Sharing ideas, enjoying fellowship, and finding out more about the Free Church of Scotland’s vision for ‘A Healthy Gospel Church for Every Community in Scotland’, was the aim of a gathering held on Saturday.
People from congregations in the Inverness, Lochaber and Ross Presbytery met at Smithton Church in Inverness for a morning of talks and discussions.
One participant said it was useful to get an overview of the national vision and have the chance to discuss how that applies locally. Another said the gathering created “awareness of the needs of people in our community and how churches can serve communities.”
Two main sessions took place in the morning. 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.
People were asked to think about the following three questions: What can I do to grow in health? what can my congregation do to grow in health? and what can the Free Church of Scotland do to promote health?
The second session looked at what a healthy denomination looks like. Rev David Meredith, Mission Director, spoke about church development, the need for more ministers within the denomination and church planting, including 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.
People were invited to bring their own lunch and eat together after the gathering.
Thanks goes to the team of volunteers for their hospitality.
If you attended the event and would like to give feedback, please do so here.
More Healthy Church Gatherings will be taking place this year, so do lookout for a gathering near you.
Dates for your diary:
- Saturday 2nd September: Edinburgh Gathering (9.30am for coffee, 10am start) Venue TBC
- Tuesday 26th September: Skye & Wester Ross Presbytery: Portree (6.30pm for coffee, 7pm start, 9.30pm finish)
- Wednesday 27th September: Skye & Wester Ross Presbytery: Kyle Free Church (6.30pm for coffee, 7pm start, 9.30pm finish)
- Thursday 28th September: Skye & Wester Ross Presbytery: Aultbea Free Church (6.30pm for coffee, 7pm start, 9.30pm finish)
- 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!
