Southern Presbyterian Tribute to the Late Rev Donald MacLean
The Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, met in St Jude’s on this 21st day of September 2010, wish to put on record its profound sense of sadness at the passing away of the Rev Donald MacLean on the 13th day of August 2010.
As a presbyter, with much sanctified zeal and indomitable optimism, the Rev Donald MacLean performed a leading role in the government of the
Kingdom of Christ in this Court. He was familiar with the principles of justice as they applied to our juridical procedures. This and his ability to identify the crux of any difficult questions earned him the respect of his fellow presbyters. His opinion carried great weight and he was, in the esteem of many, like the children of Issachar, “which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chr 12:32). His qualities for leadership were such that his retirement from participation in Presbytery and Synod created a vacuum which was going to be difficult to fill.
Mr MacLean was the esteemed minister in our Glasgow Congregation from 1960 till he retired on 29 February 2000. After his retirement he took a great interest in our congregation in Fort William, being appointed interim moderator of the Fort William / Oban Kirk Session on 20 February 2001. Despite the frailties of his age, for the next three years he regularly took the journey from Glasgow to Fort William, by public transport, to preach there. While he was able, this was done once each month. Mr MacLean was a student till very near the end of his life. Yet, despite his erudition, he preached in such a way, that, like his Master, “the common people heard him gladly” (Mk 12:37). His preaching was theological but it was always evangelical in the true sense of that term. He possessed a deep sense of the grave accountability of the work of a minister of the gospel. This is indicated by his opinion that the most solemn part of the service is when the minister says, “We shall begin the public worship of God”. We believe the great day of accounts will show that Mr MacLean’s labours within this Presbytery and beyond were “not in vain in the Lord”.
“Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men” (Ps 12:1).
Statement Regarding Legal Cases
Most readers will be aware of legal actions brought against the Church by a former minister, Mr Allan Macdonald, following his suspension in 2008 and deposition in 2009. Two legal actions were raised by Mr Macdonald – one in the Employment Tribunal and the other in the Court of Session. The Synod appointed a Committee to respond to these actions.
The Church defended the action in the Employment Tribunal by arguing that Mr Macdonald had not been an employee in terms of the relevant legislation, and was therefore not entitled to apply to the Tribunal. A central point in the case was the Church’s argument that there is no intention that the relationship between the Church and its ministers should be regulated by the civil law. We are thankful that the Church was successful in defending the case at the Employment Tribunal in 2009, and also at a subsequent appeal in 2010.
The action in the Court of Session was in the form of a Petition for judicial
review of the Church’s disciplinary action against Mr Macdonald. In his Petition Mr Macdonald asked the Court to declare that the disciplinary sentences of the Church were of no effect, and formally to set aside these sentences. The Petition also sought payment of £90 000, and an interdict preventing Mr Macdonald’s removal from the manse.
The Church’s preliminary legal argument, that there was unreasonable delay in bringing the Petition before the Court of Session, was unsuccessful. After careful consideration of the options, a course of action was agreed upon which we hope will bring the whole matter to a conclusion.
At a brief hearing on 29 September 2010 the Court of Session formally granted the orders sought by Mr Macdonald in relation to the Church’s discipline. The effect of these orders is that, in the eyes of the civil court, the disciplinary decisions are set aside. However, this does not result in Mr Macdonald’s reinstatement in any sense within the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The Church was careful not to consent to the action of the Court in granting these orders.
The temporal aspects of Mr Macdonald’s Petition were dealt with in a legally binding agreement not involving the Court. This will involve Mr Macdonald removing from the manse by a date in July 2011, and payment by the Church of a considerably smaller sum of money.
The Committee has sought throughout to maintain the principle – enshrined in the Church’s constitution – that Church discipline is a matter for the Church’s own courts, and not for the civil courts. That principle was central to the Committee’s efforts to prevent the involvement of the civil courts in Church discipline. We acknowledge the gracious help of the Head of the Church, and trust that our people will continue in prayer for a final conclusion to these difficult matters. (Rev) K D Macleod, Committee Convener
Day of Humiliation and Prayer
The Synod has appointed Wednesday, 15 December 2010, “as a Day of Humiliation and Prayer to penitently implore the Lord to revive His cause from its declined condition and deliver this and other nations from their low moral and spiritual state. ‘It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law’ (Ps 119:126).” (Rev) J MacLeod, Clerk of Synod
Theological Conference
This year’s Theological Conference will be held, God willing, in the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness, on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 7 and 8. Rev K D Macleod is to act as chairman. It is expected that the following papers will be read, all of them in public:
John Knox and the Preaching of the Gospel
Rev H M Cartwright
Tuesday 2.30 pm
The Course of the Scottish Reformation
Rev D Campbell
Tuesday 7.00 pm
The Scottish Reformers’ View of the Papacy
Rev D W B Somerset
Wednesday 10.00 am
The Scottish Reformers and Biblical Church Government
Rev J R Tallach
Wednesday 2.30 pm
The Benefits to the Nation of the Scottish Reformation
Mr M Vogan
Wednesday 7.00 pm
(Rev) J R Tallach, Convener, Training of the Ministry Committee
Meetings of Presbytery (DV)
Northern: At Dingwall, on Tuesday, December 14, at 2 pm.Southern: At Glasgow, on Tuesday, November 23, at 3.00 pm.Western: At Lochcarron, on Tuesday, March 22, at 11 am.Outer Isles: At Tarbert, on Tuesday December 21, at 11 am.Australia & New Zealand: At Auckland, on Friday, January 28, at 1pm.
Administration and Technical Manager at Mbuma Mission Hospital
Because our current manager has left, there is a vacancy in the management team of Mbuma Mission Hospital. Applications are therefore invited for this position. In addition to having a real interest in the spread of the gospel, the applicant should be able to run the administration of the hospital and should have some expertise in IT. The supervision of local workers might be an extra task, but this can be discussed later. It is a rewarding and interesting post for anyone with a mind for missionary work. Further information about the post, including the period of service, and a job description may be obtained from Rev J R Tallach, Clerk, Jewish & Foreign Missions Committee (jrtallach@btinternet.com, 01851 702501) or Dr Anneke Snoek (snoek.a@gmail.com). Applications should be sent to Rev J R Tallach, 2 Fleming Place, Stornoway, HS1 2NH.
Outreach Fund
By appointment of Synod, the special collection for the Outreach Fund is to be taken in congregations during November. W Campbell, General Treasurer