Summer 2013 Good News Working to see what Christ is going to do in Scotland tomorrow!

THE GLORIES OF CHRIST - HIS GLORY AS THE SINLESS ONE A DIFFERENT TAKE - OUT OF STEP NEWS & REPORTS SEMESTER IN SCOTLAND 2013 RP MISSION TEAM TO SCOTLAND REFORMATION HISTORY - RPCS REFORMATION TOUR MAN TO MAN & WOMAN TO WOMAN

Scottish RP Theological Seminary

Rev. Tim Donachie Rev. David Karoon Rev. Andrew Quigley Rev. Kenneth Stewart RPCS Minister Stornoway RPCS Airdrie RPCS Glasgow RPCS

training men for ministry in Scotland

Good News editorial ‘Good News’ is the official church magazine of the Reformed Presbyterian and is published four times a year. The goal of the publication is simple, to inform and encourage those who are either participating or interested in the life of the RPCS. www.rpcscotland.org For the want of You can download it free from the rpcscotland.org website. If you wish to get a copy posted, the cost is visionary plodding! £10.00 per annum. Could it be that one of the issues that is debilitating the Church in Scotland today is the want of a willingness to engage in visionary plodding on the part of ministers. By ‘visionary plodding’ I mean the ability to stay deter- contents minedly focused on the primary tasks of preaching and praying to see sinners saved and saints sanctified. page 2 RPCS Ministers on Sermonaudio The reasons for this? Well, how about these two?

page 3 Editorial First, the world’s view of plodding. The idea of plodding is one that carries with it strong pages 4-5 The Glories of Christ negative undercurrents. Plodding is associated with being unimaginative, lacking in creative ability, pages 6-7 News slowness, having a tendency towards being ponderous. It’s not a very appealing image. It’s a perception which page 8 A Different Take - OUT of Step doesn’t evoke much excitement and certainly doesn’t pages 9-12 RP Mission Team To Scotland register a great deal of kudos. So the idea of plodding to do the primary things of preaching and praying in a page 13 Interview with Stephen McCollum culture which is adamant in its proclamation of ‘don’t preach at me’ simply isn’t attractive. page 14 Semester In Scotland

page 15 Scottish RP Theological Seminary Second, the minister’s view of himself. This, in a sense, follows on the first point. The idea of page 16 Ref. History David Dickson being a visionary plodder is seriously militated against, because of the constant need to be seen to be ‘doing page 17 Man to Man something’. Because of the relative vulnerability ministers can allow themselves to feel, they can find page 18 20013 RPCS Reformation Tour themselves emotionally exposed. Yes, they want to do page 19 Woman to Woman what God says, but at the same time there is a quiet reluctance to do anything that might cause undue page 20 Reformation History Website offense. A bipolar view of life and work then takes over and the perceived antidote - ‘be seen to be doing’. The thinking being, that no one can question your worth because you are at least putting in the effort. Editor & Design - Rev. Andrew Quigley I think a life of visionary plodding, grounded in and aris- Distribution - Beth Bogue ing from the foundation that it’s about fearing God and no one else, is the key to success, whatever that is, in Good News the ministry. c/o 48 North Bridge Street, Airdrie, Scotland ML6 6NE Yours In Christ, [email protected] Andrew (01236) 620107 Rev Andrew Quigley

