News & Events

Thursday’s Assembly

May 20, 2010

10:15am: Board of Ministry Report - Dr Fergus Macdonald - Convenor

The preaching of word is primary feature of Church. Hence, role of committee is at nerve centre of Church. All of us have responsibility to pray for professors and students, that they be anointed by the Holy Spirit.
This ministry is not just output, but outcomes. God’s word makes an impact. Ephesians: Christ gave apostles prophets etc - to equip saints for work of ministry for building-up of body of Christ. AV is often criticised for having a comma here. Our task is to facilitate. This ministry is also pastoral. We are to be pastors. In the Museum of Scotland, 3rd floor, there is a section about Church. There is plaque which came from Nicolson St. Church - the first associate congregation in Edinburgh; and when the city took the church over, they rescued 2 plaques. One summed up work of ministry: “Rev. George Johnstone, minister of word of life - going in and out among his people in kindness and, by the purity of his life and charity of his heart, adorning the doctrine of God and Saviour.”

The Board of Ministry has excellent dynamic and fellowship. We’ve had several interviews and I’ve been encouraged by the way in which Board has interacted. Students in training are mentioned on pg 79. At the pre-college stage, we have 2 others. Colin Ross still to complete some aspects of college module, but this will happen shortly. One student will start a 4-year course this year.

The Board has also been given responsibility to establish the in-service training program. Thanks to Macdonald Hotels. This course has been found to be helpful. The focus is on practical aspects of ministry, especially now that the Positively Presbyterian Conference has been started. The PP Conference was held in Sept - much appreciated. Commend it to elders, as well as ministers. Module in Church Planting has been developed by Neil MacMillan. Also, Board given the task of producing handbook on role of elders and deacons. Some of you have benefitted from student placements. This is helpful for students to get in situ training, AND to congregations.

Pay tribute to clerk, Rev. K. Macleod. He is now leaving as clerk and was earlier delivered from a serious accident, and we are thankful for that. Nigel Anderson is to succeed Kenneth Macleod.
Finally, please pray for work of the Board and for those who are training.

Question: David Jones. What does it cost for student to live as student?
Answer: Kenneth Macleod will speak to this.

Q: Kent Compton: MTW. What’s the current regulation about calling ministers from other colleges or denominations?
A: If the person concerned is a probationer - already licensed or ordained, he would apply to be minister under defined process. We do require they do some work in FC College. There is an arrangement in place, with respect to MTW workers. But if they want to apply for ministry, they have to go through process.

Dr Macdonald moved report.
David Lipp seconded:
Accommodation. We’re grateful for the wording in the report: it’s better to retain as many church flats as necessary for students. When flats are sold, money disappears. We should retain flats.
Student hardship. Especially those with families. Need good housing etc. Students can’t have part-time job.
College: we need to value our college. Should guard and be jealous of it. Its teaching.

No amendments.

Speakers:

Rev. Kenneth Macleod - outgoing clerk.
Thanks Dr Macdonald for his kind remarks. Privilege being clerk to Committee. Pleasure working with them.
Item 9 in deliverance. Student finance. We have in place student finance scheme. This was administerd through presbytery levy and now through admin levy in financial system. Try to support students 8000 pa. We top up student loan. This figure has not being changed in last 10 years. Students should not be struggling financially. Don’t want them to be driving top cars, but nor want them to be poor.
Item 10 is personal. Personally indebted to Ann Macleod. We should remember her in prayer.

Prof. J. A. Macleod: Really impressed by the students coming before Committtee - their conduct is moving.

Iain Macaskill: if there is an influx of colleagues from Kirk, we should be ready - especially the Board.

Bob Akroyd: Echo Iain Macaskill’s remarks. Also, Kent Compton’s question. We often see willingness of MTW men to come and willingness to become ministers. How can we make way easier for them? But we must ask people with skills, point blank, if they have considered ministry. I am here because someone asked me directly. So few of our people are making use of our resources.

