ANGUS MACRAE
MURDO MACPHAIL
THOMAS DAVIS
There is a very close link between ETS and the Board of Ministry. In terms of Free Church candidates for ministry, it is the Board of Ministry that selects them and approves their application, but then it is the Seminary that provides the academic training they will need for ministry. Because of these close links, the Chairman of the Board of Ministry is also always a member of the Seminary Board. At present, that position is held by Angus MacRae, minister of Dingwall Free Church. He helps the Seminary Board and the Board of Ministry work together in order to provide training for student ministers.
Murdo is a former chemistry teacher at the Nicolson institute, Stornoway, and is an elder at Stornoway Free Church. But he is not just a scientist; he is also very experienced in financial matters and is currently the treasurer in Stornoway Free Church. Both Graham and Murdo play an important role in ensuring that ruling elders are involved in the governance of the Seminary.
Thomas is minister of Carloway Free Church and is the newest member of the Board, having been appointed last year. However, he has also been involved with the Seminary Board for the past four years as Convener of the Marketing and Fundraising sub-committee of the Seminary Board.
ROBIN GRAY
GRAHAM KEITH
Two elders also serve on the Seminary Board. At the moment one of these is Graham Keith. Graham is a former teacher and is an elder at Ayr Free Church. He has a lot of experience in theological education and has written and lectured widely on theological and historical topics.
2018
It’s not all teachers, ministers and elders on the Seminary Board; there is also always a student. Every year, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) elects a president from among the Free Church candidates studying at ETS, and it is usually someone in their final year. For the 2018/19 session, the new SRC President is Robin Gray, and he will help to ensure that the Seminary Board are kept up to date with how the students are getting on.
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Alongside these official members, the Seminary Board is also helped by Mrs Catriona Cazaly, Free Church Finance Manager, and Mrs Heather Watson, the Seminary Secretary and clerk to the Seminary Board. Both Catriona and Heather attend every Board meeting and make an essential contribution to the functioning of the Board. The Board meets every three months or so, and the meetings usually last two to three hours, as there are often numerous matters to be attended to. Sometimes board members who live far away from Edinburgh use Skype in order to attend the meeting electronically In recent years, the Seminary Board has been encouraged by growing student numbers new opportunities, such as the Mission Centre, being introduced. However, there are also challenges for the Board, particularly regarding the financial needs of ETS. So please remember the Seminary Board in your prayers as they seek to continue helping the Seminary train and equip people to go out with the good news of Jesus Christ. •
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