News & Events

First item is the presentation of a memorial and protest, signed by adherents, members and office-bearers in the Free Church. This memorial is a protest against the decision by the Plenary Assembly to allow for the use of hymns and instruments in congregations who wish to have them…...
....memorial to be presented by Dr MacDonald. Delegates given 5 minutes to read through it.

D.R. MacDonald…..
It is necessary to give background as to how this memorial came about. Following the devisive decision (and there IS serious division among courts), the Western Isles framed an overture to go through BA. The Sy KS, largest session in FC framed a petition…....he is interrupted by Moderator, who challenged his reference to papers not received.
Mr MacDonald proceeds to argue in reference to the Stornoway petition.

It was pointed out that the only competent way was to frame a memorial - this did not require Kirk Session approval. A meeting then arranged with office-bearers to determine what support this memorial would have. It was agreed to proceed with a memorial. It was made available .

There was much opposition to the memorial. Scaremongering. But this was a legitimate way of expressing opinion.
Then he criticises column in WHFP.
Pays tribute to gracious manner in which Garry Gunn presented his memorial.
He quotes critically The Record editorial.

Quotes an article of 1883. Again, Dr Candlish…..quote.
Then Kenneth Macrae quote,.......“history repeats itself - we would not be surprised if there was a new declaratory act….”

Conclude by quoting The Record , in which warning is given against hymns and instruments…..written by Alex MacDonald, the framer of the amendment.

Questions. 
Alex MacDonald…. Para 5 refers to constitution. Is this the correct way to accuse brethren of a grave offence? A: It is an illegal Act.
Is it according to the disciplinary procedure to accuse brethren in this way? A: 
Para 6. Is this not innacurate “according to their own inlinations” - the finding was that praise be according to the Confession?
A: It was never proved that finding of Plenary was according to Word of God.
Para 9 - did not the advert in the newspaper contribute to the division? A: When attempts were made to make available in congregations and they were denied, then we went to press.
Last sentence…“declare that we shall claim all competent redress…” What does it mean? A: The final sentance was inserted to give protection to office-bearers - if disciplinary action was taken, it gave recourse to them to respond to that. Q: Respond? A: In whatever action was deemed necessary. Q: Does that mean redress from the civil courts? A: No mention of civil courts.

David Meredith
1) No mention of civil courts. Does that mean there will be no recourse to civil courts? A: No guarantee.
Are you saying you’re not ruling it out? A: I’m not in a position to give any information about what may or may not take place.
2) You say it was simply made available. Was there door-to-door canvassing? A: There was no door-to-door canvassing. It was made available to office-bearers - no door-to-door canvassing in Stornoway.
3) In papers, there were two components. There was a letter. Can you tell us the genesis of that letter? What’s the connection between the memorial and the letter? A: We’re dealing here with the memorial, not with letters.
Q: Are you saying there’s no connection between the two? A: The memorial stood alone in the press - thats what we are dealing with. 
4) There were signatures of former moderators. What was the connection between these signatures and the memorial? A: These moderators were happy for their names to be appended to it.

Angus Morrison
How did the signatories know that I contradicted my vows? A: Everyone who signed the memorial had the opportunity to determine how they understood it - they deemed that vows had been breached.

Gordon Matheson
What was the procedure behind how this memorial was drafted and how did there come to be various versions of it? A: The first draft should not have come into public domain. The important thing is that the memorial signed by people is the one before you.
Can he give us a breakdown as to how many office-bearers, adherents and members signed it? A: 97 office-bearers. 318 communicants. 341 adherents. Total: 756. Along with 70 young people, who signed the other memorial.

Call for motions…..
1) Angus Howat…that the GA receive it and note its content.
- note the wording. Not necessarily agree with it. It is the means whereby grass roots bring matters of concern.
- it is right that the GA should extend the courtesy of receiving, even though they may not agree with the intemperate way in which it is expressed.

Question….Alex MacDonald
Is it competent to receive this if not competent? A: That’s for the GA to decide.

Motion 2) Move “that we pass from the motion”, Alex MacDonald.
- whilst I agree with extending the right to protest, the terms of the memorial make it incompetent.

Speakers
Donald Jack. I’ve seen this coming. Hence, I dissented yesterday. I’m troubled about this.

