This week saw two major changes to EBC’s Board of Directors.
First we reluctantly accepted the resignation of Greig Ferguson, Pastor of Yoker Evangelical Church. Greig has decided to stand down because of growing ministry commitments and, while thanking him for his contribution to the work of the College in recent years, we commend him and his ministry to the Lord.
Then we welcomed Rev Gavino Fioretti, Minister of Evanton Free Church, to the Board. Gavino has taught a couple of modules at the College which have been very well received and we are delighted at this new level of involvement.
This piece expresses the passion and vision of EBC
Affectionately known around the world – at least at one time – as ‘The Land of the Book’, Scotland, the land of the Covenanters, of Knox, of the saintly Bonar brothers, Samuel Rutherford, and so many more, is, today, in a dark place spiritually.
As of old, “The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” (Nehemiah 1:3)
As in much of the UK as a whole, the Church in Scotland is in steep decline and most of the mainline denominations are confused and compromised. In Scotland, it is estimated that the Church of Scotland itself will be extinct in the next decade if things continue on the current trajectory.
Much of the blame for all of this is put on the world around us and its influence on the church, but the truth is that the churches are emptying and closing at an alarming rate, not because of opposition or persecution or even secularism; not because of external influences, but due to internal decay, because of biblical illiteracy in the pew and biblical error and unbelief in the pulpit.
As John MacArthur has rightly said, “Satan is most effective in the church, when he comes, not as an open enemy, but as a false friend; not when he persecutes the church, but when he joins it; not when he attacks the pulpit, but when he stands in it.”
Or as Sinclair Ferguson expresses it, “The decay of the church is never the fault of the world. Inward spiritual decline always precedes outward collapse.”
Not everything is bleak. There has been a rediscovery of biblical expository preaching in some quarters, the forging of gospel partnerships, and a passion for the planting of new churches.
EBC was born out of a vision and a burden to not just weep and lament, as did Nehemiah, but, like him, to do something to help rebuild the walls, to restore the glory of what once was.
The Church in Scotland needs strengthening – not just by truly regenerate preachers in the pulpit but by biblically literate men and women in the pews.
We exist to meet both pressing needs – serve the churches and equip the saints, and the more the saints are equipped the more effectively they can serve their churches.
“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15)
Steve Osmond of Solas CPC, the newest member of our teaching team, will teach this course which explores the questions, doubts and thinking of contemporary culture, in order to enable you to reasonably defend the Christian faith, and engage in persuasive evangelism using apologetics. The course also seeks to challenge your own thinking in order to strengthen your faith.
The course will run over 10 Thursday mornings, from 11.00 – 1.00pm, starting on January 11th, and since they are held over zoom you don’t even need to leave home!
There are two ways to get involved:
You can audit the course – simply taking part, enjoying the teaching and online fellowship, and benefitting from lots of notes and materials; cost £150
you can submit assessments – completing an assignment for marking and gaining EBC study credits; cost £200
Please note that fees must be paid in advance. Registration is essential and can be done here.
One of the key distinctives of EBC is that we use what we call practitioners, rather than professionals. This means that all our teaching is done by people who live and breathe their subject and ministry, and for whom this is not theoretical but practical.
With that in mind, we’re thrilled to welcome Tony Brown to our team. Tony will be teaching on World Religions and Cults.
Tony is a missionary / evangelist to those caught in New Religious Movements, especially Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. As a former JW, he is keen to help Christians share the truth in love with those trapped in falsehood. He works with Reachout Trust and is a member of the Association of Evangelists. He has served as co-Pastor of Sunbridge Road Mission in Bradford and before that was a Teacher of Religious Education and School Chaplain
Tony is married to Cath and they have three children.
We are delighted to welcome Steve Osmond to our team of EBC Lecturers.
Steve, who currently works full time for Solas Centre For Public Christianity, will be teaching Apologetics in the Spring 2024 term.
Steve was trained in the sciences and earned his MSc cum laude in Zoology from the University of Johannesburg where he specialised in ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment. He has run his own environmental consulting business for several years, focussing on specialist assessments for biomonitoring and exploration studies, as well as managing a marine biosecurity consultancy. Along with his passion for the natural world, he also has a love for theology and exploring the connections between faith and reason, and how Christianity makes sense of the world and answers life’s big questions.
He has spent several years in church ministry where he has been involved in pastoral ministry and creating training programmes for discipleship in theology and apologetics, as well as having spoken evangelistically at churches and universities in South Africa. Steve holds a MA in Apologetics & Theology from Southern Evangelical Seminary (North Carolina, USA)
Steve moved to Scotland from South Africa in 2023 with his wife, Robyn, and two daughters, Olivia and Hazel.
If you’re looking for a new reading plan for 2024, or for a Christmas present for someone, why not consider The Bible as it Happened, by EBC’s Principal? This chronological reading plan will take you through the Bible in a year with readings for 6 days of every week, following the storyline of the Bible as it happened. Price is just £10 plus £2 for p&p. You can order by emailing john.brand@edinburghbiblecollege.co.uk
