After a long period of decision making and the fact that I've felt the Lord calling me through several ways about pursuing the full time ministry I'm in the process of eventually leaving the church of Scotland.

The thing that finally done it was the fact that to be a candidate you must agree with women in ministry. So I couldn't faced with the blantant facts in 1 timothy.

I would have been willing to have gone in and fight but i cant get in without lying really if thats the case and I cannot do that of course.


So now I'm on the search for a new denomination that isn't so liberal and i'm not so foolish now. Before I joined the church of Scotland I had no idea there was such a thing as a liberal minister and i thought they were reformed historically.


I've seen the free church of Scotland so far.

if you have any advice concerning denominations in my country then please post.

thanks a lot to the people i messaged for help through this issue.

Take Care,

God bless.

__________________
Lee Johnston
Church of Scotland (Presbyterian)
Paisley, Scotland
Ephesians 1:4-5
"In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

May the Lord bless your endeavors, Lee. We'll be praying for you.

__________________
Brad
Member- Eagle Heights PCA
Winchester, VA

Pro 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

May God guide you. I would suggest checking doctrine & polity statements of all of the locals before visiting (if possible) to avoid another mess in progress.

__________________
Rich Koster
1689'er
Browns Mills NJ USA
Often Goofy Reformed Eccentric
Romans 7:14-25

yeah im gonna take it slow this time. thanks guys

Lee, I will be praying for you, that you will find a home where you may worship and know the joy that Christ intended for His bride.

__________________
Michael P Doyle
Waukesha WI
Member of http://www.cornerstone-pca.com/
Attending http://www.lampseminary.org/

Praying, Lee.

__________________
Ivan R. Schoen, B.A., M.A., M.L.I.S.
Pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church (SBC)
Poplar Grove, IL, USA
http://maranatha-sbc.org

If I lived in Scotland, I'd be in the Free Church of Scotland Continuing.

__________________
Glenn Ferrell
Pastor, Sovereign Redeemer Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Boise, Idaho

http://sovereignredeemer.org

http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_de...formationidaho


Nec Tamen Consumebatur


The duty of magistrates...extends to both tables of the law, ... those laws are absurd which disregard the rights of God, and consult only for men. - Calvin, Institutes, IV:20:9

Hello Lee:

I am sorry to hear that you are leaving, but it is even more sorrowful to learn of the apostasy of the Church of Scotland.

There is a Reformed Congregation in Airdrie - which is about 30-40 minutes from Paisley. Here is their link:

http://www.airdrierpcs.org/

Rev. Quigley is a very godly man.

Blessings,

Rob

__________________
In Essentials Unity, in non-Essentials Liberty, in all things Charity.

Robert Paul Wieland
Springs Reformed Presbyterian Church
Colorado Springs, CO RPCNA
Student at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh PA
Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark, but professionals built the Titanic.

haha dont think im travelling for 40 min every sunday.

Praying for wisdom and guidance for you, Lee. God Bless

__________________
Norm
IA PCA

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:4-5

Lee, our American brothers on the PB think of journeytimes like that as chickenfeed!

If you are happy with the historic reformed position of the CoS then I would have thought that the Free Church or the Free Church (Continuing) would be a likely destination for you.

__________________
Jonathan Hunt

Elder holding forth the word of life at:
Cheltenham Evangelical Free Church (Confessionally Based)
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
-- Thomas Elsworth

ya but i dont drive, so i doubt my dad's gonna drive me around and then back considering hes not a church - goer.

I'm going to my first afternoon free church of Scotland service 2day. any advice?

I'm going in jeans i hope they don't have a dress code or something :s

__________________
Benjamin P. Glaser, M. Div, Licentiate, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Member Fairmount ARP Church
Pittsburgh, PA

Deo Vindice

Lee we do have some folks who have two hour drives (each way) to come to worship services.

When there is a scarcity of Bible-preaching congregations, one does one one must.

Praying for your transition.

__________________
Curt Lovelace
Pastor, Covenant Baptist Church (CBA)
Acton, Maine
Director, Lifework Forum
Sermons at SermonAudio.com/CBCActon
Blogging at Coffee with Curt

LeeJUk;

Might I suggest you at least contact him? He may know of something closer, or might be willing to see about a church plant in your area..

__________________
Bobbi Clark
Covenant Member
Pinewood Pres. (PCA) Middleburg

When I kept Silent, My bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. Psalm 32:3

Believe it or not, brother, the ARP is going to plant a church in Scotland in the very near future.

