REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MINISTRY

Transcription

1 V. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MINISTRY Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. The Book of Psalms ends with a doxology for all creation. Christians in the Reformed tradition understand there is no better way to glorify God than to know Him through Jesus Christ and to enjoy him in a life of covenant commitment. While the rest of nature is designed to glorify God unconsciously, we humans are intended to gain conscious awareness of our privileged status as God s image bearers called to a life of praise. God has placed a Christ-centred vocation at the heart of our humanity giving meaning and value to our every thought, word and action. Simply put, everyone who has ever lived is called to glorify and enjoy our Creator forever. The Church exists for worship. Christian ministry exists to ensure that glorious worship takes place. The Free Church of Scotland is experiencing renewal and transformation at a time when God appears to be shaking and refining the institutional church in Scotland. As our population becomes ever more ignorant of Christianity our situation calls for a renewed confidence in the message of the Bible, leading to a greater commitment to mission, church planting and church revitalisation. The Board of Ministry is very encouraged by a growing number of high-quality ministry candidates and by a steady number of ministers applying from other denominations. At the same time the Board is committed to maintain very high standards in our candidate selection and our application procedures. We cannot afford to place non-leaders into leadership roles. Nor can we overlook obvious defects in character, lack of vision or a lack of proven ability to teach and faithfully apply the Bible. The Board is grateful to work in close partnership with the courteous, dedicated and obliging staff at Edinburgh Theological Seminary (ETS) and with our colleagues on the Seminary Board. We also work closely with each Presbytery and with many local churches. An increasing part of the selection and training process takes place in the context of real-ministry settings in our congregations. Learning and ministry preparation takes place most effectively where theory and praxis comes together. (A) VOCATION Martin Luther was perhaps the first Christian thinker to use the term vocation to describe God s plan for the public life and service of every believer. In that sense ministers, farmers, teachers, musicians, policemen, parents, caregivers and electrical engineers all have a divine vocation. Coming to a newly found faith need not require a change of vocation and God is usually pleased to bless his people in their existing vocations, doing daily tasks for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23) God s call draws men and women to enjoy salvation. In scripture we also learn of many individuals called to perform specific tasks or roles such as prophet, judge, king, or priest. The New Testament Apostles set a pattern for leadership within the early Christian church where suitable men are called into service as pastor-teachers, ruling elders and deacons. God s call operates in the appointment of church leaders in every generation. Vocation to leadership should not be regarded as a matter of status but of service. The Board of Ministry does not wish to take useful Christians away from serving God where they are needed in other lawful vocations. Our task is to recognise God s call to church leaders and pastor-teachers. A vocation to gospel ministry will be apparent to the church and articulated through the church. The church discerns a call by testing and approving the character, knowledge and spiritual gifting of a candidate over a lengthy period of time. The church should be proactive in approaching and challenging men with potential for leadership. The Board asks for prayer for themselves and for each of the candidates under our care as we look to God to provide new leaders for God s mission to the world. (B) BOARD REMITS

2 The Board welcomed Rev. Gordon Matheson, Mr Charles Anderson, Mr Murdo Murray and Mr Mike Townsend as new members. The 2014 General Assembly added to the Board s existing remit, responsibility for the remit previously fulfilled by the Panel of Pastoral Advice. The Board has appointed a Personnel Sub- Committee chaired by Rev. Gordon Matheson. The Board has appointed a panel of consultants to carry out the Pastoral Advice remit. These advisors answer to the Board and should be known in future as the Panel of Pastoral Care. As instructed by last General Assembly the Board has considered a number of matters and we thank consultants who have assisted us including teaching staff at the Seminary, particularly the Vice-Principal, Professor John Angus MacLeod. Rev. Daniel Sladek acts as a permanent ETS consultant to the Board along with Professor R. Akroyd, who is a full member of the Board. The Board consulted Rev. Paul Clarke and Rev. Paul Gibson on a number of matters. The Board consulted Rev. Neil MacMillan on training for Church Planters. We thank Principal Martin and Professor John Angus MacLeod for work to produce a modified Free Church Ministry Module. That work is now nearing completion. The Board thank Mrs Catriona Cazaly for assistance with our budget and financial planning. (C) CANDIDATE APPLICATION PROCESS Candidates wishing to apply for the Ministry and Ministers of other Churches wishing to apply to join the Free Church should contact the Clerk to the Board, Rev. Nigel Anderson (nigel@lfcmanse.plus.com). Mr Anderson will advise on the application process and will issue an up to date version of the application forms. The Chairman, Rev. Angus MacRae, is very happy to advise potential applicants or to discuss potential candidates with their own ministers (minister@deep-river.co.uk). Staff at ETS are also willing to answer enquiries from potential students. The Board continues to modify and improve the application process and application forms in the light of feedback from Presbyteries and our experience of the enquiry and interview process. The Board has advised a number of enquirers who have yet to submit a formal application. The Board is encouraged by interest from two applicants from England who sense a burden for gospel ministry in Scotland and who appreciate the testimony and missional concern of the Free Church of Scotland and the Reformed testimony of ETS. We are looking at ways to advise applicants who come into the Church with little or no previous contact with a local Free Church. Further adjustments are being made to our application forms to remove redundant