By Rev R D Cranston. (Former Interim Moderator)
A large congregation gathered on Saturday 21st March to worship God at Oban Free Church, marking the wonderful provision of God in the arrival of a new minister, Rev Nathan Kish.
It was a joyous occasion as we welcomed a new minister, his wife and family, into the fellowship of Oban and the Isles. The Presbytery was delighted to see the vacancy filled and to receive a new minister into our Presbytery. As Interim Moderator for over two years, I was grateful to be able to say farewell to a congregation I have come to love and have been privileged to serve.
People gathered from far and wide, including members of the linked charge, family, friends, colleagues and fellow students of Nathan. For Nathan, he had the final confirmation that he was called by God to be a Minister of the Gospel.
I have also reflected on the past three years I have been involved with this congregation.
One great joy of this service was that for the first time since the linkage of Oban Free with congregations in the Isles off the mainland of Oban, members of this linked charge gathered in-person in joint worship. It meant so much to those folks to have been a full part of the call of Nathan. Through all the formalities and legal requirements of calling a minister it is worth all the effort to see God’s man in place of service, exactly where God intends him to be, called by the people of this newly formed linked charge.
My first engagement with the folks was in my capacity as Convener of the Pastoral Care Group. The committee had the privilege of supporting the previous minister and a dear friend to many, Rev I Morrison, during serious illness and a call home to the Lord.
I reflected how as a denomination we proclaim the Sovereignty of God. Most of the time we do that in positive situations, as we did that Saturday afternoon, but that was not the only emotion here. I reflected at the service of Ordination that Paul, when he wrote of God’s Sovereignty – “And we know that all things work for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose” – must have reflected on different experiences of God’s providence. This promise as we know means God sovereignly uses every circumstance—both “good “and “bad”—to conform believers to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to fulfil His purpose. (Romans 8: 28) I wonder how many people who first heard or saw this letter, how many of them asked the question “all things Paul? “even the death of Stephen?” we surely want to say “yes, all things” but that can be challenging and difficult for those caught up in strange and challenging providences.
When congregations get impatient about how long it’s taking to fill a vacancy, we need to learn not only to trust in God’s provision through the valley as well as on the mountain top but also to trust His perfect timing. We had a long vacancy but not a moment longer than was necessary. God in His Sovereign goodness had to give this congregation time to mourn and to deal with their sadness at the loss of a minister who was a much-loved pastor and friend to them and to the community of Oban. Any minister coming into this situation too soon, into a congregation which had faced this kind of loss, would have faced colossal challenges and a colossal wave of grief. So, in God’s good time, the time for mourning and healing having been passed, God provided in His goodness the right man, at the right time, in the right place. And this truth was very evident in our worship.
Oban and the Isles now have a minister. A young man! Paul, as he addressed Timothy, told him “do not to let anyone despise his youth”. What he didn’t say was that people should forget his youth. A young minister now begins his life of service. He needs time to grow into that ministry and grow with his people in service of that extensive geographical community.
We ask God’s richest blessing on this congregation of our church. May God bless him and keep him; may he make His grace to shine upon him and be gracious unto him.