The Free Church of Scotland (FCoS) is on track to plant 30 new churches by 2030 – but needs 70 new ministers.
That’s according to the retiring Moderator of the FCoS, Bob Akroyd, who is a lecturer at Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
He was speaking after the denomination’s General Assembly took place at St Columba’s Free Church in Edinburgh. The annual four-day-long meeting saw Callum Macleod (pictured) appointed as new Moderator of the Free Church, and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, address the Assembly. Now in its 180th year, the Assembly is the highest decision-making body in the Free Church.
Akroyd told en: ‘The General Assembly is a wonderful opportunity to hear about the work that God is doing across Scotland and beyond. As a commissioner this year there were several standout moments. We are on track to plant 30 churches by 2030 which is very encouraging. In order to meet our current and future needs, we need 70 new ministers, [which] is a daunting challenge. The opportunities are many, but the challenges are real.’
Meanwhile, 160-strong Mearns Free Church, in Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire, which used to be part of the Church of Scotland, has moved over to the FCoS. It is led by Scott Kirkland.
