Ministry Interest Boost

                                                                                                                                                                 Friday July 25, 2014

THE numbers of people expressing interest in the ministry of the Church of Scotland has increased dramatically, according to new figures.

The number of new ministers entering the parish ministry had been at its lowest point for a generation with only 11 ministers accepted for full-time ministry in 2013, prompting the launch of a new campaign.

Coupled with media interest in the Church's youngest minister, the 25-year-old Rev Michael Mair, the numbers have escalated, prompting the Church to stage an extra Vocations Conference (the first stage in applying for ministry) later this year.

Around 130 people have already taken part in Vocations Conferences this year. There are already 14 booked on the extra course taking place in Linlithgow in November and a local course in Kilmarnock is filling up. Five years ago there were just one hundred applicants over the whole year.

“What is also interesting and encouraging is that most of the men applying are under 30 and there is a 50/50 split between men and women,” said National Vocations Co-ordinator, Angie Traynor.

She added: “We know that people with young children need to work – they can’t finance themselves through the three to four years of their training for Ministry – so we have made it more flexible. People can apply at any time of the year and there are different start dates throughout the year – instead of the old system of once a year and if you missed that you had to wait till the next year."

To find out more or to register for a Vocations Conference, please contact Ministries Council at vocation@cofscotland.org.uk or click here

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