and all the misplaced security and attraction it offered, to walk with God. He too spends years in temporary accommodation, but looking forward in hope to his reward, God’s promised city. What an inspiration for the Hebrew church, cut adrift from their Jewish community, feeling like they too are wandering, staying in nothing safer or more permanent than tents. They could remember their ancestors in the faith, but they could also, as we have been doing these past months, look to Jesus who also ventured outside a city in faithfulness to God. Jerusalem itself had become Ur and Egypt and all the cities where people sought peace and prosperity without God’s presence, and Jesus departs, ‘bearing the disgrace he bore,’ so that he might win for us the lasting place of rest and relationship with God that Abraham and Moses had hoped for. What an encouragement not to set our hopes on what is around us now – whether possessions or the pressure to conform and dial down our faith – but to remember ‘we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.’ A place you and I will call home with God. So, whether you live in a city or are visiting one soon, use it as a reminder of what you’re looking forward to: not a fallible city of our own making, but God’s city, somewhere we can be secure and near to him for ever. • Rev Sean Ankers is minister of Loch Ness Free Church (Glenurquhart & Fort Augustus)

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REFLECTIONS REFLECTIO Photo by Jan Senderek on Unsplash

BY REV. SEAN ANKERS

2022

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FOOD FOR FELLOWSHIP Tell us about yourself Hello! My name is Abby Morrison and I’m just about to go into my final year of an Accountancy with Spanish degree at the University of Glasgow. Being from Glasgow, I’ve always been a proud Glaswegian but I’ve particularly enjoyed getting to know the city well as a student. I’m a member of Dowanvale, a Free Church congregation in the Partick area of Glasgow. What’s your favourite recipe and why? This summer I am volunteering at Annie Soper School – a Christian school in Moyobamba, Peru that has longstanding connections with the Free Church. I’m really enjoying living in Peru and one of my favourite things about it is all the great food! Arroz Chaufa de Pollo is one of my favourite Peruvian dishes and is inspired by my lovely host, Martha MacPherson. Martha and her husband David have welcomed me into their home with open arms and I’m so grateful for their hospitality. How does food play into both fellowship and outreach in your church/student life? When considering the role that food plays in fellowship and outreach, I’m always really fascinated by the role that it played in Jesus’ ministry here on Earth. Following Jesus’ example, and that of the early church, food features heavily in the fellowship that I enjoy at Dowanvale. I have spent many Sunday afternoons gathered around a meal with my church family. As a young person in my early 20s, I have really appreciated hearing from older Christians in these contexts and learning from their wisdom. I have also loved getting to know other students in the church around a meal. Sharing food with Christians my own age, both in church contexts and more informally, has been instrumental in building relationships and growing together. In the midst of the abundance that we enjoy, we are often reminded of the reality of poverty that exists for so many in our city. As such, Dowanvale runs a food bank throughout the week for people in the local community. Truly caring for the physical needs of some of our neighbours has given us the opportunity to show the love of Jesus to them and connect with some of our foodbank users on a deeper level. Throughout my time at university, I have been involved with the Christian Union (CU). CUs exist for the purpose of evangelism on university campuses and food plays a massive part in our strategy. Being able to show hospitality to our fellow students, while telling them about Jesus is our great privilege as a CU and we pray that God would use this to glorify Himself at our university.

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What kind of things has being in fellowship taught you about the Lord and living as a Christian? Witnessing others on fire for Jesus has hugely encouraged me to bear witness for Christ in my life. Through other Christians, I have seen what it is to persevere through life, and ultimately unto death, as a child of grace. Experiencing the love, forgiveness and generosity of other Christians has given me a taste of the character of God. I have particularly appreciated enjoying fellowship with other Christians post-covid. Being able to join together again, as people of the Risen King, has been a joy. Enjoying fellowship with Christians in Peru has been particularly special. Though we have many differences, I have been welcomed as a sister in Christ. The love of these Peruvian Christians has been a beautiful reminder of the impartiality of the universal God that we serve. What is your connection to the WfM? In the summer of 2019, I spent 2 months in Peru and a month in Tanzania. The WfM very generously gave me a grant from the Support a Volunteer fund to go towards these trips. Though not without their challenges, I really loved both of those experiences and I learnt so much from them. While I volunteered with Colegio San Andrés in 2019, I came back to Peru in association with Operación San Andrés which was one of the WfM’s projects in 2020/21. I had the privilege of speaking at the recent WfM Annual Meeting in May about the time I spent overseas in 2019. I really enjoyed hearing from other speakers about the work that the WfM has been involved with over the past year and will be involved with in the coming year. I also met many other women, who had connections with Peru, at that meeting and I’ve really appreciated their advice and prayers over the past few weeks. •

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•••••• ••••••••• Ingredients: • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1⁄2 inch cubes • 2-3 teaspoons ginger (grated) and black pepper (to taste) • 6 tablespoons soy sauce, divided • 8 eggs • 1⁄4 teaspoon salt • 2 tablespoons butter, divided • 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil • 6 cups cooked rice, cold (best made a day ahead with a little extra oil and refrigerated) • 5 spring onions, thinly sliced Instructions: • Stir together chicken, ginger, black pepper, and 4 tbsp. soy sauce in a medium size bowl. Cover, refrigerate, and let marinate at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. • Meanwhile, prepare omelettes by beating the eggs and salt in a large bowl until frothy. Heat 1 tbsp. of butter in an omelette pan over medium-high heat until it starts to lightly brown. Pour in half the eggs and allow to cook until beginning to set. Tilt the pan and lift the edges to allow un-cooked eggs to run underneath. When the omelette is golden brown on the bottom, quickly flip. Continue cooking until light and fluffy. Remove from the pan, and repeat the process. Dice into bite-sized pieces and set aside. • Place a large wok over high heat and add 1 tbsp. oil until just smoking. Using a slotted spoon, add half the chicken throughout the wok, and sear for a minute on each side. Stir, cover, and cook 2-3 minutes more or until no longer pink. Remove the chicken from the wok and keep warm. Repeat with remaining chicken, reserving excess marinade, and leaving the second batch in the wok. • Add 1 Tbsp. oil to wok, if needed, and add cooked chicken and rice. Stir well to mix. Add 1-2 tbsp. soy sauce, omelette, spring onions, and reserved marinade, and stir well. Cover and cook 2-3 minutes or until very hot. • Serve and enjoy!

