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VI.REPORTOF THEBOARD OF EDINBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYWe are all aware that our Western society has drifted away from its Christian past and that today the Christianchurch is only one voice out of many wanting to be heard. Of course, any organisation that has somethingworthwhile to say must know how to express its opinions in a clear, concise and relevant manner. This is true ofthe Christian church in general and as far as we are concerned, of the Free Church of Scotland in particularwhenever its representatives have the opportunity to speak about the demands of the Christian gospel. In orderfor our spokespersons to be able to convey our message effectively they must know the content of their beliefsand the outlooks of their listeners. One effective, indeed essential, means of achieving this is to have atheological seminary staffed by competent teachers and communicators who can train future ministers andothers to explain and defend the Christian message in our contemporary society.Therefore, the Seminary Board is thankful that Edinburgh Theological Seminary is staffed by professors andlecturers committed to the Reformed Faith and who teach its truths in an effective manner. Moreover, the Boardis grateful that the teaching staff realise that learning Christian truth is much more than absorbing informationand are therefore aware that they have to model a level of spirituality that will encourage their students tobecome disciples of Jesus as well as discovering the opinions of great church leaders and theologians from thepast and the present.The 2014 General Assembly gave encouraging approval of the direction which Edinburgh TheologicalSeminary had taken in the previous year. The Seminary Board is pleased to report to this year’s GeneralAssembly that further steps have been taken in that direction. The Board wishes to assure the Assembly that it isvery thankful for the generous financial and faithful prayerful support that the denomination continues toprovide.The Seminary Board wishes to express its appreciation of Principal Iver Martin for his wise and enthusiasticleadership of the Seminary during the past two years. He has engaged in a wide range of activities on behalf ofthe Seminary and now that the current arrangement for Principal comes to an end at this year’s Assembly, theBoard expresses its gratitude to him for all that he has done as part-time Principal. The Board also expresses itsdeep gratitude to the congregation of Stornoway Free Church for the sacrifice they have been called to makewhile their Pastor has been working as part-time Principal of the Seminary. Moreover the Seminary Boardwishes to thank all the teaching staff and visiting lecturers for providing lectures of a high academic quality andyet suitable for the preparation of future pastors and other types of Christian workers. The Board also thanks theSeminary Secretary, Mrs Heather Watson, for her enthusiastic and dedicated work for the Board and in theSeminary.Student NumbersLast year a good number of students enrolled for the BTh degree and this trend hascontinued into the coming academic year. Among the students are those from other denominations as well asstudents for the Free Church ministry and the Board anticipates that there will be an ongoing increase ofstudents from elsewhere wishing to study for the BTh degree at ETS. The Board also anticipates growth inuptake of its postgraduate degrees because of interest both in Scotland and abroad, of their focus on historicalScottish Theology and Scottish Church History.The Board aims to have 300 students, on a range of courses, by 2020. At present, there are 207: BTh Full-time(21); BTh Part-time (5); Individual Study Programme (4); Postgraduate Students (16); Saturday Course (142);Access to Theology (16); and Diploma in Christian Youth Work (3). The number has been increasing overrecent years and the Board anticipates that this growth will be maintained.Glasgow UniversityThe Memorandum of Agreement has been redrafted and signed by both Principalsensuring that the relationship with Glasgow University continues. Indeed, we have always been impressed bythe way in which a Higher Education institution with the standing of Glasgow University has been willing tosupport and encourage the continuance and promotion of the academic reformed theological education which is
