On 3 November 2012, Rev Andrew Pearson was ordained and inducted as minister of London City Presbyterian Church.
The service was conducted by Rev Nigel Anderson, Moderator of the Free Presbytery of Edinburgh & Perth. He focused on Paul’s visit to Corinth as recorded in Acts 18:7-11, pointing out how the problems and promises and potential that Paul experienced in that great city are present in the even greater metropolis of London.
In his address to the new minister, Rev John MacPherson, a former minister of the congregation, highlighted the same assurance that was given to Paul: “Do not be afraid, keep on speaking…for I am with you…I have many people in this city.”
Another former minister, Dr John Nicholls, in addressing the congregation, compared being minister of the transient, highly mobile LCPC congregation to being chaplain of a railway station. While that can suggest a very discouraging environment for church growth, he recalled a visit he had paid twenty years previously to a dwindling congregation in the Presbytery. The few members present were willing to support and encourage a new minister, subsidised centrally, but were slow to express any conviction that much growth was possible. Twenty years on, however, Dr Nicholls had been told that normal Sunday attendances were spilling over into the gallery. In LCPC there are still seats available downstairs, but an extensive gallery awaits God’s blessing in the years ahead.
After presentations to Andy and Catherine Pearson, their children, Colin and Ellie-Rose, and to the interim-moderator, refreshments were enjoyed by the congregation and friends from other churches in and near London, as well as visitors from north of the border.
Mr Pearson then called on three friends to bring greetings. These were: former fellow-student, Rev Alasdair Macaulay, minister of Tain & Fearn; Mr Pearson’s former minister, Rev David Meredith of Smithton-Culloden; and Mr Ali Cumming, an elder from Kirkcaldy Free Church.
In recent months an unusual number of families and individuals have left London and the worship of the congregation. These included two of the three elders, whom it was a pleasure to welcome to the induction, along with members of their families.
Our prayer is that through the ministry just begun, God will bring in many others as both members and leaders of Christ’s body in LCPC, from London and all over the world.
Thanks to Rev John MacPherson for this report which originally appeared on www.freechurch.org, and to Boysie Silva for the photos.