...From the Manse

Christingle Service

2011-12-02T17:43:00.002Z

Should the church support the protesters at St Pauls'?

2011-11-19T18:37:00.003Z

http://www.4thought.tv/themes/should-the-church-of-england-side-with-the-protesters-at-st-pauls/ian-chamberlain
You might like to take a look at this link since it will give you access to a number of views.
My own view is that the church should support the protesters since we need leadership at this time in history and unlike the prevailing political view that 'money' is going to fix things for us, we need to recognise that the big challenge for democracy now is 'Can it challenge the Corporations?'
Decades ago the cry was to challenge the landed gentry but over the last few decades we have seen the emergence of a rich elite that are so powerful that we have to bail them out when they get into trouble....
I am not at all sure that Jesus would approve..

A man died this week

2011-11-19T18:31:00.001Z

A man died this week. On the operating table. Not much older than me. Quiet man. Not seen him for 30 years. As a young christian he introduced me to Matthew 25. Taught me a lot of things. Started a charity called Archway - http://www.archwayfoundation.org.uk/ which is still going.The Lectionary reading this week is Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus points out some criteria that will be used at Judgement Day;
•I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, (or you gave me nothing to eat).
•I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, (or you gave me nothing to drink).
•I was a stranger, and you welcomed me in, (or did not welcome me in).
•I needed clothes and you clothed me, (or did not clothe me).
•I was sick and you looked after me, (or did not look after me).
•I was in prison and you came to visit me, (or did not look after me).

Some coincidence methinks.
So, I will have plenty to say tomorrow morning....

Team Work works :)

2011-11-12T18:42:00.001Z

It has been an incredibly busy week and more to follow as Christmas fast approaches but I am glad that all the fuss and bother from the summer is fast being overtaken by so many positives.
Remembrance day services in the schools this week have gone so well and the 6th form presentation in Bowmore was just amazing - the silence was not broken by a single cough or noise of any kind and I cannot remember such respect being shown by so many, so young.
Jim and Gwen managed the primary schools and it would be false to understate the positive impact that Jim (the Baptist Minister) and his wife Riona have had upon the team work on the island. The Ilsay Fellowship on Wednesdays and the prayer meeting on Fridays are bearing fruit as Christians bring before God the concerns for so many on Islay.
Remembrance tomorrow and the elders in Bowmore will lead as I go off to St Johns in Port Ellen to allow them to have an 11am silence this year. I won't mention names but I will say how great it is to have fellowship with these folk, especially as I see and sense their hope for the future.
After Remembrance we look to all the Christmas events, starting with the annual Christingle Service in the Round Church. This has become an island wide event and it is so good to get that support from the other parishes. Indeed a major part of my experience here is the shared goal of reaching our young people once again.
In each of the primary schools the children now recite the Lords Prayer with confidence in a way they simply did not a year ago! We engage them with new songs and videos in a way that has not happened before, all because of team work - team work with the schools, Jim, Gwen, our parent helpers who shall remain unamed, and our Presbytery Youth advisor Jess Reynolds.
I think we are beginning to connect in ways that will be a real blessing to all in months to come.
We have also been contacted 'out of the blue' by people that feel called to Islay in service and we look forward to an exciting 2012.
We must not forget the Gaelic Services which are becoming more established thanks to Parish support and contributions from the likes of the Gaelic choir and Alistair Scouller of Colonsay.
If I were to be asked for a summary of my theology then I would undoubtedly say that I am Romans Chaper 12 man - team work, shared responsibility, common vision and goals. This for me is God at work amongst his people and I see it beginning to emerge here. Please pray for us all as we see the way forward for Christmas and beyond. Thank you.
Team work works :)

November Prayer Diary

2011-10-30T23:11:00.003Z

The November Prayer Diary is out!
This monthly prayer diary is constructed from prayer requests handed in to the Friday lunchtime prayer group and can also be found on the Round Church and St John's websites (see links to the websites in the sidebar on the right). Please feel free to use the diary and join us in praying for our congregations, community on Islay and the wider world. Click on the following link to view the diary. You can also download the diary by right clicking on the link and selecting “save target as” November Prayer Diary

Ministerial Support

2011-10-14T11:55:00.000+01:00

I received an email from John Blanchard earlier this week.
For those of you who don't know him he has a worldwide evangelistic ministry and perhaps his most famous book is entitled 'Ultimate Questions'. This has sold over 14 million copies worldwide in many different languages.
Apparently he was evacuated to Islay, from Guernsey during the war and has very fond memories of that time. He is back here next June and he emailed me introducing himself and asking if 'there is any way I can serve you' whilst I am on Islay.
I found this expression striking, to say the least. Here is a man with a worldwide ministry asking if he can serve the ministry here, when you might expect him to perhaps suggest that whilst he's here 'he could teach me a few things, or help things along a bit...'
There is no doubt that ministers need support and I have a great deal of support here on Islay. It is no exaggeration to say that without that support the church just would not function. The support offered reflects, for the most part, the teaching in Romans 12 where we are told, for example, 'not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought' and to use our gifts for the benefit of the 'body of Christ'. In other words its all about Christian team work and ministry.
When you see a church working in this way it is a great witness to all that is great about being a Christian, but sadly not all 'ministerial support' is like this. There are those that work within the church to different agenda's, pledging support for the ministry but actually doing something else..... namely working for their own glory or self importance. They like to be seen and they enjoy the praises offered for the 'support'. They are quick to criticise. Such individuals and groups can be very damaging even though at first sight they may appear solid and faithful workers for the gospel.
The video below has long been known to us and when we first saw it some years ago we just laughed at it, but now we look at it with new eyes, eyes that know what ministerial support should look like. So, to all of our Romans 12 friends and co-workers with Christ.
Thank you :)

October Prayer Diary

2011-10-04T13:01:00.007+01:00

The October Prayer Diary is out!
This monthly prayer diary is constructed from prayer requests handed in to the Friday lunchtime prayer group and can also be found on the Round Church and St John's websites (see links to the websites in the sidebar on the right). Please feel free to use the diary and join us in praying for our congregations, community on Islay and the wider world. Click on the following link to view the diary. You can also download the diary by right clicking on the link and selecting “save target as” October Prayer Diary

Protection from the storms of life.