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WfM ANNUAL MEETING & OTHER NEWS BY FIONA MACASKILL

short term or community work. Kathleen MacSween of Sparkle Sisters, a relatively new charity based in St Columba’s, Edinburgh, spoke about its vision and work in the city, reaching out to vulnerable women with love and compassion. Abby Morrison, who had received a SAV grant to visit Tanzania under the auspices of Tearfund during the summer of 2019, shared with us how at very short notice that arrangement fell through. However, with the help of Catriona MacDonald, Abby found herself heading to Colegio San Andres, Peru, an experience she found so rewarding that she is returning there this summer for 3 months. On her return to Scotland, the trip to Tanzania had been resuscitated and she was soon travelling to another continent. This trip brought with it many challenges but through it all she was aware of God’s protection not least through the prayers of family and friends back home. Our final guest speaker was Maria Cockburn of World on our Doorstep who works with ethnic groups in Govanhill, Glasgow. She spoke of the very real challenges there are working in a relatively small area where over 80 languages are spoken! Maria’s love for the people in that locality was evident and she encouraged us to continue praying for her and her fellow workers as they endeavour to share the love of Jesus across the cultural divide.

s the summer months give way to autumn we are looking back to our agm which we held in person in may for the first time since 2019.

It was lovely to see people meeting together to hear about the outgoing project and to launch our new one. Janet Murchison, the chairperson of the WFM has written a report for us about the day: On the afternoon of Saturday, 21 May 2022, the Women for Mission (WfM) Committee welcomed over 60 participants to its first in-person Annual Meeting since 2019. This took place in Knox Free Church, Perth. The meeting was also livestreamed and it was encouraging to see that a good number joined online. It was a real joy to be meeting once again and to have the opportunity to give thanks to God for his goodness to us as we continued the work of WfM through a pandemic. It was a clear reminder to us of his faithfulness to his people at all times and in all circumstances. After opening the meeting with a time of worship and with the singing ably led by Catherine Joan MacDonald, reports were received from Holly Smith, Treasurer, and Sarah Lytle, Secretary. We then had the opportunity to hear from 3 speakers who had been or would be supported by WfM either through the Projects or by one of the funds for

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As the 2021/22 Project drew to a close, Catherine Joan launched the new Project, Refuge and Strength. This will raise funds for MISIUR in Peru, Sparkle Sisters (Edinburgh) and Bethany Christian Trust (specifically North East Scotland). Fiona Macaskill took to the podium and enthusiastically announced that plans are afoot to relaunch the Favourite Recipes Cookbooks. Having raised thousands of pounds since the 1990s for disaster and relief, and with very few copies available for sale due to a fire at the printers where the books were stored, it is hoped that a new edition combining the two books will be ready for sale later in the year. Before closing the meeting with prayer, the Chairperson announced that the Women’s Conference would be held on Saturday, 17th September 2022, in Inverness. For further information about the new Project and the Conference please visit the WfM website at womenformission.org. There is also a link available to view the Annual Meeting in full. After the meeting we enjoyed refreshments and a time of fellowship.

PROJECT DONATIONS Since the AGM the date for donations to last year’s project has passed and it is amazing to be able to announce that the total raised was just under £50,000. What an incredible amount and we are so thankful to each of you who have participated in raising these funds but especially to our good God. The funds will be distributed equally to Safe Families (Scotland), Lakhnadon Christian Hospital (India) and Community House Damaris (Greece).

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 2022 We also look forward to our Conference on the theme of ‘Hope: An Anchor for the Soul’ which will take place on the Saturday 17th September in Inverness (10am–3.30pm). Online booking is now available. Please go to our website womenformission.org for further details. We are thrilled that Helen Thorne has agreed to be our guest speaker this year. Helen is Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She formerly worked with the London City Mission and has written Hope in an Anxious World, Purity is Possible, Walking with Domestic Abuse Suffers and 5 Things to Pray for Your City. She attends Dundonald Church in Raynes Park, London. We look forward to welcoming her to our Conference and would encourage you to sign up to what promises to be a great day out. Bring your pennies for the craft stalls and also to pre-order copies of the much-anticipated Cookbook. We look forward to welcoming you all there. •

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BOOK REVIEWS Our books this month offer sobering truths and delightful joys about our Saviour, our church and our lives on earth. Read and enjoy! THE RHYMING BIBLE BOB HARTMAN (SPCK: 2019) There are many children’s Bibles out there, from first collections of Bible stories to Catherine Vos’s remarkable work. ‘The Rhyming Bible’ is an excellent addition to the collection of any young family; the engaging rhymes bring a new perspective to familiar Bible stories without diminishing any of the gospel truth. The Old Testament stories showcase the real breadth of God’s kingdom plan, from ‘It’s all good!' (Creation) to ‘If I die, I die’ (unusually, Esther). However, it is in the New Testament chapters where this collection really shines. The stories chosen will be familiar to parents, but are thoughtfully presented to show children quite how beloved they are by Jesus. In Rumbling Tummies (feeding the 5000) and Waiting in Line (Jesus and the children), kids will delightfully recognise themselves, whereas the last stories about Jesus’ death, resurrection and the coming of the Spirit really evoke the astonishment and physicality of these events. Plus, look out for the added bonus of a familiar song rhythm in one particular rhyming parable! Bob Hartman is no stranger to excellence in Christian books for children, and it’s wonderful to see his skill and faithfulness outworked again here. Primary age children will love to read these stories again and again, either with or without a parent. Our son regularly asks for these stories as his bedtime stories, alongside his Bible – that's just how much fun they are! • This book is available from eden.co.uk. Miriam Montgomery, Free Church Books

