Around 90 people from congregations in the Glasgow and Argyll Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland have attended the first ‘Healthy Church Gathering’ organised by the Free Church of Scotland.
Two main sessions were held. The first session focused on what it means to be a healthy Christian and what a healthy church looks like. Andrew Giffen, CEO of the Free Church of Scotland, spoke about these topics, with opportunity for discussion around tables.
The second session looked at what a healthy denomination looks like. Revd David Meredith, Mission Director, spoke about church redevelopment and the need for more ministers within the denomination, and Revd Neil MacMillan, Church Planting Director, spoke about church planting and the vision for 30 new churches by 2030. There were opportunities for comments and questions, and feedback. Sarah Robinson, Communications Manager, gave an update on communications.
Video updates from several churches were given throughout the sessions for encouragement and sharing ideas in addition to times of feedback and discussion around tables.
Hope Church, Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill, hosted the gathering.
Healthy Church Gatherings will be taking place in the Western Isles in April, in Inverness in May and Dornoch in September.
Andrew Giffen, CEO of the Free Church of Scotland, said: ‘These gatherings are a great opportunity for us to come together and encourage one another in growing in spiritual health, both as individuals and in our lives together as a congregation. We want to see healthy Christians, healthy churches and an increasingly healthy denomination. We will be thinking about what God wants the church to be, and how all of us can play a part in growing health in our congregations. There will be time for discussion, prayer and also worship together as a presbytery gathering.’
