Issuu

THE

RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND OCTOBER 2019 • £2.00

Editor • John Macdonald The Editor, The Record, Beltone, Moray Street Blackford PH4 1QF editor@freechurch.org News Editor • Dayspring MacLeod dayspring.macleod@icloud.com 07974 261567 Missions News • Sarah Johnson Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS sarah@freechurch.org WFM Editor • Sarah Cumming 31 Doune Park, Dalgety Bay, KY11 9LX sarah.cumming@hotmail.co.uk Gaelic Editor • Janet MacPhail 24 North Bragar, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DA 01851 710354 Seminary News • Rev. Thomas Davis St. Columba's Free Church, Johnston Terrace Edinburgh, EH1 2PW thomas@stcolumbas.freechurch.org Prayer Diary • Mairi Macdonald ian.macdonald57@btinternet.com Design & Layout • Fin Macrae @DUFI Art www.dufi-art.com The Record • ISSN 2042-2970

Advertising • Anyone wishing to advertise in The Record should contact the editor. For Subscriptions • The annual subscription price for The Record is £33. Cheques should be made payable to: Free Church of Scotland. Please contact the offices for overseas subscription costs.

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Details of the church's activities, latest news and people to contact are all available on the church's website: www.freechurch.org For the visually impaired: Please contact Norman Kennedy on 01463 240192 for details of how to obtain The Record in an audio version. The Free Church of Scotland is a registered charity SC012925 • Women for Mission is a registered charity SC03898

THE RECORD

OCTOBER

Cover: Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy on Unsplash

Published • The Record is produced by The Free Church of Scotland, Free Church Offices, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LS 0131 226 5286 offices@freechurch.org

WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER RECORD

utting

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CONTENTS

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BEARING ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS The Editor

SUPPORTING SASRA

WORLD NEWS UK, USA, Bahamas, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Israel, Indonesia, North Korea

PRAYER DIARY

FREE CHURCH NEWS Gardenstown Induction, Prof. Mackay in Publication, Fortrose Free Church Opening, The Moderator and Tearfund Campaign, St. Andrews Induction, Garrabost Sunday School Fundraiser

MASSIVE ONLINE RESOURCE UNLOCKS THREE ‘KEY NEEDS’ FOR SCHOOLS Richard Coton

WHY PROSTITUTION CAN AND SHOULD END Dr. Stuart Weir

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

WHEN I CONSIDER YOUR HEAVENS Roddie Rankin

VOLUNTEERING IN HUNGARY Nathan Mackay

DAWN FOR THE POOR: TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES FOR GOD'S GLORY Allan and Joanna Shearer

ETS NEWS Thomas Davis

OBITUARIES

BOOK REVIEWS

RETURN TO LEWIS: THE SEQUEL Dayspring MacLeod

MISSION MATTERS David Meredith

COIGRICH AGUS LUCHD-CUAIRT Janet MacPhail

POETRY PAGE Robert Murray M'Cheyne

POST TENEBRAS LUX Catriona Murray

brought great encouragement.

As well as the official opening of a new church building, we are able to report on two inductions in the Free Church. The first weekend in October will see a third induction, which you can read about in the next edition. These new beginnings bring hope and expectation. They are also a reminder to watch and pray. My own congregation was recently reminded by Prof. McIntosh of ETS that Psalm 90 calls us to pray for a sight of God’s work (v16). We are also to ask God to ‘establish the work of our hands’ (v17) so that we can be thrilled and return praise to him for what he is doing among us. Yet, while we celebrate with the congregations who welcome new ministers, we must also pray with almost twenty Free Church congregations who are still vacant. As a people we are grateful to those who take on pulpit supply and who serve as Interim Moderators, especially those who are retired but have chosen to continue serving. May they be sustained and greatly blessed. Even so, having too few ministers is perhaps the biggest challenge our denomination faces, and one which must be met in prayer. We also look outward this month and reflect on the damage being done in our society by drugs and by prostitution. While acknowledging these are serious and often complex problems, we are not powerless to act. You will read of practical steps we can take to love those of our neighbours who are affected by these issues. As we reflect on both difficulties and encouragements, let us learn from the example of some of our brothers and sisters in the Philippines who, as you will read later in this edition, respond to the Lord with gratitude, regardless of circumstance. Over all things, our heavenly Father is sovereign. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them’ (2 Kings 6:16). Please send your comments on the magazine, letters, news from your congregation or suggestions for articles to: editor@freechurch.org or by post to the Free Church Offices.• Yours in Christ John

