As | write this, in May of 2025, lam making my way through the voluminous reports for the Church of Scotland's General Assembly of 2025. This will be my first time attending as a commissioner, having had the chance eclipsed by the small matter of Covid 19 when | was due to go in 2020.
Time stands still for no one, and it is impossible for any of us not to be affected by the change around us. Indeed, that eventually becomes the change within us. Even the sturdiest rock is prone to erosion by the elements around it, over time. So, | think it’s a useful time to reflect on what has changed for me as a minister, with the gap of 5 years separating my first scheduled visit to the GA and the one | prepare for now.
The main one is probably certainty. |am much less certain about much more things. Don't worry, | continue to be steadfast in my trust in Christ and the great promises that uphold our faith. But beyond the essentials, the last five years have taught me there is always more to learn. Whether it’s ethical issues that confront the church, what mission should look like, and even what Christian faith and discipleship look like, I’ve realised many of these things don't come with a neat program which we can extract from the Bible. And even when we are doing something that seems right and is fruitful, things can always change and our approach has to as well. A lot of newly-trained ministers can have big bright ideas, full of certainty about how they are going to lead and do things just right. | definitely started the role with some of that certainty, but the pandemic soon knocked it out of me! I'm grateful for the process over these years which has taught me humility, patience, and flexibility in how we do things.
But just as all things change, there is an awe inspiring facet to being part of the church, which is such an old and steadfast institution. In preparing for the GA, | was reminded that 2025 is a special anniversary. This year marks 1700 years since the council of Nicea. Maybe that is a piece of history that doesn't seem relevant to us, but in many ways, that early church council made us what we are today.
In 325 AD, the picture of Christ we take for granted today, as fully God and fully man, one person of the Godhead with two distinct natures, was far from obvious. Fierce debates raged through the Roman Empire about how we should view Jesus of Nazareth, in light of the Apostles teaching. As much as we mark change, it is humbling to know we belong to a faith tradition, in confessing Christ as we do, that has spanned 17 centuries. The result of the council was of course the Nicean creed which has been instrumental in forming Christians all over the world for these 17 centuries. As we look ahead together as a church, no doubt with many more changes to navigate, let us place our hope in the unchanging Christ, and the words of the creed found below.
Nicean Creed:
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
The only Son of God, Eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from true God,
Begotten, not made, Of one being with the Father.
Through Him all things were made.
Yours in Christ,
David
The Brig - June 2025 Edition
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