2011-08-31T13:10:00.000+01:00

We will be singing this song at the Islay Fellowship meeting this evening. It is a great encouragement when the storms of life break around you. A reminder to trust God to protect you from the storms and floods. Such promises resonate well with us at the moment, but like Hurricane Irene our storm is abating and the floods are falling. Thanks to all those that have been so encouraging these last few months. :)

What is Church all about... what is it meant to be?

2011-08-25T12:50:00.002+01:00

A friend sent me this video and it says so much in so short a time. Take a moment to play it through a couple of times.

It reminds me that I am not called here to get people into church. I am called here as a minister to introduce people to Jesus Christ and encourage them to become disciples. That is how it has worked for two thousand years and it is still working.

It has always been so that there are those that laugh, some even oppose at considerable lengths, but the message goes on. That is the message that I will be giving and I hope to get more and more effective in that.

If you like the video and want to know more, give me a call or come along to the Islay Fellowship meetings at the Baptist Church, Bowmore, 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings.

It's been a long time..

2011-08-25T12:32:00.000+01:00

It has been almost 3 months since I last added anything to the blog. It has been a difficult time. It's been as if my life has become polarised - on one side amazing things happening, on the other side very vindictive forces at work. An important series of meetings take place tomorrow that I hope will break that cycle of polarisation and allow us to get back on track.

Gwen and I were reading from 1 Corinthians and came across this;

1 Corinthians 16
After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

That about sums it up for us.

Puppets Training Weekend

2011-06-03T22:34:00.001+01:00

Last weekend we had a training day at the Round Church led by our good friend Chris Watt from 'Out of the Box' in Inverness. All of the churches on Islay sponsored the visit which was endorsed by our Presbytery Youth Worker Jess Reynolds. The photo below just gives an idea of what happened on the Saturday but Chris also came along to three services on Sunday and was well received by young and old alike. It is clear that the proper use of puppets could be a usful communication aid in so many settings eg schools, Sunday Club, open air events and Sunday Services.

Next steps?

Buy some puppets, get training, get script writing, and then go for it !

General Assembly 2011

2011-05-24T22:34:00.000+01:00

The General Assembly was quite a disappointment but an invaluable experience. Convenors often did not answer questions, or at least I did not think they answered the question, and they seemed to just duck the good searching questions. One man stood up and asked for an amendment indicating moderators would be chosen on merit rather than familiarity. Perfectly valid I thought. He was called to order most aggressively by the moderator, when the man indicated that his concern was that 9 of the last 12 had all worked at 121. The poor guy was visibly shaken and overall I have left with the abiding impression that Edinburgh rules the committees and the assembly.

Listening to the same sex debate was also very helpful for me because I could see that this was not really about homosexuality. The revisionists (not liberals, more upbeat word, clever) time and again went to the notion that God made us in his image, God loves us and wants us to love others. All true but not the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Its Christianity Lite, the low calorie version with lots of artificial flavouring, the more marketable commodity for this age, no need for repentance and faith.... and sin.... duh, wots that?
The tradionalists (not evangelicals, more downbeat word, clever) responded graciously and accurately, reminding the assembly of the nature of fallen humanity and the gospel of repentance and faith based on Gods love shown to us in Jesus.

However, the vote went to the revisionists, so that sets me to thinking hard about my own future.

The good news (and I say this tongue in cheek) is that the Church expects us all to holds hand and rejoice in the fact that very soon we will have a range of gospels to suit every taste :) Presumably when the congregations turn up for Sunday worship they will be able to select the 'good news for the day' they want to hear, then the preacher of choice will appear on a large screen streamed in live from some location, or be shown a sermon that we had conveniently 'prepared earlier'.

Thank God I had to come back early to bless the MV Finlaggan tomorrow, followed by a busy rest of the week doing good old traditional parish ministry stuff.

Scottish Parliament Election on 5th May

2011-04-27T12:50:00.005+01:00

Here's a couple of websites which you may find helpful for the up and coming election next week:

www.churchesvote.org a website backed by a wide spectrum of Scottish churches and
www.makethecrosscount2011.net/scotland by CARE (Christian Action Reserach and Education)

Good Friday

2011-04-25T12:42:00.001+01:00

More photos from Good Friday in Bowmore Square. Thanks Rae!
Click on the photos and they will pop up as larger images in a new window.

Resurrection Day!

2011-04-24T18:57:00.005+01:00

HE IS RISEN... HE IS RISEN INDEED! Here's a photo of the 8am service in Port Ellen in celebration of our Lord's resurrection!! Click on the photo below to see a close up :) It will pop up in a separate window.

Then it was a quick cup of coffee back at the Baptist Church, where they actually had a wonderful breakfast spread (!!) then back up to Bowmore for our 10 o'clock worship service and Euan's Baptism at the Round Church. Back to Port Ellen for Communion at 11.30.. back to Bowmore for the Easter Egg Hunt at 2pm with more wonderful cakes and goodies (!!).... off to Gortanvogie for an Easter Service with the folk there. Phew! What a day! What a Great God! Hallelujah! In fact the celebrations were such that I forgot to take any more photos. But here's one of the videos that we had at the Easter Egg hunt. One that we sing at Sunday Club and at CFC's :)

Make sure that your speakers are turned up.. Jesus is my Superhero!!