That in all things he might have the pre-eminence Colossians 1:18 2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

OFFICIAL OPENING OF FORTROSE FREE CHURCH BY SANDY SUTHERLAND

s mentioned in last month’s record,

Fortrose Free Church have held the official opening of their new church building. Mrs Eileen Mackintosh, an accomplished opera singer and pianist from New York State, now living in Fortrose and attending Fortrose Free Church, led a choir in singing two opening items of praise. The Moderator of The Free Church of Scotland, Rev Donald G MacDonald, read from the book of Acts before speaking on ‘The Beautiful Church’, emphasising that while a building is necessary for various reasons, the true Church is the people of God — the Living Church. Rev. Sandy Sutherland thanked everyone involved in the new church building project, including contractors, tradesmen and volunteers from the congregation. Special thanks were made to Colin Armstrong Architects (Inverness), who designed the new building and supervised the project at no cost to the congregation. Mr Colin J

Armstrong was presented with a gift. He said that it had been a pleasure and privilege to assist the congregation. The Rev. Dr Warren R Beattie, minister of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Church of Scotland, presented the congregation with an inscribed communion cup that had belonged to the original Fortrose Free Church of 1843 but had changed hands following the unions of 1900 and 1931. It was received ‘back’ to everyone’s great delight. Thanks were given to all who contributed to the project. There was a poignant moment with the mention of those who had left legacies, with special mention of Mr Donald W MacLeod, the former rector of Fortrose Academy and a former Session Clerk to the congregation. A brass plaque had been made in memory of Donald and his late parents John and Christina MacLeod. The official opening service closed with the singing of Psalm 24:7-10 to the tune St George’s Edinburgh. The roof of the new building stood firm! •

Colin Armstrong and Sandy Sutherland

Choir at Fortrose Free Church opening

Jack Kernahan and Rev. Sandy Sutherland (Presentation)

Table Decorations by Lucy Knight with sister Beth and Mum, Sally

THE RECORD

The new Fortrose Free Church building (with the roof still on!)

Rev Dr Warren R Beattie and Rev Sandy Sutherland

OCTOBER

MODERATOR LENDS SUPPORT TO TEARFUND CAMPAIGN

ree church of scotland moderator rev. donald

petition: ‘It is only when you try and do a plastic-free shop that you realise how much plastic we actually use in our day-to-day lives. The environmental and social impact of such over-use across the globe is undeniable. ‘Tearfund is doing a great job of highlighting this issue and have targeted some major companies in their campaign to address the problem. God has given us a world to look after, and a responsibility for each other. I am happy therefore to support their campaign and also to make a personal effort to try and reduce the use of unnecessary plastics.’• For more information about the campaign and to sign the petition visit www.tearfund.org.

g. macdonald

has signed a petition calling on four multinational companies (Coca-Cola, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever) to take responsibility for their plastic waste in poorer countries as part of Tearfund’s ‘Rubbish Campaign’. Tearfund’s No Time To Waste report outlined the harmful effects of unmanaged waste and warned of ‘increased illness and unnecessary deaths’ if the current trajectory continues. According to the report, every thirty seconds the UK throws away two double-decker busloads of plastic waste; and thirty double-decker busloads are burned or dumped in developing countries. Plastic pollution also affects mortality rates in these areas, with one person dying every thirty seconds due to mismanaged waste. The report acknowledged the difficulties of this problem but insisted it can be addressed. ‘Plastic pollution has a direct impact on over half of the Sustainable Development Goals; they simply won’t be met without tackling the crisis.’ ‘Urgent action is needed to address the drivers of single-use plastic pollution upstream—i.e. the generation of plastic packaging—and downstream in the collection and management of plastic waste. ‘The crisis is complex, but if all those who hold responsibility take the required action, it can be tackled.’ Mr MacDonald explained why he was keen to sign the

