Life
In this series of films Rev. Jim Cowan, a minister in the Church of Scotland talks about his calling, life and work in the church, as well as the Church of Scotland’s view of the sacraments.
BookmarkAn introduction
An introduction
The Atonement – what is it? The Atonement is one of the biggest concepts in Christianity. It provides the answer to the question, why did Jesus die? A helpful way of thinking of the atonement is found in the word itself. Christians believe that humankind […]
What is worship like?
What is worship like?
The Free Church of Scotland has around 100 congregations all over Scotland and approximately 12,500 people attend worship each week. The Church is “Presbyterian”, which means that decisions are made by a board of elders who are chosen from the congregation. It is Reformed, which means […]
My life in the Orthodox Church
My life in the Orthodox Church
“I go to an Orthodox Church. When I come into the church I make the sign of the cross because I am entering the house of God. I then go and kiss the icons and light candles by them. Icons are pictures which stand for, […]
What is life like in a Pentecostal Church?
What is life like in a Pentecostal Church?
The Pentecostal Movement grew out of the Holiness Revival of the second half of the nineteenth century. This revival arose out of a desire to see a significant change in the social and spiritual health of the nation. Many of those involved in the Holiness […]
What inspired Iain to become a minister in a Welsh chapel?
What inspired Iain to become a minister in a Welsh chapel?
What inspires a person to become a minister? What is it like to be a minister in a Welsh speaking chapel? What does being a minister entail? In the first set of short films Iain speaks of what took him from being in the navy […]
The first of these films looks at the work and vision of Tearfund and answers such questions as: What does Tearfund hope to achieve through its work? How does Tearfund work in local communities? What is Tearfund’s view of poverty? The second film explores a […]
Discover the work of 'Hot Chocolate' and how they help in tough times
Discover the work of 'Hot Chocolate' and how they help in tough times
Based in Dundee ‘Hot Chocolate’ works alongside young people – who come in off the street looking for friendship and a helping hand. The aim of their work is to make ‘The Good News’ a reality to all that come through the door. Sometimes this means […]
Would you sacrifice a promising sports career for your faith?
Would you sacrifice a promising sports career for your faith?
‘But now the Lord declares: “Far be it from me! Those who honour me I will honour,”‘ (1 Samuel 2:30). This verse from 1 Samual could be seen as the motivation for Eric Liddell’s life. Scottish athlete, rugby union international player, and missionary, […]
What does it mean to be a real hero?
What does it mean to be a real hero?
The infamous bridge over the River Kwai, also known as the Death Railway, can be found at Kanchanaburi on the Myanmar border. During WW 2, Japan constructed the 250 miles railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma. The Japanese wanted the railway line […]
How did this amazing work begin?
How did this amazing work begin?
David Nasmith grew up in Glasgow and at the age of 15, he was one of the founders of ‘Youths’ Societies.’ The aim […]
When a person's world falls apart where can they find help?
When a person's world falls apart where can they find help?
Glasgow City Mission is the world’s first City Mission. Since 1826, it has been showing Christian care to vulnerable adults and children by fighting against poverty and disadvantage in Glasgow. At the heart of Glasgow City Mission is a holistic approach to caring for the […]
An Interactive Introduction to Baptism and Confirmation
An Interactive Introduction to Baptism and Confirmation
What is baptism? Why is water used in baptism? Why are Christians baptised? What is infant baptism? What is believer’s baptism? What is confirmation? Find out the answers to these and other questions in this introduction to baptism. For further teaching resources on Baptism, dedication […]
Why and how do Christians celebrate this really important shared meal?
Why and how do Christians celebrate this really important shared meal?
What are the most important events in your life? Being born is pretty important, which is why most people remember and celebrate it every year on their birthday. For Christians, communion is an action that helps them remember and celebrate. In communion, Christians eat bread and drink […]
Can women be strong leaders?
Can women be strong leaders?
Ever felt called to do something but don’t know if you can? Discover what happened when Kate Coleman was called into leadership – even though she didn’t believe women should be leaders. Against her own and others doubts Kate has proven that she is a […]
The Patron Saint of Scotland
The Patron Saint of Scotland
Saint Andrew was one of Jesus’ disciples and the brother of Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome. Andrew was a networker – someone who was good at connecting people together. Learn more about him by watching the video here.
Does God have a plan for each of us?
Does God have a plan for each of us?
Does God have a plan for our lives? Christians would say yes. They would say that God has ‘called’ us – invited us – to an exciting and unique life with Him. God’s plans don’t start with what we do with our lives. They start […]
How do churches mark Maundy Thursday?
How do churches mark Maundy Thursday?
Even if a church does not hold a specific Maundy Thursday service, the Last Supper is remembered regularly in the majority of Christian churches through the communion service or shared meal. these can be held as often as once a week by some. A Maundy […]
What is it like to lead a Christian community?
What is it like to lead a Christian community?
The leaders of local churches are know by lots of different names: ‘Clergy’, ‘Vicar’, ‘Priest’, ‘Pastor’, ‘Minister’ and many other titles. The titles used generally depend on the denomination of the church and the responsibilities of the leader. Learn about the church leaders in different […]
What is so special about Iona?
What is so special about Iona?
Over the centuries the island of Iona in Scotland has been seen as a place of pilgrimage – a place where saints have lived and where prayers have been answered. Until very recently, the physical journey to Iona was a hard one – rough paths, […]
What is life like in the Orthodox Church?
