No.147.   24th March

Hi,

Hope this finds you well.
You can see from below that Sunday morning is going to be busy - lots going on from the Sunday service and then into the afternoon activities with Messy Church.
Make sure you keep track of the events coming up at Easter too

Enjoy the mag AND don't turn up at church at 11.30am!!



 

Sunday 26th March 2023   

       Rev Scott Kirkland
     Bible passage: 1 Peter 3.8-18
With Baptism and Communion
followed by Stated Annual Meeting
 

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From the Manse

Dear Congregation, 

This Sunday we shall have our Stated Annual Meeting after worship. It would be great if you could stay and be part of that formal process. We shall have some reports on physical and financial matters and present the budget for this current year (2023).  

You can find our accounts for 2022 here. 

We posted on our website the minutes from last year’s S.A.M within a week or so that changes could be made and realistic agreement this year of these being an accurate minute. The revised draft minutes from 2022 will be presented for agreement at this S.A.M. See here. 

On a completely different matter… 

You often refer me to books and articles that you have found helpful. You therefore think others will find them helpful. They often are. However, let’s not forget how well the Lord deals with us personally and directs us to what we need at a particular time even if not so necessary for others.   

However, one of our congregation steered me to an essay by Alistair McGrath (a professor of theology at Oxford University) which I think may be as helpful for you as it was to the person who directed me to it.  Don’t be put off by the title, “Doctrine Matters”. In fact, this temptation to be put off, goes right to the heart of the matter.  
The essay comes in the form of a personal journey.  



It begins with McGrath (above) heading up to Oxford University as a non-Christian teenager to study the natural sciences. While undertaking this undergraduate degree he is brought to faith in Jesus. He is determined to be a “thinking Christian”.  

With self-reflection he begins to label himself as a “liberal” Christian which he defines as; “someone who looked to human reason and secular culture, instead of scripture, for religious guidance and inspiration.”  

Though Irish by descent, he then chose to train for the Church of England priesthood at what he called the flagship of liberal Catholicism within the Anglican theological colleges. He graduated to become a “curate”. 

At that time McGrath characterises his ministry as encouraging people to believe “with Jesus”, rather than believe “in Jesus”. By this he believed it was only necessary to develop the same spirit of compassion and care and spiritual awareness of Jesus (“with Jesus”). He enjoyed the idea of a 'Christianity without doctrine', Christianity simply imitating Jesus.  As attractive as that seemed, McGrath came to realize this was “intellectually shallow” and that a “Christianity without doctrine” was untenable. 

He met this painfully as he began ministering to bereaved families and their need for something truly real and life affecting. Surprisingly, he did find that the Anglican funeral liturgy was full of hope and that hope was grounded on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But this threw up a key question. Was the resurrection true? Did it actually happen? McGrath’s liberal colleagues did not seem to care. For them the matter was not, is it 'true'; but rather is it 'helpful'. For them, the resurrection was only a ‘symbol of hope' which simply helped people cope with death. McGrath began exploring and came to a different conclusion.   

He says, “Christian doctrine …is concerned to tell the truth, in order that we may enter into and act upon that truth. It is an expression of a responsible and caring faith - a faith which is prepared to give an account of itself, and to give careful consideration to its implications for the way in which we live.” 

In our Home Group studies (and in fact this coming Sunday) the Lord through the writings of the Apostle Peter calls us to give an account of this hope we have in Christ. I think McGrath was learning the faith of the apostle. 

McGrath came to see how necessary the truth of doctrine is for church life (he especially references the experience of the liberal German church in the 1930s). We should realize that the truth of doctrine is necessary for every generation, not just especially troubled ones. Doctrine, McGrath says, defines who we are to obey. “It draws a firm line of demarcation between a false church, which answers to the pressures of the age, and a true church, which is obedient and responsible to God, as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ.” 

McGrath offers this stinging critique; “A church which despises or neglects doctrine may simply lapse into a comfortable conformity with the world - or whatever part of the world it happens to feel most at home with. Its agenda is set by the world; its presuppositions are influenced by the world; its outlook mirrors that of the world. There are few more pathetic sights than a church wandering aimlessly from one 'meaningful' issue to another in a desperate search for relevance in the eyes of the world.” 

As I read that paragraph above I notice a key word. It is the word “presuppositions”. Presuppositions control our thinking. They bring to a conversation a framework for that conversation and so shape not only what we say but also then what we do.  

Most significant for the Christian is (in my view) what shapes our presuppositions? In liberal Christianity, McGrath concludes these presuppositions come from all sorts of sources in the “world”. McGrath began to form his beliefs (doctrines/presuppositions) from the Scriptures. Grounded on these biblical doctrines he then had a firm foundation for what to believe and also how to live.  