EASTER SERVICES

2011-04-20T21:04:00.003+01:00

You are welcome to join us at the following SPECIAL EASTER SERVICES being supported by Islay churches (additional to the regular Sunday services in each church). – All welcome!

Maundy Thursday 21st April
•Communion Service, Episcopal Church Bridgend, 7.30pm

Good Friday 22nd April
•Walk of Witness from Round Church to Bowmore Square, 2.00pm followed by Open Air Service in Bowmore Square.
•Service, St John’s Church, Port Ellen, 7.00pm

Easter Sunday 24th April
•Open Air Service, Community Gardens, Port Ellen, 8.00am followed by breakfast in the Baptist Church
•Islay Churches Kids Club’s Easter Egg Hunt, Baptist Church, Bowmore, 2pm
•Service, Gortanvogie, 4.00pm

Sing to the Lord a new song!

2011-04-14T11:44:00.004+01:00

It was so good to praise God together and share and pray with one another at the Islay Christian Fellowship yesterday evening. The theme was God's Word and our words. Here's a new song that we sang..

Islay Christian Fellowship

2011-04-13T12:26:00.000+01:00

Further fruit from our Alpha Course is the formation of a group which we are calling the 'Islay Christian Fellowship'. Those involved with Alpha had so enjoyed the fellowship, discussion and teaching that they wanted to continue to meet. So tonight will be the first meeting - 7pm in the Baptist Church, Bowmore, and we will set the scene for these weekly meetings over next few months.

Jim McNulty, the new Baptist Minister, and I will take shared responsibility for the leadership of the group and I will start notifying the other church groups about these meetings which are intended to be open for all. I am hoping that this group will provide refreshment and encouragement for those want more in depth teaching about what it is to be a Christian, but also have the opportunity for discussion and questions. So, if you think this might be of interest to you, please come along, you will be most welcome.

This meeting also complements the Islay Prayer Group Meeting which started a few weeks back. This group meets at midday each Friday in the Baptist Church Bowmore and is also open to all that would like to come along.

Some of you might be asking 'Why is this Church of Scotland Minister involved in so many meetings at the Baptist Church?' - a perfectly reasonable question and the practical answer is simply that the Round Church in Bowmore is not suited to meetings involving just 15-20 people or so. We have been using the Baptist Church for our Junior Church for many months now, having switched from the Bowmore small hall, because the Baptist church is an excellent building with good facilities, including projector and screen. However, if our numbers for Fellowship and children start getting up to the 100+ mark we can always move on from the Baptist Church and start meeting in the Round Church :) However, the spiritual answer to the question is perhaps even more relevant - we are meeting together because as Christians the Baptists share the same concerns that we do. It therefore makes good sense to work together.

A Tale of Two Errors

2011-04-13T12:08:00.000+01:00

I have been doing some reflecting over the last few days as we have been enjoying some time off. During the last year I have been exposed to various issues and I have seen more of the local and national churches struggle with lack of connection to the communities and culture in which they find themselves. If I were at this stage to offer a broad generalisation at what I see around me, I would say I see a tale of two errors, both of which have the net result of denying God's transforming power.

The first error I see is that folk look around them and they see all the evidence of good and bad. They see it on the news, they see it in their community and if really honest they see it in their homes too. Yet in the seeing they do not seem to take the next logical step which would be to focus on the good and weed out the bad. Instead they accept what they see as the 'way of things' and develop various strategies for coping with the highs and lows of life. I am not referring to a lack of action which is based on a lack of choice, or a lack of knowledge, I am simply referring to that side of humanity which readily shrugs its shoulders and just gets on with things. The gospel is good news to people in these circumstances once, and only when, they see that there may be an alternative way forward. Until that time any ministry into these circumstances tends to be a listening exercise, and often a lesson in listening to futility. Now listening is an absolutely key starting point in any 'caring' circumstance but I see too much emphasis on listening. Too often the listener fails to bring anything of Gods power and love to these circumstances. Oh, they may claim to bring love in Gods name but are they really? I see it as more like a doctor coming along, drinking tea and eating cake whilst the patient perishes for lack of diagnosis and treatment. I use the word perish deliberately because it is a word the gospel often uses but we seem to have forgotten it.

The second error I see is similar but in many respects sadder than the first. It is an error that many Christians or church going folk make in that they too recognise the work of good and bad in their lives, and the lives of the communities around them. They know that the bad things are driven by a power called sin and they know that Jesus Christ can and does forgive sin when asked. Yet their lives continue much as the others around them, harassed by various issues that they, like the first group, accept as the 'way of things'. They too develop various strategies for coping. They know that sin works in their lives but believe that is the way of it until we get to heaven. What is more, since sin is at work in their lives they believe they have no place to comment on the lives of others, or suggest that we should all be weeding out the bad. This group have had the visit by the doctor, who in turn has made a diagnosis and offered treatment. The patient however has become resigned to the diagnosis, accepts it and gets along with life, but refuses the treatment, because it 'probably won't work anyway'.

I see this as the work of all in ministry today, to make contact effectively with these two groups and teach them the truth, because Jesus said that the truth will set us free. Set us free for what? Well for lots of things but most certainly free to see his transforming power at work in our lives and the lives of those around us.

