Mission & Ministry Report, 2015

I want to begin by thanking you, Baptist Union of Scotland, for the privilege of serving you in this ministry. I spend much time travelling the length and breadth of our country, meeting with ministers and leadership teams. Often, I am asked, 'What is our BUofS line on ....'  I would like to punctuate my written report by touching base on some of these convictions. Convictions that mark and shape our behaviour, that stand out for us. They are in our Declaration of Principle. And they are convictions that punctuate our life and witness.

Personal encounter with the Risen Jesus Christ

We believe in the unassailable authority of the Bible, guiding us in all matters of faith and behaviour: we are confronted with God's truth in the Scriptures. We meet with the full expression of that truth in Jesus Christ. A personal meeting with Jesus Christ is the birthright of every Christian. And more than that. An encounter with Jesus that leads us to long for the Holy Spirit:

“When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”
John 16:8-11

We are people who believe in conversion marked by repentance, entering into a life joined to God in obedience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, our risen and living Commander & King.


Christians are to live their lives as part of Christ's community

Our society cries out for community that brings healing and hope. Where Scotland can meet with Holy people. Humble people.
People of purity. People who have purpose, because they have God's presence and power in their lives.

Scotland is tired of church that is like fallen autumn leaves, full of faded glory and the rotting compost of compromise.
Scotland needs to find a people who are genuinely consecrated to Christ. Lighting steps that lead into life. A bridge built that nurtures our nation, helping her people to move from failing futility into a future full of life and living faith.

Caring. compassionate. Cross shaped, consecrated lives. Can people in Scotland find this among us?

We need to hold to holiness and humility. Learn to to listen and be slow to speak. To invite the Peaceful Transformation team and others to help us and remind us what it is to be a healthy family: for it is no accident that the Bible teaches that Christian leadership be entrusted to those who have proven themselves faithful in caring for their own families.

Focus on mission

That it is the duty of every disciple to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.

Discipleship is the key that brings all this together. Learning to live in and lead others into 'Jesus space', where folk can 'mind the gap' because they see the gap: and want to move over from misery into meaningful lives.

Personal, moral integrity in asking the question, 'how am I, as a Christian disciple, required under God to act?'.
Against a corrupted culture of self-fulfilment and self-realisation, we need to work at being a people whose mission is a path of humility, obedience and courage under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Assembly, this is who we are as the Baptist Union of Scotland, in our mission and ministry. We must look to live out these convictions, that Scotland be won for Christ.
God grant us the grace to do so.