He came to realize that only because certain things were true about Jesus (Son of God, risen Saviour etc.) could he then stake his life on imitating Jesus. (“It is doctrine which explains why and how Jesus' words and deeds have divine, rather than purely human, authority. It is doctrine which singles out Jesus Christ, and none other, as being God incarnate.”)  

It is for this reason the Church may often have to confront the values of the world in each generation rather than be shaped by them. 

So, why doctrine? McGrath believes Christians need to think and act. Thinking and acting need to be “informed”. His conclusion is that “Christianity is just too important to allow itself to be “reduced to a 'watery, bleak and thin' set of ideas, or the shallowness and mindlessness of unthinking action in the world.” 

While McGrath is steeped in the Anglican tradition, he may well be describing any mainline denomination – our own included – the Church of Scotland.  

However, what may be true of the denomination, need not be true of us here locally at MMCC. We must believe in Jesus and know doctrinally why we do so, from the Scriptures.  

You can read the whole essay here. 
 

On a different matter (and don’t groan)…

re: the Presbytery Plan  

On the 20th March, John McNicol and Jack Geddes from the Session (and myself) attended a further meeting of our Cluster. There were twenty-four representatives from the five congregations present.

We were slightly dismayed that a new paper, that wasn't communicated to us prior to the meeting, was introduced. The content seems to have emerged from conversations one representative had with the central committee on planning in Edinburgh. It suggested that short-life working groups, with at least five members, be created with representatives from each congregation. 

Each group would examine their "key area" and bring recommendations. These key areas were given as;

• Cluster Missional Aims
• Ministry resources available
• Committee/decision making structures
• Church human resources, buildings
• Financial resources and a timetable for completion

The document also asked for the appointment of a Committee Chairman to pull this all together into “one meaningful integrated document/plan”. We have been given two weeks to submit questions or criticisms on the proposal. 

This feels like we are being asked to start the decision-making process again and we are considering what feedback we will give to the cluster.
In summary, the two points we expected to be discussed on the night were not, and there is nothing new to report on which buildings will be permitted to remain open in the Plan or how much ministry allocation will be granted to each congregation. We shall meet again on 24th April on our own premises. 

Meeting Off: On 17th March, I communicated by email that we had been cited to attend a special Presbytery meeting tomorrow (Saturday 25th March) on the Presbytery Plan. The decisions to be made at that meeting would affect us. (Decisions I have already communicated to you some time ago.) We received this communication this afternoon; "Recent communications from congregations and members has revealed a significant number of detailed matters may benefit from further conversation and negotiation at a local level. It is not appropriate for such specific issues to be considered at a full meeting of Presbytery and doing so does not represent effective use of presbyters’ time."
The meeting is off, if you were planning to attend!
Warmest regards 
Scott 

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Sunday 16th April, 7pm (in sanctuary)

We shall show a drama which is based on the how the “thief on the cross” ended up beside Jesus on a cross and then amazingly with him in glory. Based on Luke’s Gospel.
This is a great opportunity to bring a friend so they can hear the Gospel in an extremely well dramatized way!

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Origins Scotland

 

Usher Hall 

An event that has become an Easter tradition in Scotland, RESURRECTION brings together Christians from all over the central belt to celebrate the greatest event in history in an evening of music and worship on Easter Sunday. 
 
It is led by the?Origin Scotland?band, singers and orchestra, and held annually in one of the world's great concert halls, home to the Edinburgh Festival - the Usher Hall. 
Special guests Allan McKinlay, Steph Macleod, Fiona Crow, and guest speaker Peter Anderson (City on a Hill). 
 
An event that unites the Church around the great central truth of the Gospel, it declares to the world: Christ is risen. Tickets from here  

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Ladybird Book of Maxwell

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Giving with Gift Aid?

There is a new page (here) on our church webpage to highlight how people can give to the work and ministry at Maxwell Mearns Castle.
Less and less people use cash these days and the church needs to move with the times too. The page also highlights the option to use Gift Aid - a great way to add to your contribution. 

All the details are on the page including how to get in touch with Ken Taggart, our treasurer, if you have questions. For instance, If you are already donating but are not sure if you have an active and valid Gift Aid declaration enabling the additional tax amount to be claimed by Maxwell, Ken would love to hear from you.

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There is a 4-minute update from the Christian Institute here.

Pressing this link not only takes you to their video update but you can see the issues expanded in various articles alongside the video. 

