Moderator...Ready

So begins every session of the General Assembly of the Free Church Of Scotland...well not quite but it would certainly be entertaining if it did. As a first time commissioner of the General Assembly I thought that I would offer my reflections on the week that has just been.

Firstly what a joy it was, I can honestly say that, to come together with some of the other ministers and elders from the denomination, to sing praise, to pray together and discuss the future of the church together was a real pleasure for me. It was so encouraging to see everyone pulling in the same direction and to have conversations about gospel growth throughout Scotland.

It was good to catch up with some old friends and hear of their encouragements within the work and their problems, to meet new men and find out about places that I had never heard of before such as Plockton, im still not sure where it is but it was a delight to meet their minister Roddie Rankin.

Secondly I learned the importance of speaking when you think something is important, in a strange way I learned this from not saying anything. One of the reports I read I thought about an amendment to it for ages but I lacked the courage to actually propose the amendment only for it to come out that many people had the same idea but didn't propose an amendment.

Thirdly I learned the importance of disagreeing well, over the course of the week there were some disagreements but in all of that time I don't feel that the tone ever turned nasty, the toned never wandered into vindictiveness. This is so important in church gatherings we can disagree but we must disagree well, we must debate well with respect and honesty. I am glad for the wisdom and guidance of our moderator Angus Macrae and I am grateful also for the men with whom I personally disagree. I am not always right and it is good to have those other voices there as a corrective.

Fourthly I learned the depth of feeling there is within the church, when as an assembly we had to deal with difficult circumstances I can honestly say that I felt the sadness of the whole assembly, there was no joy only deep deep sadness which again speaks of a denomination that cares for one another.

The general assembly doesn't always get the best press but I can say with my whole heart I had a great week that I am thankful to God for the assembly and I am thankful to God for the Free Church of Scotland.