Tag: The General Assembly

Jesus Christ, Sex and sexuality, The Church in Scotland

The Secularisation of the Church of Scotland – What Really Happened at the Assembly?

A Report on the 2017 Decision to Permit Same Sex Marriage Much to no-ones surprise, the Church of Scotland General Assembly has just voted to accept the Theological Forum’s report which changes the Churches definition of marriage to include same sex marriages and to apologise to gay people for their previous understanding. I know there are various caveats and nuances but that is the reality … Continue reading The Secularisation of the Church of Scotland – What Really Happened at the Assembly?

theweeflea38 Comments
The Free Church

Lessons from the Disruption – How a Church Split Can be Positive!

It was a surprise to be asked by Christian Today to comment on the 174th Anniversary of the Free Church Disruption of 1843.  I doubt that the anniversary went through the minds of even most Free Church people.  But as I reflected on it, I realised that the Disruption still has a lot to teach us – so as we head into the General Assemblies … Continue reading Lessons from the Disruption – How a Church Split Can be Positive!

theweeflea3 Comments
The Church in Scotland, The Free Church, The Record

A Last Minute Plea to our Brothers and Sisters in the Church of Scotland _ The Record Editorial – May 2017

The May edition of The Record is now out….I love the cover and I hope that the content within is improving. (you can purchase the whole magazine from the Free Church Bookshop in Edinburgh or from your local Free Church).   The following is the editorial. A Last Minute Plea to our Brothers and Sisters in the Church of Scotland The Free Church is the Church of … Continue reading A Last Minute Plea to our Brothers and Sisters in the Church of Scotland _ The Record Editorial – May 2017

theweeflea13 Comments
The Church in Scotland, The Free Church

Back to the Future – the 2009 General Assembly

In 2009 I was the editor of The Record.  As such I wrote a commentary on the Church of Scotland General Assembly of that year in which I argued that it was the beginning of the end for the C of S.  I doubt that there is an article that I have received a stronger backlash to -especially from some evangelicals who thought it was … Continue reading Back to the Future – the 2009 General Assembly

theweeflea13 Comments
Sex and sexuality, The Church in Scotland, The Free Church

Post Assembly Blues – is the C of S Apostate? – Quantum of Solas 31

I listened to the final session of the Church of Scotland general Assembly as I cycled to the Solas office….it so depressed me that the result is this Quantum of Solas.  If it makes you uncomfortable bear in mind that it made me that way too….the question is, is it true?  I suspect not everyone will agree but I believe that a rubicon has been crossed … Continue reading Post Assembly Blues – is the C of S Apostate? – Quantum of Solas 31

theweeflea9 Comments
Sex and sexuality, The Church in Scotland, The Free Church

After Sleepwalking Where Culture Leads, is the Church Finally Waking up?

The following article appeared on the Christian Today website on Monday – http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.irish.referendum.scottish.church.assembly.ulster.bakery.and.the.english.politician/54688.htm Did you hear the one about the Irish referendum, the Scottish Church Assembly, the Ulster bakery and the English politician? Let’s start with the Church of Scotland General Assembly. Last week was for me an incredible week. I was installed as Moderator of the Free Church General Assembly but in reality all eyes … Continue reading After Sleepwalking Where Culture Leads, is the Church Finally Waking up?

theweeflea3 Comments
The Church in Scotland, The Free Church

The Free Church General Assembly – Final Day – Thursday

I am writing this from memory, the morning after the night before – so forgive me if I don’t remember everything – but you can get the procedures of the GA from the Free Church website and I will write a fuller report of the whole Assembly later. A few points from the final day… 1) The Board of Ministry report and discussion was excellent … Continue reading The Free Church General Assembly – Final Day – Thursday

theweeflea3 Comments
The Free Church

Free Church General Assembly – Day Three – Wednesday

This was a long but really encouraging day – I started about 7am and did not finish until after 10 before having a relaxing drink with friends.  Again I won’t go into all the details as I am about to head in for another 12 hour session!  But the following highlights stand out. 1) The dignified and emotional way that David Miller accepted that his … Continue reading Free Church General Assembly – Day Three – Wednesday

theweeflea1 Comment
The Free Church, Uncategorized

The Free Church General Assembly – Day 2

Tuesday the 19th of May – This has to go down as one of the most extraordinary and surreal days in my life. I was really nervous about the Assembly sermon.  That nervousness was made ten times worse when it took longer than anticipated to produce the Faithful and Dutiful address to the Queen.  The speech itself seemed to go well – I felt very … Continue reading The Free Church General Assembly – Day 2

theweeflea1 Comment
Politics, Scotland, The Church in Scotland, The Free Church

Free Church of Scotland

This is the talk I gave at the Free Church of Scotland Assembly today….its lengthy but some people were asking for the full text..I did not deliver it exactly to script – if you want to see the sermon then you can watch it here…the text is below.  May the Lord use it for his glory.. Assembly 2015 – Scotland Turned Upside Down There is a … Continue reading Free Church of Scotland

theweeflea8 Comments