__________________
Tim Phillips
Pastor, Midlane Park Presbyterian Church (ARP)
Louisville, KY
Husband of Scottish Lass
My Blog: Gairney Bridge
My Facebook/My Avatar

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

"Wherever the gospel is preached, it is as if God Himself came into the midst of us." ~ John Calvin

Blessings as you search for a new home!

That is awesome! Praise God!

__________________
Shalom,
jessi
PCA
Steelers fan exiled to Virginia


“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.”
Martin Luther

Praise GOD

He's absolutely guided me in his sovereignty today. Like I said I had issue over women ministers in this mornings service, decided then on a whim to go to the free church of Scotland service in the afternoon. I just came back

The preacher came having only a weeks notice, he was originally scheduled for elsewhere and he was originally going to preach something else but something in acts caught him in his sermon prep. His whole sermon was literally jumping into my heart - the topic - the call to preach and God's sovereignty in raising up ministers. It was about acts and the call to preach the gospel and that verse about the Holy Spirit turning one of the apostles away from a town and sending him elsewhere(my vague memory). I mean the entire thing confirmed to me 2 things

1) God is calling me to preach/minister.
2) I'm called out of the Church of Scotland for sure. << this came up in the sermon too.

It was like that sermon and situation was custom built for me....

It was suuuch a relief to finally know and have it confirmed after today. I felt the Holy Spirit move strongly in my heart during the sermon and afterwords when I went up to talk to the preacher literally the presence of the Holy Spirit was just overcoming me I almost came to tears for some reason.


Just waiting on what to do next, whilst attending the free church.

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
w000000000t

such a relief and joy.

Praise God for the powerful preaching of His word and the work of His Spirit in your heart, dear brother!

I would go for the free church. If you want to move, why not hop across the water and try the Presbyterian church in Ireland which would be far more evangelical than the CoS. There is also the evangelical presbyterian church in Ireland as well as the reformed presbyterian church. And if you are thinking of something more extreme there are always the Free-Ps

Their links are
http://www.presbyterianireland.org/
EPC Home
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland
http://www.freepres.org/main.asp

__________________
Stuart
Elder, Lambeg Baptist, Northern Ireland, UK

In Him the fulness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form and in Him you are complete (Col 2.9-10)

The Christian is a person who makes it easy for others to believe in God. (RM M'Cheyne)

__________________
sarah
WI
OPC
My Pastor's Sermons: Mark Jenkins...he's awesome!!!

Be faithful
Be patient

__________________
Scott
PCA
North Carolina


"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)"
Hebrews 10:23

you mean go live there? if i was to move to northern ireland i'd certainly go all out free-pres. though i dont know how my family would like that

i love they're preaching and they are very successful.
they've also helped me through email and stuff and they're sermons are powerful.

Hi Lee:

I am happy and glad for you, and I am sure that all things will work for good for you in the future.

I look forward to continuing our conversations here in the forums.

Blessings brother!

Rob

__________________
Martin - Reformed
Husband to the most godly, honorable and loyal wife Line
Searching for a Church
Webpage www.5solas.dk
Free Online Reformed Seminary - http://www.tnars.net
Soli Deo Gloria

Good choice.

__________________
Soli Deo Gloria,
Jeff - FCC - Georgia


"Every word of God is pure" — Proverbs 30:5

"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." — Patrick Henry, A.D. 1775

really dont know what the difference is to be honest.

Welcome to the Free Church of Scotland !

__________________
Mike
London City Presbyterian Church
London
England

"Surely, we wish to be orthodox, but we must first learn what real orthodoxy is. Surely, we wish to be progressive, but we must first have a basis to progress from."

Remembering you in prayer Lee. Take your time thinking and praying about denominations. I'll be in touch.

There's not usually a dress code in the FC these days.

__________________
Richard
communicant member, FCoS
Perth, Scotland UK

His Name forever shall endure;
last like the sun it shall:
Men shall be blessed in Him,
and blessed all nations shall Him call (Ps. 72:17)

__________________
Wayne Whitmer
Member, Rio Rancho OPC
Albuquerque, NM

Could someone please explain what the "continuing" refers to in Free Church of Scotland Continuing? Thanks.

Praying... Are there nonconformist churches in Scotland? When I lived in London, I attended an Anglican church that was low church and Bible-believing, but I also visited several nonconformist Baptist churches while traveling. I heard some excellent preaching in these churches and some of them were quite reformed although they took some exceptions to the WCF. This might be something worth looking into if transportation becomes an issue - I understand about the price of petrol! I think one reason we Americans are willing to drive so far for church is because our gas so so so cheap here - I can see why it would be a concern for you.