Andrew Murchison. I would invite you to seriously consider accepting this memorial. Find it strange that in the discussions yesterday re: BA, great play was made about this being highest court in church and free to do what it considers appropriate. That was heart of last night’s decision. It is inconsistent to have situation where office-bearers and members and adherents, in good conscience, have taken issues, which they find hard, and they’ve brought it to floor of house. Are we not obliged to receive this - is it not Christian duty? We may not like it….but do we doubt whether they’re genuine? I do not. We heard address about the glory of Christ in the unity of the brethren. This means courtesy. If we reject it, are we saying that these people are unimportant? This comes from their hearts. If we don’t doubt that, we should receive it. 

Donald Macdonald (Rev). Words fail me to express the feeling of sheer disappointment and disillusionment over these decisions. I was born into FC - came to faith in FC and have adhered to FC all my life. I had to take a stand because there was division in my home congregation. I have been minister in FC 47 years. I have tried to serve church to best of my ability. But now, I feel that my church has been taken from me. Hijacked! Real feeling of desolation. I speak in support of this memorial. Can I warn our younger brethren - this reminds me of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, asking his advisers, younger and older - he accepted the advice of younger. It is younger element who are behind this innovation. I don’t think the FC is in listening mood to listen. You would be foolish to ignore the volume of opinion that lies behind this memorial. You may disdain the number: 756 - it’s a wonder that we go that many, when ministers told their congregations not to take anything to do with it. When letters of complaint are written to, say the BBC, one letter is deemed to represent 100 people. There is a large body of people unhappy with the change. I would urge you to receive the memorial.

David Meredith
I appreciate Mr Murchison’s thoughts. We have a tale of two memorials. The young people’s memorial was delivered reasonably. This one is different. One is the form. There is lack of clarity - legal thread at the end. I became convinced of a real possibility of a legal element. Concerned about the manner of its communication.
If we say no today, we are not saying we don’t love people. There are changes in our church culture. Can I suggest that one good change - we are now in a new phase, in which this means of debate and polemic has no place in the FC of today. I don’t think the people behind it are unimportant. There is a way of dealing with things. We need more face-to-face conversations. We are largely a united denomination. Even with our 750 brethren. We need to stimulate unity. The day that the memorial was lost was the day it was out into the papers.

Tim Donachie
Unlike Mr Macdonald and the majority of you men, I was not brought up in the FC, nor in psalm-singing congregation. Came from Methodist background, coming into FC in 1966, when I stumbled into Hope St., Glasgow. The singing of psalms was strange. I understood more of why the FC sang psalms. I came to love them and came to see them as the right way of worshipping. My concern if we reject this memorial is the perception that those who signed the memorial of this assembly and the church. Irrespective of what Mr Meredith said about love, the perception they will have is that we have not accepted their memorial, in that the church does not care about them. Despises their concerns. This worries me. Our decision upsets me - and if I find it difficult, how much more for my brethren, who were born and brought up in FC?

William Underhay
Not raised in FC either, but came to appreciate the psalms and have always used them in public worship, although the PEC church used Paraphrases. I am concerned there is a sort of contemptuous attitude towards formula. What is the meaning of present practice? Something should be done by Assembly to say this is practice of church. I am not comfortable to assert and maintain the use of contemporary music etc.
We should respect the feelings of people.

Marcos Florit
I was not born into FC. Came to appreciate its testimony and practice. I tried to promote the position of FC in Spain. When I went to Peru, I did same. We produced a psalm book in Spanish. When I was accepted as a minister, I agreed with practice. It was later that I became convinced that the decsion we took at the Plenary was the correct one. Does that mean I have broken my vows? This memorial accuses all those who have supported the Plenary to have broken vows. It’s not that we don’t care or don’t love our brethren - we do. But the content is accusatory. If we recive this memorial - can we stop there? What does the reception of the memorial have to do with yesterday’s decision? By passing from it, we are saying we have heard, we are concerned, BUT - the end of memorial says, “do what we say ....or else!”
Much has been said of the 700 signatories. Have we thought about the opposite? Do we know how many hundreds are joyful for the decision in November?

Moderator: By receiving the memorial, there are no implications about any further action by the Assembly.

Derek Lamont
I was moved and encouraged by Andrew Murchison. Have huge sympathy. But do not support him. I think that the three elements from the memorial, which Alex quoted from at first, should be within the motion. Perception is a double-edged sword. We colour things in the way we want. We don’t communicate well. If we’re making a decision, it should have meat in it. We should give people more than the bare details.

