Dingwall Baptist Church Induction

 

Induction Dingwall Baptist Church

On the 3^rd of September 2022 I was privileged to be at Alness Baptist Church, where I had been a member twice in the past, to witness the induction of Stephen Ilett into the Dingwall Baptist Church. This Church is relatively new, constituted April 1999 from like-minded people, some having previously been in Baptist fellowships, and the Church called the US Baptist Missionary William Rainey as Pastor. I was secretary  and worship leader for a period before moving south of the border to work for a  Charity in Cambridge.

Both Churches had grown from the work of individual pioneers.

Alness  Bill Clark

( BUS supported work. Bill holding church in cafes in the 70’s!!)

Dingwall William Rainey

(American Baptist supported by Churches from the USA)

Stephen Ilett, I knew from the Alness days and he like I had been “Sent” to support the work by the Alness Church.

The day in question was emotional as I met people from 20 and 40 years ago under the same roof. That roof on the Alness Church was a new repaired one, but that is another story. The ceremony was in line with the Baptist Unions template and the Union was represented by Martin Hodson, General Director of th Baptist Union of Scotland.

A lightly formal meeting was concluded with an encouraging preach from the Alness Pastor Robert Adair followed by the Alness Church putting on the customary food and teas.

The conclusion of the day for me was seeing a friend take up the formal post of a church which I had been a part.

The church itself like so many is going through a review process to affirm the type of ministry it will have in the community.

Why so many different Baptists?

Baptists Variance

The following is a little, general. There will be differences but for the most it holds good. In different countries where the viewers are there will be differences. I am not promoting Baptist theology but informing readers who might be interested. I would far rather be in dialogue about Kingdom stuff! So... add a comment.

Ana-Baptist

Originally the name given to a German "sect" which rose in 1521. They taught Adult/Believers Baptism as opposed to infant baptism. The term was used later for various sects with a similar view.

Closed Baptists

Branch of the Baptist Church which is exclusive in outlook and doubtful of inter-Church communication.

General Baptists

Branch of the Baptist Church which is Arminian in theology, general as distinct to "closed". Most English Churches are of this type.

Open Baptists

Generally "open" in reference to the communion table i.e. open to believers, as opposed to closed to non-members (Particular).

Particular Baptists

Branch of Church which is closed in membership and closed for communion i.e. the table is for members only.

Reformed Baptist

A branch of the Church which is strong on Calvinistic theology and reluctant to have inter-Church dialogue.

Seventh Day Baptists

Members of a sect founded by John James, who was executed in 1661. His preaching was strong on the second coming of Christ.

“Scotch" Baptists

Founded by McLean and Carmichael with a Glassite influence. Calvinistic with plural "Elders." None left in Scotland however a few similar Churches are found in Wales.

Scottish Baptists

Majority of Churches in Scotland would claim to be Scottish Baptists, "general" in outlook, "open" in Communion. Although not all are closed, membership tends to be closed I.e. membership for those who have been baptised as believers/adults.

Census 2011 figures Are they what you expected?

The 2011 Census ( Crown copyright 2013)

Some interesting details from the individuals who responded to the religion questions on the census of 2011.

Scottish Census

Church of Scotland    1,717,871
Roman Catholic            841,053
Church of England          66,717
Baptists                        26,224 
Episcopalians                 21,289
Methodist                      10,979
Free Church of Scotland  10,896
Scottish Episcopal Church 8,048
Brethren                         5,583
Salvation Army                4,100
Congregational                2,078
United Reformed Church   2,021
United Free church           1,514
Free Presbyterian             1,197
Churches of Christ              979
Church of the Nazarene       785
Apostolic                            552

These are the figures for individuals marking on the census. There will be a difference from membership and attendance at the churches.

 I know there has been a change since 2011, The Church of Scotland membership figures drop yearly.

I have removed some groups for convenience. ( Christadelphian, Full Gospel Assembly, Mennonite, Greek Catholic etc.)

Ansthruther trip continues

 

We made it to Anstruther on a glorious day to the birth place

 of Thomas Chalmers.

 

 We made it to the fish and chip shop- several times winner of the best in Scotland etc.

I was reminded of many years ago being involved in mission in Anstuther with the Church of Scotland. The local Baptist church helped. Here is a picture of their building. Near the sea.

Worship just Psalms ?

A few years ago in Scotland some Presbyterian denominations had a challenge about Worship music. The feeling of using new worship songs or old worship songs instead of purely the Psalms becoming a bit of a struggle.

Also there was the wishes of some to use musical instrument to accompany the worship. By the way I am not knocking Presbyterians stay with me.

