Message from the Manse
Have you ever looked at a room in your house and said to yourself, “A good makeover is what this room needs”. It’s a thought we have all had at one time or another as we look at something that really needs freshening up if it is to give us enjoyment. Looking at the room and realising it is a bit tired, worn or just jaded is easy but looking at life or some of the institutions we engage with is quite another matter. Revamping, refreshing, renewing are all words that speak of re-envisaging something to serve a useful purpose in the future. The Church of Scotland has been engaging in just such an exercise. Last year, at the General Assembly, what was called the “radical plan” was thrown out for not being radical enough and this year at the Assembly something was offered that was considered more radical and was accepted. When completed it will change the very way we govern the Church of Scotland for generations to come. It is our hope to bring the details of much of what was agreed to your attention at some point in the very near future. We will try to put something on the website in the next week or so.
“Semper Reformanda” (always reforming) was one of the great cries of the Reformation Church and to this day the doctrine has held. A church that fails to seek renewal (and re-energising) is a church that has failed the vision of the early fathers of the Reformation and ceased to care about the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It is dead easy to be fearful of change because it can be scary, but we cannot settle (as the Church) for comfortable complacency. I’ve heard of ministers telling their congregations they will fight change, they will resist moves that challenge their position and “over their dead body” will they, “they” being the church authorities, close us down. Change is scary but sometimes we need to be prepared to be scared because change (renewal) is very often what allows something to continue, otherwise it becomes like that room I mentioned earlier. The Church authorities are concerned for the future of the church. Many churches will close of that I am certain. I am equally certain that this kirk, having embraced change, will continue to serve the purpose of ministry to our community. Never be afraid to do that which is different and never cling to the past but rather use it to guide you into the future trusting always in the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Tom
Have you ever looked at a room in your house and said to yourself, “A good makeover is what this room needs”. It’s a thought we have all had at one time or another as we look at something that really needs freshening up if it is to give us enjoyment. Looking at the room and realising it is a bit tired, worn or just jaded is easy but looking at life or some of the institutions we engage with is quite another matter. Revamping, refreshing, renewing are all words that speak of re-envisaging something to serve a useful purpose in the future. The Church of Scotland has been engaging in just such an exercise. Last year, at the General Assembly, what was called the “radical plan” was thrown out for not being radical enough and this year at the Assembly something was offered that was considered more radical and was accepted. When completed it will change the very way we govern the Church of Scotland for generations to come. It is our hope to bring the details of much of what was agreed to your attention at some point in the very near future. We will try to put something on the website in the next week or so.
“Semper Reformanda” (always reforming) was one of the great cries of the Reformation Church and to this day the doctrine has held. A church that fails to seek renewal (and re-energising) is a church that has failed the vision of the early fathers of the Reformation and ceased to care about the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It is dead easy to be fearful of change because it can be scary, but we cannot settle (as the Church) for comfortable complacency. I’ve heard of ministers telling their congregations they will fight change, they will resist moves that challenge their position and “over their dead body” will they, “they” being the church authorities, close us down. Change is scary but sometimes we need to be prepared to be scared because change (renewal) is very often what allows something to continue, otherwise it becomes like that room I mentioned earlier. The Church authorities are concerned for the future of the church. Many churches will close of that I am certain. I am equally certain that this kirk, having embraced change, will continue to serve the purpose of ministry to our community. Never be afraid to do that which is different and never cling to the past but rather use it to guide you into the future trusting always in the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Tom