Prof. Donald Macleod
This is not a memorial at all. It does not state facts - it is a long series of accusations against members of Assembly and against Assembly itself - they accuse you of perjury and heresy. I grant the principle that we not contents. Do we want to endorse a document that accuses the Assembly of offenses against the christian faith and vows? This protest divides families. It divided mine.
Does this memorial state facts and feelings? OR protest and accuse? If so, its proponents should institute proceedings against all of you for serious breach of ordination.

Alex MacDonald wants to redraft his motion to state that the Assembly receives the memorial, but expresses concern about the unwise language and veiled threats in the memorial.

Assembly accepts the new motion and it becomes finding. Moderator wants to thank Assembly for their genuine attempt to bring together both sides. Hopes that this decision has shown accommodation. Loud applause.

Reports
Report of Board of Ministry - Fergus Macdonald

(Assembly in a 5-min recess)

Moderator back in the chair, Assembly in a good mood, too good. The Moderator has to call us back to order.

Fergus Macdonald
Highlights the Confession’s heart of worship - the ministry of the Word.
The WCF stresses the reading of Scripture. Reading in public worship is an essential element in itself. Reading has, sadly, been minimised in some quarters.  Important part of our training includes the reading of Scripture.
The Scriptures themselves are means of grace in public worship. Expect the Scriptures to speak to people as they are read.

Highlights the reference in Report to “sound preaching”. One of the many great strengths of the FC College (FCC) is that it prepares preachers. Emphasis on exegesis, language study, to be commended. This encourages preaching of the word OUT of the Word. When we do exegesis, we do so to understand the author’s intention. What did the writer mean? We need to strive to understand the meaning in original context. Board very strongly supports this emphasis.But the WCF goes on to emphasise the “conscionable hearing of the word”. Easy to exegete, but not apply. True proclamation is both exposition and applied explanation.
In postmodern world, many people are moving away from seeing stable meaning in the text itself. We disagree. But there must be a hearing of the word. The “hearing of faith” considered a mark of the church in some place. This cannot be manipulated or taught. But the FCC does seek to impress on students the power of God in this regard. Prayer life of the ministry and therefore, at the heart of our training regime, is vital. Leading others in prayer important. 

Board encouraged by the commitment shown by candidates in recent years. Board to be commended for the spirit of their interviews of candidates and applicants from other denominations. The interview process has led to deep fellowship among members of the Board.

On to the report - Student Finance Scheme ought to be reviewed and will report to 2012 GA on this.
Student Accommodation - flats, ongoing discussion with Board of Trustees.
International Students - government policy making it hard for non-EU students to enter UK institutions, including the FCC. Fergus updated on some specific examples.
Board’s Remit - when the committee structure was redesigned, some items of old ToM remit were missed. Board seeking to tidy this up.

Thanked members of the Board. Mentioned good attendance, except when Christopher (Kiki) MacRae’s motorbike breaks down. Thanks to Clerk - Nigel Anderson. Special tribute to David Lipp, who is coming off the Board. (Applause.)

Question:
Brian Kee - has the Board looked at the Cornhill Training course? A: Not formally.
Has the Board looked at ministry apprenticeships, as a way to access call to ministry, prior to applying as a candidate? A: Not formally, but worth considering.

James Beaton moving the Deliverance.
Paid tribute to Fergus Macdonald’s leadership.

Amendments:
1 - David Meredith - Discontinue proposed probationary placements for Free Church candidates (originally a 2008 Act).
Feels he may be doing the Board a favour in proposing this. Proposals are proving hard to implement. 
1-year probation is in no way adequate. There is no stability in this and, without that settled time, the value is questionable. (CoS give 18 months).
The role of such probationers is not clear. Are they members of Presbytery or not?
There may be more students than places. The Board has a right to exempt students at their discretion and this might be driven by the number of places available.
The proposal is expensive. The trauma of moving a family for 1 year is not worth the benefit.
Probationers finishing college are not the finished product, but you are equipped after two placements and three years’ (at least) training.

Questions
Angus Mackay - Have there been any such placements thus far - has it been tested?  A: No.

2 - Angus Howat - Changing the way references are obtained for candidates.
Seems to be asking for references being seen not only by the Board of Ministry, but also by the Presbytery, prior to interviewing candidates for application.

Debate / Speakers
Dr Ian MacIver - Supporting David Meredith’s amendment. This regulation seemed excellent in principle, but he is right.

Marcos Florit - Had been enthusiastic about such placements, but now sees the impracticality. Supports amendment.