delivered by ETS, and is such a unique part of our Scottish religious heritage. We look forward to thecontinuation of that support and will endeavour to work towards a strategic development of the relationshipbetween the University and ETS.Quality Assurance Agencycommendable.The Annual Review by the Quality Assurance Agency found that ETS wasUnited Kingdom Visas and ImmigrationThis is the successor to the United Kingdom Borders Agency.In order to receive and accept applications from international students, ETS must be able to maintain its role as asponsoring organisation. This is a costly and time consuming business, and the rules are constantly changing,requiring those involved in the admissions process to be very alert.ETS WebsiteWhile ETS hosts nine websites to facilitate the delivery of courses its main website iswww.ets.ac.uk. This continues to be our primary online presence for applicants and supporters. The websitewas upgraded and redesigned to coincide with the re-launch of the Seminary last May.(A) FUTURE ROLE OF THE PRINCIPALThe 2013 General Assembly put in place a temporary two-year arrangement in which, as noted above, Rev. IverMartin, the minister of Stornoway, also served as part-time Principal. One reason for the temporary nature ofthe appointment was so that the Seminary Board would bring a proposal to the 2015 General Assemblycontaining a more suitable method of appointing a Principal.New legislation with regard to appointment of Seminary Principal is incorporated in the deliverance. Thisproposed legislation follows the pattern of ETS staff appointments as legislated by the May 2014 GeneralAssembly whereby nominations are received from Presbyteries and ETS Board members, and the appointmentis made by the ETS Board, and reported to the General Assembly.(B) THE FIVE YEAR PLANThe Seminary Board met several times during the past year. While some of the matters dealt with came into thecategory of regular items, the Board wishes to express its gratitude to the Board of Trustees for requesting thatthe Seminary Board produce a Five Year Plan that was financially viable and flexible as far as unforeseendevelopments are concerned. A special committee made up of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Professor JohnAngus Macleod and Rev. Fergus Macdonald met frequently in order to produce the plan.Details of a shortened version of the plan can be found as Appendix Two to this Report. Here we can mentionseveral items of it that are regarded as crucial for the further development of the Seminary.1. Mission CentreGiven the needs of the United Kingdom and Europe, it is the intention of theSeminary Board that priority will be given to establishing the Seminary as a training institution forcontemporary mission at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. With regard to the latter aspect, work willbegin in developing an MTh in mission studies. The Board recognises that setting up this department requirescareful preparation and is likely to take a few years to achieve. The need for such a Centre is obvious given therapid rejection of Christianity by society in Scotland, the rest of the UK and Europe.2. Larger Study AreasThe growth of student numbers, both in the undergraduate and postgraduate levels,requires further classroom and study space within the Seminary. In order to provide this additional space, plansare being produced that will give three larger classrooms, each designed to hold about twenty-five students, andan enlarged computer area for students to use.3. Distance Learning FacilityIt is anticipated that each year there will be a number of students who willwish to study from home using their own computers to link in with the classes in the seminary. Thisdevelopment will require the further extension of Distance Learning. The financing of this development hasbeen helped by a generous bequest from the estate of Dr. Allan MacPherson, who previously had beenChairman of the College Board for eight years.4. IT AdministratorFor several years, the person responsible for IT maintenance and development hasbeen Professor John Angus Macleod. While very grateful for the work performed by Mr Macleod, the Boardintends to employ an individual whose role will be to maintain the IT areas of the Seminary, including updating
regular relevant data connected to the Seminary Library computer system as well as ensuring that technologiesare maintained and streamlined for the Distance Learning projects.5. Office-Bearer TrainingIt has long been acknowledged that office-bearers both within and outside theFree Church would benefit from training courses designed to equip them to function within their congregations.The development of these courses will be a priority in the coming academic year.6. Online JournalIt is common for theological institutions to have a journal in which their staff andinvited contributors provide articles on topics related to each theological department. The internet and websitesgive the opportunity for all such institutions to have an online journal. At present, the Board is considering thepossibility of commencing such a journal connected to ETS. It would provide an opportunity for the Seminarystaff and others to contribute to the increase of theological understanding.7. Full-Time PrincipalThe Board is convinced that a full-time Principal is essential for the future successof the Seminary. A full-time Principal is necessary in today’s theological world for several important reasons:(1) to interact with leaders of other seminaries, (2) to present the existence and purpose of the Seminary to avariety of audiences in order to attract a continuing number of students, (3) to meet with potential financialsupporters, (4) to liaise with Glasgow University and with various government bodies, (5) to ensure the smoothrunning of the Seminary, and (6) to chair the meetings of the Senate.