The classes–which in reflection–were packed full of the knowledge of Christ and that which concerns His glory, did not even seem like work: I do not mean there was no work…every day was a journey to wrestle with a new perspective, or to enrich a perspective already held. What I mean is that the atmosphere was one of truly wishing to imbue in us a greater desire for Christ, and to see us discipled and that made it enjoyable…I am forever grateful, for such concern not resting solely on getting us to “pass”, but rather to see us become more like Christ. The priorities were right. 

Even our trips around Scotland with the members of the congregation were a wonderful discipling experience: I came to befriend Christians of all ages, and it was amazing to share stories with the older members and to teach the youngest members. One thing is sure: if you seek to become part of the body of Christ, Airdrie is a place I have been welcomed like no other place…It is a place, a people seeking after their Saviour. Of that there is no doubt.

The worship life of this church was Living Water to my parched soul. The Word and prayer are held high, and it is an encouragement to see such a passion and desire for the Lord. Young and old gather together before the Holy God of our Salvation, and I cannot tell you how the Lord has used the preaching of the Word, the prayer groups, the Bible studies, etc. to draw me to Christ. The Lord and King Christ is in His rightful ruling place within this place, and I thank Him for placing me somewhere where the food given to the congregation is solid, and the foundation built is started alone on the cornerstone. I have returned home with a firmer foundation in the Word, and with a greater passion to know Christ. 

I have had no church background whatsoever growing up, and the care and respect I was shown regarding my lack of Reformed knowledge was encouraging; I was not forced to accept all that they believed, but the way it was presented and the true reliance on Scripture I saw in their perspectives gave me a true desire to seek after Christ as He is revealed in Scripture. I will even venture to say that I have been convinced to pursue the ministry, and even then within the RP church. It will be seen where the Lord will have me go, but He has used Scotland in such a way that I have come to know Him better and deeper. Once again, I praise the Lord that He gifted me with the experience, and thank all in Airdrie and all of the Scottish RP church for their contribution to my experience. 

There is no amount of writing that could ever cover all I have learned, or have taken from this program…this chapter of my life. I have been discipled, come to know Christ better, and fostered relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ across the ocean. I saw new churches take root, new members taken in, and Christ working amidst His Church in Scotland. To all considering this program, please take a step of faith and give this place a chance…offer your gifts to this church, and you will not leave without more deeply knowing Christ. To all involved in the program, I thank you dearly and miss you all already. To Christ, I give glory for all I have learned, all those I have come to know, and all that He has imbued into my heart through this place, these people, this short time. 

Let me cap this stay in Scotland, saying as I should with any thoughts I consider: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen” (Revelation 22:20-21).

Before leaving I probably got near to 10 cards from different members of the church, if not more. To think that they took the time to do so for us students that may never return (though I hope to do so) is amazing and really uplifting.

Of all things I will remember, though there is lots, I hope to always remember the warm welcome and encouragement that the church gave to us.

Thank you everyone for making our time an experience we will never forget.

As I’ve been reflecting on my time in Scotland over the past week one thing that really stands out in my mind, is something that Andrew said in our ministry class that I don’t think Anna and I will ever forget [especially after Peter mentioned it in his sermon]. He explained to us that the Christian life is a plod, and said, “To plod is the job. Plod on.” I loved this because it holds together what each of the books we’ve read here taught, when doing the spiritual disciplines gets tiresome, plod on. When evangelizing to people who may or may not want to hear the message, plod on. When we look at Paul’s life and want to imitate it with our own, we plod on. When we think about all the different parts of theology that might confuse us or seem irreconcilable, we plod on. This principle applies to every aspect of life, whether we were climbing up hills or I was falling down them, whether we were tired and didn’t want to read or hyper and didn’t want to read. We plodded on. Now that our time here is waning one thing I want to carry back with me is the idea of plodding on. Regardless of the circumstances in my life the aim is to bring glory to God, and the motive love and gratitude, so I plod on until I finish the race.