Charlie Douglas - Asked Board to consider the situation of probationers who do not recieve a call after completing FCC course.

Assembly now pauses, as we await the Lord High Commissioner’s visit. 

The Lord High Commmissioner has now left the building. Business is now suspended for lunch.

Back from lunch

(Board of Ministry report & debate continues)
Norman Cumming speaks in support of amendment on scrapping Probationary Placements.

Informal Discussion -
The Assembly agree to have this period of infomal discussion before taking a vote on the amendments

Fergus Macdonald - introduces the informal discussion
Will discuss scripture entrance exams and the Probationary Placement legislation.
Would like to hear from those who originally proposed the Probationary Placements, back in 2008. Fergus spoke of his time as a young minister, working as an assistant. Gave opportunity to see how church goverment works, Kirk Sessions and Deacons Courts.

Derek Lamont - Scripture examination is a Presbytery exam and there are questions about parity across presbyteries. Would be good if there was a uniform exam, rather than be set haphazardly.

Ken Cameron - spoke of experience 2 years as a young minister in Prince Edward Island (under Mr Underhay’s tutilage). These congregations benefited from this arrangement, during vacancies. Would sending young ministers to vacant congregations, or congregations on special arrangements, be helpful?

Murdo Macleod - from a background in education and training, has an interest in asking why we do what we do. Senior ministers saying, “I did this, so you must” is not maybe a good reason. On Scripture exams, the content of exam varies from year to year, depending on who sets the exam. Should we not trust the College to set a defined standard, as part of the process of application being considered? Having the College as part of our structure makes this a more attractive option. This would avoid need for uniform standards across the denomination.

Angus Morrison - The ‘why we do what we do’ maybe springs from our Presbyterian structures and how our committees are held to account. The delays in implementing the Probationary Placement proposals are maybe not a good reason to drop them completely. Post-graduatation training for ministers is helpful, e.g. in learning how church courts work. Needs to be evaluated, having not been at the forefront of the agenda.

Ian MacIver - The Probationary Placement (PP) plans grew out of a survey of recently ordained ministers, seeking their thoughts on areas where the College had not prepared them for ministry. College placements had not provided preparation for chairing meetings of the church courts. PP was suppposed to give green new ministers some experience under more experienced men. Difficulty was older probationers didn’t need this. Married students would be difficult to accommodate. Age discrimination legislation. 

Iain A. Macdonald - Criticism of younger ministers often stems from their lack of experience in these areas. Greyfriars’ expereince for younger ministers recently was helpful, with input from minister and elders.

Calum I. Macleod - Placements beneficial, but coaching and mentoring for younger ministers might be looked at again to make it more useful. 1st Year placement shadowing older men is incredibly good and the 2nd Year placement provides a steep learning curve. Subsequent mentoring might have room for improvement.

Angus Mackay - Has the Committee thought about using retired men as mentoring, using retired ministers in a more involved way during early years of a ministry?

Bill Underhay - Could the College run practical classes on aspects of the ministry, subsequent to theological training, perhaps run by recently retired ministers? Topics like reading, self-discipline, visiting etc.

Calum Macleod - Mentioned legislation on mentoring. The legislation seems to be aimed at helping with problems that arise, rather than proactively helping new ministers grow in their new role. Spoke of helpful input from professionals outside the church giving some training, as they do at in-service training.

Tommy Cook - seeks clarifcation on the different treatment of Free Church students, and non-Free Church / Overseas students coming to the FCC - with particular regard to the Scripture entrance exam.

Donald Macleod - difficulties of running different regimes of admission. A church-required entrance exam for Free Church ministry candidates is something the College might be inclined to provide. FCC provides training in pastoral care. In terms of mentoring, need to be sure that ordained ministers are treated as and are ordained ministers - all presbyteries must remain equal. Elders mentoring new ministers is vital. 

John MacLean - On placements, worthwhile for the congregation and the student. Placements of 6 weeks good, but could they be extended, possibly to 12 weeks? Privilege of congregations being involved in training, and shaping and helping our students in their training for the ministry.

Brian Kee - Rather than a Probationary Placement, why not look at a pre-application apprenticeship?

End of Discussion
Fergus Macdonald replies to points made. Board will consider the points raised. If the Assembly rejects Mr Meredith’s amendment, the Board will probably look again at the legislation anyway.