page 3 The Glories of Christ: His Glory As The Sinless One

In our previous study we thought of passed on to the early church and claimed to be or He was the greatest the Lord Jesus Christ as the perfect became enshrined in the Holy Spirit impostor and fraud that the world has man but in considering His humanity inspired Scriptures of the New ever known, for the things He claimed we must never forget nor minimise Testament. The writer of the letter to for Himself are truly amazing. He His perfect and spotless sinlessness. the Hebrews described the Lord Jesus claimed that He always pleased God, We read in Hebrews 4:15 that He was Christ as ‘holy, blameless, pure, set Jn. 8:29, when the Scripture says, tempted in every way as we are, yet apart from sinners’ (Heb.7:26). He ‘there is none righteous, not even without the slightest taint or stain of also made the astonishing claim that one’, Rom.3:10. He claimed to not be sin. The perfect, sinless character of Jesus was ‘tempted as we are, yet tainted with original sin, Jn. 14:30, Jesus was not only in perfect harmo- without sin’ Heb. 4:15. The statement when Scripture declares that we are ny with His divinity but plainly testi- made by the apostle Paul in 2 ‘born in sin’, Ps.51:5. He was even Corinthians 5:21 was quite unequivo- able to challenge His enemies to point fied to in the pages of Holy Scripture. cal when he said quite simply about out any sin that He had committed, Jesus that ‘He knew no sin’. which they were unable to do, Jn. 8:46, and although He told His disci- 1. The testimony It was not just His friends and inti- ples to pray for forgiveness of sin, of Scripture mate acquaintances however, who Matt. 6:12, He never prayed that for testified about his perfections, even Himself. Not only did the Lord Jesus As Jesus walked the highways and His enemies were forced to acknowl- Christ not commit sin, it was impossi- byways of Palestine coming into con- edge that this was no ordinary man. ble for Him to commit sin. tact with all sorts and conditions of The one described as ‘the son of men, facing many difficult and trying perdition’ realised that the one he situations, suffering the weariness had so cruelly betrayed was indeed and frustration that is common to without fault when he declared ‘I 2. The impossibility men, those who knew Him best testi- have betrayed innocent blood’, Matt. of sin in Jesus fied to His sinless behaviour. At a 27:4. The worldly and self-seeking time when many disciples left, Peter Proconsul, Pontius Pilate, no lover of Although as we have seen, Jesus was made the amazing statement ‘you are the Jews, said three times that he truly man, His human nature was unit- the Holy One of God’, and writing could find no guilt in Jesus, John ed to and controlled by the divine – later to the young church he applied 18:38, 19:4,6, and the centurion He had a human nature but He was a the Messianic words in Isaiah 53:9 to charged with the dreadful task of cru- divine person. He took upon Himself Jesus when he wrote in 1 Peter 2:22 cifying Jesus declared, ‘Certainly this the ‘likeness of sinful flesh’ but in His ‘who committed no sin, nor was any man was innocent’ Luke 23:47. person He was the same from all eter- deceit found in his mouth’. The disci- nity. The Bible makes it abundantly ple John, described as ‘the disciple The sinlessness of the Lord Jesus was clear that Jesus was conceived by the whom Jesus loved’ (John 13:23) testified to not only by His friends and Holy Spirit, Matt. 1:20 and thus He had wrote, ‘In Him is no sin’ (1 John 3:5). His enemies, but supremely, by no taint of original sin, Jn. 14:30. He This eyewitness testimony was Himself. Either Jesus was what He was separate from sinners in the page 4 sense that He did not inherit their Such a suggestion however, fails to There is great comfort in this for the guilt. Because Jesus had no understand the severity of the temp- child of God. At the present time he indwelling sin, sin was always repug- tations of Christ and the absolute has the assurance that whatever nant to Him. The impossibility of sin wonder of Him withstanding the full temptation he experiences, the Lord in the Lord Jesus Christ is extremely assault of the devil. A test is no less Jesus fully understands and is able to important, for if it had been possible real because it is certain that the thing help. Sometimes the believer thinks for Jesus to sin, then it would have tested cannot fail. The refining fire by that his particular temptation is been possible for the whole of God’s which gold is tested is no less hot unique and that nobody knows what redemptive plan to fail. Redemption because it is absolutely certain that he has to bear, but when we consider could only be accomplished by the pure gold cannot fail the test; it sim- the Lord Jesus we realise that He offering of a spotless and pure sacri- ply proves its genuineness. Just as knows, He sympathises, He cares and fice. For there to have been atone- impurities and dross are burned off in can enable us to overcome as He did. ment for sin it was necessary that a the refining process and only the There is also the glorious assurance pure, sinless substitute should suffer purest of gold can survive, so it is only that one day, in the glory of heaven, the wrath of a holy God against sin in the Lord Jesus Christ who knows the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will place of sinful men. full severity of Satan’s attacks. The be like Jesus in holiness – changed devil used every scheme and device into His likeness, partakers of His holi- that wickedness could devise. The ness – so that 3. The reality of full weight of Satan’s vindictive they too will be power was poured into the tempta- unable to sin as the temptation tions of Christ, there was nothing they enjoy per- more that he could do and Jesus bore fect commun- of Jesus it all. Only He knows how fierce ion with God It is sometimes suggested that if it temptation really is because He alone and with His has been able to withstand the very beloved Son, were not possible for Jesus to sin, Rev. Tim Donachie then His temptations were not real. fiercest of the devil’s attacks. our Saviour. RPCS Minister

www.thepsalmssung.org

a website devoted to bringing to you record ings of congregational psalm singing.

page 5 expect for the upcoming NEWS mission week. Verse 15 says, “..the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, Airdrie GO Team who hear the word, retain The 28th March was the first day of the Airdrie GO team it, and by persevering pro- 2013. The team included David and Matthew Duly duce a crop.” Our obvious (Carrickfergus RPCI), Rachel Nelson (Trinity RPCI), Derek prayer was that there Lynch (Bready RPCI), Amy Smyth (Edinburgh RPCS), Anna would be “4th soil Collins (Killicomaine Evangelical) and Eleanor McCollum Christians” brought forth (Cloughmills RPCI). The team ran from Thursday morning from this week, but it was until Monday, the first of April. This Monday also started also a challenge to us, that the week of mission meetings at the church with the title, we must be constantly “Jesus Christ: Changes Lives for Eternity”. We came on reading the Bible and striving to, “produce a crop” by wit- the team hoping to get to know one another and be a help nessing to others. and an encouragement to the church in Airdrie. On the Monday morning of the team, we took a For those of you who have visited before, you will Covenanter Reformation tour around a few different know that Airdrie is a very close congregation. The mem- towns in Scotland. We learnt that during this time of per- bers know each other and have a genuine concern, seek- secution, there were many that fell away from the church ing to serve wherever there is a need. As a team, we made and stopped following God. However, there were brave an effort to get to know these individuals and especially men, women and children who determinedly stood up the young people, spending 4 evenings with the CY. This their beliefs and were willing to die a brutal death for is a group for young people with which we did a number them. To hear about the Scottish defending of social activities and a psalm sing. their faith to the point of death puts our struggles into Throughout the four days of the team, we gave perspective and helps us to realise the brevity of life. out 15,000 leaflets to the areas around the church. As we As a team, we have been inspired to be more lov- spoke to people and invited them to the mission week, we ing in our role as church members and praying for our con- could see that the church has a presence in the communi- gregations, truly believing that God will answer our ty. Many knew where and what it was and some had been prayers. This time on the Airdrie GO team taught me a lot previous attenders. The church is living and seeking to about how close God is to us, but how far away we are grow in size by spreading the good news of the Gospel. from Him. It is so easy to be discouraged and frustrated by On Sabbath morning, Rev. Quigley preached a plans that don’t follow through and circumstances we challenging sermon from the gospel of Luke, on the para- don’t understand, but God is working and fulfiling his will ble of the sower. He spoke to us about how to pray for for the good of those who love Him. our non-believing friends and some possibilities of what to Eleanor McCollum (Cloughmills RPCI)

The Go Team with some of the 45 people who helped with the distribution

page 6 Glasgow RP Church Please give thanks and Thanksgiving Service pray for our ministers in their wider ministries.