Angus Macrae: We should try to make use more of ICC and HTI. For some candidates, a part-time training might be more appropriate for, say, family or health reasons. We’re not flexible enough. Please look at crafting a course for the individual and according to his needs. This flexibility should also apply to graduates - eg. Colin Ross. The longer I’m in ministry, the more I appreciate the training I got.

Jeremy Ross: It’s not impossible to work part-time and be a student. Perhaps working in congs under the 70% threshold.

END of Report

College Board - Dr I. D. Campbell
There is overlap between our work and BoM. We remember the college in prayer. Joy to work alongside the Principal for the support and advancement of the College. Pay tribute to the full-time and part-time staff.
There has been strong degree of colegiality. Again, we remember Ann Macleod. Her illness has been matter of prayer for past decade. Outwardly, we would be hard pressed to know that there was anything wrong with her. Assembly join with me in expressing gratitude for her.

We are encouraged by the fact that our college sends students all over the world. The College is just one option for private students and there is new advertising campaign. Capturing the spirit of reformation as radical counter-culture. ‘The 1560 Initiative’. The single most important method of encouraging interest in College is personal contact. If we have opportunities, then be prepared to tell people.

The Principal’s Report recommends the transfer of Apologetics to Systemic Theology department. Some would say that this is not a day to be dropping Apologetics. We are not dropping it, but transferring it.
Please support the College. Encourage participation in part-time courses.

Want to speak about Principle and Principal!
The Principle. (of having a theological college) - I’ve been trying to assess views. Some voices suggest the College is not good value for money and we could be using other facilities. I hope not. We may be suffering from an image problem. But if we are not producing affectionate, skilled etc preachers, we might as well close. College is one of our greatest resources.

The Principal: Donald Macleod is now retiring as Principal. Express the Church’s gratitude to him for his achievements over the past 10 years. (Loud applause!)

Nominations. Returns from Presbyteries. J. L. Mackay highest number. A. I. Macleod and D. Meredith have now withdrawn.

The College is not a large institution, but nor was the Apostles’ school.
I want an exciting college in an exciting church. I am convinced it can be.

Questions:
1) Kenneth Stewart: Has the Board considered leaving Apologetics permanently in the dept of ST?
Answer: this will have to be looked at and will be reviewed after three years.
Is there any pressure for Glasgow University to “take over” ?
Answer: I’m amazed at how little pressure there is.

Moving: Prof. J. A. Macleod. College Website
1) I want people to realise that we prepare preachers.
2) The College trains people who want to specialise in God-given strengths. 2 postgraduate courses: MTh. and MTh. (taught). Glasgow Uni speak very highly of the College.
3) We offer personal relationships in guidance and advice. We are small and personal.

Pay tribute to Joan MacLennan and Christina MacIver.

Seconder: Iain Mackinnon (Back FC). Echo Dr Campbell’s comments. Report says College Board is interface. This is important statement. The responsibility that lies on Assembly in making directives is very apparent.
How do you network and deliver? Very important that you link with like-minded individuals. Report says we simulate the situations we will find ourselves in. Must not have zeal without knowledge.

Speakers:
Dr F. Macdonald. The whole Church needs to supoort the College and interact with it. Huge value in having our own college. Danger in College drifting apart from Church. There is perception that Church ostracising College. Also, that College is operating autonomously. These are wrong. We have enormous potential to invest in the world Church. We can lose our college, not only though universities, but by outsourcing our theological education.

Donald Morrison (Lochgilphead) : I was not ready to begin preaching ministry when I left Aberdeen University—until I went to our college. The course is weak, however, on counselling. Like pregnancy counselling. Care for Scotland run courses from Christian perspective and we should look to these or the like.

Rod Finlayson (Toronto) : I’ve had the privilege of sitting under three men trained in FCC - they’ve been trained to present the word in passionate way. This has influenced areas outside Scotland. There are seminaries in USA, but there’s something different about the FCC. We need more preachers steeped in the confession and word of God.

Dr Campbell summed up.

