Another key to watch will be the change in attitude of the Assembly now that the “fidelity and chastity” language is gone from our Book of Order. Will the commissioners work to find compromise language to stave off the rapid exodus of churches seeking dismissal, or will they aggressively pursue full inclusion in all aspects of denominational life – to the exclusion of minority voices?

Other business items deal with speeding up the call process (7-19), returning to minister and elder terminology (7-04), reassessing the effectiveness of ordination exams (7-07), clarifying that candidates for ministry must be examined (7-20), giving United Methodist Church clergy blanket approval to officiate at the Lord’s Table (7-15)…

Suppose: A friend of the family (who was a Christian) has just died, and this young man has been asked to officiate the funeral and needs your advice. What would you tell him to say to the family members when they ask what has become of their loved one? What happens until the resurrection?

In other words, at death the person ceases to exist, but at the final resurrection God creates a new and improved version of the sae person. This extinction-re-creation view was held by Norman’s intellectual hero, the Scottish brain scientist Donald MacKay, and is defended by Norman himself.   This upcoming meeting of the Associate Reformed... Continue Reading

“It is shocking to realize things are going on in people’s lives, and you would readily help if you only knew about it,” Dively said. The presence of PastorServe at General Assembly will give pastors a chance to unload their burdens and lean on their brothers for support.

The concerns raised about the seminar are based on what appear to be inferences that Old Earth Creationism has more scientific evidence and credibility than Young Earth Creationism.

Admitting he was being deliberately provocative, the Stornoway minister suggested the name Edinburgh Theological Seminary as a starter for discussion as the College grapples with promotion in an image-driven world. The idea seemed to be embraced by commissioners, with Reverend Iain Thomson believing it was worth looking at the denominational name too.

"Forbidden as contrary to God’s law are homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, transgenderism, bisexuality, pornography and any other sexual sins that take the place of or corrupt the union of man and woman in the holy state of matrimony. Not only are the acts themselves forbidden by God, but the very thoughts themselves are condemned.”

Professor John McIntosh said that finance was “a spiritual issue” and that for years the Church had been “reprehensible” for failing to properly address and foster tithing within its congregations.

Mr MacMillan voiced his concern that there were only 19 adult baptisms and less than 100 infant baptisms last year. Although there were no concrete ways forward, it was acknowledged that church plants had a better track record in reaching out to the “un-churched” and that the Free Church has a responsibility to take the Gospel to where the people are