During the summer months some of our ministers have been and will be involved in preaching overseas.

During the month of June the Rev. Kenneth Stewart spoke at a confer- ence in England before travelling to Singapore to speak at the Pilgrim Covenant Church Conference. During his time in Singapore Rev. Stewart preached On the 10th May Glasgow RP Church had a Thanksgiving 11 times including seven sermons Service to express gratitude to God for His provision of a on the ‘Wonder of Adoption.’ Rev. Kenneth Stewart building and the means by which to bring it to its present Glasgow RPCS condition. Besides the Glasgow congregation, many from Airdrie, North Edinburgh, Stranraer, and Stornoway In June, Rev. David Karoon trav- were also there. Rev. Kenneth Stewart preached on elled to the USA to represent the Romans 1 & 2 highlighting the great change the Gospel RPCS at the RP Church of North makes in someone’s life, and how we can be unashamed America’s Synod. As well as of this Gospel. After the service there was a delicious bringing greetings from the buffet meal in the upper hall, where those contractors, Scottish RP Church to the Synod electricians, etc. who had done so much work on the on the Tuesday evening, building were publicly thanked as well as several individ- Rev. Karoon preached to the uals from the Glasgow congregation who had put in an Synod on the Wednesday morning. extraordinary amount of effort. It was a great time of Rev. David Karoon On the Lord’s Day following the Stornoway RPCS fellowship and rejoicing in what the Lord has done in the Synod he preached at the 2nd RP Glasgow RP Church. Indianapolis congregation in Indiana.

Rev. Andrew Quigley will, God will- ing, be speaking at the Irish RP Young Adults Weekend in September. He will also be undertaking a number of speaking engagements in North America at the end of September including speaking at a conference in Beaver Falls and preaching at the RP Rev. Andrew Quigley Seminary in Pittsburgh. He will Airdrie RPCS also be preaching in two RP congregations.

We give thanks to God for these men who labour in the Word of God among us and whose God-given gifts are well received elsewhere. We are also thankful that these ministers were (will be) accompanied by their wives on these various speaking engagements.

page 7 a diff good ones, but of But what if Jimmy is marching to the being Biblical. In the right drum? What if he is still keeping popular mind, howev- in step with the beat set at the start of T erent er, the traditional and the parade and one by one his com- the Biblical are both rades stopped listening and lost the ake relics of a bygone, best step? Maybe they began to watch forgotten world. each other and, afraid of appearing wrong, adopted the other chap’s The Church, we are pace. One strong marcher, convinced told, is out of step with he is right, could take the rest with society, out of step him. Jimmy, rather than being the with enlightened, con- idiot, could be a testimony to the cor- temporary thinking. It rect step, following the true beat of must get into step, the authoritative drum. In a so-called democratic world, however, he will have to fall into step with the rest, lest they feel judged and Jimmy looks OUT of Step! superior. The Church of Jesus Christ is out of So we’ve had it wrong for quick smart, or it will lost all credibility step with the culture in which it finds years – no, for generations! We and will probably die a sad and lonely itself. It generally has been, through- thought the church was meant to pro- death: deservedly so. The attention out its history. Its calling is not to fall vide guidance for the world in which it of Church leaders needs to focus on into step with a world that is in rebel- is placed, light to guide people in the getting into step with the world. To lion against the divine Drummer, but prevailing darkness, wisdom to coun- put your left food forward when to keep faithfully in step with the beat teract the folly that confuses so many. everyone else is putting their right he sets. Anything else is a betrayal of The Church, we naively assumed was foot forward is to court derision, or that call. It will not be a popular to lead, praying and hoping that its worse. The number of voices on the course to follow. The cultural leaders testimony would be heeded and fol- media recommending such a change of the day will deride it, portray it as lowed. But no! How silly we were! of step has been quite remarkable. out of date, and out of touch, make The Church should in fact be keeping dire predictions about loss of credibil- in step with the world. How else can It is reminiscent of the old story of the ity and influence, even threaten to it be relevant to the needs of society proud parents watching the soldiers confine the Church to the margins and worthy of at least a respectful march past, remarking of their unco- where it can do no harm. All are evi- hearing (if not actual endorsement)? ordinated son – “They’re all out of dent in the current debates. We have Now we know! The recent debates step but our Jimmy”. Of course we no choice, however, but to march regarding women bishops (rejection are meant to pity the parents and according to of) and gay marriage (opposition to) their son: imagine not being able to the step the have served to highlight just such an see (or admit) how wrong they are. Lord requires attitude to the Christian voice when it Everybody else in step, one idiot spoil- of us. He will is heard in the public square. Of ing the parade. Anyone can see the deal with an course, any part of the Church espous- solution – let the one dissident get out of step ing the traditional Christian view of into step and face the truth about his culture in his ministry and marriage will be a target nonconformity. Simple. Jimmy may time and in Rev. Dr. David McKay for flack. It is of course not really a be listening to the beat of a different his way. Shaftesbury Square RPCI matter of being ‘traditional’, since drum, but it’s the wrong drum, and Belfast, N. Ireland there are bad traditions as well as about time he admitted it.