International Atheists Day

2011-04-01T12:12:00.000+01:00

Don't forget to pray for your atheists friends today. Think especially of Richard Dawkins and Stephen Hawking who extrapolate their data quite wildly at times to justify their atheist position. Pray that God will be gracious and merciful of course, but also pray that like many other prominent scientists they may have their own Damascus Road experience. Then they too will see that our Faith and Science combined bring much greater depth and understanding of who we are and why we are here.
Also pray for some work I am doing with a group down at Cambridge to make available a series of short videos that look at whether there really is a Science v Christianity divide. Thanks :)

First Fruits from Alpha

2011-03-04T13:57:00.000Z

We have started a weekly Prayer Group Meeting in Bowmore - the first took place today in the Baptist church. One woman attending said she had been praying for this for years! The meeting will take place from 12-1pm each Friday from now on and all are welcome.

This is an answer to my own prayers and hopes for the Alpha Course and has come out of the Alpha Course without prompts from myself. I am acutely aware that those few energetic churches that I have had the privilige of knowing have always had people praying for the work of the church on a regular basis AND at a prayer meeting ie corporate prayer is involved as well as private prayers. There is much to pray about on Islay and I want to encourage folk to drop in from time to time and join this group as they pray each Friday.

I should add that this is not to be thought of as the Round Church Prayer Group, just as the Alpha Course should not be thought of as Church of Scotland. We said from the beginning that all were welcome, little realising that another outcome would be to forge such strong relationships with local Baptists. In an island situation a prayer group reflecting Christian concerns of all kinds must transcend denominations and this Prayer Group does that.

Since our arrival on Islay we have been more and more blessed by developing links with the Baptists here. Last Septemeber we moved our childrens work out of the Bowmore Hall to use the much better facilities of the Baptist Church, and our Alpha Courses have been held in Baptist church facilities, both in Bowmore and Port Ellen. The reality is of course is that we are just sharing with fellow Christians and I am sure the timing of the Prayer Group starting is no accident, because it coincides with the arrival of the new Baptist Minister and his wife, Jim and Riona MacNulty. I was priviliged to speak at his induction and we look forward to working together in the years to come.

Jesus said 'You shall know them by their fruits' Matthew 7:16. That's my prayer too, that people will begin to see that God's people are fruitful in all kinds of ways.

Now for something completely different

2011-02-02T12:34:00.000Z

I keep hearing the expression in church circles that 'one size does fit anymore', but do those using the expression really believe what they are saying? This video is hardly regular church and it takes a while to get to the words (unless presumably you are under 30 and grew up singing this stuff?) but those that I catch have a theology that is OK by me. Isn't that the filter we should be using ie theology, rather than condemn it because it's a rap, it's too loud, and the guys singing it are probably not white? I can tell you I get really excited when I see God's word moving in different circles from my own. The group even call themselves 'ImpurFektFaith' (they spell it incorrectly - tut tut) - but the name still hits the mark for me.

Don't get me wrong, this is not 'my cup of tea' but I really enjoyed the message.... definitely a good one for a family service (in 2013?). Perhaps a 'Make War' banner should become a 'Make War on Sin' banner to improve it a bit? ... but now I am being picky :)

The lights are dimming..... but why?

2011-02-02T12:06:00.001Z

Just had an email from a colleague with this in it;

Lights are dimming across the old town. The power supply is faltering. Homes, shops and cafes are all struggling to operate, to stay open. Then the bright idea; why don’t we reduce the number of cafes, shops and homes with power?
This is controversial. People argue about what shops, cafes and homes are essential, which are not. Fears are expressed about the loss of buildings and groups that have been in the town for generations. People complain that family homes where grandparents lived will be lost forever. New groups will be enforced as families have to share – and many don’t want to! Through all the arguing people are constantly reminded that the power supply is running down. If hard choices are not made then all power will be lost. Lights will flicker and dim. The town will die.
Eventually after much soul-searching, the cuts are made. The remaining shops, cafes and homes have more power diverted to them and the lights shine brightly once again! Everyone cheers, even those who have lost what was precious to them. Their town lives again. Change has worked.
However, in all the celebrations, in all the light, one bulb flickers and dims. Only a child sees it. Alone among the crowd the child wonders, “Why is the power fading in the first place?”

I think the little boy is asking the right question and this is precisely why I have come into the ministry. There is nothing wrong with the power source, it is infinite and eternal, it's simply that folk have become disconnected.
At our Alpha Course last night one member of the church said that prayer for specifics is irrelevant because life is all predestined. At best this person seemed grateful for the blessings that did at least pop up once in a while. A man rightly commented 'why bother praying at all then?' Our dialogue progressed with an openess and respect which was really good, reflecting the purpose of the Course.
Please pray that we will become more connected as we go forward.

New ways to post a comment!

2011-02-01T14:52:00.005Z

We've just changed some blog settings so that hopefully it will be easier now to post a comment.
If you wish to comment on any of the posts on this blog:

Click on the "comments" link on the bottom right hand corner of the post.
Write your comment on the space provided just under "post a comment"
Where it says "Comment as" click on the drop down menu arrow and choose from one of the options. We have just added 2 new options at the bottom of the list i.e. name/URL and anonymous. These 2 options give you access to comment without the need to have a google account etc. If you choose the name/URL option you can leave your name against a comment without having to give a URL. Just fill in your name where prompted and leave the URL field blank, then click continue.
Once you are happy with your comment click on the "Post Comment" button and you will be prompted to copy a word verification before your comment is finally posted!!

Your comment will then go to Rob to be checked as authentic (not spam or something worse!!) before appearing on the blog asap. I hope this all helps, but do let us know if you need any further information.
Happy commenting!!!!

Great! It seems that people want to post comments...