questions, clarify matters and to gather information needed for PVG safeguarding, student finance and employment data. Copies of our application forms and information on our procedures have been shared with the Free Church in South Africa and the Presbyterian Church of Chile (IPCH). The Board has been asked to clarify the management of the interview of candidates carried out conjointly by Kirk Session and Presbytery representatives. The interview meeting is a meeting of a Presbytery appointed committee meeting conjointly with representatives of the candidate s home Kirk Session. As such the Presbytery provides the chair of the conjoint meeting and the Presbytery takes ownership of the application process if the application is approved for transmission to the Board. The Board reminds Presbyteries to take great care when processing an application. Presbyteries should ensure that referees have the skills and knowledge to make judgements on an applicant s character and skills. References should be followed up where necessary. Giftedness for teaching and preaching and inter-personal skills should be properly assessed. Presbyteries may need to consider an applicant s Christian character and temperament and they should be prepared to probe areas of personal weakness and deficiency. The Board discourages potential applicants from undertaking extensive theological training prior to making their application without first seeking approval from the Board on the nature and content of their studies. Credit from previous study may not be transferable to ETS and courses available in other Universities and Colleges may not be best suited to the training needs of the Free Church of Scotland. (D) RECOGNISED FREE CHURCH CANDIDATES The Board congratulates all those who completed their studies and entered the ministry in Since the Board prepared its report for last General Assembly the Board gave recognition to Mr Peter Aiken, a candidate under the care of the Presbytery of Prince Edward Island in the Synod of North America. Mr Aiken was born and raised in the Free Church in PEI. He has completed theological studies to a high standard at Haddington House in PEI and at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.

3 The Board took the view that he should complete his training for the ministry in Canada while serving the church there as a church planter / revitaliser, being directed in his studies by the Board, ETS staff and members of his own Presbytery. The Board made training arrangements for Mr Aiken under the regulations prevailing prior to the 2014 General Assembly and informed that Assembly that we intended to honour these arrangements despite new legislation coming into effect at the close of the 2014 Assembly. It was agreed that Mr Aiken would receive coaching in preaching from Dr Akroyd and Rev. Peter Grainger by distance learning. This was done by use of sermon recordings and Skype tutorials and written feedback. Mr Aiken also received tuition in Scottish Presbyterianism and Free Church history from Dr Jack Whytock. Free Church ministers in PEI have instructed Mr Aiken in Free Church Practice and Principles and he will be able to access the Free Church Ministry module online in due course. The Board recommended to the PEI Presbytery that Mr Aiken become a ruling elder and participate in the life of Presbytery and Synod and this has taken place. He now serves as the Session Clerk at Charlottetown and as the Presbytery Clerk. Rev. Neil MacMillan has also given advice to Mr Aiken on aspects of church planting ministry. The PEI Presbytery has appointed Mr Aiken as the stated supply at Birchwood Church in Charlottetown, the PEI Central Charge, for a three-year period. Although Charlottetown is the largest city in PEI this is a small and fragile congregation. We commend him to the prayers of God s people. The Board are satisfied with Mr Aiken s progress. With our approval he has applied to his Presbytery to be taken on trials for license. The Board thanks all who have helped to complete Mr Aiken s ministerial training in his own cultural setting, allowing him to devote the bulk of his energy to gospel work. We pray that God s mighty blessing and encouragement will rest on Mr Aiken, his family and congregation. In consultation with ETS some adjustments were made to the course prescribed for Mr Allan Shearer. He should complete all the requirements of the Board and Seminary by August or September 2015 and has accordingly applied to be taken on trials for licence. The Board hopes that in due course Mr Shearer will complete an MTh course under the supervision of Dr Donald Macleod. His eligibility for license is not determined by the date by which he completes his MTh. Mr Donald MacLeod from Pairc congregation was given provisional recognition as a student in His recognition was confirmed in 2014 and he intends to start his studies at ETS in 2016, after gaining some further work and life experience. The Board met with Mr Andrew Longwe to discuss his work with the Cornerstone Church Plant in Morningside. The Board has encouraged Mr Longwe to complete an MTh. He was licensed in January Mr Duncan Murchison has completed a year as a UCCF Relay Worker at Strathclyde University. He expects to start at the Seminary in September Rev. Joe Barnard completed his training in late 2014 and was licensed and subsequently ordained and inducted to Kiltarlity and Kirkhill in March Rev. David Kirk was recognised as a candidate in 2014, and was licensed and subsequently ordained and inducted as the Assistant Minister at Kilmallie and Ardnamurchan in August Since last General Assembly the Board has also given recognition to Mr Iain Morrison from Back, Mr Isaac Speirs from Glasgow City, Mr John Caldwell from Portree, Mr Andrew C. MacLeod from Back, Mr Iain MacRitchie from Cross, and Mr Alister N. MacInnes from Rosskeen. Several other applications are being processed. Some of our recognised students have chosen to defer entry to ETS or have been encouraged by the Board to defer the start of their studies in order to gain further experience. Some candidates, because of their circumstances or past experience and qualifications, have been permitted to enter ETS in the second year of the BTh course with the agreement of ETS. The complete list of sixteen recognised students at April 2015 is given below, with their present year of study at the Seminary where relevant: Pre-Seminary (commencing in September 2015): Duncan Murchison, Iain MacRitchie, Alister N. MacInnes, Andrew C. MacLeod, John Caldwell. Pre-Seminary (commencing in September 2016): Donald MacLeod. First Year: Paul Murray, David MacDonald, Mark MacLeod, Innes MacSween, Iain Morrison, Isaac Speirs.

