Personal Qs

Question 1

Why are you interested in this position?

Answer 1

Theology: High view of the Scriptures, emphasis on bible teaching, prebyterian, reformed. Love the word and love people.
Culture: Liturgy, elders leading together, training, but also from the vox-pops you send. People who love the word, love Edinburgh, love each other, warm of a church family we love and cherish too. People who want to grow in love God and knowledge of the word.
History: Heart for ex-CofS churches.
- RTS aided that. Kelly/ Still. That philo of ministry, word, prayer, that is why.
Ultimately, to come and serve you in the ways you recognize the Bible calls a pastor to serve. Word ministry, prayer, discipleship, outreach.

Question 2

How would you describe your God-given hard wiring and how it contributes to your strengths and weaknesses?

Answer 2

Extraverted - like being around people.
Sensitive - work for peace, lay up and think about things.
Strong Opinions.

Question 3

How would your friends and spouse describe you? How have they affirmed you? What blind spots have they identified?

Answer 3

Blind spots - impulsive / responsive.
Kind, listening, high energy.

Question 4

What are your two greatest weaknesses?

Answer 4

1. Over sensitive
2. Inexperience in some areas

Question 5

How do you cope with stress?

Answer 5

1. Long walks. Messages with friends.

Question 6

What goals do you have?

Answer 6

1. Overall, faithful pastor.
2. Preaching, writing, tell more people about Jesus. (MK / TGC)

Question 7

Is your work environment important to you?

Answer 7

Very. Need no interuptions when writing. But enjoy walks and being around people.

Question 8

How do you handle conflict?

Answer 8

• Hard to switch off. Need to talk it through.
• Lessons I’ve learned.
  1) Can’t make everyone see it your way.
  2) Communication is key
  3) Short accounts
  4) Peacemakers book.

Question 9

How do you stay organized?

Answer 9

Evernote and Diary

Question 10

When has your ministry been most impactful and successful?

Answer 10

When I’ve been most prayerful.

Question 11

How do you develop staff and lay leadership?

Answer 11

• Love them as Xns and people. Listening and caring for them.
• Discussion, listen, read a little. And gentle move forward.

Question 12

What would you hope to accomplish in your first year on the job?

Answer 12

First 6 months - have everyone into our home for food, at least once.
- work through evaluation of where we’re at.
- by the end of year 1, I’d love a 5 year plan.
- building key / evening service / training

Question 13

What in ministry are you most passionate about?

Answer 13

Preaching and teaching. Hospitality

Question 14

Besides the Bible and Jesus Christ, what books and people have most influenced you in life and ministry? What blogs do you follow?

Answer 14

• Gibson: Preaching (simplicity) Loving family
• DeYoung: Think deeply, love widely.
• Books: Packer, Knowing God; Ordinary Pastor, Carson; Dogmatics, Bavinck; What is the Mission of the Church?; John Webster
• Bios: Taylor, Slessor, Charles Simeon

Question 15

If you were to start a church plant, what values and methodologies would you incorporate?

Answer 15

• Ordinary means of grace
• Regular prayer meeting
• Covenant theology worked though, kids in church.

Question 16

How do you manage the time tensions between work, family, life and spiritual and physical health?

Answer 16

• With a lot of love and grace from Sarah.
• always worked 2/3 evenings a week.
• 2 weekly date night.
• running over lunch.

Question 17

What parts of the pastorate are most energizing and most depleting for you?

Answer 17

Energizing = preaching, 1-2-1s, ministry and word centered.
Depleting = databases. Sending out emails.

Question 18

What problems have you experienced in previous churches and how did you address those?

Question 19

What are your personnel spiritual disciplines? How do you hold yourself accountable?

Answer 19

Morning devotions. Keep a record.

Question 20

What do you see is the function of worship and how do you see that function best achieved?

Answer 20

Give glory to God. Love reformed worship

Question 21

What are your strengths?

Answer 21

1. Bible teaching and preaching (both public and 1-2-1)
2. Vision casting (MTA /

Question 22

Give examples of times you have taken others with you to an agreed and shared goal?

Answer 22

Student Suppers -
Holiday Club Sunday Services

Question 23

Describe your coming to faith and how his love of scripture, personal patterns of devotion and understanding of grace have been nurtured by others and grown.

Answer 23

• Parents.
• ## Church family

Question 24

Will be able to discuss his involvement in the life of the church throughout his Christian life; reflecting on key moments of insight, learning and serving others.

Answer 24

St Caths - Holiday clubs
Gilc - Holiday clubs/ Sundayschool/ wed bible studies/ PM / care home services
Trinity / CC - the same but more. Elder training / new members
Marriage - hospitality. People in home

Question 25

Will be able to express a clear and humble appreciation for Reformed and Confessional theology and ministry practice.

Question 26

describe the significant and central role of the Bible’s authority within our church and tradition.

Answer 26

John 10 - Scripture cannot be broken / 2 Tim 3:16-17 / Reformed: Scripture was the formal principle of the reformation. Do we believe the bible? WCF - chapter 1. Affirm that complete.

Question 27

Describe a time you have encouraged others to lead and serve while letting them exercise initiative and learn from each other in a team setting

Answer 27

1) Trinity weekends away. Organised that. 2) Tr:uth. As we did bible studies and material. Always wanted people to know I was here and could help but didn't prescribe studies. Could write own etc.

Question 28

Will be someone who can cope with failure and who can give examples of this in a mature and thought-through manner.

Answer 28

- Hebrew. No substitute for hard work - David situation: Communication. Back in touch sooner. Try to be clearer on my concerns.