News & Events

The Wednesday evening session opened with the singing of verses one to seven from Psalm 87, before the report of the Personnel Committee.

It passed as in the print, before Reverend Gordon Matheson led a discussion session on leadership and management skills for ministers.

There were three options presented, to offer training just to “line managers”, to offer wider training to all ministers, or cultivating leadership training during a candidate’s training.

It was suggested that elders may benefit from this as well, and that the Board of Ministry and the Personnel Committee should continue to have an interest in this area going forward.

Dr Campbell presented the report of the Communications Committee, asserting that the Free Church had not just to inform the world outside about what it thinks, but also to inform its own members.

The Moderator drew attention to the revamped bookshop and encouraged commissioners to pay it a visit, recommending new books by Free Church authors.

These were Royal Company by Reverend Dr Malcolm Maclean, a devotional commentary on the Songs of Solomon, Professor John L Mackay’s book on Hosea, Reverend John Ross’ Time for Favour on Scottish missionaries to the Jews, and the Moderator’s own books I Am and Pray, Plan, Prepare, Preach.

The Moderator also made a plea to the Church to do more to publicise the denominational magazines, The Record and Free, describing the latter as “one of the best quality magazines around for teenagers”.

Dr Campbell also voiced his concern at the recent proposals for gay marriage and assisted suicide at the Scottish Parliament, which he said were “symptoms of a society that has lost its way”.

Mr Donald Matheson encouraged members to be active in contacting local politicians, pointing out that if we do not vote in elections “then we have no grounds for complaining when the Government introduces un-Christian legislation”.

The final item of business was the petition from Reverend David Parker to be transferred onto the register of ministers eligible for a call, which was approved by the Assembly.

The Assembly reconvenes tomorrow morning.