4 Second Year: Kenneth Robertson, Chris Davidson. Third Year: None Individual Arrangements / Postgraduate: Allan Shearer, Peter Aiken. The Board holds meetings each academic session with Free Church students at ETS. The purpose is to listen and respond to any concerns and general requests that the students may wish to raise. The Board is open to meet with individual candidates on an annual basis or as required by their circumstances particularly with a view to guiding candidates as they prepare for specific ministries. The Board notes that some candidates completing their studies on a modified or shortened course may not qualify for the award of a BTh degree validated in partnership with Glasgow University. In these cases it seems appropriate to investigate with the Senate of ETS the possibility of creating a Diploma or Licentiate award. The Board commends the Seminary Board and the Principal and staff at Edinburgh Theological Seminary for their diligent and faithful teaching and the quality of pastoral care shown to candidates. (E) ADMISSION OF MINISTERS FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS For the past three years the General Assembly authorised its Commission to deal with any applications for admission to the Free Church from ministers from other denominations. The Commission exercised this authority in October 2014, when Rev. David MacLeod and Rev. Roddy Macrae were admitted from the Church of Scotland. Both came from charges in Wester Ross. Rev. David MacLeod is now the minister of the newly formed North Harris Free Church. Mr MacRae is presently based at Helmsdale Free Church and is also part of the team at Rosskeen Free Church but he awaits a call to a charge. The Commission of Assembly also exercised its authority to admit ministers when it met in March Rev. Athole Rennie was admitted from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARCP), a North American Church with roots in the Secession of The ARCP have generously supported the Grace Church Leith church plant led by Mr Rennie. The Grace Church congregation has now come under the care of the Free Church. Rev. Andrew McMillan was admitted from the Church of Scotland. He was ordained in 2012 to Dalneigh and Bona Church of Scotland, Inverness, and now leads West Church Inverness, a newly formed Free Church congregation meeting at Bishop s Palace, Eden Court, in Inverness. Rev. Aonghas Ian MacDonald was admitted from the Church of Scotland. He is a retired minister, having served for over 50 years in the ministry in Gairloch, Barvas and Inverness East Church. Mr MacDonald frequently gives pulpit supply and is a greatly respected evangelical leader in the Highland church. Twelve ministers have joined the Free Church from the Church of Scotland in recent years. The Board of Ministry gives thanks for the character, spiritual gifts and humble spirit displayed by these brother ministers who have been received into the Free Church since last General Assembly. In the light of the continued uncertainty in the current church situation in Scotland the Board is again requesting a further temporary empowerment of the Commission of Assembly to deal with any applications from ministers of other denominations for admission to the Free Church from Presbyteries through the Board of Ministry. The Board understand that Rev. Michael Braeutigam, admitted to the ministry in March 2014, has relocated from Scotland to take up a lectureship in Melbourne, Australia. We wish him and his wife Jenni well. The Board is in communication with Rev. Rhett Crabtree, presently serving at All Souls Church, Camp Green, Ohio, to clarify his relationship with the Free Church. He was provisionally admitted to the ministry in May 2011, subject to certain conditions being met. The Board reminds the Church that Rev. Benjamin van Rensberg (Union Church, Istanbul, admitted October 2013) is now eligible for a call. Rev. Roddy MacRae (admitted October 2014) is also eligible for a call. (F) DURATION OF TRAINING AND ROUTES INTO MINISTRY The normal route into Free Church ministry is the three-year full-time BTh course at ETS. The Board reports below (section G) on Ministry Apprenticeship as a route into ministry. In 2014 the General Assembly gave directives to the Board of Ministry concerning the minimum duration of courses at ETS for candidates with previous theological qualifications. The Board works within the framework agreed by the General Assembly

5 and will keep these regulations under review. The Board s preference is to adopt a flexible approach for routes into ministry wherever possible. We seek to assess each candidate on an individual basis to ensure that they are well prepared for theological studies and properly prepared for license and ordination at the end of the training process. Four-Year Training Option Prior to 2014 it was possible for the BTh degree to be taken by candidates over three or four years. The Scottish Education Department were willing to fund the additional year of study in most cases. The Board believes that some applicants will benefit from taking a modified course over four years. This additional year spreads the mandatory course modules over four years and creates additional time, particularly in the first two years at ETS, to allow for more vocational training and elective coursework. This will often take place in the setting of the local church rather than in the classroom under the direction of ETS staff. Some candidates have personal circumstances that suggest a part-time course or distance learning is preferable to a three-year course in Edinburgh. For example a candidate may embark on training with a specific bivocational ministry in mind on completion of his studies. Their ultimate calling may depend on maintaining skills or standing in a secular profession. A surgeon intent on going overseas to work in a closed-country may need to have an unbroken professional CV showing secular employment during the years of theological training. A candidate already working in a church planting or revitalisation project may wish to train for the ministry while retaining an active involvement in the church they hope to pastor or already pastor on a part-time basis. Such