(C) FUNDRAISING AND MARKETINGThe Fundraising and Marketing Committee, under the Convenership of Rev. Thomas Davis, has the two-foldaim of increasing the wider profile of ETS alongside exploring avenues for providing increased funding for thework of the Seminary. In terms of marketing, during the past year the Committee has arranged for ETSrepresentatives to speak at various conferences and events, both within the UK and abroad. It also oversees theETS social media accounts and has coordinated design and production of branded ETS merchandise. The pasttwelve months have seen many contacts established among wider church networks, and it is hoped that this willcontinue in coming months.The Committee has also been mindful of the need to increase the links between the Seminary and the rest of ourdenomination. With this aim in mind we have begun a series of ETS Roadshow events across the country. Thefirst of these was in Stornoway and was very successful and the next Roadshow is scheduled for Inverness inAugust.The Committee has also been working on a selection of materials and strategies in order to increase the level offinancial support for the Seminary. We have been greatly encouraged by all those who have been willing tosupport ETS financially and it is hoped that this will continue to increase in the year ahead. The Committeewould like to express its sincere thanks to those who have helped and supported its work in the past year.One of the main contributors to the marketing strategy has been Sharon Macleod who has used her design skillsto produce a range of excellent products for several purposes and events. She has provided the following invery attractive formats: Master of Theology leaflet, Individual Supporter leaflet, Access to Theology leaflet,Bachelor of Theology leaflet, Diploma in Christian Youthwork leaflet, Individual Study Programme leaflet,Sabbatical Studies in Theology and Mission leaflet, Saturday Course Leaflet (2014-2015), ETS Prospectus(2015-2016), Supporting the Vision brochure, and the Notary Seal.MALCOLM MACLEAN, ChairmanIAIN D. CAMPBELL, Vice-ChairmanAPPENDIX ONEPrincipal’s ReportIt is almost impossible to believe that two years have passed since the current part time arrangement wasauthorised by the 2013 General Assembly. These have been months in which the current Principal has arguablylearned more than the students, and in which he has come to be more convinced than ever of the huge potentialthat there exists for ETS. Please regularly visit the new website: www.ets.ac.ukIt has become clear that, despite the measure of benefit which the current arrangement has yielded, it cannotcontinue. It is not fair on the Seminary or on the Stornoway congregation whose patience and understanding
ought to be acknowledged by the General Assembly.The Free Church owes a great debt of gratitude to the entire staff at ETS. These include full-time, part-time andmodular lecturers, and post graduate supervisors. We would like to express our thankfulness for the skill andcompetence of Mrs Heather Watson who has now been with us for a year. We wish to thank Mr Colin Morrisonfor his cheerfulness, competence and commitment to his work as Property Officer.The distance learning project in which students may have access to lectures from their own laptop is currentlybeing piloted and will hopefully be in place within the next year. We hope that this will be the means ofattracting new students.The Master of Theology programme continues to attract interest from students within and outside the UK. It isan ideal opportunity to extend one’s learning beyond that of BTh. The Saturday Course this year has attractedthe highest number of students ever. A new group meets in Belfast and we want to extend our thanks to Mrs SidGarland and the Stranmillis EPC congregation. Thanks are due to Mrs Elizabeth Macleod for organising thecatering for the Saturday Course.The new Access to Theology course, which is an ideal ‘taster’ for those who may wish to sample the value oftheological education, continues to grow encouragingly.As a professional academic institution ETS continues to satisfy the requirements of the Quality AssuranceAgency. These assessments are carried out by way of regular reviews, the most recent of which was lastSeptember. There is a great amount of bureaucracy and cost attached to such but without it we simply could notfunction as we do.Last October Dr Ligon Duncan visited ETS and gave three lectures to the students. Dr Duncan is the Chancellorof Reformed Theological Seminary and a close friend of our Church and Seminary. We thank him very muchfor his support.A measure of travelling is part and parcel of the duties of Principal. Since May last year, trips included:1)2)3)4)5)Word Reformed Fellowship Symposium on the Future of Theological Education in June 2014Korea: addresses given at several Theological