BOOK OF THE MONTH PASTORS AND THEIR CRITICS JOEL BEEKE & BRIAN HEDGES (LIGONIER: 2020) ‘He who stands at the front will soon be kicked in the rear’ is a Dutch phrase quoted in the introduction of this book. Anyone in secular leadership knows this; everyone in spiritual leadership knows this. While I read it through the lens of ministry, the lessons contained in this book have a wider application for how we handle criticism because humility, realism, grace and sober judgement are needed in all walks of life. Within the context of ministry there is real, practical wisdom throughout this book in how criticism of our competence, conduct and even our character can be received, filtered and used by God to hone us into those who increasingly reflect our Saviour. How helpful then for the book to begin by noting how the ‘first person ever criticised was the only One who has nothing in him worthy of criticism’. In contrast, we have much within us worthy of criticism. When unhelpful, inaccurate and hurtful critique come our way we need the self-awareness to recognise at least some truth in it. This book can be skim read but is likely to have far more impact to read slowly and allow the Lord to search our hearts, reactions, and motives through it. • This book is available from www.amazon.co.uk Alasdair M. Macleod, Smithton Free Church

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LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION: HOW A MONK DISCOVERED THE GOSPEL R.C. SPROUL (LIGONIER: 2022) In his usual style of being able to take complex truths and present them in an easily understandable and readable way, R. C. Sproul has written, ‘Luther and the Reformation: How a Monk Discovered the Gospel’. It is a very short book but covers quite a lot of ground in its 113 pages. The first part of the book is a summary of the life of Martin Luther. Sproul focuses on the main events of Luther’s life: what led him to becoming a monk, pinning his famous 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church, Wittenberg, rediscovering the Gospel, and defending his writings before the Diet of Worms. The second part of the book is a contrast between the Roman Catholic and Protestant views of justification. Sproul grapples with the same issues that Martin Luther did over 500 years ago and demonstrates very clearly that the issues are still vitally important today. The question of how one is justified before God was at the heart of the Protestant Reformation and since it is a salvation question, it is always worthy of consideration in any age and time. Martin Luther stated that justification was the doctrine on which the Church stood or fell. Sproul would agree. R. C. Sproul, through the life of Martin Luther, challenges all readers to examine where they stand in relation to God and defends the truth that justification is by faith in Christ alone. This book would be suitable for Christians at any stage in their walk with the Lord. Highly recommended. • This book is available from Mound Books, Edinburgh Allan Shearer, Dunblane Free Church

IMMEASURABLY MORE LIZ PARKER (10PUBLISHING: 2021) This enjoyable book is a vivid and honest account of a MAF missionary family’s everyday life in Africa. It was extremely interesting to learn more about how MAF operates globally and to glimpse behind the scenes of various MAF team compounds. The author is a very good storyteller, who draws on her copious journal notes to give us an extremely detailed, comprehensive picture of her family’s life. Something that struck me afresh was that, in order for MAF pilots to carry out their amazing work, it is the wives and children who often sacrifice most. I also appreciated that the author is not ashamed or afraid to share her “unChristian” thoughts and feelings with the reader, even when she feels they do not reflect well on her. This “no-holds barred” approach shows missionaries as being “ordinary” Christians like us, so we can empathise readily with her, and consequently rejoice in God’s miraculous provision for the family, time and again in the ordinary events of life. The frightening account of the unrest in South Sudan and the subsequent escape from Juba was the part I enjoyed most and, were this book to be made into a film, this would certainly be the exciting climax. From beginning to end, God is the central focus and it is immensely encouraging to witness him doing ‘immeasurably more’ than the author’s wildest dreams. Read it and be inspired! • This book is available from 10ofthose.com. Judith Lewis, Bedyddwyr Cymraeg Tabernacl (Tabernacle Welsh Baptist), Llwynhendy

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REV NEIL MACDONALD (1932-2022) BY REV ALASDAIR MACAULAY

eil macdonald was born in greshornish , skye ,

From a lineage of stonemasons, Neil initiated the construction of new buildings in both his charges. His technical skills were often put to good use around the home, particularly since his retirement. He built and restored furniture, repaired boats and engines and would try his hand at almost any DIY task. He had an array of tools but his system for storing them was to lay them down in the garage on the spot where he last used them. With drills, sanders, hammers, fishing rods, mowers, wheelbarrows all on the garage floor, it was quite tricky to find anything again! Over the last few years, Neil had many health issues, but he was upheld throughout by the Lord and was lovingly cared for by his wife Cathie, until he passed away peacefully into glory on Sunday 3rd July 2022. We commend the family to the prayers of the church. •

in 1932, the youngest of a family of five .

He attended Edinbane Primary, and Dunvegan Junior Secondary school. His intention was to leave school at 14 and follow two of his brothers into a trade. However, his parents sent him on to Portree High School and then Edinburgh University. From a Gaelic-speaking household, he earned prizes in Gaelic at both school and university. He was later to be Gaelic editor of the church magazine, The Record, for 16 years. Neil became a Christian at an early age and while at university he felt called to the ministry but tried to side-step this by training to be a teacher at Moray House. When he realised that the call to ministry was inescapable, he reluctantly responded, and applied to the Free Church College, Edinburgh. After completing his studies there, he was called to the congregation of Ardelve in Lochalsh, in 1959, and then to Fearn in 1970, where he ministered for 27 years. It was during his time in Ardelve that he married Cathie Mason whom he met whilst a student in Edinburgh. They were married for almost 60 years and were blessed with 3 of a family: Mary, Rona and Niall Iain, and 4 grandchildren: Corrie, Finlay, Hannah and Catriona. The family home was a happy, hospitable place where family worship was held every day. Neil enjoyed spending time with family and was delighted to be able to watch the grandchildren growing up; taking pleasure in the fact that they all learnt Gaelic. He was a great storyteller, recounting memorable stories of Greshornish, and life on the croft. He always had a good rapport with children, regularly visiting local schools to teach Bible stories and being involved in the Youth Fellowship and Church Youth Club over many years. Neil was a wise and faithful pastor with a friendly and welcoming manner. He knew his people well and was highly respected by both young and old in the communities he served. He was a man of prayer and brought everything to God. He rated integrity highly, and did not tolerate double standards in his own life. Of a humble disposition, Neil would never seek positions of leadership. However, his diplomacy and ability to handle difficult situations in a wise and fair manner were recognised by others, and he served as convenor of various church committees, and as Presbytery and Synod clerk, for several years. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1996. Neil preached in both English and Gaelic and was often invited to preach at communion weekends in the islands as well as on the mainland.

