Being the Family of God

Mark Stirling 

Mark was involved in student ministry in Edinburgh before undertaking theological study, and then pastoring Cornerstone St Andrews between 2013 and 2018.

He presently directs the work of the Chalmers Institute, as well as developing a new Masters in Contemporary Christian Leadership at Oak Hill College in London.

The workshop will develop the practical implications of the theme of the Family of God, looking at why it is so vital for mission, and the common ways it is under attack in contemporary culture.

Caring for the Family of God

Sharon Southwell

Sharon is Australian and moved to Scotland 4 years ago.

She has worked in community, health and counselling settings for 30 years.

She attends Cornerstone Church in St Andrews. She currently works as a clinical psychologist for the NHS.

Sharon has a longstanding interest in the crossover area between religion, faith and spirituality, and mental health and flourishing in respect of which she wrote the book ‘The Life of Love: An Invitation – 52 reflections on emotional and spiritual healing’ (2014).

In this workshop, Sharon will provide a brief Christian way of thinking about mental health issues, and offer tips and suggestion about how to handle what can be hugely complicated issues.

The Family of God at Rest

Jerome & Tracey O’Brien

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” Mark 6: 31.

Jerome & Tracey O’Brien are members of the UFC, and Jerome, with Tracey, has been ministering in the UFC churches of Trinity in the Crook of Devon, and in St Andrews in Auchterarder.

Their project over the last 6 years has been setting up the Old Coach House in the curtilage of Lendrick Muir to be a Christian Retreat Centre called ‘Nesthaven’.

This workshop will entail a short walk (about 6 minutes) to the Centre, viewing its facilities, and contemplating the meaning and necessity of ‘retreat’ and ‘rest’. 

Remembering where we have come from 

Jane McArthur

Jane is Minister of Dundee United Free Church and member of the Ministry Committee.

Some of our most important Christian beliefs are hinted at in the Bible rather than spelt out; beliefs with which we are so familiar that we find it hard to imagine they weren’t always recognised.

Biblical beliefs – doctrines – that we take for granted were the source of much debate, disagreement and falling out in the early church.

The early church leaders resolved disagreements about core beliefs at big conferences called ‘ecumenical councils’, and made binding decisions for the Church. One of these took place in Nicaea. 2025 is the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

This workshop will consider how some theological disputes were resolved at Nicaea and how they affect us today. 

Launch Pad: Growing the Family of God

Gavin Matthews

In this interactive and practical seminar, Gavin Matthews, from Solas, will ask us to think through a wide variety of different ways we can engage people in our communities with the gospel of Jesus.

Solas has been researching different methods Christians use to reach others for Christ.

In this workshop, a wide variety of evangelistic methods will be considered, as well as some very surprising ways that churches around the country have been reaching out to the lost.

We’ll be discussing which of these ideas might work in our own varied contexts and communities around Scotland.

The Family of God and Society

Nigel Kenny

Nigel spoke last year at The Gathering and is well known to the UFC family.

He is the Scotland Officer for The Christian Institute and, prior to that, practised law for twenty years. Through his role at the CI, Nigel regularly preaches in churches all over Scotland.

In this workshop, he will speak about Holyrood’s assisted suicide Bill, which would pressurise terminally ill people to take their own lives.

Nigel will also explain the progress of Westminster’s proposals to consider a broadly worded draft “conversion practices” ban Bill for the UK, which would affect the ordinary work of gospel churches. Nigel will also explain more generally why every Christian needs to think biblically about our relationship with the State and how we can be salt and light in our communities and society.

The Family of God at Prayer

Marion Carsons

Marion Carson lives in Glasgow where she serves as Chaplain to Glasgow City Mission.

She is a Senior Research Fellow at International Baptist Study Centre in Amsterdam and is the author of several books and articles including Human trafficking, the Bible and the Church: An Interdisciplinary Study (2017).

If you are you interested in deepening your prayer life, this workshop will offer an introduction to the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, or “sacred reading,” in which we listen to hear what God is saying through Holy Scripture.  

The Family of God Reaching Out

John MacKinnon

John is the Director of Church Engagement for The Word One to One and a part time Pastor of Bute Baptist Church.

‘The Word One to One’ exists to see the church equipping and sending out ‘joyful Bible sharers’ in every nation of the world by equipping Christians to share God’s Word, resourcing leaders to mobilise their people in Bible sharing and developing a supportive community of Bible sharers and Bible-sharing churches. In this workshop, he will be equipping us to build confidence in God’s Word and Spirit for everyday evangelism.