Witness JULY/AUGUST 2009 ISSUE - Free Church of Scotland ...

Revs John Keddie & John MacLeod
(Continuing) be present to represent our church at their
next Assembly.
After both delegates had spoken, the Moderator thanked
them and asked that they take back to their churches the
best wishes of the General Assembly; and he then presented
them with copies of the Church’s latest Psalm-singing CDs.
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Letters
At this point the Assembly received letters from five
denominations not represented by delegates at the Assembly.
Letters in response to those churches were approved.
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Report of Finance and Sustentation Committee
The first part of the Report of the Finance and Sustentation
Committee
(A . Finance) was presented by Rev John MacLeod (Rtd).
In presenting it he noted that income is somewhat static
with costs rising disproportionately, and wished that
congregations be exhorted and encouraged to give more
to the Lord’s cause, as well as being commended for such
efforts in the past. He did mention that in 2008 there was a
surplus of income over expenditure of £87,800, due mainly
to a legacy of £50,000.
He then paid tribute to Rev John Keddie who is resigning
from the position of Honorary General Treasurer. Mr
Keddie, he said, gave himself wholeheartedly for the past
nine and a half years to this position, often giving help and
advice to the Committee, without which the Committee
would not have managed. Mr Keddie has agreed to help the
Committee until a successor is appointed.
The second part of the Report (B . Sustentation) was
presented by Rev M A N MacLeod. He began his presentation
by drawing the Assembly’s attention to the fact that the Lord
has over recent years and months provided the church
with ministers and that we ought to be thankful to Him
for that. Referring to the four ordinations in the past year
he emphasised that there is consequently a corresponding
payroll increase which leads to further financial demand.
He went on to express thanks to Mr Donald John Morrison,
Home Mission Worker, and Mr Donald Robertson, Resident
Lay Agent, for their tireless efforts in their respective
spheres of labour.
Rev John Keddie then spoke, commending Mrs Mary
Gillies in her role as Financial Administrator. He wished
also to draw the Assembly’s attention to congregational
remittances, referring to the paper, Notes on Analysis of
New Lecturer: Rev Gavin Beers Sophie McGlynn & Family
Statistics – 2008, which was in the hands of Commissioners.
Stressing the fact that funding ministers is reliant on
congregational remittances, he pointed out his fear of
deficits, and urged the need for increased remittances
particularly in 2009 and 2010.
In moving his report, Rev John MacLeod gave thanks to the
Committee for their help while he served as Convener with
them for the past three years.
� Supplementary Report of Training of the
Ministry & Admissions Committee
Next came the Supplementary Report of the TOM Committee,
which, being presented by Mr Callum MacLean, dealt with
the appointment of a successor to Rev Allan Murray to
the post of Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament at the
Free Church Seminary. As noted in the Supplementary
Report, Presbyteries submitted to the Training of the
Ministry Committee their nominations, which resulted in
the following. Rev Gavin Beers – 6 Presbyteries; Rev James
Clark – 4 Presbyteries; Rev John Harding – 1 Presbytery.
Following notification of these returns, opportunity was
given for speakers. Rev William Macleod moved that Mr
Beers be appointed and gave reasons for his suitability for
the post. Then Rev Allan Murray addressed the Assembly
intimating his apology for resigning, giving his reasons
for doing so. He also commended Mr Beers to be his
successor, seconding Rev W Macleod’s motion. Rev David
Blunt was next to speak, and he moved that Mr Clark be
appointed, giving reasons in his favour also. Mr Callum
MacLean seconded Mr Blunt’s motion. There being two
motions a vote was then called, which resulted in Mr Beers
being elected by a majority. It was agreed to make the
vote unanimous. Mr Beers accepted his appointment by
the Assembly and then the Moderator called for Rev John
MacLeod (Rtd.) to engage in prayer for God’s blessing on
Mr Beers.
Tuesday 6pm – Session 3
� Report of Welfare of Youth & Education
Committee &
Order of the Day at 6.15pm – Presentation of Awards
Prior to the presentation of the Welfare of Youth and
Education Report came the presentation of Sabbath School
and Bible Class awards. Sophie McGlynn, from Aberdeen,
received the award for the Sabbath School Exam while
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