The Big Question

The Rev James Teasdale, minister, Glasgow: Eastwood

“Everyone thinks they know what the Church is. It’s an hour on a Sunday.

It’s weddings, funerals, and baptisms. It’s only for older people. That’s what the Church does.

“For those within the Church, we know that we are more than that and that we have so much more to offer.

“It’s CrossReach providing care services. “It’s foodbanks looking after those in need.

“It’s premises which provide reasonably priced/no price at all accommodation for community groups across Scotland and beyond, looking after people of all ages.

“To name just a few.

“Yet, it could be argued that the Church can struggle to promote the services it offers. Yes, word of mouth is vital but when you look at the marketing deployed by other charities, we seem to fall short.

“So, what more could we do to raise awareness? How can we use print, social media and our greatest asset, our people, to spread a positive message, that the Kirk wants to offer support to all who may need it in Scotland and beyond?

“Could we advertise better? Could we try and share positive messages of what we can offer? Are we brave enough to follow other charities’ lead?

“So, would people be surprised at the variety (and depth) of work churches and charities do? To be honest, I don’t know – but there is no harm in actively trying to raise awareness.”

The Rev Dorothy Wallace, minister, West Lochfyneside

“The short answer to this question is, yes I think indeed most people would be very surprised at the amount of involvement churches have in charities and the range of charitable services.

“But charity is, or at least should be, at the heart of Christianity.

“As I write, three days after the fall of the Afghan government and the likelihood we will see an influx of refugees, once again we find churches among the first to respond. Some who are in areas likely to home refugees, who are in fact experienced in such matters, prepare to welcome their guests. While others, such as rural parishes like my own, are preparing to offer help with clothes, homeware and so on.

“The Trussell Trust Foodbanks expanded in its infancy, via local church networks and today, few churches do not support local foodbanks in some way or another, many running food and clothes banks from their own premises.

“When we look at the Church of Scotland’s own social care model, CrossReach, we find Church involvement that many people will no doubt be unaware of. The breadth and depth of CrossReach literally follows anyone in need from the cradle to the grave, offering support for toddlers and new parents to dementia homes and Heart for Art for older people.

And for anyone facing crisis in-between they have support for mental health, prisoners, homelessness and substance abuse. The range of care, all with a basis in Christian love for fellow man, is breathtaking”

The Rev Keith Mack, minister, Dalkeith: St John’s and King’s Park

“I think folks would be surprised and not surprised! I am amazed by the breadth and depth of the work that the Church does, and by the passion of the followers of Jesus who want to serve wherever they can!

“As a church in Dalkeith, Midlothian, we have a partnership with the charity Compassion UK, a child sponsorship scheme that stretches across the world, helping children in amazingly different ways. They work with local churches and local people in different countries and so can respond in very quick ways. We sponsor as a family three children, one in Kenya, one in the Philippines and one in Peru and we receive regular letters to hear how they are all doing and it is amazing the work that happens to ensure these children receive regular meals, education and even school uniforms.

“I had the chance to spend time with Justin Dowds recently (the CEO of Compassion UK) and the stories he told of helping in the toughest of times was so humbling and inspiring, it fills me with hope!

“Locally in Dalkeith, the churches in the town are united in supporting ‘Storehouse’ a food and clothes bank (and more) which helps those in need in the surrounding areas, it is amazing to see such unity in Jesus as the Church seeks to meet the needs of our town.

“So I guess people would be surprised to see how much work the church and charities do! There is so much need yet it is so encouraging to see how the followers of Jesus are trying to make a difference for those who desperately need our help.”

The Rev Gayle Taylor, transition minister, Newbattle, Midlothian

“In 2007 I went to Zimbabwe as part of a group from the Presbytery of Greenock and Paisley to sign a covenant between our two Presbyteries.

“As part of this two-week visit, we were driven around in a jeep (with petrol from the black market) to visit every centre of population and as many churches as possible.

“At every place we had no idea what would be asked of us and thrown at us that day. The requests came: ‘Please tell your congregation we need books for our school and our roof leaks’ ‘this woman needs your prayer for healing for her leg.’ ‘Your blessing of this baby (in front of a huge assembled school) would mean so much’. I have the same feeling of urgency and of being ‘all things to all people’ in many days of ministry.

“The requests come: help us decide what to do with our buildings – which to keep and redevelop and which to let go of, help us find and fund and deliver ways to connect with our community – food initiatives to tackle poverty and mental health projects to address loneliness and depression, help us make sense of the requirements we have to meet: PVG, OSCR, CCL, stewardship and finance, oh, and, of course, come Sunday, let’s have some worship that is relevant and sustaining, inspiring and transformative. The work is sometimes light touch, sometimes hugely complex and so my daily pray is:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

The Rev Dr Stewart Weaver, minister, Edinburgh: Portobello and Joppa

“Surprise often flickers across people’s faces when I mention to them the number of community organisations that our church hosts. And we’re certainly not the only ones. If a rough calculation is made just for the churches in Edinburgh, that’s about two million visits over the course of a year. Mortar that helps keep our communities together.

“It’s the recalibration of assumptions that is often most noticeable. When I mention to those outwith the church that we have hosted refugees a couple of times (far too infrequently) or that teams in the church have continued to help Bethany’s homeless support through lockdown, I do so mischievously. It’s a gentle reminder of our commitment to the community. While we could always do more in Christ’s name for God’s world, there is so much that is already done.

“Most of all, it’s often people in the church who are surprised. As one probationer said: ‘We don’t blow our own trumpet enough’. I once made a point of finding out more about the other charities and groups that members of the congregation support. The variety and number was inspiring and humbling. I often wonder how many more surprises would be in store if we gave ourselves the chance, for we do worship the God of surprises.”