                                                                                                                      graci

I, along with the other SIS students, was able to attend the Induction Services of the two new RP churches. The first establishment of a new church was in Stornoway. I was surprised to hear many people here say that they had never been to the Isle of Lewis before. We traveled by car and ferry to the northern island to commune with God’s saints as they celebrated the inducting of elders and deacons and the calling of a minister into their church. The service started with a time of public worship. I found this particular helpful to remind us why we were all there: the glorification of Christ. Next, the Reverend Kenneth Stewart charged all there to be faithful in their calling because of the One who they were truly serving would remember their service to him. The elders, he reminded, were to be stewards of God’s mysteries, the doctrine of the church and the gospel itself. The deacons were to be overseers of the resources and materials of the church so that all with a need would see it met according to the will of God. After this, the elder candidates were called forward, asked a number of questions concerning their beliefs and practices, and received into their office as elders of the church. In a similar fashion, the deacon candidates were called forward, questioned, and inducted into the office of deacon of the church. Then, the church called Reverend David Karoon. Since Rev Karoon had already been ordained this part of the service consisted of him being called forward, asked about his views on scripture, doctrine, and church government, and lastly being welcomed by the congregation as their minister. Following all of this, Reverend Andrew Quigly of the Airdrie church gave the closing address. He brought us back to the heart of the matter: the point of it all was to bring glory to God. This was in no way a repetitive message because a Christian cannot hear such a message too many times.

The induction service in Stornoway was the first the RP church had experienced in seventeen years. Astoundingly, though, I have attended two such services in my short time in Scotland. The next service was held in Glasgow. This service ran in much the same way. We began with public worship led by Reverend Quigly. He addressed the question: “How do we respond to the hopelessness of man today?” He went on to say that the church is not merely meant to survive but to bear fruit. We do this by abiding in Christ and dedicating ourselves to his glorification. Next, there was the calling and induction of elders and deacons. This church was also calling a minister who had already been ordained, Reverend Kenneth Stewart. Reverend Stewart was likewise called forward, questioned and welcomed by the congregation. In closing, Reverend Donald MacDonald charged Reverend Stewart to remember that he was an ambassador for Christ. Ambassadors carry the authority and the message of the one they represent.

The kingdom of God is no doubt advancing in the world. At first it may not be seen or noticed because of the scale at which it happens at, but we should never be mistaken in realizing that it is at work. The growth in the Scottish RP Church is but one example of the quiet advancement the word of God in today’s day and age. God is so great to move among his people and stir the hearts of men who are willing to lead his faithful people.

Anna McFall

One thing that I really learned to enjoy here is Psalm singing.

The church I go to back home has a full worship band and we sing a variety of songs that usually could be heard being sung by the band Newsong. I have been going to this church since I was in 5th Grade (or Primary 6) and as far as I can recall we have never sang Psalms, and if we did, it wasn’t exclusive Psalmity.

Here, we sing Psalms for both church services on Sunday and every morning before class. When we went to a youth conference one weekend we sang Psalms before every speech we heard. Even when we are away from the church and not even with any “church people” or doing something non-church related we have sang Psalms.

One night there was a group of us chatting and before we went back to wherever we were staying we brought out some Psalters and sang one, along with a scripture reading and prayer. Personally, I thought that was really cool. Though we should always involve God in our conversation, it was nice to make special time for God before we left for the night.

Overall, this semester so far has taught me much and has made me take a serious look at the way I look at worship.

-Joshua Giesler

So since last week, we’ve had adventures and experiences in new places, and in our classes. Ready to hear all about them? Seatbelts!

The trips taken – so far to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Stranraer, and into the Highlands – are more than sightseeing. In them the passion and interest of our ‘guides’ are revealed, and day by day great fellowship is deepened. What wonders God has made – both in the sites and places that speak of His glory and in the hearts of these people who sing his praise.

Needless to say, my time here to this point have been greatly enjoyable and I have been taught  so much through the power of the spirit. i can only look with excitement and anticipation towards the days to come as he unfolds his plan over the course of these few months. However, one thing is sure – that His glory shall be shown in all that comes, despite any challenge or change that must or may come. To him be all the glory, forever and ever.

 - Casey Main

Through my months of study here in Scotland I have come to develop a new understanding or should I say a deeper appreciation of worship and the immense need for change within the American system of Contemporary Worship.

