There was a buzz of conversation and prayer at Hope Church, Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill on Saturday at the first Healthy Church Gathering.
Around 90 people from congregations in the Glasgow and Argyll Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland attended the Gathering. The aim was to meet together to look at the vision for A healthy Gospel Church for Every Community in Scotland.
During the morning, men and women from different congregations prayed together, shared ideas and enjoyed a time of fellowship.
Two main sessions were held. The first session focussed on what it means to be a healthy Christian and what a healthy Church looks like. Andrew Giffen, CEO of the Free Church of Scotland, spoke about these topics, with opportunity for discussion around tables.
The second session looked at what a healthy denomination looks like. Rev David Meredith, Mission Director, spoke about church redevelopment and the need for more ministers within the denomination and Rev Neil MacMillan, Church Planting Director, spoke about church planting and the vision for 30 new churches by 2030. There were opportunities for comments and questions, and feedback. Sarah Robinson, Communications Manager, gave an update on communications.
Video updates from several churches were given throughout the sessions for encouragement and sharing ideas in addition to times of feedback and discussion around tables.
One participant said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the gathering as it was good to be with other Christians”, while another said it was “an encouragement to see what the Lord is doing”.
If you attended the event and would like to give feedback, please do so here.
Thanks goes to the team at Hope Church, Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill, for hosting the gathering and for their hospitality.
More Healthy Church Gatherings will be taking place this year, so do lookout for a gathering near you.
Coming up in 2023:
- Wednesday 19th April: Western Isles Presbytery – Uist – North Uist Free Church (6.30pm for coffee, 7pm start, 9.30pm finish)
- Thursday 20th April: Western Isles Presbytery – Harris – North Harris Free Church, Scott Road, Tarbert (6.30pm for coffee, 7pm start, 9.30pm finish)
- Friday 21st April: Western Isles Presbytery – Lewis – Stornoway Free Church, Kenneth Street, Stornoway (6.30pm for coffee, 7pm start, 9.30pm finish)
- Saturday 13th May: Inverness, Lochaber & Ross Presbytery: Smithton Free Church, Murray Road, Smithton, Inverness, IV2 7YU.
- Saturday 30th September: Northern Presbytery. Venue and time TBC
Andrew Giffen, CEO of the Free Church of Scotland, said: “These gatherings are a great opportunity for us to come together and encourage one another in growing in spiritual health both as individuals and in our lives together as a congregation. We want to see healthy Christians, healthy churches and an increasingly healthy denomination. We will be thinking about what God wants the church to be, and how all of us can play a part in growing health in our congregations. There will be time for discussion, prayer and also worship together as a presbytery gathering.”
To book your place, go to: Healthy Church Gatherings – Free Church of Scotland
We look forward to seeing you there!