page 8 RP Mission Team to Scotland 2013

encounters on these RP Mission Teams. The Scottish RP What is an RP Church has benefited in countless ways, not least of all through the genuine prayerful interest that has developed Mission Team? in many RPCNA congregations. This has been as a direct result of them hearing firsthand about the RPCS from RP Missions is the Short Term Mission Organisation of the their young people. American RP Church. Every summer they send teams of university age young people to RP Churches around the In recent years we’ve also had the privilege of sending world and within America. some of our young people on RP Mission Teams both as participants and Team Leaders. They have served on a For 15 years they have sent a team to Scotland during the number of North American Teams and also teams to month of June to work with the RP Church here. Down Cyprus and Uganda. through the years these teams have had two primary pur- poses: This year we had the joy of welcoming a team of young 1. To provide an opportunity for the churches in people from the American, Canadian, and Australian RP Scotland to learn about and feel connected to their broth- Churches to visit and work alongside of us. ers and sisters in the global RP Church. We have a glorious heritage in this regard and one which we have been keen The Team this year was with us from the 24th May to the to participate in and avail of. 26th June. The Team was led by Stephen McCollum, the 2. To give Christian young people the opportuni- summer intern in Airdrie, with his wife, Brenda, assisting ty to develop and grow in their love for Christ. him. Those on the Team were: Hollie Cloherty (Frankston RPCA), Kristy Hutchinson (Fellowship Baptist Church), Elia During these 15 years over 150 young people have come to Kingswood (Russell RPCNA), Tava Reese (Springs RPCNA), Scotland on RP Mission Teams. Many experiences have Jake Terpstra (Trinity RPCNA), and Jonah Harper (Topeka been shared and enjoyed. Lifelong friendships have been RPCNA). forged and even a few marriages owe their origins to first

2013 Team - left to right: Hollie, Kristy, Tava, Elia, Jake, Stephen, Jonah and Brenda.

page 9 One of our major focuses in Airdrie was prepara- tion for school presentations. There were two different 2013 RP Team types of schools work which we prepared f0r. We had a set programme which we developed for to Scotland the primary schools. This included singing Psalm portions, A report by Elia Kingswood presenting a short Biblical story on the parable of the Ten Virgins, and explaining the key point of the story - the need This year's Scotland mission team had the opportunity to to be ready for the return of the Lord Jesus. visit all five of the RP churches in Scotland. We worshiped For the secondary schools, we worked on our tes- at least once with each congregation as well as spending timonies and developed them so that they could be adapt- time getting to know the members and coming alongside ed for various classes in both Airdrie and Edinburgh them in various evangelistic projects. Here is a summary of schools. what we did in each church. God opened doors for us to be able to speak in two primary schools and three high schools in Airdrie. Airdrie RPCS These were Drumpark and Golfhill Primary Schools and Caldervale High School, Buchanan High School, and St Our first Sabbath was spent in Airdrie, and it was wonder- Margaret's High School. ful to see how welcoming everyone was. We felt at home In the secondary schools we did a range of differ- right away and rapidly began to form friendships with ent things from giving our testimonies in presentation for- these brothers and sisters in Christ. mat to sitting in on RE classes and participating as stu- Airdrie was to be our base for the trip, and so it dents. The responses were mixed, but in every school we became our home away from home. We slept in the church had at least a few dorms, cooked in the kitchen, and hung out in the hall dur- students who really ing our free time. engaged with what The schedule for the trip was organised to encour- we were saying and age us in our daily devotions. Each morning before break- asked some great fast we had half an hour that was specifically devoted to questions. personal Bible reading, meditation, and prayer. The other We also shared in a regular team time led by main aspect of the Stephen after breakfast. During this time we studied the work in Airdrie was book of Acts together, sang psalms, and prayed. Seeing literature distribu- and discussing the work of the early church and how God tion, and God brought people to Himself in the days of the apostles was blessed us with an encouragement to us daily in the mission work we incredible weather engaged in. which allowed us to Through our study of Donald Whitney’s book distribute 4,500 ‘Spiritual Disciplines’ we gained a better understanding of copies of the Airdrie the importance of Good News. I found reading and meditat- this work so encouraging because even though it may have ing on the Word, seemed as if these labours were not yielding immediate engaging in private responses, the seeds were planted regardless and 4,500 prayer, and attend- homes had the opportunity to read the Gospel. ing public worship. During our time in Airdrie we also had several Being able to discuss opportunities to help out with the Kids Club and CY on these topics with my Friday evenings and do general odd jobs around the team mates was real- church. ly encouraging to me as many of us have faced the same strug- Stornoway RPCS gles in our Christian On our second weekend in Scotland, we took a road trip up walks and could to Stornoway to visit with the congregation there. It had therefore build each been planned for us to do do a school assembly but for rea- Working on schools presentation other up. sons beyond our control, that didn’t work out. However,

page 10 some members of the team did spend two of the evenings were blessed by responses from people in the community. doing door to door ministry and leafleting with members Again we were treated to beautiful meals and of the congregation. encouraging fellowship with God’s people there.

On the beach in Lewis

As well as the excellent hospitality we received from the Distribution in Edinburgh church over those five days, we were also treated to beau- tiful tours of Lewis and Harris. Glasgow RPCS Stranraer RPCS Our work in Glasgow was different from that in the other For the third weekend we were in Stranraer. On the Friday churches. The Glasgow congregation has just recently ren- we were able to do some leaflet distribution, and on the ovated and painted their building, so we spent two days Saturday we had the opportunity to visit the Covenanter cleaning, scrubbing, and sweeping to prepare the church sites in Wigtown and Glentrool. for three weddings that will be taking place there this Although the congregation is small, we received a summer. warm welcome at both worship services and again enjoyed wonderful hospitality during the weekend. Working in the Glasgow Church building

In Wigtown at the grave of the “Two Margaret’s”

This congregation also cared for us by providing delicious meals and snacks throughout our work days.