2011-02-01T14:19:00.000Z

I have been getting feedback from more people that they like the blog because it gives them information about what is going on, and what topics are engaging me as the minister. However, I have just had a call from someone wanting to post a comment and found it to be a horrible process. He eventually gave up and gave me a call.
I was pleased to have the call and I explained that the blog is set-up, as many are, to stop people being able to post comments before a moderator has seen the content. The reason for this is simply that I have experience of forums, bulletin boards and blogs which, if open, seem to attract every nasty, foul person on the planet. These people take delight in just blasting your site with whatever will ruin it - often this is porn or links to porn. That's why we typically keep people out.
Nonetheless, since the blog is getting noticed by people in the parish and dialogue can be opened up, I will take a look at how we might filter people through a reasonably simple process so that comments can be posted. I will blog my findings in due course. :)

Happy Anniversary

2011-01-28T15:37:00.000Z

A member of one of my congregations has just dropped by the manse to leave a present and a card commemorating the fact that I am 'one' today; I was ordained a year ago. This person shall remain unamed, to avoid embrassment, but has been a constant supporter and encourager of myself and Gwen since our arrival a year ago.
What a year!
11 weddings, 28 funerals, and five baptisms - all of which lead to great highs and lows as you go on the emotional roller-coaster hoping to engage and encourage these people as they go through the major events of life.
What a blessing!
The privilege of getting to know people, and for them to so freely invite me into their lives is just amazing. So much in one year. Thank you God for the privilege and joy of being an ordained minister.
I could of course mention the changes... but you all know what they are, and I look forward to many more as we try to steer a course to future promises and away from past blessings.

Invitation to Minister in Jamaica

2011-01-04T13:55:00.001Z

Just before Christmas I had an invitation to take a small team over to Jamaica in March 2011. The invite comes from the Operations Manager of the Luis Palau Organisation and Luis Palau's son Andrew, both of whom I met in Inverness 2008. At first I just thought 'no chance' and sent an email back saying sorry cannot manage this one, but after some reflection I realised that perhaps I had been too hasty to say 'no chance'.
The Christian life is meant to be about giving to the poor and 'going out' to tell about the good news. Most churches that I know give fairly generously to the work of various organisations involved in such ministries but few churches get involved directly. Those churches that do get involved directly seem to benefit dramatically from an increased energy and confidence that is hard to gain by local work alone.
For this reason I would like us to seriously consider sending a small team out from each church to Kingston in March. I have attached some links to information pages that you can take a look at. If you would like to go or if you would like to offer some sponsorship then please let me know asap.
The links are at - flyer 1 flyer 2 flyer 3

Alpha Courses in Port Ellen and Bowmore

2011-01-04T13:30:00.000Z

Gwen and I are having a few days away on Jura before returning to start the long awaited Alpha Courses. In Port Ellen the course will start on Tuesday 11th January in the Columba Hall: ~6.30pm for refreshments and then ~7-9pm for the course content.
In Bowmore the course will start on Wednesday 12th January in the Baptist Church on Jamieson Street: ~6.30pm for refreshments and then ~7-9pm for the course content.
Each course will run for 10 weeks and I hope that many folk will attend this course, or one of those that will follow over the next couple of years.
This is not just for church members either, all are welcome, and its free :)
See you there!

A Blessed 2011 to you

2011-01-02T13:57:00.000Z

Reflections on 2010

2011-01-02T13:56:00.000Z

Ministers of Kildalton and Oa

2010-12-16T12:33:00.000Z

I came across a framed Celtic drawing of the Kildalton Cross which had engraved on it the names of all the ministers since the Reformation. It was looking fairly weather beaten but I have managed to scan it, clean it up, and add my name. We are all part of a long and defining Christian heritage and this is just one way of reminding ourselves about where we come from. Of even more importance of course is where we are going and I would have to say that I have grave concerns about our political leadership at this time in history. There seems so little vision, so little courage, so little integrity, amongst the majority of world leaders that one wonders how many more names will be added to the list of ministers at Kildalton and Oa.
For those interested in the names on the drawing; I will put a full size copy of this on the St.Johns Church web site soon.

Snow

2010-12-07T12:04:00.000Z

It seems the snow has given me a little space. Presbytery has been cancelled and so I have some time to catch up with my diary. I notice that it has been weeks since I last posted anything and a lot has been happening.
On the technical front we now have projectors being used every Sunday at the Roundchurch as part of our service. We have not had to buy or install screens because we have found that projecting onto the wall, left and right of the pulpit works well. St Johns also now has a screen installed that we can raise or drop as necessary in the services.
Sunday Club changes are working well at the Roundchurch and we have formed a new team at St. Johns which will start afresh with our young people in the New Year.
The Roundchurch has been painted inside and out, thanks to the Distillery! We have also started the long journey towards sorting out our buildings issues at St Johns.
With our Alpha Courses starting in January it is clear that it is going to be a busy but hopefully fruitful New Year.
So, the snow has given me space... but we have to rememeber that for many it has brought considerable headaches! One friend living near Edinburgh said they have had 40 inches so far - that is a LOT of snow. However, perhaps we need reminders to go a little slower especially at a time of year which usually brings lots of extra pressures to our lives. The Christmas child who became the man Jesus, is also the Prince of Peace. I am glad about that because his peace is one of his most wonderful and gracious blessings. Peace to all of my many friends and family this Christmas! :)

Future Focus

2010-09-30T18:03:00.000+01:00

We had a really good Roundchurch kirk session meeting last night. One of the clear things to emerge was our recognition that we cannot do everything, but what we choose to do we would like to do well. After 7 months here I think we are getting a fairly clear sense of our immediate priorities - these are (i) WORSHIP ie all that happens in church on a Sunday. We discussed having others preaching, choosing songs, leading prayers or doing readings. We discussed cleaning, teas and coffees, welcoming, sound desk and audio-visual. (ii) CHILDREN/YOUTH ie all that we do with our young people. We have moved our Sunday Club to the Baptist Church and it will now run after the morning service, rather than at the same time, and we will make much use of modern technology and communication methods. We hope this will engage our youngsters in a way that will encourage them to make it their own space.

