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Home Page CONTENTS The Association's Formation & Aims Maintaining Principles & Gen. Information Reformed Tradition Reports Contacts & News On Line Catalogue Button for (discussion page) ********************************* SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT PLEASE GO TO "ON LINE CATALOGUE PAGE" TO VIEW AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE COPIES OF THE 1977 RFORMED BOOK OF COMMON ORDER AT REDUCED PRICES Book>BY THE REV.DAVID L. WRIGHT MA,BD ******************************************* THE NATIONAL CHURCH ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED IN 1932 FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE PROTESTANT PEOPLE AND PRESBYTERIAN FAITH, IT WAS RECOGNISED AS A SOCIETY of THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 1934. WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION The Aims of the Association are to maintain the Presbyterian Polity of The Church of Scotland To vindicate and defend the truth of such Reformed Doctrine as are Related to the Presbyterian Polity To defend the role played by Presbyterianism in the history of The Scots People TO FURTHER THESE AIMS The Association: Encourages members to take part on their own behalf in discussion or public notice of matters arising, which would affect the Polity and Public Worship. The membership of the Association comprises of Ministers, Elders and Members of the Church of Scotland in Presbyteries from Scotland, England and overseas Presbyteries. IN THE TRADITION OF THE REFORMED FAITH The Association has regular lectures and is Pleased to have prominent speakers address the meetings It is the Association's privilege to hold a fringe meeting, During General Assembly week in Edinburgh. In 2004, Rev. Professor Andrew McGowan spoke on the need to have a revised edition of the Reformed Book of Common Order. The Association produced an updated version in 1977, Which was welcomed in Scotland and overseas it is now in its fourth impression. A new update is in preparation. The Association is managed by a small committee, Who Organise; Lectures, Seminars and Public Meetings. Items of special interest will be published periodically Notices of meetings are posted to members well in advance Membership subscription is requested annually New members will be warmly welcomed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR METHOD OF JOINING please contact the treasurer Mr. Norman Fleming 2 Lindsaybeg Cottages Lindsaybeg Road Chryston Glasgow G69 9HU INFORRMATION Church ofScotland. ( See Great Links Page) (see 'Contact US' Page for Editor) COMMITTEE OFFICERS President David Bryce Treasurer Norman Fleming Web Author Thomas Orr PAST SPEAKERS Rev. Professor Andrew McGowan Rev. Dr. Gordon McCracken Rev. Dr. Norman Maciver Rev. Sinclair Horne Rev. Dr. Wayne Pearce ********************************* A PAPER BY REV. DR. JOHN C. SHARP (East Kilbride) " THE CHURCH WITH WALLS" A great deal in the life of the Church of Scotland at present revolves around the report, "Church Without Walls" This report has been picked up by the church at large and seen as a blueprint for various lines of action. Part of the intention of the report is to encourage churches to be outward looking, and to break off the debilitating habit of looking in on itself. However recent surveys seem to indicate that much of what has been claimed for this report was already taking place in many churches, such as the creation of pastoral support groups and worship teams. However may I take the liberty of reversing the imagery of Church Without Walls. It seems to me that one of the burning issues of the church today is to be a church with walls. The church today needs to build walls, Walls can be barriers, but they are also symbolic of protection, shelter, security and warmth. It seems to me that the church needs to rebuild the walls of Gospel truth, Of Biblical authority and Biblical spirituality. GOSPEL TRUTH: Church Without Walls encourages the church to be inclusive for all. Hopefully no one will argue that the Gospel is anything other than inclusive, it is for all the people of the world. Yet the Gospel is also exclusive. The gospel is one way to God among a host of other routes. The Gospel is inclusive –yet also exclusive. It is inclusive of all who will repent and turn in faith to Christ. But is exclusive of the individual who rejects the Gospel. We need to build the walls of Gospel truth, that only through the work of Christ on the cross are we redeemed. We need to defend the truth that only through the Grace of God in Christ Are we brought into the family of God. BIBLICAL AUTHORITY: Recent debate in the Minister’s Forum, (a monthly broadsheet for Church of Scotland Ministers), has revealed a deep-seated divergence of theological positions. Some see the biblical account of creation as valid, while others see it as merely a metaphor. Some see the Virgin Birth as exactly that, while others see it simply a mechanism to say Jesus is special. Some see the resurrection as something real and physical, while others see it in a figurative way. This to a large extent turns on our attitude to scripture. I remember a lecture by a Dutch philosopher where he stated that theology was different, from all the other sciences. The difference was that in theology the researcher was under The objective authority of the subject being studied, namely scripture: Whereas all other areas of academic research were subject to the authority And presuppositions of the researcher. It would seem that many today do not accept the authority of the bible. It seems to me that the church needs to build the walls of biblical authority. Too often today these walls today lie in ruins. BIBLE SPIRITUALITY: Spirituality impinges on all of life, but its heart lies in our relationship with God That relationship turns on the bible and prayer. In scripture God speaks to us and in prayer we speak to Him. The church is made up of its members. Yet every survey indicates that the vast majority of church attendee’s, never mind church members,sSeldom read the Bible. We need to build the walls of faithful bible reading, and reflection. AND WHAT OF PRAYER: The book of Nehemiah tells the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The critical basis of that enterprise, was prayer. In conclusion: The theme of Church Without Walls is no doubt commendable, But it is equally valid to say that we need a Church With Walls. A church with walls of Gospel, Truth, Biblical Authority and Biblical Spirituality. ********************************************** (WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THIS SUBJECT) (TO ANSWER USE E-mail FORM ON CONTACT US PAGE) The National Church Association Wish you all THE BLESSINGS OF PEACE LOVE AND JOY THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR Our prayer is that the Lord will use this site in a powerful way to save those who are lost Give answers to those who are seeking , encourage and edify the people of God Around the world and further the awareness and ministry of the local church THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEB SITE PLEASE RETURN FOR PERIODICAL UPDATES The death of democracy is not likely to be an mbush It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and under nourishment Robert Maynard Hutchins (1899-1977) Chancellor, University of Chicago MAY GOD BLESS YOU ********************************* | Return Home | What's New | Events Schedule | Contact Us | Great Links | FAQ Page | On-line Catalog | Our Services | Download Page | |
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