The revelation began this way, what is worship to do within the worshipper?  My first response was to create a connection between the adherent and God and to give God glory through submission to his greatness and to give thanks for His grace, mercy, and provision.  I have not changed that view, but I’ve come to understand that the American way of worship falls far short of even this definition.  Recently, I have had to defend my view of instrumental worship and I’m grateful for it.  It has taught me a lot, it has also revealed to me the need for change.  Big change is needed to refocus our worship.  I’ve come to understand the importance of the Psalms in use of worship, they give light to everyday life of a believer.  Something that most worship songs in America fall short of.

There are many modern worship songs that speak of Joy and peace, but few that deal with death, persecution, and other real issues that a believer must deal with.  The Psalms are perfect for this, they deal with every issue imaginable.

Recently here in Scotland a denomination has come to change a foundational doctrine, and seeing the importance of this change has showed me the need for this refocusing of my worship.  There are moments in my life when I go to church and I don’t feel like worshiping, why?  Because the songs we are singing come from a person that is numb.  That’s what the songs and the worship seem to do to the worshiper.  Entertain and numb.  We have lost the true essence of what we are even there for.  Joy is good but we are not always in this state.  We need songs that connect, not songs that create a division.  It seems that many people in America come to church to find peace, to find something that makes them feel better about themselves.  To create a second life really, something that has become the major trend in the world, just look at the alternate lifestyle programs on the internet.  The draw is that the church seems to cater to the needs of the people.

The remedy to this is not a simple fixer but I think that if we as a BODY, not a ligament, as most of the church seems to like to move as, we need to refocus our worship to include the Psalms and to have a better doctrine of reality really.  We need to exit our fairy land and deal with real issues.  Missions, outreach, community service is effected, EVERYTHING is effected. We got to soon find a remedy to the paralysis that the devil has convinced us is just alright and begin to move once again forward with the gospel and not let ourselves be fooled that what we are doing is enough.

My time here in Scotland can be said to be a time of learning, grace, and fulfillment. I’ve learned so much in my time here and I’ve come to understand so much while being here. The situation of the church in another nation, the necessity of a deeper understanding within many areas of the Church, and a renewed vigor within myself towards the things of God.

When I arrived here in Scotland, immediately I was overcome by the small differences. Things like driving on the wrong side of the road, the unique accents, the delicious foods, and mostly the feeling of possibilities. I came to Scotland searching, searching for something that I felt as though I had been losing while being constantly within the academic surroundings of Geneva. Now in these days, I can say, I’ve found what I was looking for. Faith, passion, and purpose, all of these things within me have been reignited.

As time passed and the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. I found myself slowly wanting to let the academics go and hold onto the discovering and reigniting. Then I discovered that a healthy balance between the two could be formed. That was when I began to enjoy my time here even more. I let the history of Scotland surround me and let the passion of those before me show the ways of righteousness. Its so interesting how when in a foreign land that you find yourself assailed by new understandings and concepts. This I think is what made me fall in love with Scotland; alongside the beauty of the land and the kindness of its people.

Now as I sit in Skye writing these words, I find myself reflecting on just how much I have experienced. The travels in Scotland and also my travels on the continent. There’s so much I’ve seen and so much that I’ve done, and in each moment when I look back, I remember the beauty, the history, and the simple pleasure that was gained by each one. I remember flying into Venice over the Italian Alps and seeing the sunset as we were descending, remembering the absolute beauty and magnificence of the sight, it reminded me of the awesome Creator of it all.

As I sit in my chair looking out onto a foggy rain soaked coast I think of the wonderful people that I’ve come to love and respect. The people that I will be hard pressed to say goodbye to. In the end my time will come to pass and my plane will start its engines with me aboard. Not without me wishing I could stay and be blessed with the company of those I call friends and would dare to say family, a family that gave love and acceptance as its greeting smile. God has truly blessed my time here and I will never forget this land or the people in it. I hope that my being here was half as fulfilling as the fulfillment that I received, that somehow my time was not only for my encouragement but for the growth and encouragement of others also. Thank You and God Bless.