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‘For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.’ 1 Corinthians 4:5.

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ALEXANDER JOHN MACAULAY (1930-2022) BY CALUM MACDONALD

lec john was born in breasclete, lewis in 1930, the youngest of six children.

He married Seonag in 1966 and they had three of a family: Christine, Alasdair and Ken, and five grandchildren: Luke, Emma, Kate, Daniel and Anna. Alec’s working life was very varied. He had a few spells as a Harris tweed weaver, but being someone who thrived on the company of others, that work never really suited him. He worked for several different firms on civil engineering projects across the island and he spent several years in Arnish Fabrication Yard in its hey-day during the late 1970s. It was after this that he took on the milk delivery round from Barvas to Shawbost. His years in the job coincided with a time of revival in the congregation of Shawbost, under the ministry of the late Calum Matheson. During that period, Alec’s milk round might take two or three hours longer than normal as he would be getting the news about the latest converts and the sermons they were enjoying. Such was the attraction of that period that Alec would often go to Shawbost for their midweek meeting on a Wednesday night as well as attending his own in Callanish on a Thursday night. Alec’s own conversion happened in 1968 during a time of great blessing in the Callanish congregation. On the Saturday that he first attended the prayer meeting, he was one of four new converts who were there that night. Two nights earlier, Alec’s wife Seonag had also been to the prayer meeting for the first time, and someone else the previous week. Others followed after that, and it was a time of much fellowship and blessing in the congregation. Many of those who came to faith during this period went on to become office-bearers in the congregation. Alec also used his musical gift to serve as a precentor in the congregation, as well as at communion services across the island. Alec was ordained a deacon in 1974 and became an elder in 1992, during the ministry of the Rev Neil Shaw. The first profession of faith that he witnessed as an elder that very year was his own son Alasdair, later to become the Rev Alasdair, of Tain and Fearn Free Church. As an elder, Alec was good at keeping in touch with the sick and the housebound, including those who did not have a connection with the church. In addition to the duties of elder, he served as church officer for 40 years, during which time he and Seonag ensured the church buildings were always kept in good order. Their home was always a welcoming home where people would often meet for fellowship.

Despite some health issues, Alec remained active for the best part of 90 years. After breaking his ankle during the first Covid lockdown, his mobility was impaired, and his health began to deteriorate. He was given an iPad for his 90th birthday and loved being able to watch online services while confined to the house, as well as being able to Facetime family members. Alec was admitted to hospital late last year and passed away peacefully on Thursday 24th February, following a stroke. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and the wider community. • ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.’ (Revelation 14:13)

QUOTATIONS: This grace of God is a very great, strong, mighty and active thing. It does not lie asleep in the soul. Grace hears, leads, drives, draws, changes, works all in man, and lets itself be distinctly felt and experienced. It is hidden, but its works are evident. Martin Luther

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MISSION MATTERS A monthly take on some of the mission work the Free Church is involved in by our Mission Director, DAVID MEREDITH

Jesus is utterly beautiful and good; his people can be less than that. Many of our readers can identify with deeply damaged and dysfunctional parents who bruised us. The picture of a mother (or father) who sucked all the energy, joy and oxygen from our spirits is an all-too common picture. Our mission is to tell a better story, to point to Jesus who re-energises and breathes oxygen into our suffocating soul. Where the air is toxic and the pool stagnant, the Spirit of Jesus is not present. Let us remember also that our bruising parent is also a damaged person and there are reasons for that. If we knew and understood the reasons perhaps we would understand more. The gospel is not about a decision brought about by a process of guilt manipulation and crass socialisation. It is the good news that the kingdom of God is here and that eternal life is a gift from God. At the centre of the gospel is the cross which speaks of sacrifice, love and grace. The payment was made by Jesus. Our identity is found in his unconditional love for us. Too much of our faith seems to be reduced to some cheap deal to save us from hell and propel us to heaven. That gospel is all about us; the gospel is all about Jesus. We dine at a feast with a King, we do not eat bread and water in a prison cell with a tyrant. The gospel is not a religious ‘Get out of jail free’ card. The call of Christ and the task of the Church is to ‘make disciples of all nations.’ In the two books we have pictures of failed discipleship. Why was space not given to answer difficult questions? Why were doubts not respectfully listened to? Discipleship involves getting beside people and walking with them in the steps of Jesus. The reviews suggest that the books are life affirming and joyous in their own way. I read them and was sad. •

y reading this month has included two books from the post - evangelical stable .