ImagesChris Hoskins/Tearfund

ST. ANDREWS INDUCTION

t andrews free church formally welcomed hamish sneddon as their

at his induction on the 12th September. Since moving to St Andrews in 2014 as the Associate Pastor, Hamish has overseen the student work alongside serving the wider church family, while also studying part-time at Edinburgh Theological Seminary. He will be working across the church, with a particular responsibility to oversee the training of men and women for gospel service. Hamish said, ‘We’re excited and humbled at the opportunity to continue serving the church here in the coming years. We’ve loved our time thus far in St Andrews and are hugely thankful for our church family, and are particularly conscious of the opportunities we have here in such a transient town to train up and send out men and women across Scotland and the world. ‘Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, and so our prayer is that the Lord would raise up workers for the harvest field from St Andrews. We’re keen to do whatever we can to serve to that end.’ Hamish grew up in Perthshire, and after graduating from Durham University was a ministry trainee at Christchurch Durham. After teaching for a couple of years he spent five years working in Durham and across north-east England for UCCF and then moved to St Andrews with his family in 2014. Hamish is married to Marije, and they have three children. • assistant minister

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

Things can and do change! Why do we refuse to accept the social injustice of child poverty, for example, but accept prostitution as it is?

THE MYTHS OF PROSTITUTION Prostitution is no job. In no other job do people frequently experience physical and sexual violence at the hands of their clients. The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has regularly called for the criminalisation of people who purchase sex, rejecting the idea that prostitution is simply another type of work. It is often said of prostitution that it is the world’s ‘oldest profession’, as if this is some social sin over which we should just throw our hands up in defeat. However, we no longer tolerate slavery, which used to be legal and respectable. Things can and do change! Why do we refuse to accept the social injustice of child poverty, for example, but accept prostitution as it is? Our current laws set the boundaries for how we treat one another in our society, shaping our attitudes and behaviours. One of the great difficulties of challenging prostitution is its glamorous portrayal on our TVs and devices. Films like Pretty Woman or programmes like Secret Diary of a Call Girl are far from the reality for most women in prostitution. Just ask the folks that try to help women exit prostitution safely about that! Some argue that the best way to protect people in prostitution is to treat it as any other form of business (known as ‘full decriminalisation’), so that people are recognised in the tax system. However, this approach gives more power and freedom to people who control and exploit others: the brothel owners, pimps and traffickers. The disaster zones that the Netherlands, Germany and New Zealand demonstrate are all we need as warning shots against this line of thinking.

y guess is that for christians in scotland today

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prostitution. If it is discussed it is usually in the context of it being a sinful act and the paid women being the stigmatic centre of the problem. That prostitution is sinful is a fact, but are the paid women really the problem? We recognise that some people say they are in prostitution by choice. But often it is a person’s lack of choice that forces them to ‘choose’ prostitution. Exploitation within the sex industry affects some of the most vulnerable in our society. There are many women in prostitution in Scotland today: those working the streets, but also those working online and indoors. Some get involved in selling sexual services at a young age, often under 18 years old, through grooming or family circumstances. Many have experienced abuse in childhood. Home Office data shows that 45% report experience of sexual abuse and 85% physical abuse when they were children. Many have also spent time in local authority care. Studies show01 that high numbers of women in prostitution have experienced coercion from a partner, pimp or relative and that incidents of violence are much higher than in the rest of society. Drug and alcohol misuse is a problem for many. Numerous studies02 have found that between 50% and 95% of women in street prostitution are addicted to Class A drugs. Homelessness and debt are also common experiences prior to entering prostitution.03 So, while we recognise that some people say they have chosen prostitution, for the majority the experience is marked by a lack of choice. When seen as a whole, prostitution clearly contributes to social injustice. As Christians, we believe that God has compassion on those who are most vulnerable and that we have a responsibility to work for a world where people are protected from exploitation and can find hope and restoration. To achieve this in our society, legislation is required to deliver justice for the vulnerable majority.

