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.

The Thursday session began with singing from Psalm 145, and the first item was the Board of Ministry report presented by Reverend James Beaton.

He and Reverend Nigel Anderson both paid tribute to the work of the late Reverend Kenneth Macleod, Thurso, and his contribution to the Board.

Mentoring was a key theme again, and an amendment from Reverend Callum Macleod, Shawbost, was accepted. It instructs the Board of Ministry, in consultation with the Personnel Committee, to prepare guidelines and instructions for the mentoring of new ministers and personal development.

Reverend Calum Smith commended the Board of Ministry for making financial provision for a period of six months for probationers between the end of the Church’s support through the College and ordination. He spoke of the hardships he faced last year after graduation, and he felt during that period the Church let him down.

Professor John McIntosh also encouraged congregations outwith the central belt of Scotland to invite students from the end of their first year to preach. Professor McIntosh said “it would help students get to know the Church, and for the Church to get to know the students”.

A discussion session focussed on the perceived weaknesses of the current process of candidate selection for the ministry. It also asked if a joint approach with Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries working together would be a feasible model for assessing a candidate’s gifts for the ministry.

The Assembly then received two applications for the Board of Ministry, which was held in private.

The Lord High Commissioner, Baron Douglas of Selkirk then addressed the Free Church Assembly. He said: “It is my strong conviction that one of the great strengths of the Free Church of Scotland, and in this, in my humble opinion, it is no different from the Church of Scotland, in that it has the capacity to inspire people to great endeavour and to help them lead a more fulfilling life.

“They are encouraged to aspire to and achieve more than they ever thought possible.”

The Moderator thanked the Lord High Commissioner for his address. You can read the full address by clicking here.
Business was suspended for the lunch hour.

The afternoon session began in private, with the final application of the day to the Board of Ministry from Reverend Dr Jack Whytock being accepted by the Assembly. He recently ministered in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and is married with four children.

Reverend Iver Martin then presented the report from the College Board. Mr Martin said the Free Church College is the only reformed, evangelical, Bible-based and confessional theological college in the UK with its theology degree university-accredited and a “fantastic resource at our disposal”.

Mr Martin said the College Board is “acutely aware” of the Church’s lack of financial resources, but warned against the “danger of looking for a quick fix”.

It was suggested there was a problem with how the Free Church College is perceived, with Mr Martin saying that the only reason some students choose not to study at the College is because it is the “Free Church” college.

He said: “We need to disassociate the Free Church name from the College. Marketing is doing a whole lot more than putting an ad in the Evangelical Times.”

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.

Later in the afternoon as the Quinquennial Review Committee to the College reported, Reverend Douglas Campbell said that a name change wasn’t enough, but that there had to be a “root and branch review” of the whole Church as things could not continue as they were.

The report was accepted as in the print, with Mr Martin saying the College Board needs the wider Free Church to tell them what they want the College to do.

During the afternoon session the General Assembly also unanimously approved the appointment of Reverend Dr Bob Akroyd to the post of Professor of Systematic Theology at the Free Church College.

Reverend Dr Bob Akroyd, who was previously assistant minister at Edinburgh Buccleuch and Greyfriars Free Church for over a decade, will take up the post of Professor of Systematic Theology.

The 45-year-old replaces Professor Donald Macleod who has taken retirement, having served in the College since 1978.

Dr Akroyd, who is currently on study leave in the United States, said: “I am delighted to learn of the Assembly’s decision and accept the position with whole-hearted enthusiasm and genuine humility.

“I am looking forward to meeting with the Senate and commencing teaching in September when the students return to the College.

“I would be grateful for the prayers of the church for the College, its staff and students and for myself as I embark on this challenging and exciting new venture.”

“I have enjoyed almost 13 years of serving in Buccleuch as assistant minister and would like to pay tribute to the congregation, the office bearers and particularly to my colleague and friend Reverend Alex MacDonald for consistent support and encouragement.”

Originally from New Jersey, USA, Bob studied history at the University of Virginia before teaching English in Japan for two years. In 1990 he began his doctorate in Scottish History at Edinburgh University, which he completed in 1996. During this time he forged links with the city’s Bethany Christian Trust, and he continues to volunteer to this day.

Feeling the call to ministry, he began studying at the Free Church College in Edinburgh and at the same time took on the post of outreach worker at Buccleuch Free Church.

He completed his studies and was ordained as assistant minister in 1999.

In addition to his responsibilities in the congregation, Bob has also served as a chaplain at Saughton Prison and as an honorary chaplain at Edinburgh University. He is a guest lecturer at Faith Mission Bible College, and is married to Heather.

He is expected to be formally inducted to the Chair of Systematic Theology before the end of July

Reverend James MacIver intimated news that the Moderator’s father John Norman was unwell, and Mr Donald Mathieson led the Assembly in prayer that God would uphold the Campbell family at this time.

The Assembly recessed for the evening meal.

Vice-chairman Reverend Iain MacAskill presented the report of the International Missions Board. He noted that the IMB failed to reach its own fundraising targets last year, and that the Board has to raise an increasing percentage of its own budget. Mr MacAskill acknowledged the impending cutback of five per cent this year and 10 per cent in 2013 would have an effect but that there were still potential new opportunities and mission fields – suggesting Europe as a possibility.