Covenanting Tours North Edinburgh RPCS On our last Saturday we participated in a day long In Edinburgh, we did much of the same type of work as in Reformation Tour with members of the Airdrie, Glasgow, Airdrie. It had been arranged for us to speak in four differ- and Edinburgh churches. This completed our overview of ent RE classes in Craigroyston High School where their the Reformation and Covenanting period having visited church currently meets for worship. Many of the students the St. Andrews and Edinburgh sites with Jimmy on previ- that we spoke to in those classes had very little knowledge ous days. I especially enjoyed this aspect of the trip about God or the Bible, and for many of them it was their because Scotland has such a rich Christian heritage. Being first time really interacting with Christians. at the sites where events such as the Battle of Bothwell We also spent three days distributing over 4,000 Bridge actually took place gave the history a whole new leaflets in the areas surrounding the school and each day sense of meaning.

page 11 was a wonderful experi- RPCS Reformation Tour ence for me personally. I will definitely be acquainting my home congregation with all that I have learned about the RPCS so that we can pray more effectively for the churches and people here.

Thanks All of us on the team would like to thank those who helped and encour- Concluding Thoughts aged us during the trip whether through providing guid- ance, help, fellowship, food, or fun. A special thanks to Stephen and Brenda for their constant care and leadership Schools Work throughout our time here. The other huge encouragement that we have felt through- out our time in Scotland is the positive responses to our presentations in the schools. For many of us on the team it Playing football with the Airdrie CY was a learning experience in how to effectively engage unbelievers and witness to them where they are at in their life.

Worship One of the highlights of the trip was worshipping in the five RP Churches. We had a fantastic time getting to know the people and receiving incredible hospitality wherever we went.

Global RP Church This mission trip was a blessed time for all of us on the team. Being able to meet many of our brothers and sisters Please pray that God would use the interactions for His in the RPCS was so encouraging and definitely helped us to glory and that RP Mission Teams to Scotland would contin- better understand the scope of the RP church in the world. ue for many years to come. My home church has been praying regularly for Elia Kingswood the church in Scotland for a number of years so finally Russell RPCNA being able to be here and see the work that God is doing

RP Mission Team to Scotland 2013

page 12 Interview with Stephen McCollum the 2013 RPMT leader Stephen and Brenda McCollum

Stephen, you led the RPMT to sages, my upbringing, books I had Scotland this year – what was it read, and mission teams, but all culmi- like? nated in my time spent in Airdrie. I came across from Northern Ireland to I led the RPMT to Airdrie back in 2009, study Chemistry at the University of but this team was totally different. Glasgow. I had already decided This year we had the opportunity to before I moved that I would attend serve in all five of the churches in the Airdrie RPC. God blessed the three Scottish Presbytery instead of just in years that I spent in Airdrie. Whilst Airdrie. Although it was different not those were not the easiest of years being in Airdrie, I was really pleased to for the church, God taught me several meet people in Edinburgh, Glasgow, very key lessons, particularly how Stornoway, and Stranraer that I had essential it is that there are preachers never met before. The team got to to take forth the Gospel. tinue full time in the ministry of see how God is building His church in Another important part of preaching and prayer. This problem, Scotland, which for me was the high the church in Airdrie is praying for the found in Acts 6, may seem like it was a point. wider church. Every week for my small one, but I believe that it had the The team took part in various three years here we prayed for a part potential to destroy the church. With things. One of the most eye-opening of every RP Church in the world, the creation of the office of deacon was the presentations in Craigroyston including the American RP Church. I the apostles would not be hindered in School in Edinburgh. On asking the got to hear a lot about it and meet a the work to which they had been children from Pilton and Muirhouse if lot of people from there. For these called: preaching and prayer. they had ever met a Christian before, reasons I chose to go on some RP Since most churches nowa- most said no. To think that Edinburgh Mission Teams in America in 2010, and days have deacons, the problem of used to be the city of is actually ended up going back the fol- Acts 6 may no longer seem an issue. fairly sad. On the other hand, it is lowing year. It was on one such team Nevertheless, in the modern church good to get to know where people in that I was encouraged to go to the RP we see time and time again that the Scotland are at so that we can com- Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. minister faces the temptation to municate with them more effectively. Some kind people from America made spend less time in preaching and Some of the best aspects of it financially possible for me to study prayer. The reason why this is such a the team’s work are the times spent in there, and the church I now belong to temptation is because these elements Bible study, prayer, and praise. In fact in Beaver Falls gave me free accom- are key for the growth of the church. this becomes part of daily team life. modation. All these doors opened up Perhaps the temptation is in the form The team that we had this year made to me as the doors were closing for of spending less time in the study these sessions all the more enjoyable. teaching Chemistry, for which I am preparing for the sermon, perhaps it’s now very glad. a lukewarmness or a lack of prayer for You grew up in the Irish RP conversions, or perhaps it is the loss Church. How did you come to As a student for the ministry of confidence that God uses His Word, be studying for the ministry at what do you see as being the particularly as it is preached by His the RP Theological Seminary in key elements of the calling? men. Pittsburgh? Without a doubt, the two key ele- Since I am studying for the First of all, God gave me the desire to ments of the minister’s calling are ministry, I believe that these are the study for the ministry. This came preaching and prayer. In the early two elements that I should focus on, about through a number of different church a problem quickly arose that that I might become one who labours circumstances, such as Scripture pas- threatened the apostles ability to con- in the work of preaching and prayer.

page 13 to find out more about the Semester in Scotland programme check out the website semesterinscotland.org