Both books are well written and a joy to read from the perspective of style and language. Please note that they also give ‘too much information’ in areas which really ought not to be spoken about. Modesty is still a virtue. The ultimate trajectory of the authors is different. One ended up in the traditional liberal camp espoused by Steve Chalke and Brian McLaren, the other in bitter atheism. Interestingly, both authors share at least three striking similarities. Both were profoundly affected by damaged mothers who in turn passed on that damage to their sons. This damage is compounded by, they allege, hyper-pietism and legalism. Whilst I am not an expert in psychology, these two men present great case studies for wannabe Freudian-inspired psychotherapists. In fact, the philosophy of Jung plays a central part in the authors’ self-discovery. The second commonality is a profound but common misunderstanding of the gospel. They come from different stables: Lanarkshire Brethrenism and Welsh Reformed Baptist. It is a reductionist view of the gospel which is all too common. The script is that you decide for Christ and then work your way up the ladder of written and unwritten regulations until you get there. Both admit to being pulled into a degree of group-speak when they refused to ask the big questions. The third issue which I noted was a lack of discipleship. The two men were baptised as young adults. Interestingly, they had the same experience of doubt surrounding their baptism and really did not want to go through with it. The two went through the waters, but reluctantly, because the social pressure was too much and the hassle in pulling out was a challenge too far. In terms of the mission of the church, what can we learn?

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POETRY PAGE FOR ONE WHO IS TIRED BY GRACE NOEL CROWELL

Dear heart, God does not say today, ‘Be strong’; He knows your strength is spent, He knows how long The road has been, how weary you have grown; For He walked the earthly roads alone, Each bogging lowland and each long, steep hill, He understands, and so He says, ‘Be still, And know that I am God.’ The hour is late, And you must rest awhile, and you must wait Until life’s empty reservoirs fill up, As slow rain fills an empty upturned cup. Hold up your cup, dear child, for God to fill. He only asks today that you be still.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Grace Noel Crowell (1877-1969) started writing poetry when she became ill following the birth of her first child. Her long convalescence led her to write verses of hope, patience, and inspiration. She said, ‘The thought kept coming to me, ‘I would like to write poetry that will help others who are suffering as I am.’’ Following her recovery she continued to write, becoming Poet Laureate for Texas from 1935-1938. Crowell published 36 books of verse, stories for children, and Christian devotionals. •

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PAGES FROM ADAM’S DIARY, PART 1: Christ Visits a Mountain Village A brother, known to some of us as Dr Adam, has served the Lord among his suffering church for many years. Dr Adam has also ministered in various parts of the world among refugees. We have asked his permission to print some of the stories of his life and service for the encouragement of readers of The Record. For well understood reasons, the names of people and places have usually been changed or omitted. This piece was first published in August 2020, during the pandemic. It is being re-printed as we want to ensure that Dr Adam’s stories reach as many people as possible.

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n the years i have been walking with our saviour and serving him across the fields of this earth, i have heard, seen, and had incredible encounters—

Duhok Region, Iraqi Kurdistan. Photo by Agreen Duhoki on Unsplash

stories of God’s goodness and faithfulness, and the power of the Holy Spirit’s magnificent work in the salvation and transformation of human beings delivered from darkness into light, snatched from death into life; stories of the marvellous work of our Lord Jesus Christ in the lives of his own, to lead, to intervene, to protect, to give strength and courage, to provide and to bring light, salvation and hope into the darkness and hopelessness of human hearts. The story I am about to tell you is one example among many, a graphic illustration of God’s supernatural intervention on behalf of his own—in this instance, one who did not know our Saviour, but she was known by God and belonged to him before the foundation of the world. However, in order to tell you this story, I need to begin with a prior incident which happened twelve years earlier at a remote mountainous village in the region of the Turkish/Iraq borders. Years ago, I was introduced to a couple who were from that village. They were working as janitors in a residential high-rise building in a large city. This couple had a nine-year-old son who had come to faith in Christ when he was seven. In the building where they worked as janitors, there lived a Christian couple who did not have any children. They befriended this boy. They would take him to their home and feed and entertain him. After a while, they introduced him to our Lord and he came to faith. As a result of his conversion, his mother came to the knowledge of Christ (and what a bulwark of faith she has become!). Then his father came to know the Lord. Not long after the child’s conversion, he developed an aggressive form of leukemia. I had discipled the couple who befriended the child. They asked me if I would be willing to visit this family. They felt it would encourage them. A few days later, I was taken to a small, single room in the corner of the parking lot in the basement of the building. They were desperately poor. We became friends—a friendship which has continued since then. Near the end of this child’s earthly life, I was on a ministry visit in that part of the world. In fact, the day I arrived, they were the first family I went to see. The child was gravely ill. I prayed for them and told them that I had just landed earlier that morning in the country and would come back the following day. That evening I was called to go to the hospital. The little boy had been taken to the Urgent Care Unit. Early the next morning, he died. The grief-stricken couple were taking his body back to their village about ten hours away. They asked me to go with them. I agreed but there was not enough room in the small van. I found two friends, one of whom had a car and reluctantly agreed to drive me to the village. Through a blizzard the next morning, we finally reached this isolated settlement. A crowd had gathered. Upon our arrival, a procession began toward the small, derelict ruin which was their cemetery a few hundred yards away. They buried the child. Afterward we headed toward the home of the grandfather, who was also the elder and the white-haired chief of this community. In the primitively poor sitting room were crammed together fifty or more people. The silence in the room was broken when the elderly tribal chief turned to me and, in his deep resonating voice, said; ‘I am told you are the man who converted my son and grandson to Christianity.’ The unexpectedness and brusqueness of his statement jolted me. I felt he was going to vent his sadness in anger on me, and I would be trampled to death by a mob. I replied, ‘No, sir! I did not. God converted them.’ He was staring at me, all the while rolling his massive mustache around the tip of his finger. After a long pause, he asked, ‘Would you explain to me the teaching of the prophet Jesus?’ One of the men, who had hesitantly come with me and had reiterated that this undertaking to an out-of-the-way region was too dangerous, and hence was not the will of God, was sitting next to me. He elbowed me and whispered, ‘Here, they cut your throat so fast you won’t know you have lost your head! Be careful what you say!’