Background

Opposition to Hymns and instruments is not restricted to one arm of the Presbyterian Church. But James Begg was a promoter of the use of Psalms and no instruments. Robert Murray McCheyne was a Hymn writer who found it difficult to leave the establish Church but did so to support the Free Church ethos.

In 1866 the Free Church voted 3 to 2 for the use of hymns. In 1869 Begg was unsuccessful in curtailing Hymns. In 1872 the Church accepted the “New Hymn book“ 213 votes to 61. In 1877 Prof Bruce wished to have their “Own Free Hymn Book” with Begg supporting a defence of no change position.

Then in 1892 the assembly with drew permission to use instruments for worship and uninspired Hymns in public worship.

The Free Church of Scotland is know for its “Psalm only” singing in Scottish Churches.

In recent years individual Free Churches of Scotland have had the liberty at session level to decide if the local Church would sing only Psalm or include Hymns and spiritual songs. There are about dozen who now incorporate more than psalms in their worship. John MacDonald (The Apostle of the North) 1779-1849 Ferrintosh, was a Gaelic spiritual verse writer. Interesting to have an hymn writer in a Psalm singing denomination.

So in recent years when one church was unable to command a final order on worship in its church it asked its local churches to decide for themselves whither to use other songs, and instruments.

I found that really interesting that a good Congregational/Baptist principle was used to aid the Presbyterian churches outcome. Let the local church decide.

Worship on Sunday...

You know I have been involved in Worship music for over 40 years and yesterday I was blessed to see the new beginnings of what could be great worship in the future at the Church I am connected to. Now let me say I have been and played in Presbyterian churches, played and or led in Methodist type Churches and Also Baptist Churches on both sides of the border and I again was reassured that the worship music can be delivered and have an impact on the Church service. Don't get me wrong the preaching was excellent.

Here is what I think makes the difference to worship music (unaccompanied or not)

• Focus on God - the receiver of the praise
• Individual commitment to make it work and to focus on the God of worship
• A praying community of worship players
• A congregation accepting the direction of worship

It helps if you 

Are in tune instrument wise and spiritually
Arrive on time for set up
Have the appropriate music in the key to be delivered if you can not memorise the music you are playing
Listen to fellow musician and go with the dynamics that are happening from the lead

Be able to adjust to any changes directed from the lead.

Smetimes there is no difference in preparation but the worship just excels, yesterday was one of these days. I am sure God was honoured in our time of praise. Are you looking forward to the next time?

Perth Churches then...and now Please add to list thanks

Easy to get side tracked about Buchanites! I was starting to carry out research on Perth Churches.

 



Work in progress....










Quakers In The Mid 1750's there were 2 or 3 Quakers.By 1836 there was still no meeting house.
Bareans Old wifes listened to Mrs Buchan!
Cameronians ( Sometimes known as Mountaineers) They would fence the table for communion.
Jacobites meeting in Wrights hall Doing a work on Muirton extinct since 1790's

Mission station in South St 1857
Relief Church Canal Street
Relief Church South Street
Free Church St Stephens -Gaelic  Canal street then Paradise place
TCF Paradise Place
Roman Catholic Melville Street
Evangelical Union  High Street - Now Perth Theatre
Gospel Hall South Street now on western edge
East Church
West Church
Middle Church
North Church
St Pauls
St Leonards Free Victoria Street
ST Andrews  Parish Church
St Stephens Parish
St Marks Church -Letham
St Mary Magdalene RC
St Ninians- Cathedral
UPC
New Lights (Aikman)
Old lights ( W Taylor) Small Chapel Kinoull Street
Wilsons Chuch  Associated Presbterian High Street
North Church
Glassite High Street
Congregational ( Mill Street Independent Church)
Free West Church moved to Tay Street (St Matthews)
Baptist 1 now Perth Baptist Church -Western edge
Baptist 2 West Church joined Baptist 1
Knox Free Church
Elim Penticostal Priness Street
Wesleyan
United Free Church
Free Presbyterian Church near Bus station
St Lukes - came from the original Secession
Episcapalian Church St Johns
St Johns Kirk
Society of Balchristies
Salvation Army
Perth Riverside Church
Gateway Community Church
Oasis Church- Station Hotel
Church of the Nazarene- Trinity Church
Grace Baptist Church  Glover Street
Bible Baptist Church  Kinnoull Street
Pre reformation Orders Dominican, Carmelites ( Whitefriars) Carthusian, Franciscan ( Greyfriars)

Please add the missing ones in the comments...Past or present.

If you are interested here is a past post about ...
Burgher /Antiburgher

Dingwall Baptist Church

Dingwall Baptist Church ...well their building to be accurate!
A Non-Presbyterian Evangelical Church in the Highlands.