Old Gallows Road near Southton. Spring lambs.

Short Video near Old Gallows Road  Perth.

Results? too early

It is too early to summarise the questionnaire results and in any case i still would prefer to have many more take part, however it is clear that there is a desire for communication across the highlands. I have found a link in Caithness- Love North-, which is doing a good work. Anyway one desire is to have a daily devotional link or prompt to study a passage with the coming together of "results from study".

If you like this idea please come back in the future to see what is on offer or add a comment to this post.

I would appreciate if you could share to your Highland friends this site.

I also hope to put up video and links to other supporting material.

Kirkwall Churches get a shake up!

Andrew Jones (tallskinnykiwi) had a lot to handle at Stromness Church last Sunday.

Additional notes and comments as well as the video will help you to understand and perhaps how to deal with future disruptions in your church. End times coming.

Horst Schaffranek has a lot to answer for, another cult.!

Other roots of the Scottish church

Berean Church- John Barclay 1734 1798

John Barclay of Fettercairn was from the Church of Scotland and leader of a small connection Congregational in principle in 1772. It was not great in the national context but, it is worthy to mention that in Perth the gathering, Berean Church based on Acts 17 "Mortgaged their meeting place to supply the want of the poor". Churches were also present in Crieff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Arbroath, Montrose and Brechin.

Today in the USA there are Berean Churches both of Presbyterian and Baptist practice.


Morisonian Church

James Morison of Kilmarnock was a minister of the United Secession Church who made a mark for himself while the country was steeped in Calvinistic theology preaching atonement that was universal. He became more and more Arminian. On trips to America he was warmly welcomed for his new stance against Calvinism. In the church case against him by the USC it transpired that his thoughts and teaching were based on his old professors John Brown and Robert Balmer who tried to protect him. Deposed of his charge in 1842 the 1840,s saw the shaping of his theology against the Calvin stance.
Abstinence from alcohol was one of his rules.
His theology had an effect not only in the USC but also Independents A few similar churches banded together . One such Church was ministered by his father Robert Morison. These churches took the name of the Evangelical Union and with in 50 years there existed 100 churches. Francis Johnstone followed his theology as did William Landels who became a prominent Baptist succeeding Johnstone in Cupar.
The three "universals" for Morison were:
The Universal...
Love of God
atonement
work of the Holy Spirit.
With no specific connection to Erskine, Irving or Macleod Campbell, Morison was an early Revivalist!

The story... continues

Counter Reformation

During the middle of the 16 Century the church based in Rome sought to reunite the church. Pope Paul III continued to use of the Inquisition. It had been successful in closing Italian protestant growth.
With the Catholic counter reformation started the zeal for revival missionary work was taking a fresh hold and in particular in Spain. From the council of Trent Roman reforms were starting but not as fast or as much as the church on the ground wanted. With the Pope endorsing public interpretation of scripture, bishops preaching, and teaching taking place in parishes these were good signs of an establishing revolution by the new pope Paul IV. Dominicans and Franciscans eagerly shaped the work. But in Scotland by 1557 the first covenants (bonds) were signed by several earls and lords which declared their intention to overthrow the Roman Church.

One person who shaped Scottish Presbyterianism more than John Knox was Andrew Melville (1545-1622). After study at St Andrew's and Geneva Melville returned to Scotland in 1574 on the request of the bishop of Glasgow. As a “Charismatic” teacher who made Glasgow a city of learning , he also influenced the seats of learning in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. He for a time lectured in Oxford and Cambridge (1584) whilst he had fled from king James VI's Earl of Arran who wanted to imprison him. Melville was rector of St Andrew's between 1590-1597.

Lettie update 1

"Rogart" (Rogh ard) is the Gaelic for the very high land. (hi-land)

Lettie seems to be confusing?

Spelling I have come across recently

Leataidh -Sheep Club
Lettie -river
Lettaidh
Lettaid -As in deeds

A comment recently to my wife suggests that the grave at LETTIE is in fact an old joke. But I am not deterred yet.

Lettie's grave

Post to the grave

Not much but what lies behind the story?

The story...Part Five

continued...


Christianity came to Scotland early with "Bishop" Ninian returning from Rome around 397 to Strathclyde to establish a monastery. From the "Candida Casa" monastery he moved northward through the great glens reaching Caithness and Sutherland, some say even reaching Orkney, he and Kentigern (Mungo) creating pockets of followers. It was Colmba of Iona who united the scattered clans into a Church and nation. By 563 Colmba had moved from Ireland and set up a base on Iona for the spreading of the Christian word to the peoples of the mainland, thus creating Monastic lines for 200 years.

Highland Theological College Teaching Weekend God and the Nations

Highland Theological College are having their annual teaching this weekend April 21st -23rd at the Inshes Church of Scotland, Inverness (next to Inshes Retail park). The main theme is "Is God and the nations and if you have an interest in mission then this is a theme you will want to explore". The Themes, Times & speakers are:

cch
7:30-9pm God and the Nations from the Beginning - Hector Morrison

Saturday 22nd
10am-11:15am Psalms 96: The Nations Call to Praise - Jamie Grant
11:45-1pm Christ Crucified for the Nations - Nick Needham
2:30pm-4pm Salvation: Individual or Corporate? - Andrew McGowan
7:30pm-9pm Jesus and The Nations - Mike Bird

Sunday 23rd
2pm-3:30pm The Nations in the City - Hector Morrison

All the speakers are lecturers at the Highland Theological College and can view their profile on the following link:
HTC Staff

The story....Part three

The requirements for a developing church will be seen as you read on but in the meantime let me tell you what to expect from the pages before you go deeper. A look at the Church and its parts that have had an impact in Scotland. One thing is true the Church will only grow if God blesses it. A whistle stop tour of some denominations to ascertain a little understanding of why they were the way they were and are what they are and what might happen. A glimpse of what might be? And a note of certain conditions that might speed the work of the Church in Scotland in an age where the relevance seems to have been kicked out of touch!

If I prompt you to read further, debate, and If I inspire you to do something more concrete then, great. However these snapshots of histories and comments are to help you affirm your understanding and if you are new to Church life, provide a document that might serve to cover some of the questions about where the church is and where it is or might go in the future. I cannot take any responsibility for errors, and any offence that one individual or corporate group might have from reading this book, is not my intention.

Ben Bhraggie

Monument to the Duke of Sutherland.

A business man in Sheepfarming or possibly a nonfriendly landlord?