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I began with our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, went to the Gospel of John as I explained who our Saviour is, why he came into our world and what he has accomplished in our place and on our behalf. I explained that the Messiah came to our world for our salvation to wash away and cleanse the fatal infection that has contaminated the hearts and minds of men beyond description. This heavenly person came to set us free from the bondage and addiction to sin, rescue us from a certain death, give us life, peace and hope, and ultimately, take us to be with him forever. His supreme commandment is love – love for God, and out of the overflow of that love, love for our fellow men (Matthew 22:36-40), even for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). In that word, ‘love’, there is encapsulated and fulfilled all the commandments of God through the ages (Matthew 5:17; Romans 13:8-10). When I stopped, the elderly chief was reflecting on what he had heard. He was no longer staring at me, but at the ceiling, with tears streaming from his eyes. After a long silence, he collected ‘Here, they cut your throat so fast you himself and asked, ‘How do I become a follower of this person? How do I won’t know you have lost your head! become a Christian?’ He turned to the others and said, ‘I have not heard Be careful what you say!’ anything like this! Have you heard this before? I have never heard anything so beautiful and profound.’ Then he turned to me again and said, ‘How do I become a follower of the Messiah?’ I replied, ‘Sir, if you believe in your heart all that I have said and make an open confession before this gathering, then you have entered into a covenant with Christ to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him.’ He stood up from the head of the room, came to where I was sitting, sat next to me and put one hand on my shoulder and held my forearm with his other hand, and said, ‘I believe!’ I asked him to bow his head and pray with me. As I began, ‘Our Father in heaven…,’ suddenly the entire room bowed their heads and began to repeat after me. I paused and said, ‘No. You cannot pray this unless you believe in your hearts. This means you will abandon your religious traditions and become a disciple of Christ.’ An elderly man and some of the others said, ‘We believe.’ Unsure what to say and what to make of all of this, I resumed my prayer and they continued to repeat after me. That morning, from what I could see, nearly everyone in that room made a profession of faith in our Lord. The funeral of a believing child had turned into a joyous occasion as we spent the day speaking about the Lord. The following morning, a large crowd had gathered in that same room. But these were not the folk I had seen the previous day! They were the second layer of the extended family and friends coming to express their condolences. This time, the father of the child spoke and said, ‘When my 17-year-old brother died in an accident, I grieved for three months. No one was able to comfort me. Yesterday I buried my son, my own flesh. But I am not grieving because God has given me hope of life and resurrection and a peace that passes human understanding.’ Pointing to me, he continued, ‘Here our guest, the doctor, can tell you how you can have this hope and this peace.’ We had a repeat of the events of the day before. Once again, after I finished talking, everyone in the room prayed. By now I was persuaded that something unusual was taking place. This happened for three days. Twelve years have passed since then. That elderly chief remarried at age 93, and three years ago, he was struck by a car and went to be with the Lord. God has given his son and daughter-in-law, who lost their only child, other children. I usually see them when I visit that part of the world. Now, with this in the background, I want to tell you the next story. Most of the folk who came to faith in the living room of that elderly chieftain are still in that far-off mountain village. I went to see them last year. In one of our meetings, there was a young woman. I was told she was from a Kurdish town in northwestern Iraq near the Syrian border. The villages and towns in that area were ransacked and brutalized by ISIS as they moved like gangrene to inaugurate their repugnant Caliphate—the pan-Islamist fundamentalist aspiration to unite the entire worldwide Islamic community under one flag, one political religious ruler, and under sharia law.

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Not long after the arrival of ISIS men into that village, one day five men broke into the home of this young woman and her family. They murdered her father and brother. Then they turned their attention on her. They cornered her in a room. Surrounded and trapped, she huddled on the floor burying her face between her knees, preparing to be raped and killed, when suddenly the entire room was infused with blinding, intense light. She told us that she became aware of a person in the midst of the light, a very strong holy presence. When she lifted her head up to see who it was, the ISIS men looked terrified, falling backward over each other as they fled. By that afternoon, there were no ISIS terrorists in the village. Once her family was buried, she collected a few of her personal belongings and came out to go to the home of a relative in a nearby village. An American army jeep pulled up next to her on the dirt road. The driver was a Europeanlooking military officer, a thin, tall man with white hair. He spoke flawless Kurdish and offered to take her to her destination. The officer did not say much except to give her some water and food. She recalled that she fell asleep. A few minutes later when she woke up, she was in a mountainous region she did not recognize. Soon they arrived in a village, which was also completely unfamiliar to her. The officer dropped her off in front of a house and said to her, ‘The people in this house are my friends. They will help you.’ And then, just as he had appeared out of nowhere, he drove away and disappeared. She knocked on the door and a lady opened it. She greeted the woman, also Kurdish, and told her that an American soldier had driven As I began, ‘Our Father in heaven…,’ her to their home and had told suddenly the entire room bowed their her that they were his friends. She was invited in and, upon further heads and began to repeat after me. inquiry, she discovered she was in a Kurdish community hundreds of miles from her home. The family did not know any European soldiers. How could she have travelled the distance of several hundred miles in a few minutes? She had left her town shortly before noon, and now it was only a few minutes past noon. And there was no foreign military presence anywhere within hundreds of miles of that area. The family dismissed this account and attributed it to the trauma she had suffered. But they were still uncertain how she had travelled hundreds of miles and crossed international borders. Nevertheless, they took her in, were kind to her and cared for her. Before long, the young lady discovered she was in a Christian home. After a while, the family realised that what she had seen and experienced was none other than the hand of God bringing her to their doorstep. They introduced the young woman to Christ and discipled her. In that dilapidated, poor house meets a thriving church. Most of these were the men and women who came to faith in the living room of that chief elder on the day of the funeral of his grandchild. A young man in that fellowship expressed interest in her, and she was married and now lives there. She and her husband came to our meetings while I was there. We pondered who came into the room when she faced the ISIS gangsters, who might have been that solider, how was she transported hundreds of miles in a few minutes. We also marvelled how God plans out events in the lives of all believers. Every Christian, regardless of the simplicity or the dramatic manner in which he or she is brought to Christ, is a book written by the hand of God. Paul tells us that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Twelve years earlier, when that family came to faith during the funeral of that child, who could have imagined this course of events? There are still many questions in my mind, the answer to which we will not know until we are with our Saviour. For now, we have the comfort and the assurance that, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour…Fear not, for I am with you’ (Isaiah 43:2-3, 5) •.