Seminaries in September 2014The Evangelical Theological Society meeting in San Diego in November 2014The Twin Lakes Fellowship in April 2015The Gospel Coalition in April 2015I. MARTIN, PrincipalAPPENDIX TWOETS: The Next Five Years2014 marked the re-launch of the Free Church College as Edinburgh Theological Seminary. This excitingdevelopment arose from our vision to increase the role and influence of the college in Scotland. For decades,the Free Church College has been a centre of excellence in terms of theological study and ministerial training.However, over the years it has been relatively unknown, both in Scotland and the wider world. For years, theFree Church has kept one of its strongest assets hidden. This is now changing.The Seminary is actively implementing a flexible and dynamic teaching programme. We have also formulated acutting edge syllabus of courses that are right up to date with the issues and needs of Scotland. We are now inposition to offer the highest standards of academic study alongside a wide range of hands-on practicalexperiences.We have to set up structures, resources and programmes that will give ETS a platform to be a highly effectiveresource in the work of the gospel in Scotland. From this basis we are looking to expand and provide training toother denominations as well as overseas students. We are in position to become a training provider forScotland, Europe and the rest of the world.This document represents a rolling plan, which the ETS Board will review annually. It seeks to set out theidentity, vision and mission of ETS, the values it cherishes, the context in which it operates, the courses it
offers to meet its mission objectives, and the resources required to deliver these objectives in terms ofpersonnel, accommodation and finance.The ETS Board has taken account of various risks which could threaten its ability to fulfil its mission andachieve its objectives, and the plan detailed below takes account of these risks, how likely they are to happen,what impact they might have and the steps taken to mitigate their impact.Above all, the ETS Board and staff are keenly aware that above all else, our greatest need is for God to continueto provide, equip and bless in all that we seek to do in His name, by His strength and for His glory.1. ETS: OUR IDENTITYWe are an evangelical institution equipping students to fulfil a range of ministries as servants of the Word ofGod. The Seminary is avowedly confessionalThe Seminary is biblically reformedThe Seminary is denominationally rootedThe Seminary is academically validatedThe Seminary is passionately vocationalThe Seminary is enthusiastically missionalThe Seminary is a warm learning community2. ETS: OUR VISIONIt is our hope that by 2020 ETS will have around 300 students, on a range of courses, making it a leading evangelical seminary inScotlandIt will have become the core missional resource for the Free Church of Scotland as the hub for joinedup thinking and strategizing about taking the gospel to Scotland, the UK, Europe and beyond, thusserving THE Church’s Mission Boards and indeed, a range of mission societies.ETS will be providing the wider Church of Christ, nationally and internationally, with keymissiological resources for planting and nurturing growing churches.By training those who will in turn ‘teach others also’, ETS will play a central part in the spread of theconfessional witness of the reformed church by geometrical progression, multiplying across the world.ETS will have reincarnated the missional ideals of the early Free Church which established the firstchair of missions in the western world.3. ETS: OUR CONTEXTThe UK and the continent of Europe is reaping the bitter spiritual fruits of rapidly advancing secularisation. Inresponse, the Church of Christ seeks to reach out to people in a relevant way with the unchanged gospel. Theecclesial scene is changing year by year. While denominations will continue to exist, Gospel partnerships areseen to be vital in evangelising the communities that are still to be touched by the gospel.It has become apparent to many that the Church of Christ within Scotland, the UK and Europe needs a robust,biblical, confessional, theological education to enable it to meet the needs of the hour. Churches and GospelPartnerships see that the necessity is for ambassadors of Christ to be highly equipped spiritually andintellectually. There has been a growing awareness of the need for a vocational course that is not dumbed down,but relevant for the development of an intellectual worldview that is robust, shaped by a theological system suchas is found in the Reformed confessions. Thus, Rev. Mez McConnell, who works in one of the most deprivedhousing estates in the UK, emphatically states that the need is for ‘big theology’.Alongside this there has been an ad
theological seminary staffed by competent teachers and communicators who can train future ministers and others to explain and defend the Christian message in our contemporary society. Therefore, the Seminary Board is thankful that Edinburgh
