Approval has been given for ministry appointment without restriction to continue for Free Church of Scotland ministers in Hope Church, Coatbridge and Bishopbriggs.
Rev Ivor Macdonald was ordained and inducted as minister of Hope Church, Coatbridge in 2012 as a part of the Northeast Glasgow Team Ministry and granted a five-year reviewable term in May 2018 when the Team Ministry was brought to an end. Rev Garry Brotherston was ordained and inducted as Minister of Bishopbriggs Free Church in September 2018.
Due to the financial circumstances of both churches in 2018, the Ministers’ roles were made reviewable after five years of their appointment. However, both churches are encouraged by financial growth, and permission has now been given for both ministries to continue on an unrestricted appointment.
A petition of Glasgow and Argyll Presbytery was received and approved by the Commission of Assembly. The ordinary running of the churches is not set to change; Rev Garry Brotherston will continue as the minister at Bishopbriggs and Rev Ivor Macdonald will continue as minister at Hope Church, Coatbridge.
Rev Ivor Macdonald from Hope Church, Coatbridge, said: “God has been most gracious to us in Hope Church Coatbridge , granting growth in our membership and finances. By God’s grace we are not only able to support gospel ministry from our own congregation but are able to contribute to a number of other Christian ministries locally and further afield. Having been supported in earlier days by the wider church in different ways we count it a privilege now to be able to financially support the Free Church in revitalising and planting gospel churches.
“This year we extended and refurbished our premises. We now have an enlarged sanctuary and a community cafe area. The cafe is open to the public on Fridays and also hosts a numeracy class, an advocacy worker, quiz nights etc. We want to commend the gospel to the people of Coatbridge and Airdrie by showing love in deed as well as word.
“We are encouraged by the good attendances at our prayer meeting recently and we are looking forward to baptising three teenagers and admitting four to communicant membership at the end of the month. To God be the glory!”
A representative from Bishopbriggs Free Church said: “Bishopbriggs Free Church is very thankful that approval has been granted for ministry appointment without restriction. This helps create stability and security not only for the congregation, but also for our minister. As well as this, it further confirms that the Lord’s hand is upon our fellowship, evidence of which we have been seeing with new people coming in, some of whom we have had the joy of seeing be baptised and taking up membership. As a congregation we continue to ask for God’s wisdom how best to reach the unchurched community that surrounds us. We would be most grateful if people would pray concerning this.”