by Jim Boyd
Saturday 21st September was a joyful day in Govan as the Presbytery of Glasgow and Argyll met for the Service of Induction of Rev. David MacPherson to be Minister of Govan Free Church.
Approximately 85 people, including family and friends, members of the Presbytery, a contingent from Greenock Free Church where David had ministered for the past few months, individuals from David’s previous congregation in Aberdeen, and other locals, gathered to give thanks to God.
Rev. Iain (Cheeks) Morrison conducted worship and preached on Psalm 45, highlighting the Majesty of the Groom and the beauty of the Bride in this Royal Wedding and related it to Christ and His Church. Rev. David Meredith read out a narrative of events leading to this induction and Rev. Ian Watson asked David the relevant questions prior to the signing of the Formula. David was prayed over and then received the right hand of fellowship from the members of Presbytery present and other Ministers associated.
Rev. Angus Lamont then addressed David and commented on their Peruvian links, and encouraged him to learn from his mistakes. Rev. Jonathan de Groot, now ex-Interim Moderator, followed with a charge to the Govan folks to:
1. Turn up. 2. Stick in. 3. Look around and 4. Reach out (Hebrews 10 vs 24-25). Psalm 72 was an appropriate song of praise to conclude the formalities, followed by the Benediction.
David Meredith had been asked to say a few words by David, and among other things, he told the story of the Govan Stones, which had been thrown away, with the lesson that “people don’t see the value of precious things”. Relating this to the Gospel, he said we have to persuade people of the value of the Gospel. David MacPherson then took over proceedings, and in addition to giving thanks to God and many others, he mentioned an email he had sent in the weeks prior to the induction where he said he couldn’t wait to get “stuck in”.
The congregation then enjoyed tea, coffee, sandwiches, sausage rolls, fruit and an array of home baking before presentations were made; to Martha by Ann Jamison, to David by Ross McAddock and to Jonathan by Gemma McAddock. The day came to an end, but the work begins.
Govan Free Church is where it is today by the Grace of God and through the pioneering work of Rev. Norman Mackay and his wife, Alison. Norman worked tirelessly to build relationships in the area, to see a church grow and to seek to help those with addiction issues come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Following Norman’s retiral in January 2022 the Light has continued to shine in Govan, and we are thankful to Jonathan our interim Moderator and Rev. Phil Stogner for their support during this period. We see the coming of David and Martha as a new chapter where God will use their many gifts and experience to build up the believers and equip them for works of service, and see many men and women, boys and girls in Govan come to know the Saviour. We thank God for His Faithfulness.