The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will meet in St Jude’s Church, Glasgow on Tuesday 20th May 1980 when the retiring Moderator, Rev. Donald M. Campbell, Shieldaig, is expected to preach.
In view of the many matters which are likely to come before the Synod for discussion and decision, we would ask for prayer that the Lord may give wisdom and guidance so that all matters may be resolved in a way that would be to His glory and for the good of His Cause.
Barnoldswick Congregation
In the March issue a paragraph appeared telling about the Barnoldswick Congregation. The name and address of the Congregational Treasurer to whom all donations should be sent should have read: Mr C.T. METCALFE, 47 YORK STREET, BARNOLDSWICK, COLNE, LANCS. BB8 5BD.
Sustentation Fund Appeal
The Finance Committee at its meeting in March took into serious consideration the state of the Substentation Fund. While the Congregational givings showed an increase over the previous year of £6,865, there was a deficit for the year of over £12,000. In the previous year there was also a deficit of over £11,000. The balance at the end of this year only amounted to £7,216, which is equivalent to the salary payment made to the ministers by the General Treasurer for one month. The Committee would have liked to raise the salary of the ministers from £2700 to £3000 but felt that the state of the Fund would only permit an increase of £150 from 1st April 1980. The Committee hope that the response to this Appeal will be sufficiently generous to permit a further increase of £150 before the end of the year.
A 25% increase in the Congregational givings will be necessary to cover the debit balance and the proposed increase. As this would merely square the Account, a still further increase is needed to put the Fund in a healthy state. To avoid any possible misunderstanding, the Committee would confirm that no assistance for this Fund is available from the Forsyth Legacy.
It is not usual for the Committee to have to issue an Appeal for the Sustentation Fund, but it is felt that the circumstances warrant this. The Committee are encouraged by the remembrance that their Appeal some years ago was very successful and feel that making known the facts to our people will bring in a generous response.
The Word of God lays a real obligation on those who hear the gospel to provide adequately for such as preach the gospel. This is particularly true of congregations who have ministers set over them. Every effort should be made by these congregations to raise their Sustentation Fund Collection to the level of their minister’s salary, wherever this is possible.
“If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” 1.Cor.9:11
(Rev) Donald MacLean, Convener,
Finance Committee.