cases are in the minority but we realistically expect to encounter many more such cases as the denomination experiences a period of growth and looks to plant churches by a variety of means and strategies. We would discourage candidates from taking longer than four years to complete their studies for the ministry unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Board is in discussion with Seminary staff to develop elective options that may compose a part of the BTh degree or that may lead to a separate Certificate or Diploma. The Board recognises that part-time studies may result in some additional costs but SED funding should be available for tuition and living costs over four years. Requirement of a First Degree A period of study to degree level may offer suitable life experience and skills but it is not the only or necessarily the best preparation for a ministry candidate. The Board takes the view that the majority of candidates who do not hold a degree qualification or equivalent should no longer be encouraged to spend several years and great expense in obtaining a first degree. There may be better ways to prepare men for ministry involving a combination of secular employment, service in their home congregations, apprentice schemes or training in overseas or campus ministry with groups such as UCCF. The Board asks the General Assembly to endorse this policy. Requirements for License Act XX, 2001, regulates the Licensing of Probationers. There have been some practical difficulties operating this Act in recent years, for example when some ministry candidates followed modified courses or did not complete their studies at the same time as the majority of their fellow students. This is a particularly fluid time in the wider Christian church and a growing number of external applicants are coming to appreciate the doctrine and life of the Free Church including private students at ETS. The existing legislation requires a candidate to have been a communicant member of the Free Church for a minimum period of two years and requires the candidate to give notice of their intended license approximately six months prior to license. A two-year membership requirement is reasonable and should apply in most cases but there may be some valid exceptions. For example a candidate for the ministry may be a member in a congregation that has only recently transitioned into the Free Church, or may have a close association with the Free Church but retain membership in a similarly conservative and evangelical congregation or denomination. We believe that it should be possible for the Board itself to investigate the individual circumstances of the small number of applicants who may wish to seek licence but who have not spent a minimum of two years as a member of the Free Church immediately prior to licence. Where a Presbytery supports an application to take such a candidate on trials for licence and where the Board approves of the candidate we propose that this should be possible. This change does not imply that any of the normal standards for trials for licence are lessened in any way. The deadline for making application for licence is very inflexible. The Board suggests that giving three months notice to all Presbyteries is sufficient. This would allow the Board to advise Presbyteries of candidates applying for licence in the normal course of the academic year as at present but it will also permit the Board to give additional notice if some candidates complete their course of studies at a different time of year. Presbyteries play a vital role in ensuring that candidates entering the ministry are of the highest academic and spiritual quality and to that end oral trials for licence are rigorous in nature. The Board propose in the deliverance a new Act anent Licensing of Students reflecting these changes but substantially the same as the existing Act.

6 Routes into Auxiliary Ministry The 2014 General Assembly instructed the Board to bring forward proposals on alternative pathways into ministry particularly non-standard or auxiliary ministry. In addressing this task the Board undertook to identify the minimum theological knowledge, skills and qualities of character necessary in a minister and required by scripture. Having posed the question of a minimum standard, the Board quickly took the view that setting a minimum benchmark was a back-to-front way of thinking. The standards for admission to the ministry should always be set high. This does not preclude the church from identifying high quality candidates who may lack formal academic qualifications but have other gifts, knowledge and experience suited to ministry. Historically the church has been ready to recognise candidates who possess particular experience, pastoral skills or who show evidence of special gifting from the Holy Spirit. For example the remarkable lay-preacher and evangelist Brownlow North was set apart as an Evangelist without any further training by the General Assembly in The Moderator, William Cunningham, commented that, The Church must lay herself open to consider exceptional cases, to mark God s hand and to make a fair use and application of what He has been doing. In the twentieth century several lay-preachers were granted the status of ordained ministers after some years of service. Sections of the church are reflecting on different and creative ways to carry out mission and ministry in Scotland and internationally. Rural and urban areas present differing challenges. The church is also recognising the value of ministry in teams, of churches with a multiple staff, and many ministries that are being funded in new ways. Since the pattern of ministry is changing some questions need to be addressed. Some of these issues are outside the competence of the Board of Ministry. The Board propose consulting the Missions Board and the Presbyteries of the Church on appropriate routes into ministry and the varying types of ministry model that may be recognised as biblical and healthy. For example if an acting elder is appointed to carry out pastoral functions in a church with no settled minister, perhaps enjoying the use of a manse or receiving some payment for his duties, should a Presbytery be