2022

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AUG-SEP 2022 PRAYER DIARY ‘Prayer is beyond any question the highest activity of the human soul. Man is at his greatest and highest when upon his knees he comes face to face with God.’ Martyn Lloyd-Jones Let us pray this month for God’s church. Please send any prayer requests to Mrs Shona McGuire at seonaid1954@hotmail.co.uk Thu 11th – Sun 14th In Carl Trueman’s book The Wages of Spin he seeks to prioritise the sermon as the heart of worship. He states, ‘It is better to have the gospel preached competently by an unrepentant adulterer than have it preached incompetently by one who has been born again because it is the word that is efficacious not the heart of the preacher.’ Pray for ministers and pastors worldwide to have the courage to preach biblical truths. Mon 15th – Wed 17th Give thanks to the Lord for the church plants that are taking place in communities across Scotland. Pray for the vision for 30 new churches by 2030 and the vision for a healthy gospel church for every community in that God will make the paths straight and preparations will run smoothly. Thu 18st – Sun 21st Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, ’What a mistake to think that it is the task of theology to unravel God’s mystery to bring it down to the flat ordinary human wisdom of experience and reason. It is the task of theology solely to preserve God’s wonder as wonder, to understand, to defend, to glorify God’s mystery as mystery.’ Pray for numinous awe as we search the scriptures for true enlightenment and give thanks when we feel blessed by a church service. Mon 22nd – Wed 24th Pray for different denominations. We move to a new town or city and shop around for a church that falls in line with what we believe. We look at the people that attend. Perhaps we don’t want to travel far or perhaps we have no means of transport. We make judgments. Pray for discernment when moving to a new church or denomination that we would ask the right questions and find a new spiritual home regardless of denomination. Thu 25th– Sun 28th Are we just going through the motions or are we fired up by our faith? It was suggested to us recently that we should have the fervour of football fans. How do they keep their enthusiasm going? They meet together, talk about football all the time, watch it on television

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and absolutely never miss a game. They also wear strips that proudly show who they follow! Now I am not advocating the wearing of uniforms but are we keeping our faith a secret? Pray that we would take pride in our church community and speak out confidently about what we believe. Mon 29th – Wed 31st When is it right to leave a church? The Church of Scotland has just voted 274 to 136 in favour of gay marriage in church. Ministers have been permitted for now the right to refuse. What should people do? Pray for Church leaders and assemblies at this difficult time. Scotland needs its church. Pray for congregations which may be torn apart. Thu 1st – Sun 4th Although nowadays the Reformation is seen historically as a good thing, it split the church. Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic priest who just wanted reform from within but sadly it did not happen, and the result was perhaps necessary but at the same time caused devastation in Europe and resulted in many wars. We think we have it all figured out, but we cannot see the world from God’s perspective. Pray for humility and respect for others. Mon 5th – Wed 7th God is refining his church. Scotland used to be considered a Christian country sending out missionaries to all parts of the world. Sadly, now the world is sending missionaries over here. What happened? We happened. We let our standards slide and our church attendance drop. Dear Lord, help us as a people to come back to church. Thu 8th – Sun 11th In preparation for this month’s theme, I read a book about The History of the Church which was a turgid read until the last page where it said ‘Ultimately, however the future of the church depends not on men but on God.’ It is His Church, and He has promised in the scripture that He will never forsake it. Pray for the Church. •

AUGUST

Deagh chomhairle (Good Advice) LE JANET NICPHÀIL

ha sinn a' toirt taing don urramach donnchadh

a bhiodh feumail do mhinistear a' tòiseachadh san obairsa, thuirt e gur e irioslachd a bha air leth cudromach; gun a bhith a' smaoineachadh gu bheil thu os cionn chàich, mar a tha litir Pheadair ag earalachadh, 'Beathaichibh treud Dhè a tha nur measg, a' gabhail cùraim dheth, chan ann mar thighearnan os cionn chàich, ach mar dhream a tha nan eisimpleirean don treud.' Nuair a tha ministear pòsta agus teaghlach a' fàs suas, thuirt e gu robh e cudromach a bhith a' sealltainn an-dèidh do theaghlaich fhèin an toiseach, agus bidh cothroman anns an t-suidheachadh sin, oir bidh càirdean aig a' chloinn.

macleòid a tha a-nis air uallach coithionail a

leigeil dheth. Is e seo mar a fhreagair e ceistean, a tha sinn an dòchas a bheir cuideachadh do mhinistearan òga, agus seo a' tighinn a-mach à fèin- fhiosrachadh.

Thogadh e ann an Càrlabhagh agus b'e Crìosdaidhean a bha na phàrantan. Thàinig e gu bhith na Chrìosdaidh ann an Inbhir-nis, an-dèidh searmoin bhon Urramach Dòmhnall Dòmhnallach nach maireann. B'e a cheannteagaisg,' Cò ise a chithear mar a' mhadainn, sgiamhach mar a' ghealach, glan mar a' ghrian, uabhasach mar shluagh lem brataichean?' Dàn Sholaimh 6:10. Rinn an teachdaire dealbh air staid an anam gun Chriosd, agus thuig am balach òg à Càrlabhagh gu robh e beò dha fhèin, agus chaidh e ann an dorchadas, ach ann an ùine ghoirid le cuideachadh bho chàirdean, thuig e brìgh nam facal a leugh e ann am Bìoball a chuir a mhàthair na mhàileid nuair a bha e a'fàgail na dachaigh. 'Earb às an Tighearna led uile chridhe; agus rid thuigse fhèin na biodh do thaic.'

