Challenge 100

The Kirk Session wants to put a proposal to you regarding an exciting new opportunity that has opened up for the congregation. They're looking at employing a pastoral and outreach worker - Tom Muir.

The Need

As the congregation has grown, the Kirk Session has become aware that the increasing pastoral demands of a 21st century city centre congregation are not being met. Derek is already working at capacity. With James doing a full-time PHD and the elders balancing their responsibilities with the demands of their daily employment, we are aware that we have not been able to fully develop pastoral support and outreach. This has been a matter of prayerful concern for us.

The Provision

We believe that God has answered our prayers in two amazing ways:

• A sympathetic Christian donor has offered to fund around half the costs of a full time worker in the congregation for three years.
• Tom Muir, one of our elders, has indicated his enthusiastic desire to take up the challenge of working full time in the Lord's work in St. Columba's.

The Challenge

The total annual cost of the post is around £25,000. It is a tall order but one that Challenge 100 : Acts 18 v10 aims to meet. At its most simple, IF 100 PEOPLE GIVE £3 A WEEK, THEN THE COSTS WOULD BE COVERED. The Acts 18 v10 reference is one the congregation is well aware of from Derek - a promise he believes God gave him when he was praying about coming to Edinburgh 8 years ago 'I have many people in this city'.

It's a great opportunity to invest in the work of the Kingdom, towards the spiritual harvest for which we long.

To add to the challenge, it is essenial that the funding for this post is ADDITIONAL to what is already taken up within the congregation. Therefore, in creating this post, we have also resolved to increase our contributions to central funds over the three year period.

The Step of Faith

You may already be saying, 'impossible!'. Humanly speaking, you are probably right. But read on...

• The Kirk Session believe that we have a responsibility to step out in faith and meet this exciting challenge of growth.
• Having prayed for guidance, God has opened a door and presented us with a challenge.
• Our vision is to see the congregation grow to at least 150 communicant members, so that it is strong enough to support a new church plant elsewhere in the city. We want to see the Gospel flourishing in Edinburgh through vobrant, serving churches reaching different communities for Christ.

The Man!

Currently, Tom Muir is an English teacher, married to Sharlene and living in Gorgie. Prior to his teacher training, Tom worked as a Youth Worker in Cumbernauld and St. Vincent Street Free Churches. He has been with us since 2006 and has youth pastoral responsibilities, as well as playing an active role in the life and work of the congregation.

The Post

The Kirk Session envisage that Tom's full time responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing and developing our ministry to children and young people (supporting the excellent work being done by the Sunday School and Youth Pastoral teams).
• Developing a stronger missional mentality in the congregation, so that we can implement effective evangelism and outreach.
• Assisting with general pastoral work.
• Helping with administrative tasks realated to the congregation.
• Personal training and development (theological and practical)

The Timetable

The proposal has received the enthusiastic backing of the congregation. It is hoped that if, by the end of August 2009, there is at least 75% funding pledged by the congregation then Tom will commence employment during October 2009.

The Next Step

If you want to contribute to the Challenge 100 project please post the form for the attention of Mr Don MacLeod, St. Columba's Free Church of Scotland, 1 Johnston Terrace, EH1 2PW.