Voting on Amendments

1 - Meredith - Amendment Carries

2 - Howat - Accepted

Applications for the Ministry

This part of the Assembly’s discussion is routinely taken in private. Service will resume on the next point of business.

The General Assembly was pleased to admit to the Free Church ministry four individuals:
Rev. Thomas J. R. Mackinnon
Rev. Calum Iain Macleod
Rev. Gavino Fioretti
Rev. Rhett A. Crabtree

Each have a number of conditions to meet before they can be eligible for call, but these are in the hands of their respective presbyteries.

Report of the College Board - Dr Iain D. Campbell

His address can be found HERE.

Peter Morrison - Seconding the deliverance
Paid tribute to Dr Campbell as retiring chair of the College Board.
Nominations Committee will move Iver Martin as a Chairman - but this will place a huge burden on one person. Hopes the Communications Committee will take this into consideration in the near future.
The role of academic staff is broad (beyond pure academic role) and is a hinderance to academic excellence. Forthcoming review of the College must take this into consideration.
The aspirations of the College must look beyond just Free Church candidates for the ministry. Opportunities through Saturday course, David Ford’s ongoing work in connection to Latin America, even after his return. Dr John Ross’ return to Scotland. Can the Free Church College utilise these men in delivering distance learning?
Urged prayer for the College.
College’s ability to offer accredited First (Batchelor-level) degrees is a great opportunity. This is dynamite. Can we all covenant to speak to one person and encourage them to study at the FCC?
Get excited about the Free Church College.

Amendments

1 - Angus Mackay - Framework for the Quinquennial (5-yearly) Review of the FC College
A blank sheet of paper is not really a great place to start in conducting a review like this. Addendum will set out some areas that need to be positively addressed, to show our support for the FCC and show areas where we can grow the work of the FCC.

Questions
Iain D. Campbell - Who are the stakeholders referred to? A: The staff and students of the College, as well as the wider church.

Speakers / Debate
Dr Ian MacIver - Seconding the amendment. Was involved in setting up the Board in its present form, following a previous review. Involved in a great many reviews in addition to this. Recalls the stress these reviews caused on the College staff. This addendum is not just a review of the Free Church College, but looks more widely at the denomination’s aims and objectives to guide the College.
The College responds to what people want - the church, Glasgow Uni (the degree-accrediting body) and the requirements of private individuals at under- and post-graduate level. The church needs to guide the College. It is YOUR college.

Dr Colin Dow - Spoke of his feelings several months ago, feeling burnt out in ministry. Jesus doesn’t need better managers and strategists in our pulpits, he needs better preachers. Preaching from the pulpit. In one-to-one settings. “Preaching, preaching preaching.” Quoted Shorter Catechism. Theological reasons for thinking this - we believe in preaching. Practically, we stress about what people think of us, but not of what people think of our preaching. The College taught us to preach. Taught access to languages. It equipped our ministers to preach. We must, therefore, invest in the College. But finally, must invest in this for the sake of our people. Why do people come out to our churches? His own congregation is welcoming, freindly. But it is chiefly through the preaching of the word.

Duncan Macleod (Elder, Detroit) - Testified to the excellent ability of ministers, thanks to the training provided in the FCC. Carrying Christ, we are “princes” - and “priceless items” - thanks to the FCC. Ministers in local congregations ought to consider running theological training locally in their own congregations.

Alasdair Macdonald - appreciated Dr Campbell’s address and desire to get fully behind the College. Loved being at FCC and the church has a right to be proud of the FCC. May the Lord continue to bless it.

ORDER OF THE DAY
- John Roberts - Day One Christian Ministries (better known to many Free Church congregations as “formerly LDOS”)
- John Ross - Associated Presbyterian Churches

BACK TO THE COLLEGE BOARD REPORT
Norman Smith - has had most, if not all, of the Free Church candidates to preach recently. They are of high quality, at all stages of training. Thankful for all staff who contribute to this.

Dr Campbell - replying to the debate:
Thanks speakers. Thinks addendum should go to the vote. This asks for an near impossible task - a review in time for GA 2012. This review is also very wide-ranging - far more wide-ranging than that proposed by the Board. The review is also looking for input from the Assembly itself, which would be difficult given the timescale proposed.

To the vote

Deliverance carries clearly.

The Assembly now moves to take up routine petitions.
1 - Assessor Elders to the Presbytery of Glasgow &c.
2 - Assessor Elder to the Presbytery of Inverness &c.

The Assembly now suspends for dinner.