In 1636 Samuel Rutherford was sent into ‘exile’ in Aberdeen from his congregation in Anworth in the Scottish Borders for a couple of years. Although he was banned from preaching he kept in touch with the people back ‘home’ through a series of letters. These beautiful and pastoral letters are now considered spiritual classics – ‘When we are dead and gone let the world know … Continue reading It’s a Bargain! – (Letters in Exile 1)
“O that God would gie us, the gift to see ourselves as others see us” (Burns). “And those things when we hear, let us also make open show of our defects, but of our excellencies let us say nothing. Or if the opportunity force it upon us, let us speak of them with reserve and impute the whole to God’s grace.” (Chrysostom) The above words … Continue reading Onward Christian Soldier – The Scottish Daily Mail
This is part 4 of the Decades in Dundee – Jim Turrent now joins the panel… Decades in Dundee – Euan Gurr on Brexit, Independence, Poverty, Family, Christianity and Dundeei Continue reading Decades in Dundee 4 – Jim Turrent
This is an article published in the Broughty Ferry Presbyterian Church Magazine. At the beginning of a new ministry in Sydney it has been good for me to reflect on the Church that will always in some sense be my spiritual home and family. St Peters Free Church In this article I want to share with you something about Broughty Ferry Presbyterian Church’s sister church … Continue reading Farewell St Peters
This is my farewell gift to Scotland! – An interview broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland this morning at 8:30. It’s called the long interview because having 30 minutes to discuss on radio is unusual. I found Bill Whiteford to be one of the best interviewers I have ever faced – probing and challenging without being rude and aggressive. We discussed a range of subjects, the … Continue reading The Last Farewell – The Long Interview with Bill Whiteford
This is part three of the Decades Videos – Jim Spence, Kevin McKenna and I discuss with Euan Gurr. Euan is a special guy – one of the great unsung heros of the Christian church in Scotland. Euan was the head of the Trussell Trust and is now a columnist and campaigner. His heart for the poor is Christ’s. You may not always agree with … Continue reading Decades in Dundee – Euan Gurr on Brexit, Independence, Poverty, Family, Christianity and Dundeei
As we continue with the torment of packing up and unpicking 27 years in the one house, serving the one Church, it’s interesting that I have been asked to do several interviews over the past few day. One of which was with CFP – part one was a short interview about A.S.K and the other is this one – reflecting on the Church in Scotland and … Continue reading CFP Interview Part 2 – The Church in Scotland and Australia
This is a somewhat different interview – the Free Church has started a new podcast called Generation. (you can subscribe to it on Itunes) In this one, the ‘mischievous’ David Meredith, who knows me all, questions/interrogates me about moving to Australia and working with City Bible Forum. We discuss working with the elites/poor, parachurch ministries, why go to Australia? Differences between Australian, American and … Continue reading Generation Podcast – Para Church Ministries, Evangelism with the Elites/Poor? Why Australia? Culture; Becoming a Tory; Illness; Debating; Reputation; St Peters; The Future of the Free Church
Part two of the Decades in Dundee…. An interview with Kevin McKenna in which he reveals many things – including that he studied to be a priest but ended up not doing it after attending a charismatic meeting in a Church of Scotland! And his views on the Free Church! Kevin was brilliant in this…intelligent, amusing and compassionate…Enjoy… Decades in Dundee – Part 1 … Continue reading Decades in Dundee – Part 2 – Kevin McKenna on Faith, Politics, the Free Church and Journalism
This is such a strange day – for the first time in 27 years I am not responsible for the conduct of public worship in St Peters. Of course I have been away from St Peters before on a Sunday – but this is different. Then I was returning – this time we have left. As someone said last week – ‘this is like a … Continue reading The Final Sunday – Romans 16 and a Fond Farewell.