Chomhairlich e cuideachd dhaibhsan a' tòiseachadh anns an obair-sa, a bhith a' strìth airson nithean mòra a dhèanamh dhan Chruthaidhear, agus a bhith a' dùileachadh nithean mòra bhuaithe. Bha e air leth feumail an-dèidh àm nuair nach eil teachdaire a' faicinn mòran toraidh a mhisnicheas e, a bhith a' cuimhneachadh Facal na Fìrinn, 'Rachadh mo mhisneach uil' air cùl mur creidinn maitheas Dhè.' Bheir seo togail do neach, agus bheir e air gun a bhith a' call earbsa.

Chaidh e a dh' Obar Dheathain far na choinnich e ri Crìosdaidhean òga. Chaidh e air adhart anns a' bhaile mhòr sin. Cheumnaich e agus rinn e trèanadh gu bhith a' teagaisg. Chaidh e a dh' Uibhist a theagasg, agus sin far na thòisich e a'searmonachadh, eadar Barraigh agus Beàrnaraigh. Airson trì bliadhna bha e a' searmonachadh an sin. Mar mhinistear, bha coithionail aige ann am Bun Ilidh, ann am Peairt agus ann an Dòrnoch.

B'e comhairle eile a bheireadh air ministearan òga, a bhith a' dèanamh feum den h-uile meadhan a th'air a thoirt dhuinn an-diugh. Abair facail fheumail a th'air a thighinn à fèinfhiosrachadh. •

B'e a' chomhairle a bheireadh e do mhinistear a' tòiseachadh san dreuchd-sin, a bhith a' sealltainn andèidh an anama fhèin, a' cuimhneachadh nam facal ann an Gnìomharan nan Abstol, 'ach buanaichidh sinne a-ghnàth ann an ùrnaigh, agus ann am ministrealachd an fhacail.' Nuair a bhios mòran shuidhichidhean f'a chomhair teachdaire, a bhith a' cuimhneachadh facail a gheibh sinn ann an Dàn Sholaimh, 'Rinn iad coimheadaiche nam fionlios dhiom: am fìonlios a bu leam fhèin, cha do choimhead mi.' Thuirt e cuideachd a bhith a' cuimhneachadh gu bheil e mar dhleastanas air teachdaire a bhith a' sealltainn andèidh a h-uile duine, agus cuideachd, mhol e a bhith a' briseadh sìos mìneachadh an Fhacail, oir nach robh daoine cho eòlach nar latha-ne air brìgh na Fìrinn. A' freagairt ceist a' faighneachd dè na feartan pearsanta

2022

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BY CATRIONA MURRAY

POST TENEBRAS LUX

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

oth of my parents grew up without siblings.

being ignorant of his existence up until three years ago. And I am sure that William Mackenzie’s dying thought was for his home in Lewis, and the family he and his late wife had shared. Distance does not really mar familial bonds. It can, in some cases, strengthen them. Genealogies are still known and recorded in these islands and a mere fact like emigration or even death does not see your name struck from the record. You occupy your rightful place, albeit removed by providence to a different physical location. Thus, individuals and even whole generations are bound together regardless of fate. Names resurface in tribute to loved ones gone before, so that they never quite die. It’s often thought that islanders are irrevocably tied to this place, but that is not really what binds us. In fact, we are joined by blood to others of our line. Place just appears to be what we have in common. In the same way that Lewis has mistakenly been called ‘the last stronghold of the pure Gospel’, we ought always to remember that life comes not through a place, but a person. Christ is the stronghold, and the embodiment of love. As a church, we belong to him, we find our rest in him, and it is through him — and only him — that we have life. Even in the Free Church’s relentlessly Spartan buildings, we do veer into that danger of thinking the ‘place’ of worship matters. While it’s undoubtedly a blessing to have clean, warm and safe spaces to gather, I sometimes wonder whether the wilderness doesn’t have a lot going for it. It’s dangerously easy not to submit to God when you know that everything is laid on; it’s dangerously easy for form and formality to come between us and that heartfelt seeking after Christ. In July every year, Kenneth Street FC invites HebCelt Festival-goers in for a free breakfast. We serve them and we eat with them, hearing their stories and answering their questions. Sometimes they stay and worship with us, and sometimes friendships have been forged. When we ditch our Sunday best and roll up our sleeves as church family together, when we invite the world in, then I think we get a little closer to remembering that people are the heartbeat of Christ’s church, whichever branch of it we belong to. •

I have often pitied them — my mother, especially, when she lost her father and, a few years later, mother. There was no one else to share her particular grief, or even her particular memories of childhood. As the youngest of four myself, I have often had cause to be grateful for siblings and the peculiar solidarity we share. My father, I discovered fairly recently, had fourteen half-brothers and sisters. His mother was unmarried, and his father already engaged to someone else even as my granny harboured dreams of a marriage to legitimate her unborn child. My father knew nothing of the huge family to which he semi-belonged; I only found the courage to seek out the truth after his death. A solitary halfsister remains and when her daughter told her that she had had a secret half-brother all these years, there was only one question she wished to ask: did he have a happy life? I shed a tear at this. There is something in our familial connections, no matter how tenuous or unreal they may sometimes be, that comes back to concern for one another. She could have reacted with hostility, called me a liar, denied my father’s existence. Instead, she simply required the peace of knowing that he had not suffered the absence of her father. My maternal grandmother, motherless from her infancy, suffered the pain of her eldest and most beloved brother’s emigration. He came to take his leave of her in the school playground; they would never see one another again. Lewis is a patchwork quilt of stories like these — names in the family Bible that you will not find in our cemeteries because they are buried in far-flung parts of the New World. The Gaelic bàrd, William Mackenzie wrote movingly of this very thing when contemplating his own emigration, regretting that he was leaving his wife’s remains buried in Aiginish, while his would eventually rest ‘under a tree in Canada’. Yet, no matter how stretched the bonds of kinship, they rarely break. My great-uncle Henry died reading the ‘Stornoway Gazette’ in Australia. Keeping up with the news from ‘home’ — a home which would never see him again. My father’s half-sister needed to reassure herself that he’d been alright, despite

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