The suggestion of a near 50 per cent budget cut for IMB in the Board of Trustees’ discussion session yesterday, was described by Professor John McIntosh as a “terrible prospect”. Professor McIntosh suggested a “curious connection” between the spiritual state of the Church and its interest in international mission. He said that a friend told him the Church of Scotland only has seven missionaries now, and that the Free Church still displays “a marvellously disproportionate concern for people without the Gospel” in the mission field.

Reverend Iain Macdonald said that there may be too many projects, and if the Board wishes to enthuse congregations about the vision for mission overseas it may be more effective to have less. This sentiment was agreed by Mr MacAskill, before the report was approved by the Assembly and guest speakers addressed commissioners.

Reverend Dr Manuel Reano reported on the work in Colombia. He said he continued to pray that Scotland will see similar blessing as was currently being experienced in Latin America. Dr Reano said informal education was proving successful and that training, lectures, workshops, retreats and conferences were attracting hundreds of men. He pleaded with the Assembly to continue to pray for the work, adding that God was hearing our prayers and answering them. He concluded by thanking members for letters, cards and greetings – he said it was difficult to reply because of mail costs and the reliability of the post – but that he and others were most grateful.

Reverend Dr Donnie Smith said he was proud that the Lima Evangelical Seminary is now almost financially independent. The current Free Church contribution makes up eight per cent of their budget – an incredible change from the 95 per cent when Dr Smith took up his post as Rector. Acknowledging that theological education is not easy to sell, he praised his department of “institutional image”, which comes up with imaginative fundraising ideas. These include banquets, football games and even weddings. Because of the school’s independent status, Dr Smith said they had to “capture” every student that enrols. Roughly 40-45 per cent of their income now comes from course fees, and a similar proportion comes from the “institutional image” initiatives. That said, Dr Smith noted that over two-thirds of pastors in Peru have no formal theological education or trained leadership, and that “theological training is not on the agenda”. He said pastors were more suited to arranging meetings, but rejoiced that the seminary is now central to all pastoral programmes in the country and has a major role to play. He illustrated this by saying there was more theological training “in the Assembly hall than in 20 denominations in Peru”. Dr Smith also thanked the WFM group for their faithfulness in writing cards over the course of the year.

Kirsty Boyd from Women for Mission was the next speaker, and received rapturous applause from the Assembly after revealing the organisation had raised £37,000 for “Energising Lakhnadon” – surpassing their £33,000 target. Next year they are raising money for Project Africa, and the chief goal is to get new computers and improve toilet facilities at the Dumisani Theological Institute in South Africa. Mrs Boyd also said the Original Recipes book has been reprinted, having raised £98,000 since 1994. She quipped it was “an ideal engagement present” or “for new students leaving home”. Mrs Boyd also said the theme for the coming year is “Be Still”.

After the singing of Psalm 117, Mike Moore from Christian Witness to Israel addressed the Assembly. He thanked the children of the Free Church for their fundraising efforts to help the Children’s Bible in Israel. Mr Moore said it was the “most important project we have ever done” and reported that the Old Testament was almost complete. He also spoke of planned outreach work during the 2012 Olympics.

The Assembly then applauded the efforts of Reverend Norman Reid, the Irishman having retired from Dumisani last year to go back to his homeland.

Reverend John Ross rounded off the speeches, by speaking of God’s blessing during his three and a half years at the institute, and thanked the wider Church for their support and prayers for him and his wife Elizabeth as they served there.

Mrs Daphne Douglas was also thanked for her 20 years of service doing the prayer notes, with prayer being a key theme running through all of the presentations this evening. Mrs Christine Mackenzie presented her with flowers and a book token.

The Moderator personally thanked all of the speakers, and the evening concluded with the singing of Psalm 72 from verse 17 to the end.

The Friday session of the General Assembly began with the singing of Psalm 138. The main item of business was the minute anent deceased ministers and elders, presented by Professor John McIntosh. The Assembly marked the passing of the late Reverend Albert Sleep, Reverend Alastair Montgomerie and Reverend Kenneth Macleod.

There were also the reports of the Nomination Committee, the Committee on Visitation of Records and the Committee on Printing Acts of Assembly.

Mr Donald Mathieson gave a vote of thanks, paying tribute to the work of all who helped during the Assembly week. This included the “doormen”, the technical team, the communication team, the ladies doing the hospitality at St Columba’s, the Free Church office staff, the Assembly precentor Evan Macdonald, the Senior and Junior Clerks, and finally the Moderator.

Mr Mathieson complimented Dr Campbell on his Moderatorial address, and said that commissioners will take away “the message of the communion of the saints”. He continued by saying it was “strengthening and comforting” to him, and that it pointed the way ahead “not just how we behave with others in the denomination, but outside it too”.

The Moderator thanked commissioners for the prayers for his mother and father who have been unwell, and reported that his father was now out of hospital. He also thanked his wife for her support throughout the week.

The Assembly concluded with the singing of Psalm 122 verses six to nine, and it was announced that next year’s Assembly begins on Monday 20th May 2013 at 6pm.

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