able to license that elder and grant him the status of an auxiliary minister? What role, if any, should the Board of Ministry have in examining the knowledge, skills and character of persons appointed to minister under a local arrangement? Is an auxiliary minister properly licensed to dispense sacraments? If the Church recognises an auxiliary ministry, should there be a minimum age below which a candidate would be expected to train for ministry in the normal way? Can an auxiliary minister be called or transferred from one charge or Presbytery to another? (G) MINISTRY APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING A well-organised apprenticeship is an invaluable way to identify good candidates for the ministry and to start the process of forming a future leader with the character, skills and vision required for the church of tomorrow. The Board notes considerable interest in Ministry Apprenticeship training in the Free Church and among similar gospel churches. The Board is grateful for the work of the Bonar Trust and for input from several consultants on this topic, particularly Rev. Paul Clarke. The Free Church values placements as a component of ministry training and the Board is moving to require all our students to be more actively involved in the life of a local church during term time. An Apprenticeship Scheme sits well with that approach to training. The Board believes that the whole Church needs to embrace a training culture. Undoubtedly there will be some cost implications if a larger number of future leaders go through an apprenticeship. The Board believes the time is right for Board representatives to visit each Presbytery to present information on Ministry Apprenticeship, to promote the uptake of this method of training and to gauge the response of the church to this proposal. Further information on Ministry Apprenticeship is included as Appendix One to this Report. It would be suitable for discussion at the General Assembly and will assist Presbyteries when the matter comes before them. The Board intends to report more fully to the General Assembly in 2016, having consulted the wider church. (H) PLACEMENTS Students benefit greatly from their two mandatory six-week placements in congregations. Care is taken to place students in appropriate situations and there is interaction and review with some Board members after the placement. Second placements may be used to help a candidate being prepared for cross-cultural mission, church planting or evangelism and they may take place with an external agency or mission or in a vacant congregation. Placements have often proved to be a useful source of guidance to students seeking wisdom as they select their first charge or appointment. Special arrangements have been made with Niddrie Community

7 Church to enable one of our students, Mr Kenneth Robertson, to gain extended training and experience relevant to church planting and leadership in an area of urban deprivation. The Board thanks congregations, ministers and interim-moderators for their assistance with placements. Term-time Placements The Board has agreed that candidates for the ministry should meet with their director of studies early in their first year. During that meeting arrangements will be agreed with each student to ensure that they benefit from a close involvement in the life of a local church where they reside during term time. That involvement will expose the student to many aspects of congregational life and ministry, the working of church courts, the work of the minister, some form of evangelism and will include preaching opportunities and help with sermon preparation. The Board proposes the repeal of Act XX 6, 1985, relating to the number of times students are permitted to preach, believing that this matter should be kept under regular review by the Board and the Pastoral Theology department. (I) BIBLE EXAMINATIONS AND PRESBYTERY OVERSIGHT The Board undertook a review of the oversight and spiritual formation of students as instructed by last General Assembly. The Board believes it is important that all candidates have a good knowledge of the content of the whole Bible prior to entering the ministry. Since the majority of candidates complete the BTh course in three years the Board proposes a change in the annual written scripture examination to cover the whole Bible in three years. Presbyteries are of course at liberty to test the scriptural knowledge of candidates when they consider recognising a candidate as a student under their care. The Board proposes that no written Scripture examinations should take place in summer From January 2016 onwards, responsibility for setting a date for a scripture exam and for setting and marking the examination will pass to the Board of Ministry as set out in Appendix Two and in the Deliverance. This two-hour written examination will take place in January each year. Candidates have the option to take their Presbytery examination either in August, prior to the commencement of each academic year, or in January mid-way through the academic year. If Presbytery examinations take place in January it may also be appropriate to arrange for a less formal meeting for pastoral care during the summer vacation. (J) PROBATIONERS The Board made modest financial provision to a probationer awaiting a call. The church is mindful of the pressures faced by students particularly those candidates with families to support. (K) CONTINUING EDUCATION OF MINISTERS An annual In-Service Training Programme is held in Edinburgh each January offering training and opportunity for fellowship to about one-third of our ministers each year. The course is held at the Seminary on The Mound. The Church thanks Mr Donald MacDonald of MacDonald Hotels for providing relaxing accommodation at a subsidised rate at the Holyrood Hotel. The Board is grateful to Rev. Dr David Ford and Mr George MacLean for this year s programme. Mr MacLean has now retired from his coordinating role. Twenty five ministers and one Presbytery worker took part along with two SASRA workers. Participants valued the teaching, rating the talks on Evangelism from Ajith Fernando and on Leadership from Rev. John Nicholls particularly highly. In