(iii) ALPHA COURSE. We will start this in January 2011 and we are hopeful that it will provide a space for growth amongst our existing congregation and also allow folk from around Bowmore to participate. These courses are a great way of stimulating discussion and creating safe spaces for people to express their faith. (iv) PASTORAL. We want to become more organised in how we deal with the pastoral issues in the church. Angela Stather is gifted in this area and already very well known after some years of pastoral ministry. She has agreed to head this up and we want two elders (or more) to work with her to develop a team that will allow us to care for folk in the community around us. I can move on to change our web site to reflect these emerging emphases, and the new face of the Roundchurch in Bowmore.

There is a lot to do of course and we don't pretend it will be easy! We have some suggestions for new elders and helpers and I will be following these up in due course. The immediate good news is that we have a new treasurer - Bob McNabb - and we are delighted to welcome him onto the team.

I have a meeting of the Kirk Session at St.Johns tomorrow and we are also getting ready to decide on our future focus there too..... I will let you know what happens :)

Not Ashamed - 1st December 2010

2010-09-28T12:06:00.001+01:00

I have just had a phone call from a friend who directed me to the Christian Concern For Our Nation web site (http://www.ccfon.org/). They are promoting a 'Not Ashamed' day for December 1st 2010 and the question put to me was 'Is this something that we might get involved in?'. A dedicated web site can also be seen at http://www.notashamed.org.uk/ for those that would like more information.

I will certainly be showing this to the elders and the congregations of the Roundchurch and St.Johns because it says something that I hear more and more people saying to me - 'Why are we so quiet when so much that is going on is heading in a wrong direction?'. This is a view that I am sympathetic to and one of my hopes in ministry is that existing congregations will simply become more confident in their faith and start speaking up more. I don't subscribe to any suggestion of militancy or constantly writing to MP's as some do, largely because the exercise seems so negative and futile. Jesus did not say send letters to the Emperor, he said 'Go and make disciples'. So, we don't need to be militant but as Joshua said 'as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord' (Joshua 24:15). If we all took up that simple viewpoint, we could do quite a lot!

I recommend you take a look at the web sites mentioned above.

Service of Introduction to Jura and Islay for Jess Reynolds

2010-09-23T17:57:00.000+01:00

Just a reminder that we have Jess' induction service tomorrow evening in the Roundchurch. I know that many are involved in other longstanding events but those that can please do come along to this important induction. Oh and just to help, here is a picture of her :)

Hillsong

2010-09-23T16:54:00.006+01:00

Since arriving on Islay I have been suprised to find that neither of my congregations have heard of Hillsong, or indeed many other new Christian bands/composers. So, here is a link to a Hillsong that I am really enjoying just now. Not quite a John Wesley I know but listen to the words, let it engage you, let it's energy run through you... Now that's my God, 'the one whose Glory goes beyond all fame, and the cry of my heart is to bring you praise'. Enjoy..

Emerging Church Conference

2010-09-23T16:34:00.000+01:00

We were away for three days last week at the Church of Scotland Emerging Church Conference. This group of about 50 folk are all involved in new initiatives of one kind or another and fundamentally they are about looking at fresh ways of getting church engaged with our culture once again. Society has changed so fundamentally in the last 20-30 years that the church has become largely disconnected and hence also increasingly misunderstood.
So it was great to meet people who are concerned to see a reconnection and the key note speaker was simply excellent. His name is Alan Roxburgh and although he has a lot of academic things to say about being a Missional Church, he nonetheless weaves much of his life story into all that he says. That makes him much more enagaging and also plausible, at least for me! The net result is that we returned exhausted but refreshed at the discussions that we were also able to enjoy at the Conference.
It was also particularly good to catch up with our good friend and mentor Duncan MacPherson from Hilton Church, Inverness! Though I think our laughter at Alan's 'eccelesiastical' jokes was at times a little too vigorous... :)
For those who don't know much about emerging church or missional church I would recommend that you take a look at this web site - http://www.roxburghmissionalnet.com/

Highland Theological College

2010-09-21T14:48:00.001+01:00

My theology degree was formally awarded to me this week and I have received a number of ‘congratulations’ from our many friends in and around Inverness. The degree was awarded in absentia because I was attending the CoS emerging church conference in Glasgow. The conference was great and I blog about that elsewhere but significantly, whilst explaining to one individual that my theological training involved HTC the comment came back ‘oh yes, they are very reformed…’. This comment is not unusual and was, at least in my view, a gentle knock at the HTC take on scripture.

I have to say that I was mildly irritated by the comment on two grounds;
First because I have to thank HTC, in no small measure, for my place in ministry. Since having almost completed my training as an auxiliary minister in the CoS I woke one morning to the firm conviction that I should really be a full time minister. This created quite a few problems for the CoS because I was fast approaching the ‘age barrier’ of 55. Even so within a few days CoS had said they could accommodate the change but I had to find a way to extend my theological studies to complete a degree before the last day of my 55th year. None of the major universities could do it and although I had approached HTC it looked as though they could not do it either. So it looked as though I was simply too late. Imagine then my delight when two weeks later I should get a call which said ‘there is a way’…
The fact is that the vice principal had spent what time he managed to find ‘spare’ to see if a way could be found that fitted my circumstances and the ‘rules’. The CoS agreed to the proposal and thus I find myself here on Islay. Brillant!
The second cause of my irritation was that my ‘learning experience’ at HTC was really invigorating and contrasted with the almost ‘anything goes’ interpretation of the Bible that I had experienced elsewhere. In attending this reformed college I did not find that I had to respond ‘as taught’, I did not have to ‘suspend my intellect’ as some seem to think reformed theology is all about, but I could learn what the scriptures were about.
So, if any of you are thinking about learning more I commend HTC to you. Whatever stage of learning you are at I think you will find a place to start. Just as importantly the staff there will be supportive and encouraging. Go for it!
The ignorance that exists about the gospel in our culture is profound, and growing… but I will blog about that later too.