Apointment of College Principal.
To be a card vote. Two names left in: Prof. J. L. Mackay & Dr I. D. Campbell.
But must be moved and seconded.
Questions.
Additional names may be nominated.

James Maciver: move the name of Prof. J. L. Mackay. Seconded.
John Ross: move the name of Dr I. D. Campbell. Seconded.

Discussion about the two candidates:

In favour of J. L. Mackay: the senior candidate and he is on hand. Dr Campbell is off-site. Both men have excellent qualities. This is hard decision. He possibly might retire in 4-5 years and that will enable the Board to review the role of Principal. He can fulfil a pastoral role, if he is in situ.

In favour of I. D. Campbell: has shown already today his ability to raise the profile of the College. If he is appointed, we still retain the excellent professorial skills of J. L. Mackay as lecturer. Dr Campbell is a great ambassador. It’s time for Church to consider the different option of a promoter. A bridge builder.

Other comments: the role is undefined. No job description. It’s time to consider a fundamental change of role. College is very substantial investment. We’ve failed to market the College. We want both of them! The Board was remiss in not elaborating in what the role was, so that we could have been helped in the choice. In secular universities, there is the role of principal who does act as ambassador. There is another role: secretary to the university who is an administrator.

RESULT:

The Assembly’s nomination of the new College Principal is: Prof. J. L. Mackay

The Assembly agreed to make the nomination unanimous.

2:00pm

The clerk has informed the Assembly that Prof. J. L. Mackay has accepted the position of Principal of the Free College.

There is now an order of the day with Tearfund giving a presentation.
Their presentation described the events of Haiti and Tearfund’s response.

Visit of Lord High Commissioner. 2:45pm

Report of Study Panel - Dr D. Macdonald
We are making progress towards a final report. Panel was strengthened by addition of 2 new members. Our remit to study marriage divorce and remarriage becomes ever more important as marriage comes under attack. We must teach Biblical principles to all age groups and provide good models of marriage to young people.

We are concentrating on two areas:
Marriage and divorce
Preparation for marriage

Dr David Instone Brewer: We are studying the concept of accommodation. This concept can be dangerous, unless rightly understood and wisely applied. We may be tempted to think that God will overlook our faults, especially if they are due to pressures of society. The emphasis in the NT is on holiness - there should be zero tolerance to sin and endeavour to confirm to image of Christ. God commands all men to repent. When sin does occur, then answer is repentance and forgivenensss, and not accommodation. Accommodation is used within context of the law.

In area of preparation for marrage - such should be in background of regular teaching ministry. Young people, especially, can learn; should see good models of marriage. Panel has decided to produce a new document building on previous insights on marriage and taking in questions received from ministers who have experienced problems.

END. No speaker.

Report of the Committee on the Potential Role of Deacons. Dr D. Macdonald.
Remit to examine, in light of scripture, the role of deacons, as result of 2007 Assembly.
They raised that not enough elders and much of committee work was diaconal.
Could deacons serve.

But committees are appointed by and answerable to GA - hence, can deacons legitimately serve?

Biblical teaching on deacons. Historical development on diaconate.

Excursus: we tried to ascertain the number of office bearers in FC. The 2008 reports were incomplete. Some counted assessor elders - led to double counting. Emailed presbytery clerks - reponses from 5 of them, and so figures reported are approx. 420 elders throughout whole Church - this should be a sufficient number. Some presbyteries have greater numbers of elders than others.
Plea: please carefully fill in annual schedules. Suggest that a committee set up collation of schedules.

Are deacons qualified to serve on higher courts? I’m of the persuasion that they should not. If they have gifts to serve in this capacity, they should be elders. But nothing in NT says that deacons rule. This is for elders.
Committees are responsible to Assembly and have responsibility to rule. Deacons have responsibility to serve. Emphasis in NT is on gifts. Hence, if some are gifted in elders functions, they should be appointed such.

Questions:
Donald A. Macdonald. question on para 5.3.5. What about where someone has gifts, but number on Kirk session is high enough? How can they be elected elders?
Answer: that’s up to the Kirk Session.