Semester in Scotland is a ministry of the Tim Wolff - I grew up in Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland run in New Jersey but now live in conjunction with Geneva College, the RP third level western Pennsylvania. I College in America. Based in Airdrie, under the leadership attend Grace Church, which of Rev. Andrew Quigley, the programme has tutored 24 is a non-denominational students in the past 10 years, as well as some young peo- church of around 2,000 peo- ple from the Irish RP Church who have audited the cours- ple. In the autumn I will be es. entering my third year at The format is simple with the students given set university studying Student reading on five subjects: Systematic Theology, Reformed Ministries. My hopes is that Evangelism, Ministry in the Church, The Life and Work of after university I will find a Paul, and Scottish Reformation and Covenanting History, job as a camp programmes director much like my current which they must read in a classroom context. They then position at my summer camp, Seneca Hills Bible Camp. receive seminar instruction on each subject. On Wednesday afternoons the students are taken on cultural trips by members of the Scottish RP Church Christopher Little - I live in which contribute greatly to their semester experience. Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania. The students are encouraged to play a full role in The church I attend is Mt. the life of the Airdrie RP Congregation including: participa- Pleasant United Brethren in tion in public worship, the prayer life of the congregation, Christ. At university I am and the weekly MET Bible studies. They also assist in the studying Christian Ministry, Friday night Kid’s Club and are part of the Covenanter Missions, and Music with a Youth activities. concentration in piano. I will This Autumn we will have 4 students coming on be starting my last year this the programme. Here is a bit about each student. autumn. After graduation I plan on moving to Latin Nate Miller - I am from the America to do church planting and work with children. Philadelphia area and have lived here for about 6 years. Kelly Favand - I am from Prior to here, I lived in the Clinton, Pennsylvania, near Catskill Mountains in New Pittsburgh. When I am home York which is where I still like I go to church at Hanover to call home. I have been Presbyterian Church. When I part of the Bible Fellowship am at university I attend church my entire life. My father is a pastor there. I will Chapel Presbyterian Church. be starting my third year at Thus autumn I will be start- university this autumn where I am studying Public ing my third year in Biblical Relations and Student Ministry. Studies. page 14 Scottish RP Theological Seminary

Rev. Tim Donachie Rev. David Karoon Rev. Andrew Quigley Rev. Kenneth Stewart RPCS Minister Stornoway RPCS Airdrie RPCS Glasgow RPCS

sanctified by God’s grace. The Purpose of the - understand why and how they are The Daily Structure Scottish RP Theological pastor the flock of Christ towards A key element of the daily structure Seminary their personal growth in grace and will be a set period of time each active participation in the body life of morning for reading the Word of The Scottish Reformed Presbyterian His Church. God. This will be structured so that Theological Seminary will exist for students will have read through the the sole purpose of training men for In Pursuit of that Goal Bible at least 9 times during their the gospel ministry in the Church of three years of training. Christ. The Faculty Student Oversight The Seminary will operate Rev. Tim Donachie The RPCS Presbytery will be responsi- under the oversight and control of Old Testament History ble for the oversight of the student the Presbytery of the Reformed Church History and ultimate testing of the students Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Rev. David Karoon under its care. New Testament Theology The Goal of the New Testament History Entry Qualifications Scottish RP Theological Rev. Andrew Quigley The normal entry requirements will Seminary Principal be a university degree, but this can Seminary Preaching be waived at the discretion of the The goal of the training will be to Pastoral Theology RPCS Pesbytery. Rev. Kenneth Stewart make sure that the men who qualify Grants Systematic Theology from the Scottish RP Theological Students who have been taken under Old Testament Theology Seminary will: care of the RPCS Presbytery will - have a working knowledge of the receive an annual grant and receive The Schedule original languages; remuneration for placement. The The training will take place over - have a thorough knowledge of amount of the grant and the remu- three years and combine: class God’s Word; neration will be set by the instruction, self-reading assignments, - have a comprehensive understand- Presbytery. tutorials, and direct mentoring. ing of and be able to explain in sim- Students from other denomi- There will be three terms: ple, clear terms Reformed Theology nations will be received and be Autumn, Spring, and Summer (an as defined in the subordinate stan- responsible for their own financial internship term). dards of the Reformed Presbyterian arrangements. Church of Scotland. The disciplines will be taught - understand why, what, and how in week-long blocks of 25 hours of We believe that through the preach- ing of God’s Word and the prayerful they are to preach with a view to see- teaching per week. pastoring of God’s people, Christ will ing sinners converted and saints There will be a reading week between each course. build His Church to the glory of God. page 15 Whilst we do not live in the past, it is important to know our church history, as one prominent author has written, ‘we need to be refreshed, challenged and nourished by our past.’ Reformation History