THE RECORD

JESUS AND PROSTITUTION In Jesus’ day prostitution was no less shameful than it is in Scotland today. In one scenario Jesus uses this to his advantage to shame his religious opponents: ‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” And he answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other >>

OCTOBER

WHY PROSTITUTION CAN AND SHOULD END

BY DR. STUART WEIR

2019

WWW.FREECHURCH.ORG

OMF are passionate to see the peoples of East Asia engaged with the gospel of Jesus, in all of its fullness, in ways which are culturally appropriate and sustainable for the longterm. OMF is an international fellowship of believers sent out by local church communities from around the world to see the gospel preached, churches established and disciples equipped. Only one in ten people living in East Asia will know anyone who is a Christian. ALLAN AND JOANNA SHEARER report on the work of OMF partners in the Philippines.

DAWN FOR THE POOR: TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES FOR GOD'S GLORY

‘S

alamat ! ’

This was a word we often heard from the lips of the urban poor in the communities we visited during a recent mission trip to the Philippines. ‘Salamat’ means ‘thank you’ in Tagalog. At first, their heartfelt thankfulness seemed surprising. Many lived in small huts, in slum areas, crammed along rivers, hillsides and abandoned land. It was not uncommon for a family of six or more to sleep on one mattress on the dusty concrete floor. The dense population, poor diet and lack of a robust sanitary system causes diseases such as tuberculosis to spread quickly. But they can’t just attend a local medical centre for help. For the urban poor there is often a choice to be made: seek medical treatment or feed the family for a week. Medical consultations and treatments are not free and so many just cannot afford them.

So why are many of the urban poor in these communities so thankful? Why is it that we never heard a single complaint the whole time we were there? Into the darkness of a difficult life, light has broken forth like the dawn! Their lives have been transformed by the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and they have a new hope! They praise, worship and thank their Lord with sheer joy and adoration!

Some sponsored students of Bukang Liwayway meeting to worship God and train to become youth leaders

We had the privilege of spending time with some of the workers from Bukang Liwayway (Dawn for the Poor), a Christian organisation partnered with OMF, which seeks to disciple the urban poor and transform communities through the gospel for the glory of God. One of the ways Bukang Liwayay works to see this vision realised is through healthcare ministry. They provide free medical check-ups and clinics, along with screening and treatment for TB, and healthcare education. They

Home visits for prayer and Bible study

THE RECORD

OCTOBER

Welfareville slums along railroad tracks, Balik-Balik, Bukang Liwayway

pray for the sick and their families and invite patients to Bible studies. Through physical care, Bukang Liwayway also cares for people’s spiritual needs. Bukang Liwayway also has a student sponsorship programme which provides scholarships to children and young people so that they can go to school and college. Families in slum areas often cannot afford to send their children to school. The lack of education leads to a vicious circle of poverty, social issues and hopelessness. Through the scholarship, children are educated, but more importantly, they hear all about what God has done for them through Jesus Christ. They attend Bible studies and youth camps, and are mentored and empowered to become leaders in their communities, in turn sharing the gospel with younger people. Bukang Liwayway also reaches out to families who do not know Jesus. Through home visits and prayer many young people, together with their families, join the Bible study and church and come to know Jesus as their Saviour. It was a joy to spend time with some of the sponsored students of Bukang Liwayway, seeing school-aged children independently meeting together at weekends to worship, pray and learn the Bible so that they could be equipped to share it with others. We joined young teenagers on house visits, praying with families. It was humbling to see them cheerfully go about their Father’s business. Within the last 23 years, Bukang Liwayway has grown from one Bible study group in the largest urban poor community in the Philippines to more than 170 house churches spread throughout different slum areas. To date, more than 6,000 lives have been transformed, with many putting their faith in Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord! Thank you God—Salamat sa lyo O Diyos!

2019

Please pray for the urban poor in the Philippines, the work of Bukang Liwayay and the workers who labour tirelessly to transform lives and communities through Jesus Christ. Some workers travel for hours to meet with brothers and sisters in Christ to pray together, to thank God for all his goodness, and cast all their burdens on him.

The Growing Church in the Philippines

If you would like to know more about the work of Bukang Liwayay, we would be delighted to come and share about it at your church. If you would like to sponsor a student or worker, support the work financially in other ways, or receive the newsletter for regular updates, please contact uk.dawnforthepoor@gmail.com • Rev. Allan Shearer is the Minister at Dunblane Free Church