future years we will seek to include more opportunity for prayer and space for some free time. We will seek to avoid an overlap with the dates of the Crieff Ministry Conference in Ministers are encouraged to use the audio and video resources on the Ministry Matters section of the Seminary website. The Board reminds ministers that they may take Sabbatical Study Leave, under Act IV, 1994 and Act XXX, 2006, for a research or writing project or as part of study for a post-graduate qualification. ETS can arrange for a course of Sabbatical Studies which could involve guided reading under the direction of a member of the faculty. The Board encourages ministers to obtain post-graduate qualifications such as an MTh at ETS, for which some grant funding may be available. (L) TRAINING OF CHURCH PLANTERS AND EVANGELISTS The Board discussed the identification and training of church planters and evangelists with Rev. Derek Lamont and Rev. Neil MacMillan. The Board is willing to tailor placements and elective courses to help prepare suitable candidates. We have been offered help by the Acts 29 network and Reformission Scotland to assess formally men being trained as church planters. The number of assessment places is very limited and there is a cost of 1,250 for candidates going through a 20 to 30 hour assessment process (over six months) including online assessments, questionnaires, telephone interviews and a two-day assessment conference. While there is a

8 financial cost to such a process this is much less costly than placing the wrong individual in an unsuitable church planting situation. (M) PANEL OF PASTORAL CARE The personnel of the Panel of Pastoral Care are: Rev. Angus MacRae (Chairman), Rev. James Maciver, Rev. Robert MacLeod, Rev. D. Iain MacDonald, Dr Martin Walker, Dr Colin Mackay and Mrs Helen Mackay. They are available to give advice and support to ministers and their families. The Board thanks the members of the Panel for their service. The Board thanks Presbytery Pastoral Panels for their work and remind them to be proactive in bringing support to ministers and their families. In his book True Friendship, Anglican pastor Vaughan Roberts encourages Christians, particularly men and those in church leadership, to cultivate deep friendships. Friends strengthen each other and can ask challenging questions. One thought provoking question he recommends is: If you were the devil, where would you attack yourself? Our spiritual foe has studied the human heart for centuries. Even as we get older in ministry the devil continues to study our weaknesses and failures. The gospel calls us to turn from our weakness to the strong grace of Christ. The Panel commends some books for ministers, particularly those finding difficulty managing time. Deacons Courts should be willing to purchase copies for their pastors as part of their own care and commitment to their minister. We recommend: Going The Distance by Peter Brain; Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp; The Busy Christian s Guide to Busyness by Tim Chester; and Ready, Steady, Grow! by Ray Evans. Many of our problems come from sin or from wrong attitudes, some arise from sheer busyness, and some from managing (or mismanaging) God s blessings if our churches become awkward in size or if members and fellow leaders feel pressured by changes or struggle to integrate new people. There is biblical wisdom in each title. Readers will disagree with some of what Tripp says. It is not the best book to read during times of deep struggle but if read with care it could help prevent many problems. Perhaps it would be good for ministers to read and discuss one of these books with another minister or a trusted friend? (N) CHANGES IN PERSONNEL 1. The following changes in Personnel are brought to the attention of the General Assembly: Deaths Rev. Walter Kenneth Stone formerly of Helmsdale 30th January 2014 Rev. Alastair G. Ross formerly of Buccleuch & Greyfriars 18th February 2014 Retirements Rev. Donald A. Macdonald Kinloch 16th May 2014 Rev. Alex MacDonald Buccleuch & Greyfriars 31st May 2014 Rev. Alasdair MacDonald Dunblane 30th September 2014 Resignations None Translations Rev. Jeremy Ross from Poolewe & Aultbea to Dumfermline 30th August 2014 Rev. Ewan Matheson from North Uist, Grimsay & Berneray to 28th November 2014 Cross Inductions Rev. David Randall Falkirk 1st March 2014 Rev. Paul Clarke St. Andrews 20th July 2014 Ordinations & Inductions Rev. Murdo Campbell Barvas 22nd August 2014 Rev. David Kirk Assistant at Kilmallie & Ardnamurchan 22nd August 2014

9 Rev. Thomas Davis Carloway 27th August 2014 Rev. Tom Muir Assistant at St. Columba s 21st September 2014 Admitted from other denominations Rev. Paul Clarke Admitted from Church of England 5th March 2014 Rev. Ian Watson Admitted from Church of Scotland 5th March 2014 Rev. Michael Braeutigam Admitted from the Evangelical Free 5th March 2014 Church of Germany Rev. David MacLeod Admitted from Church of Scotland 1st October 2014 Rev. Roddy MacRae Admitted from Church of Scotland 1st October Register of Ministers without Charge available for Call Contact details are available from the Principal Clerk, or relevant Presbytery Clerk. Name Presbytery Date of Effect Rev. David Parker Glasgow & Argyll May 2012 Rev. Ricky Macdonald Glasgow & Argyll 30th June 2012 Rev. Ruairidh Maclean Glasgow & Argyll 30th June 2013 Rev. Benjamin Van Rensburg Edinburgh & Perth 4th March 2015 Rev. Michael Braeutigam Edinburgh & Perth 25th March 2014 Rev. Roddy MacRae Northern 1st October Register of Probationers Contact details are available from the Principal Clerk, or relevant Presbytery Clerk. Name Presbytery Date of Licence Rev. William Paterson Northern 2nd July 2010 Rev. Colin Ross Edinburgh & Perth 29th March 2011 Rev. Sean Ankers Glasgow & Argyll 25th June 2014 (O) PERSONNEL SUB-COMMITTEE The Personnel Sub-Committee of the Board considers models of best practice affecting the working conditions of ministers. The Sub-Committee consults with Mr Rod Morrison and Mrs Catriona Cazaly, and is grateful for their support and guidance in these technical areas. The Board of Ministry tasked the Sub-Committee to a review a number of items on a five-yearly basis: specifically the