David Dickson

Along with Alexander Henderson, which would meet to represent them. David Dickson led the protests against Dickson played an important role in the Book of Common Prayer in 1637 their organisation. The Tables blamed after the first attempt to read it had the bishops for the situation rather been interrupted by Jenny Geddes. than the king and in December they They had planned the opposition to wrote another protest which said the prayer book in the months before they rejected the bishops’ authority. David Dickson was born in 1583 and it was introduced, and now Dickson However the king still wouldn’t listen was minister in Irvine before becom- helped organise petitions to the privy to their complaints, and took full ing a Professor of Theology at council against the prayer book. responsibility for ordering the bishops Glasgow University. These protests condemned the prayer to write the Book of Canons and Book book as containing errors and being of Common Prayer. He declared that On the 23rd of July 1637, in St Giles forced on the church without having any more meetings of the protestors Cathedral in Edinburgh, Dean Hannay the approval of a General Assembly or would be seen as treason. Now the attempted to read from the prayer Parliament. The privy council wrote Presbyterians knew that their teach- book for the first time. At this, a to the king telling him of the opposi- ings and worship of their church were woman called Jenny Geddes picked tion to the prayer book from all sorts not just being attacked by the bish- up the stool she was sitting and threw of people from different parts of the ops, but by the king himself. Dickson it at his head, shouting “Villain, dost country. and others realised that something thou say mass at my lug? [in my hear- had to be done, and they wrote to ing]”. Then a riot broke out, with On the 17th of October, the king their supporters telling them to come more people shouting and throwing ordered that all the protestors were to Edinburgh. stools, before leaving the building. to leave Edinburgh within 24 hours. However the nobles, lairds, and minis- David Dickson died in 1662. His last The next day, the privy council (which ters stayed on to present another words were: “I have taken all my good governed Scotland) forbade speaking protest. They handed in this deeds, and all my bad deeds, and cast against the government or prayer ‘Supplication’, signed by many of the them in a heap before the Lord, and book on pain of death. However due most important people in Scotland, fled from both to the Lord Jesus to the opposition they ordered that and then returned home. The Christ, and in him I have sweet the prayer book not be used until King Supplication protested not just peace.” Charles I, in London, had been told against the prayer book, but also the about the situation. Many protests Book of Canons and the bishops Read more: and petitions against the prayer book themselves. John Howie, ‘David Dickson’ in The Scots were made to the privy council, con- Worthies demning it as containing errors and In November, the protestors came David Stevenson, The Scottish being forced on the church without back to Edinburgh and set up “The Revolution, 1637-44 the approval of a General Assembly or Four Tables” (made up of nobles, Stephen Steele Parliament. lairds, burgesses, and ministers) Student for RPCI Ministry page 16 It may appear strange, yet it that the Lord requires purity of heart; is true, that the religion of the formal- He is to be worshiped in spirit and ist is often known to pass for the reli- truth from a heart renewed by the gion of the Bible. There is the appear- Holy Spirit. ance - there is the outward dress of Indifference in religion is cold piety - and in some cases, it is not alto- and careless concerning the things of gether easy to distinguish between God, breeding dissension and heresy that which is real and that which is in the Church. It is one of those evils counterfeit: so the inattentive observ- that arise from the depravity of the er may often give credit to that which heart and its alienation from God. is not real but deceitful and false. Let When the mind is blinded by the god the formalist stand before the of this world, spiritual things cannot Christian world as he is in heart and be discerned and their value not mind, and it will be found, that the esteemed. love, the honour, and the glory of Whether it is enterprise, Man to God, have never been the principles learning, liberality - whatever way we by which his way of life is regulated. want to characterise the times, there These things are too high, too holy, is a great want of zeal for the cause of Man and too heavenly to control the mind Christ. No man can love the Lord of the man who has never felt the Jesus Christ and be indifferent to His constraining power of religion upon honour and glory. Whatever con- In the visible Church today there is a the soul. Of the nature of these cerns the Saviour and His Church lamentable conformity to many things he will remain ignorant as long must be dear to those who know the things at complete variance with all as he is satisfied with a form of godli- Lord. It is impossible for any man to that is pure, holy, and ennobling. ness without the power. Destitute of honour the Saviour and be careless True believers must, in grief of heart, the knowledge of God in Christ, he concerning his own soul and the souls lament the evils and desolations that will continue to be a formalist even of those around him. The Lord has have been brought upon the Church though Scripture pronounces that his commanded us to love God and to by unprincipled submission to ungod- ways are not according to truth, nor love our brethren; to receive Him and ly people. Many within the Church directed by the motivation of the be zealous and active in the advance- are afraid of being marked or pointed Gospel. ment of His kingdom and the prosper- at if they differ from the world's Never in the sincerity of his ity of His Church. These commands unchristian rules, so they smoothly heart, does the formalist lift up his are given in love and sustaining grace glide down the current of popular soul to his God and Saviour. His devo- - what an aggravation by those who opinion. This conformity is found in tion is the devotion of the outward are indifferent in the visible church, Formalism and Indifference. man. He has never experienced that who care nothing for the kingdom of The formalist always prefers deep and heartfelt sorrow for sin Christ or their own souls! The world is appearance in religion to reality. He without which no man will see the their portion now and when they satisfies his conscience by performing Lord. Where there is no sorrow for think of things spiritual and eternal a certain routine of duties, while his sin there is no evidence that the indi- their views are imperfect and con- heart, which God requires, is not vidual has obtained an interest in fused. engaged in service. He thinks it Christ. Let believers, changed and decent, and honourable, and praise- There is a God who will exe- redeemed by the power of the Gospel worthy, to attend, in common with cute righteous judgement, who will beware of formality and indifference others, to the externals of religion. search the heart, and who will bring in religion. These have destroyed He reproaches, justly, those who neg- to light our whole conduct, our every many a church and many a soul. lect the public worship of God and action, motive, and desire. Formality "Be not conformed to this other duties common amongst and hypocrisy suit the natural dead- world but be ye transformed by the church goers; and talks of the com- ness and carnality of the soul that renewing of your minds, that ye may forts of religion, while, at the same loves not the Lord Jesus Christ. prove what is that good, and accept- time, his own religion consists of Formality and hypocrisy may serve as able, and perfect will of God" Rom. mere outward appearance, where the a cloak to conceal the outward defor- 12:2 heart is not employed. mity of sin; but the Gospel declares Rev. Gerald Milligan Stranraer RP Church ‘Conformity is found in Formalism and Indifference.’ page 17 RPCS Reformation Tour of Covenanter Battle Sites