Biblically Conservative and Culturally Sensitive

2010-09-21T14:40:00.001+01:00

As a minister in this age of the so called ‘secular democracy’ and ‘aggressive atheism’ I am dismayed at the ways in which so many of my colleagues emasculate the gospel. I struggle to understand how they can justify their revision, nay reduction, of what the gospels communicate.

In the CoS debate that is ongoing with regard the ordination of practising homosexuals it would seem that there are two sides, one ‘traditionalist’ and the other ‘revisonist’, at least according to the guidance document issued by the CoS itself. It is a clever choice of words in this age because the very word ‘traditionalist’ is a bad word, whilst the word revisionist strongly suggests enlightened, inclusive, and open minded.
As I have pondered these positions over the last year or so I have found it helpful to recognise that I probably hold a position which is ‘biblically conservative and culturally sensitive’ whereas the revisonists hold a position which seems to be ‘culturally conservative and biblically sensitive’.
I am well aware of cultural practices and ideology and I am not too impressed. Indeed my journey to faith was born out of despondency for our culture! I find hope in the gospels for a transformation in human hearts which will automatically overflow to this culture. In that sense of course I need to be aware of, and sensitive to, the issues and influences controlling people’s lives. The revisionists on the other hand seem desperate to be accepted by the cultural norms and, whilst sensitive to the bibles teachings, proceed to reduce its content until what is left matches the whims of our age.
Simple though it sounds it seems to me we are meant to be Christians ie we look primarily to the gospels to understand the meta narrative therein and respond, rather than look to our culture? I welcome a broad church, in that it can reflect different Christian boundaries, but not one that exists without boundaries. Christian boundaries tend to lead to denominations and these tendencies are frowned upon even though they all reflect a pursuit after truth within biblical boundaries. To remove such boundaries altogether will surely cause the church ultimately to disperse and be lost amongst the myriad so called alternative realities? The sad truth is that I think the revisionists believe they will grow the church, even though the evidence is to the contrary. We need to remain biblically conservative and yet more culturally sensitive than we have been in recent decades.

Children's/Youth Worker starts work on Islay

2010-09-10T17:40:00.000+01:00

It is apparently several years since Argyll Presbytery decided that it would be good to have a children's/youth worker based on Islay, but we had our first meeting with the appointee this week! Her name is Jess Reynolds and she is staying at Portnahaven with her husband Scott.
The meeting was attended by childrens workers from around Islay and it was encouraging to see the energy and enthusiasm that folk had for young people and their needs. It was also great to see that this new initiative of the church is not about a new person coming along and waving a magic wand for us all. It was much more about starting to form a new team, with a new approach, one that we hope will be relevant and engaging for young people of the 21st Century.
The first step is for Jess to get to know the various congregations, the childrens workers, the children, plus the schools, the teachers and how Islay works. This is no small task and clearly it will take a while for her to get some sense of what is needed in each setting. Nonetheless it was just great to make a start and please pray for Jess, for Paul Beautyman her online manager in Argyll Presbytery, and for all those involved in the team, including me... :)

Back to School with God

2010-08-30T11:37:00.001+01:00

Yesterday we had our "Back to School with God" family service at the Round Church and we will be doing the same at St John's this coming Sunday. This is a Service that has been organisied by Scripture Union Scotland and has a theme based on Daniel chapter 3, encouraging us all to choose God's way and not to just follow the crowd!! It's a special service designed to commission our young people and school staff, and to encourage ongoing prayer for local schools throughout the year. In fact Scripture Union Scotland have set up a prayer network called the Schools Prayer Network. You can see details by clicking here.

Sunday Club and Footsteps, Kilnaughton Beach BBQ, 2010

2010-08-22T16:58:00.000+01:00

Just back from the annual Sunday Club beach barbecue. It was a joint affair with folk from Bowmore and Port Ellen attending which was great. As you might expect we had everything.... - good food, drinks, cakes, jelly babies, sand castles, sea, rain (lots of it) and then no rain (and then lots of midges decided to join us). The 'skin so soft' midge repellent soon ran out, and since by then the food had run out too.... we all ran home... :)
It was great to see so many children there and it was a great afternoon, with an opportunity for me to get to chat to parents.

A great big thank you must go to Iain Laurie, and his team, who organised the event (as usual it seems) and did all the cooking. I thought the food we enjoyed was much like that you see in the Port Ellen Spar... ?? Now who owns that Spar.... Oh yes, it's Iain Laurie... now isn't that a coincidence... :)

Kildalton Cross Service 2010

2010-08-12T15:25:00.000+01:00

Here we are just beginning to assemble for the annual Kildalton Cross Service. Around 30 people from around Islay came along for this Thanksgiving Service. We had Ray Woodrow (Baptist) reading, Adrienne (Catholic) leading prayers and I gave a short address on John 17 thanking God for our Christian heritage, but also looking forward, and encouraging everyone to remain in Christ in order that we could bear more fruit, even in an age where the church is so obviously declining.