stipend goal recommended to the Board of Trustees, and the level of supply fees. These areas were last reviewed in 2012/13, and so will not be reviewed again until The Sub-Committee was tasked to keep under on-going review several other matters including: statutory changes affecting Ministers Working Conditions, the Student Finance Scheme and general issues affecting Minister s Expenses. The only significant change affecting Ministers Working Conditions relates to Paternity Leave. As of 5th April 2015, parents are now entitled to Shared Paternal Leave. Presbyteries and ministers will be informed of how this change affects the amount of leave ministers may take in the year following the birth of a child. (P) MENTORING COORDINATORS The Personnel Sub-Committee arranged a training day for all Presbytery Mentoring Coordinators. This has helped clarify the role of Mentoring Coordinators. Further training for all prospective Mentors is planned in the near future. In some Presbyteries Mentoring Coordinators are also responsible for the co-ordination of Presbytery Strategy. Mentoring Coordinators have a significant pastoral role. The Board of Ministry would accordingly urge Presbyteries to avoid assigning this task to ministers who carry several other additional responsibilities.

10 ANGUS MACRAE, Chairman IVOR MACDONALD, Vice-Chairman APPENDIX ONE Information on Ministry Apprentice Schemes Most ministers succeed and flourish but too many men have struggled during ministry training or have had painful or short experiences of ministry. Some problems that lead to the risk of burnout could have been mitigated or prevented if applicants were sifted and tested prior to undergoing seminary training. The Board of Ministry believes that many applicants and perhaps all younger applicants should progress through some form of apprenticeship as part of their assessment and route into gospel ministry. The apprentice method forges a partnership between the church and seminary. It is a tried, tested, effective and biblical tool. [The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim. 2:2)]. Typically an apprentice will spend one or two years as an apprentice. They will be expected to devote about half their week to study and guided reading and half their week to shadowing and assisting the pastor and others involved in ministry tasks, and taking part in all aspects of the life and ministry of the local church from mundane tasks such as putting out chairs or folding publicity leaflets, to much more challenging tasks such as leading a Bible Study, sermon preparation or helping with bereavement care. Apprentices tend to be young people who may be uncertain how they should best serve the Lord with their lives. Not all are destined for ordained ministry and so it is appropriate that apprentices may be male or female. Biblical and Reformed Churches recognise that there are many valid ministries for women and that there is a great need to give adequate training and support to young Christians so that they spend a lifetime serving God through the local church. An apprenticeship could cost a church between six to ten thousand pounds per annum. Part of this would meet living expenses and part would pay for good quality training. It would be usual for the apprentice to raise a third of that sum, for the local church to raise a third and for a grant making body such as the Bonar Trust to cover the remaining third. Churches offering accommodation would perhaps offer lower living expenses. An apprenticeship is good value for the local church and gives a valuable period of learning and testing to the candidate. Particularly in the case of potential ministry candidates this period will help the church to select the right candidates for ministry and help to identify areas where a candidate needs special support and help. A good seminary is very effective at imparting knowledge and skills related to the study of the Bible in the original languages, scripture exegesis and sermon preparation. A seminary is less suited to honing personal qualities in Christian leaders such as godliness, gentleness, toughness and perseverance. Yet these qualities figure very largely in the description of pastor-teachers in scripture (e.g. 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 4:12; 4:6-16; Titus 1:6-8, Titus 3:1-2). The Christian church is the natural place for such personal skills and qualities to be identified and grown. Church life is the ideal setting where ministry candidates can become more prayerful, more competent as leaders and gain a clearer vision for gospel ministry in the local church from pastors and elders who have such a vision. The components of effective apprenticeship training usually include: Leadership Gifts, Ministry Skills and Practice; Bible Study Skills; and Practical Skills giving useful service in the church. At the same time church leaders will look for evidence of godliness and a growing faith. The study elements of an apprentice scheme can be delivered in-house but it is often best to use the resources of external experts to deliver basic training in understanding the Bible, introducing Biblical and Systematic Theology and topics such as Apologetics, Evangelism, Church Leadership and Church Growth. Cornhill Training in the Glasgow area, similar courses run by the East of Scotland Gospel Partnership and specific courses offered by ETS and HTC might all be suitable teaching supplements to a ministry apprentice training. Distance learning may be suitable for those doing an apprenticeship in remote areas. The Board notes that presentations on Apprentice Schemes have been well received at the annual Positively Presbyterian Conference. A number of our larger congregations have devised their own apprentice schemes. Several men now in the Free Church ministry were previously trained on an apprentice basis. After a time in an apprenticeship some men have concluded that they were not called to pastoral ministry. Nevertheless they have benefited and are better able to serve their churches in the years to come. The Board intends to visit each home Presbytery to discuss apprenticeship and will also consult the Missions Board and North American Presbyteries.