On Saturday the 22nd of June, 65 peo- singing the skies opened, and we got was shot. Then, our last stop for the ple (between the Airdrie, Glasgow, a magnificent downpour – but we had day was Fenwick, where we saw some and Edinburgh congregations – as a great singing nonetheless. We then more graves. well as a few others) set off on a went to Strathaven and saw the castle Reformation Tour. where two Covenanters had been It is very moving to hear of so many shot, and we saw the graveyard people risking their lives, and many We left Airdrie nice and early, and our where they are buried. We also losing their lives, just to be a Christian first stop was Glasgow Cathedral – stopped here for lunch and had some and worship God – something we take where the first General Assembly was time to visit the town. After lunch, we for granted as we are able to attend held after the signing of the National went to Drumclog to see the monu- church and various church-related Covenant, and there were some ment of the battle – where, during a activities throughout the week with- graves to see as well. Then we went conventicle, the Covenanters were out worrying someone will come in onto Bothwell Bridge where there attacked (although they won this bat- and take our lives. It was a wonderful had been a battle resulting in 600 tle). We also sang a Psalm here, in day which I believe everyone enjoyed, Covenanters dead and 1200 impris- much sunnier conditions. Next stop and an amazing job was done by our oned. We stopped and sang a Psalm was Newmilns where a man who tried tour guides! here, and just before we started to set some Covenanter prisoners free Debbie Boyd

Reformation Tours is a ministry of the RP Church of Scotland.

We are enthusiastic about helping people learn more about what the Church experienced in the 16th and 17th centuries in Scotland.

No group is to small or too large. We have catered for people on their own and for groups of over a hundred.

Interested in finding out more? Then visit our website - reformationtours.org page 18 Substitute or Satisfaction? We all want things. As one of the ment by any means necessary. more famous musician-philosophers Hopefully the flaws in this are not of the 21st century put it, “I can’t get too hard to spot. First, our desires, no satisfaction.” Bad grammar aside, like everything in this world, have he was simply voicing a feeling we can been corrupted by sin. Just because all relate to. Unsatisfied desires are we want something, doesn’t mean part and parcel of our human exis- it’s good, or God-given. We must tence in this world. Don’t believe me? take our desires and evaluate them in woman Well, when was the last time you com- the perfect light of God’s Word. plained about the weather, the queue Second, the ends never justifies the to woman at the post office, or the other drivers means. We are not to sin so that on the road? What is complaining any- grace can abound. The Christian is not the last word! way? It’s voicing our annoyance that never free to do anything “by any things aren’t the way we want them. means necessary” but only by God’s It’s a way of dealing with our unful- means. Third, it sounds very much filled desires. Or am I being too triv- like this desire has become an idol. That’s not what God is meant ial? What about the women who cry And whenever we exchange God for to be to us. He is not to be the substi- themselves to sleep over their longing an idol the end will never be satisfac- tute for the things we want but don’t for a child, for healing, for a husband, tion but frustration and unhappiness. have. He is meant to be the satisfac- for money to pay the bills, or for the The second piece of bad tion of our greatest and highest salvation of someone they love. advice is a bit more insidious and desire. Our desire for God is some- These are not trivial longings. It sadly, very common. It goes some- thing greater and higher and deeper seems to me that desire is part of thing like this - get rid of your unful- and stronger and eternal and alto- being human, part of how God made filled desires by using God as a substi- gether different than our desire for us, but what we desire, how we deal tute for what you want. You may be anything else. Trying to use God as a with it, and whether or not it is fulfiled more familiar with this as the “Jesus is substitute for something less when is all affected by our sin and the sinful my boyfriend” philosophy. The idea is He is meant to be the satisfaction of world we live in. that Jesus can become the substitute something infinitely more, is wrong. For the man or woman who is for that child you can’t have or that How do we deal with unful- not trusting in Christ, there is one cancer-free life you long for. As in, “I filled desires, then? Well, we don’t try need that must be satisfied before really want this, but since I don’t have to deny them. In this life we will want any other desire can be dealt with. As it, I’ll try to satisfy it with Christ. He’s things we don’t get. But that’s the sinners we have all tried to satisfy this the poor Christian’s substitute.” How key - “in this life”. As painful and need with which we were created demeaning and belittling of the glory heartbreaking as these things are, with something other than God. But it of God and who Christ actually is! Or they are just “in this life”, and what doesn’t work. We must run to Christ perhaps you’ve heard the famous we do have in Christ is eternal. So, and believe and trust in Him, and only variation of this, “When I finally accept that you may have unfulfilled then do we find satisfaction for the stopped wanting....(fill in the blank), longings all your life. But focus on deepest need of our soul. that’s when God gave it to me.” This growing your desire for Christ - But what about the godly assumes there is something wrong because that is what puts everything man or woman who is trusting in with wanting things in the first place into perspective and makes all the Jesus Christ for everything, but still and that we earn the gifts God gives pain and heartache of other things wants things. If unfulfilled desires are us in the second place. It’s nonsense bearable. You’ll still want lesser a part of life, then as a Christian, how really, and like all bad advice results in things, but you’ll be able to rejoice do we view them and deal with them? frustration. Women who sincerely and value the ultimate satisfaction I think there are two kinds of love the Lord are made to feel like you have in Christ. To quote the same bad advice being given regarding failed Christians because they are musician-philosopher I mentioned unfulfilled desires. The first type of honest enough to say they still want earlier, “You can’t always get what bad advice is this - if you have a desire, things. Really, at the end of the day, you want...but sometimes you get God gave it to you, so it should be ful- it’s still making our desires an idol and what you need.” filed, and you should take things into God an errand boy whose job is to sat- Beth Bogue, your own hands and seek its fulfil- isfy them. Airdrie RPCS page 19 reformationhistory.org a very easy to use reformation history website