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A first for the National Synod of Scotland was the ordination of Derek McDonald and his induction to ministry at Greenock East URC on 12^th August. Derek candidated and trained under non-stipendiary ministry Model 4, which allows for a candidate to train for ministerial service in their own congregation. This new model maintains the rigours of candidacy and training but opens new possibilities for ministry in a changing church and world. Derek is the first to complete such training in Scotland – though others are on their way.

Derek will serve alongside Revd. Susan Henderson, the stipendiary minister for the Inverclyde Cluster (Greenock East, Greenock West and Port Glasgow) and also alongside his ‘day job’ as an English teacher in Notre Dame High School. He will also serve as the Synod’s Lay Preaching Advocate.

The service, which happened on Derek’s birthday, took place in the Greenock West Church. Revd. Paul Whittle, Synod Moderator, who presided, commented: “It is a fascinating step back in time for me to do something in this building as I went to primary school very close to here. My father was minister of George Square Baptist Church (then on the opposite corner of George Square, the building now a dance studio) from 1962 to 1967. More importantly for now, I am delighted to preside at the first NSM Model 4 ordination in Scotland, having brought this opportunity for service to the denomination when I was the Convenor of the Ministries Committee. This is only the second such ordination in the whole denomination, but I hope there will be many more both here in Scotland and elsewhere in the URC, as this way of doing ministry is added to what we can offer.

In his statement, Derek spoke of his plans for his church, which, of course, he knows very well. Watch this space!

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