Neil’s Retirement announcement

Retirement: A message from Neil Dougall

After a long period of thought and prayer I have decided the time has come for me to retire from full time ministry. This week I sent a message to the Rev John Cowie (Presbytery Clerk) and Sheila Haynes (Session Clerk) informing them of my decision to retire in June 2026. At that point I will no longer be the minister of St Andrew Blackadder Church.  I anticipate my final Sunday will be 31 May 2026.

Being minister of St Andrew Blackadder has been a joyful, exhilarating and fulfilling experience.  Although I always knew that one day, inevitably, it would end I am very sad that that day has now come.

There have been three main parts to my ministry.

The first is the personal and pastoral. You have opened your lives and homes to me and taken me into your confidence. We have become friends. You have invited me to walk with you through some of the darkest and hardest seasons of your life. My life has been both changed and enriched by you. Thank you.

The second part is leading worship. I have loved leading worship at St Andrew Blackadder. With the Holy Spirit’s help my aim has been to create acts of worship where people encounter God. Week after week the invitation goes out, ‘Let us worship God.’ The minister can do many things but can never compel anyone to show up for worship. Your willingness to participate is what has kept me energised and sharp as year follows year.

The third part has been leadership. My goal has been to nurture a community where multiple ministries flourish as each person responds to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Paul compares the Church of Jesus Christ to a human body, where each person is essential and has a unique contribution to make. St Andrew Blackadder is a church where this is a reality. You participate in ministry as you offer your faith, time and talents. Working alongside you and sharing in ministry with you has been a joy.

I have loved all three parts. In 2003 I told the nominating committee I’d probably come for ten years. That I have stayed for nearly 23 years indicates how fulfilling and fruitful I have found it. My gratitude to God and to all of you for giving me this opportunity goes beyond what words can express.

As well as loving it, I have found it demanding. It has called out the best in me. In the best possible way, I have been pushed to raise my game and prompted to try new things.  In recent years I have found this becoming more taxing. Rather than being constantly proactive, I have noticed myself becoming more reactive. My capacity has reduced as I have got older and I have had to accept that my energy levels are not what they once were.  This has confirmed that the time has come for me to retire from Full Time Ministry.

Change lies ahead both for St Andrew Blackadder and for Helen and I. Next week I will say something about these changes.

To close I want to underline my gratitude. It has been a huge privilege to be the minister of St Andrew Blackadder Church for so much of my working life.