And for the diary, 3rd May 7.30-8.45pm at Newton Mearns Baptist Church, there will be a prayer meeting with the Christian Institute.
I plan to suspend our own prayer meeting that night so that we can join this gathering in prayer.  

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10 Words

Continuing from a couple of weeks ago... Bible is filled with beautiful language, and these words have the ability to point us to the truth and provide a path to live life to the fullest. Yet there are many words that can be confusing to the average reader. Understanding a little more about these 10 words will undoubtedly unlock deeper meaning as we seek to listen to God’s Word.

3. Messiah

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ)” (John 1:41).

When Andrew proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, what exactly was he communicating? The Messiah, or Anointed One, had been long-prophesied as a descendent of King David who would reign over the Israel in a way no one else ever had or could. This Messiah would come from God to save His people, leading the nation to holiness and global supremacy.

Through the Old Testament writings (which was the Bible Andrew and Simon had at the time) it was understood that such a deliverer would come, and Andrew was proclaiming that this Messiah had finally arrived! However, Jesus accomplished far more than that by granting us entrance into a kingdom that is greater than all worldly kingdoms, and bringing salvation not just to our world, not just to Israel, but to every soul of all humanity.
Messiah is a Hebrew word, and Christ is simply a Greek word meaning the same thing.

4. Propitiation

“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

The word propitiation is a unique word that we don’t really hear much outside of the Bible. Yet it’s importance cannot be overstated! In the early chapters of Genesis, humanity experiences the evil of sin. Because of our sinful nature (we are all born sinful), we deserve this wrath. This is where propitiation comes in.

In some translations it reads ‘atonement’, and both words reference the fact that by suffering on the cross, Jesus took all of our sin upon himself once and for all. The wrath of God upon sin is forever satisfied through Jesus, so that we can now be made clean in God’s sight. We don’t do anything or work for anything to earn this propitiation, but we can receive it simply because of who Jesus is and what He did.

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Pray Now  is a WhatsApp group for Maxwell members

It sends out occasional requests for prayer. In particular those which might be regarding things more acute or immediate.
Speak with Margaret Boyd is you would like to be added to this important ministry at MMCC, or just to find out more.

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The Scottish Reformed Conference (SRC) is a unique event in the Scottish Christian calendar at which believers of all ages and denominations gather to know the benefit and blessing of faithful ministry of the highest calibre as well as the delight of warm, Christian fellowship. It is our prayer that God will continue to use the SRC to bless, encourage and inspire His people and to enable them to enjoy fellowship and friendship across denominational boundaries.

We are delighted to announce that this year’s conference will take place on Saturday 13th May 2023. It is our prayerful hope that you will join us and gather in good number for faithful ministry and warm fellowship.
Our speakers for 2023 will be Dr Kevin De Young and Dr Sinclair Ferguson

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Scottish Day Conference

22nd April @ Abbeygreen Church,
Lesmahagow 10am-2.30pm 

We are looking forward with eager anticipation to our Scottish Day Conference on 22nd April and to hearing from some of our mission partners, who are involved in different areas of ministry in partnership with UFM, about their ongoing part in the work of making disciples of all nations. There will also be a short update on the work of UFM generally. 
 
We warmly invite you to join us for this day conference. We trust that you will be encouraged to hear of some of our ongoing mission work and encouraged in your prayers for mission. We trust that some will be encouraged to connect further with the mission work we will hear about. The mission partners sharing are Justin Black(100fold), Andy B(E Europe) & Ruth McGarvey (France). There will a sandwich lunch provided. 
Ruairidh MacLean , Area Director based in Scotland 
UFM Worldwide 

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Praying For the Persecuted Church 

Across north and central Nigeria attacks on predominantly Christian villages take place with shocking frequency. Homes are destroyed, churches are burned, thousands have been killed and tens of thousands have been forced to flee. The situation is under reported in the mainstream media and the Nigerian government seems powerless to intervene.

In response to the relentless pressure facing our Nigerian brothers and sisters, Release International is calling Christians in the UK to take a stand. From April to June this year our Out of these ashes campaign will draw special attention to the issues and appeal for concerted prayer.

More information and resources will be added to this page and our social media channels throughout the campaign.

To find out more and to hear directly from Christians in Nigeria please join our Out of these ashes online launch event on Tuesday, April 4 at 7.30pm. Register for free on Eventbrite.
More details here.

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Car Parking

Can you help?
If you are able, please can you to start using the school car park again as we did pre-lockdown?
Numbers attending services are encouragingly high and it would be really helpful if those that are able could leave spaces in the main car park for those who have greater need.

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 Safeguarding at Maxwell Mearns