Looking Back: Seaside Missions are on the Church’s Front

From August 1963

Seaside Missions are on the Church’s Front

WHY PEOPLE LIKE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ON HOLIDAY

“I was just out for an evening walk along the prom. I saw the crowd and stood to listen to the speakers. This is a good idea. It shows there’s life in the auld Kirk yet.”

The speaker was an ordinary churchman on holiday at an east coast resort. He had never before heard of Seaside Missions. But, like thousands of others, having come in to touch with them, he found that the Mission made his holiday worthwhile.

This year, on the beaches of Girvan, Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, North Berwick, Leven and Aberdeen, the Church Of Scotland Seaside Mission banners are again being raised. The Church is going among the holiday makers.

WHO ARE THE TEAMS?

At each centre, the Home Board has appointed one or two ministers are team leaders. Each leader takes with him a group of young folk from his own congregation who are prepared to help. The groups are usually added to by other interested people from different congregations.

The members of the teams come from all walks of life – university graduates, tradesmen, teachers, factory workers, divinity students, shop assistants, housewives, under-graduates, nurses, miners. They represent a complete cross-section both of church and of society. But the one unifying factor about the team-members is their common devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.

WHAT ARE THE TEAMS TRYING TO DO?

It should be said clearly that Seaside Missions are not run to amuse the children or to advertise the Church.

Each team, when it goes to its centre, understands that there will be three different types of people in the audiences.

There will be those who never go to Church. The team’s message is directed to them, so that they may be brought to the point of praying as did one young ‘fellow-traveller' last year. “Lord Jesus Christ, I give my life to you. Help me to stand up for you, and I will fight always on your side.”

There will be those who are on the fringe of the Church. They may be vaguely interested in Christianity, perhaps even having their names on a Communion Roll but taking their vows very lightly. The team has a word for them that they may make a new decision, like the girl who said, after an open-air meeting to a team member: “I was in some doubt as to whether I was going to join the Church at home next year or not. But after to-night my mind is made up to join.”

And of course there are the Church-members who come to support the team. These folk too find themselves being greatly helped. There was the Elder who said of a Seaside Mission, “This is the first time I’ve realised that Christianity isn’t just decent conduct. I’ve made my peace with Christ now.”

HAS THIS WORK A WIDER SIGNIFICANCE?

Many who are not familiar with this work imagine that it is only local in its reach and temporary in its influence.

Nothing could be wider of the mark.

All team members are active workers in their own churches. From the experience gained on this work, their personal contribution of Christian service is greatly enriched.

But more than that. Seaside Mission work has proved an invaluable source for providing office-bearers for congregations, missionaries for the mission-field, and ministers to serve on congregations here at home.

When you go on holiday, look out for the Seaside Mission banner. Give this work your support. Remember that many who normally would never listen to the gospel are prepared to give it a hearing when it is presented to them in the open-air, and commended by the ordinary team members speaking to them on equal terms.

-       K.J.T.

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