Change ahead

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and for ever (Hebrews 13:8).

Last week I told you I will retire from full time ministry in June 2026. What will happen after that?

The Presbytery Mission Plan says St Andrew Blackadder will be allowed to call a full-time minister. That means once I retire the process of calling another minister will begin. The main steps in this process are:

• Presbytery agrees to implement the plan and gives permission to call a minister.
• The Kirk Session works out what sort of minister will be right for the congregation.
• The congregation elects a Nominating Committee.
• The Nominating Committee identifies a suitable minister.
• The minister leads worship one Sunday and the congregation vote.
• The congregation ‘calls’ the minister if a substantial majority vote in favour.

The detail behind each of these steps will be shared as and when they become relevant.

Quite naturally people want to know how long this will take. There is no fixed answer but I expect it to be about a year before another minister is inducted. While that seems like an age it is actually a good thing. Rushing to call a new minister frequently does not end well. A congregation needs time to get their old minister out of their system so they are ready to start fresh with a new one.

I am also confident that St Andrew Blackadder is well able to cope with a gap between ministers.

• We have an excellent Kirk Session made of godly, committed and wise elders which is led by a strong Session Clerk Team. While the Kirk Session was unaware of my retirement date they have known it was on the cards. For the last two years the Kirk Session has been working towards this.
• You, the people of St Andrew Blackadder, devote time, prayer and talent which is why all the different ministries will continue to thrive.
• All of this is supported by the dedicated staff team of Julie, Andrew and Hilde.
• The Presbytery will appoint an Interim Moderator. The Interim Moderator and Kirk Session will ensure the day to day life of the congregation continues and they will work through the process of calling a new minister.

I am excited about the new chapter which lies ahead for St Andrew Blackadder. Change, which we often fear, is a good thing. Change is a sign of life and vitality. God has been at work in this congregation and community for centuries and this will continue. A new leader, led by the Holy Spirit, will spark fresh perspectives, unleash creativity and prompt new ways of participating in God’s mission.

A new chapter also lies ahead for Helen and I.  The shape of it is a bit blurry and we are waiting to discover what it will look like. We believe that for us too, an exciting, fulfilling and fruitful chapter is about to begin. I am looking forward to a different kind of ministry. I expect it to be part-time, to use my coaching skills and to be focused on supporting and developing others.

Last week I wrote about the immense privilege it has been to carry the baton of leadership in St Andrew Blackadder since 2003. Batons are used in relay races. This image reminds us that each of us is part of a much longer story. In coming weeks I will pen some short reflections on parts of that longer story and how they might inform the next chapter of St Andrew Blackadder’s life.