__________________
Kathleen M
nondenominational
Montana

In Scotland these smaller Presbyterian churches, apart from the CofS don't call themselves or look upon themselves as non-conforming. They are for the most part (the United Free Church of Scotland is a mixed denom like the Cofs) closer to the original model of Knox's CofS in that they are evangelical and Reformed and Liberal Theology is not allowed as it is in the national church.

The Church of Scotland was very thoroughly reformed in the 16th Century, much more than the English national church, and again against encroachments by the state and Episcopalianism etc in the 17th Century - sometimes called the Second Reformation and the period of the persecution of the Covenanters and the writing of the WCF.

Liberal Theology entered the CofS in the middle of the 19th Century. Before that there was "Moderatism" (associated with the Enlightenment) in the 18th Century and early 19th Century. With sometimes encouraging revivals here and there its been downhill ever since with an acceleration since the 1950s.

Texas is 8 1/2 times the size of Scotland. People in Scotland are not used to travelling the kind of distances people in America do in a day and back, partly because we live in a smaller country.

Lee,
Glad you made it to the Free Church. I am sure by now you've discovered that there is not a dress code. You are probably also aware that Free Church people do smile, have a sense of humor and are generally welcoming. They will also do mundane things on a Sunday like cook dinner!
I take it you were at Paisley FC. I think that they may be joining with Dowanvale FC. I believe that they are planning to continue services in Paisley and appoint an assistant pastor for Paisley in the hope of doing outreach work.
Blessings to you and prayers for you. Any Q's re the FC don't hesitate to ask me.

-----Added 6/21/2009 at 08:53:25 EST-----


Also the roads are better in Texas!

__________________
Donnie MacLeod
Crossroads Presbyterian Fellowship (PCA), Maplewood, MO
MDiv Student Covenant Theological Seminary

You filled my heart with greater joy
than others may have found
As they rejoiced at harvest time,
when grain and wine abound.Ps 4:7, Sing Psalms 2003

I am glad for you. Can we not rejoice in His care of us? "He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; he will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."

In Christ,

KC

__________________
Heb 13:20-21

Kevin C. Easterday
Member Covenant OPC, St. Augustine, FL
Husband to Tina (August 13, 1988), Father and Teacher to Kamden (17) and Kolton (15)
Federal Theology Website
Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

In 2000, there was a split regarding the carrying out (or lack thereof) of judicial investigation of a member of the Free Church. In accordance with their ordination vows, several ministers declared that their consciences could not be bound to courts acting against the constitution of the Free Church; thus, they broke off, considering themselves to be the "true continuation" of the original protest, and thus the true, "continuing" Free Church of Scotland.

__________________
Paul Korte
OPC
Flint, MI

They who perceive in themselves discoveries of the divine goodness, so full and absolutely perfect, and who make them the subject of earnest meditation, will never embrace new doctrines, by which the very grace they feel so powerfully in themselves is thrown into the shade. --John Calvin

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Thanks, Paul, for taking the time to explain the term and its history.

One will not find much difference between the FCoS and FcoS-C. They share the same history, confession and constitution, both claiming to be the same denomination as existed pre-2000. The Continuing group is smaller. The groups have many ties through interrelated families.

As an American, I have do part in the fight. I pray for healing of the division, and a unified evangelical and Presbyterian witness in Scotland.

I’ve personally never worshiped with the FCoS; but have with the FCoS-C in both Scotland and the US, and have preached for them. My wife was a member of a FCoS-C congregation when we met and married six years ago in Glasgow. So, we know a number of people in the continuing group; fewer in the majority body.

yeah your right 21st century calvinist about whats happening with the associate pastor etc... how'd you know lol.

Yeah they're friendly people, and no dress code. though they're numbers are very small the spiritual maturity there is refreshing and the sound preaching filled with scripture.

anyway, take care.


Lee

There are six or seven smaller Presbyterian denoms in Scotland

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland (founded by Covenanters who didn't accept the Glorious Revolution Settlement of 1690). Evangelical and Reformed. The Reformed Presbyterian College is in Belfast.

Free Church of Scotland (founded 1843). Evangelical and Reformed. The Free Church College is in Edinburgh.

Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (founded 1893). Evangelical and Reformed.

United Free Church of Scotland (founded 1900 and reconstituted in 1929). Mixed denomination.

Associated Presbyterian Churches (founded 1989). Evangelical and Reformed.

Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) (founded 2000). Evangelical and Reformed. The Free Church Seminary is in Inverness.

I also believe that the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster (Ian Paisley's) has a few congregations in Scotland. They are Evangelical and Reformed.

If you're interested check the websites.