Andrew Nisbet and Sue Thornley’s joint letter (‘Another Way?) in the October edition of Life and Work commenting on the Kirk’s mission planning and recruitment, reminded me of a couple of prophetic remarks made by the late Rev Kenneth MacVicar in his autobiography The Wings of the Morning. Writing in the mid-1990s, he stated: “I am … conscious that I conducted a type of ministry which was very different from that which will be conducted in the foreseeable future.” He went on to state: “A great deal has been made about the part the laity can play to make up for the shortage of ministers … While I give way to no one in my admiration of the committed layman or woman, it has been my experience that without a minister who is a true enabler and teacher and leader within a community, no amount of lay participation fills the gap.”

He never penned a truer word.

Alistair Jessamine (Rev) (retired), Strathaven