The eighth Southern Presbytery Colloquium was held at Knightswood Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), Glasgow, recently.

The numbers attending were up on last year’s event with at least seven people attending for the first time.

The first paper was delivered by Partick minister Rev Andrew R Allan who addressed the subject of ‘Effectual Calling’.  Citing the Westminster Standards and more modern authors and sources, along with appropriate biblical references, Mr. Allan concluded that Effectual Calling is a mysterious and vitally important work of the triune God.

Following refreshments, the Knightswood minister Rev William Macleod delivered his paper, ‘The Prosperous Future of the Church’.  Those gathered were left in no doubt about Mr. Macleod’s enthusiasm for the Post Millennium understanding of Revelation chapter 20.  This was to encourage the brethren to continue to press on and pray believing that there are better days for the gospel church in the future.  As might be expected there followed a lively and stimulating question & answer session.

Following lunch, the final session was taken by Edinburgh minister Rev James I Gracie who preached a sermon from Job 19:25ff.  Here the audience was reminded of the desperate position godly Job found himself in yet he had hope in his redeemer.  An excellent and stimulating end to a profitable and edifying day.

It is expected there will be another colloquium around the same date next year.

An audio recording of the first paper is available on the Free Church (Continuing) website and the other papers will follow shortly.

Thanks to Mr. Macleod for organising the day and to the Knightswood Deacons’ Court for the use of the church.  Thanks also to Mrs. Sohana McKenzie, Partick, for serving teas and coffee and attending to the refreshments.