11 APPENDIX TWO Regulations for Scripture and Presbytery Examinations The Board will set a written Scripture Examination to be taken in January of each year and will advise students and Presbyteries of the date of the examination by September. The examination will be supervised by each student s home Presbytery. Some biblical books are identified for reading only, and others are identified as books on which the candidate will be examined. The paper will be set in conjunction with staff from the Board or the Biblical Studies departments at ETS and marked by members of the Board with a pass mark of 60%. In this way a standardised scripture examination will be set for all students and by the completion of their studies, all candidates for the Free Church ministry will have studied the entire Bible in English. Students who fail to obtain a requisite pass mark will be interviewed and examined by the Board orally and may be required to re-sit an examination. Presbyteries should continue to meet with students for pastoral care and oversight and to examine the students on a set text relating to Pastoral ministry from the list of approved texts below. Presbytery will also examine the student on Christian Doctrine. Under this revised system students on a three-year course will be examined on the Shorter Catechism and the whole of the Westminster Confession. Should a Presbytery detect any obvious deficiencies in theological understanding these can be communicated to seminary staff, who can set remedial reading or written exercises. Schedule of Books to study for January Scripture Examination: YEAR 1 Books to read for written exam: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Ruth; Matthew, Mark, 1 and 2 Corinthians, James. Books to read for private study: Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Galatians, Ephesians. YEAR 2 Books to read for written exam: 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Hosea, Jonah; Luke, Acts, Romans, Philemon, 1 Peter. Books to read for private study: Joshua, Judges, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, 2 Peter, 1 and 2 and 3 John, Jude. YEAR 3 Books to read for written exam: 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, Zechariah; John, 1 Timothy, Hebrews, Revelation. Books to read for private study: Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Song of Songs, Ezekiel, Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 2 Timothy, Titus. Syllabus of titles on Practical and Pastoral theology for Presbytery Annual Oral Examinations: Students may elect to arrange with their Presbytery to take this examination in the summer prior to entering each session at ETS, or to take this examination in January mid-way through each year of study at ETS at the time of the annual Scripture Examination.

12 YEAR 1 On being a pastor: Understanding our Calling and Work by Derek Prime and Alistair Begg. YEAR 2 Dynamics of Spiritual Life by Richard F Lovelace, or The Christian s Great Interest by William Guthrie. YEAR 3 Knowing God by James I Packer, or An All-round Ministry by C H Spurgeon, or Practical Religion by J. C. Ryle. (Students taking a 4 year course may select any of the titles above that they have not already been examined on for examination in their final year). Syllabus for Presbytery Annual Oral Examinations in Doctrine: Year 1 - The Westminster Shorter Catechism Year 2 - Chapters 1-16 of the Westminster Confession of Faith Year 3 - Chapters of the Westminster Confession of Faith PROPOSED DELIVERANCE 1. The General Assembly receive and adopt the report and thank the Board, especially the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and the Clerk. 2. The General Assembly give thanks to Almighty God that he continues to call and equip men for the ministry of the Church. They encourage congregations to be diligent in supporting prayerfully and practically all students and their families, and those entrusted with training. 3. The General Assembly thank Rev. Dr David Ford and Mr George Maclean for coordinating the recent In-Service Training Course. The Assembly further thank Mr Donald MacDonald for his generosity in providing, at a much reduced cost, accommodation and meals at the Holyrood Hotel. 4. The General Assembly remind Presbyteries to take great care when processing Applications for the Ministry, to ensure that referees have the knowledge to make judgements on an applicant s character and skills, following up references where necessary, and making a proper assessment of the applicant s giftedness for teaching, preaching, inter-personal skills, Christian character and temperament. 5. The General Assembly instruct the Board of Ministry to investigate with the Seminary Board and Senate the possibility of creating a Diploma or Licentiate award for candidates on modified courses who will not qualify for a BTh award. 6. The General Assembly, in view of the ongoing uncertainty of the church scene in Scotland at present, waive the requirement of Act XXXV, 2005, that authority to grant admission to ministers of other denominations lies solely with the General Assembly and empowers the Commission of Assembly at its meetings before the General Assembly of 2016, to receive and dispose of any such applications seeking admission to the Free Church ministry duly submitted through Presbyteries and the Board of Ministry. 7. The General Assembly note the advice of the Board of Ministry on routes into ministry and endorse the Board s policy that it shall no longer be the normal requirement for applicants under the age of thirty to possess a qualification at degree level prior to being accepted as a candidate for the ministry. The General Assembly direct the Board of Ministry to advise each applicant individually on the best course of action to take preparatory to obtaining formal training for the ministry. 8. The General Assembly instruct the Board of Ministry to consult the Missions Board and the Presbyteries of the Church on appropriate routes into ministry and the varying types of ministry model that are biblical and necessary for the health of the church.