I found it moving to be stood there with so much history around me, but I was also very aware that we have not honoured those that have gone before us very effectively. Mission must surely become much more of a focus? If we really believe that our Christian heritage is valuable ie how it has enabled us to hear and receive the gospel, then surely we must make more strenuous efforts to enagage those around us that are caught up in the hussle and bussle of modern life? My confidence in the gospel is born out of a life immersed in that hussle (nay hassle!) which proved so fruitless in comparison with all that I have learned of the Christian way of life.

I hope to make more of this service next year, by looking back AND looking forward. I hope you will be able to join us :)

Weddings!!!

2010-08-12T15:23:00.000+01:00

Weddings, weddings, weddings... what an amazing first year of weddings! Here are just a few pics of the weddings... at St.Johns, at the Roundchurch, in the Gaelic College and on the Beach! I already have bookings for 2012...

At the first one I forgot to get the witnesses to sign the schedule... and at the last one we had one of the ushers sign by accident... ah well, it was all OK in the end..

The really wonderful thing for me is that all these couples wanted a 'Christian' Wedding, they wanted God involved. Some out of a deep faith conviction, some I suspect out of a realisation that we need all the help we can get in the love stakes, but as best I could judge all were moved by what they were doing. Quite right too because a Christian wedding is all about giving, it is not about taking. So much of our modern literature and media encourages us to take what we can get, or look for the person that can fulfill us. "It's all about me". Yet to offer oneself to another in holy matrimony is not all about "me", it's all about love and what I can give. Oh certainly this is one risky venture and the reality is that some will probably fall short of the mark, but to at least point yourself in the direction of the mountain top is surely better than staying down on the plains?

The reality for me is that the weddings have been a privilege and a highlight of ministry here. I hope to be able to keep in contact with the couples as they go forward, and I hope to marry many more in due course. :)

KIldalton Cross - August 8th at 3pm

2010-07-08T18:01:00.000+01:00

It seems ages since our holiday ended but now that most of the admin is cleared away (at last) I can start to think about the next few weeks. One item of news is that we are planning an open air service at the Kildalton Cross at 3pm on the 8th August. It's an amazing spot and an iconic Christian Cross so it lends itself well to a Thanksgiving Service for our Christian Heritage. I have asked others to join in and so it will be an ecumenical service - after all it is a Christian Heritage that we all share in!

So, do join us if you can. Don't forget the midge repellent if it is still and damp otherwise the time will be pure misery for you. I look forward to seeing you :)

Holidays

2010-06-06T17:18:00.002+01:00

We are off sailing for a couple of weeks starting on Wednesday. See photos below from last summer at Fingal's cave and the Skerries. Isn't God's creation magnificent! O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1) We pray that you will have a blessed time while we are away and pray for Angus as he leads worship at both churches for both Sundays. We look forward to seeing you all on our return :)

Family Service at St John's

2010-06-06T16:58:00.003+01:00

Today we celebrated Pentecost and the birth of the church at the monthly family service at St John's. For some of us this will be the 3rd time that we've celebrated Pentecost this year but so what...! Being God's church, being the body of Christ is something to celebrate!! Rob spoke about the Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Gentleness and Self-Control, and about how these are fruits that are "always in season". Many thanks to Eilidh and Anna for reading so well from God's Word. Happy Birthday!

Family Service at The Round Church

2010-05-30T13:39:00.006+01:00

It was "Happy Birthday to the church" this morning at the Round Church Family Service as we shared the lovely chocolate cake shown here above with our tea and coffee after the service. Since we were away at the General Assembly last week, we celebrated Pentecost this week instead and will do the same next week at St John's!

Our Family Services have a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere and worship and teaching is aided by the use of multimedia technology. In fact a fruit juicer even made an appearance this morning to help with making a special fruit brew to illustrate the meaning of "Fruits of the Spirit". Could this be "Messy Church???"!!

... and here's Rob in his PERFECT MAN (under construction) Hebrews 10: 12-14 t-shirt. I must add that WAS part of his talk....!!

It is so good to get together in fellowship to worship God!

Sunset on Islay

2010-05-30T13:20:00.000+01:00

I couldn't resist putting up these photos taken from in front of the manse as the sun went down yesterday evening. What a wonderful privilege to be surrounded by God's amazingly beautiful creation.

Round Church Monthly Coffee Morning

2010-05-29T12:51:00.002+01:00

During the summer period, on the last Saturday of the month, the Round Church hold a coffee morning with home baking and 'bring and buy' in the Bowmore Buffet Hall from 10.30am to 12.30pm. We were there this morning to a wonderfully warm welcome and fellowship and excellent coffee and cakes! It was good to meet friends old and new. A great big "thank you" to everyone involved.

2010 General Assembly

2010-05-27T19:29:00.003+01:00

Last Saturday we attended the 2010 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh where Rob was presented to the assembly as a newly ordained minister. This year's moderator is the Rev John Cairns Christie and he had very encouraging and inspiring words for those being presented both as newly appointed and as retiring from service in the Church of Scotland. What a great privilege and sense of history to be at such an event. For more details of what went on at this year's assembly click here

Birthday Party

2010-05-19T09:47:00.008+01:00

Last Sunday saw a very momentous event at St John's: the special birthday celebrations of Jim and Alec. It was just great to be able to spend the time together after the service honouring these 2 gentlemen and the cake was just amazing!! Jean carefully chose some of their favourite hymns to sing during the service before the party.. I wonder if they noticed since the party was a surprise!!!

St John's Spring Bazaar

2010-05-19T08:37:00.006+01:00

What a way to start the blog with news of St John's Annual Spring Bazaar last Saturday afternoon at the St Columba Hall. Angela officially opened the event which was was really well attended with lots of fun and fellowship and the usual superb hospitality... in fact a fantastic afternoon and a great big "thank you" to all involved!