What is life like in the Orthodox Church?
The Orthodox Church is one of the three main Christian groups alongside Roman Catholic and Protestant.The word ‘Orthodox’ comes from the Greek words orthos (‘right’) and doxa (‘belief’) so literally means correct belief or right thinking. The figure head of the Eastern Orthodox Church is the […]
What do Christians celebrate at Communion?
What do Christians celebrate at Communion?
What are the most important events in your life? How do you celebrate or remember them? Why is communion so important for Christians? Communion is based on a real event, known as the Last Supper. On the night before Jesus died, he had a […]
How do Christians worship?
How do Christians worship?
What would you say is the most important thing in your life? How do you show that to other people? For some people the most important thing might be a football team. They might go to see them play regularly. They might have posters of […]
What does an Orthodox Church look like?
What does an Orthodox Church look like?
Here are some images from inside an Orthodox Church. You can discover some of the worship in the Orthodox Church by watching this film.
How does the Church of Scotland care for the community?
How does the Church of Scotland care for the community?
Parish churches are at the heart of Scotland’s communities. They often still exist in villages or deprived urban areas where shops, banks and other institutions have disappeared. The Church delivers and supports a range of social care programmes in these and other communities through its Social […]
What is worship in the Church of Scotland like?
What is worship in the Church of Scotland like?
The Church of Scotland is one of the largest organisations in Scotland. The responsibility for the running of the church is held by both the members and minister. They also share the task of taking care of the parish. Some church members are ordained as […]
How did the Church of Scotland begin?
How did the Church of Scotland begin?
With over 400,000 members the Church of Scotland is one of the largest organisations in Scotland. But how did this Church begin? At the heart of the Church of Scotland’s history is St Columba, the Irish prince-in-exile, who crossed to the island of Iona off […]
What are the seven sacraments?
What are the seven sacraments?
Catholics have seven sacraments or ceremonies that they believe God can bless people through. Baptism Penance / Confession Eucharist / Communion Confirmation Matrimony (marriage) Holy Orders (ordination) Sacrament of the Sick Most Catholics are baptised when they are babies. During the ceremony adults will make […]
How do Catholics worship God?
How do Catholics worship God?
At the centre of Roman Catholic worship is the Mass. Some Catholics go to Mass on Saturday or Sunday evening; all Catholics are supposed to go to at least one of these services. On entering a Catholic Church next to the door there is a […]
Who is who in the Baptist Church?
Who is who in the Baptist Church?
A Baptist church is led by a Senior Minister. There maybe other Ministers with different jobs also employed but this depends on the size of the church. There are also Deacons, who often look after the church building and any money that comes into the […]
How is the liturgy used in the Anglican Church?
How is the liturgy used in the Anglican Church?
At the heart of the Church of England lies worship. Christians believe that it is through encountering God within worship that we are changed to be more like Jesus. One form of worship that is encountered in church services is liturgical worship. Liturgy simply refers to […]
What is life like in the Anglican Church?
What is life like in the Anglican Church?
The Church of England – also called the Anglican Church – has a long history. Its buildings which are used for worship on Sundays can date back hundreds of years. But despite its age, there is a lot of life and activity in the church […]
What do Christians remember on Maundy Thursday?
What do Christians remember on Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday of Holy Week, the Thursday before Easter Day. On this day Christians remember the event known as The Last Supper. It was also the night when Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He was later betrayed by […]
What happens inside a typical church?
What happens when someone is 'confirmed'?
What happens when someone is 'confirmed'?
When a baby is baptised, parents and godparents make promises for them. Once they are old enough, they can decide for themselves if they wish to live as a Christian, and make their own promises in the confirmation service. Confirmation happens in Anglican and Catholic […]
What happens during believer's baptism?
What happens during believer's baptism?
Getting married is a sign of being serious about a relationship with someone else. In the same way, getting baptised is a sign of being serious about a relationship with God and being committed to living His way. Before the baptism service, most churches have […]
Why do some Christians decide to be baptised as believers?
Why do some Christians decide to be baptised as believers?
A person may choose to be baptised once they have decided for themselves that they want to live as a Christian. This is known as believers’ baptism. Believers’ baptism can be celebrated in a number of different ways. One way being that the person would […]
Why do some Christian parents choose to dedicate their children?
Why do some Christian parents choose to dedicate their children?
Why choose dedication? One family shares their story here: ‘When our children were born, we experienced the joy and excitement shared by all new parents as we saw new life come into the world. We knew we were grateful and wanted to share in some […]
What happens when children are baptised?
What happens when children are baptised?
A baby cannot decide to follow Jesus for themselves, but infant baptism – or Christening – shows that the child is included as a member of the church family. When a child is baptised the family and church members look forward to the day when […]
What happens when children are baptised?
What happens when children are baptised?
Children are baptised to show that they belong to the Christian family, the Church. Baptism is a sign that someone belongs to Christ, which is why it is sometimes called “Christ-ening“. Watch what happens in a typical christening in the Anglican Church in the film […]
What happened at Jesus' baptism?
What happened at Jesus' baptism?
Baptism was already popular in the time of Jesus. It demonstrated a person’s commitment to living God’s way rather than their own. Jesus had a cousin called John who baptised people. He was known as John the Baptist. John was a preacher. He told people […]
Why is baptism so special to Christians?
Why is baptism so special to Christians?
Have you ever joined a group? Or started at a new school? Do you remember what happened when you began? Perhaps you were welcomed ‘officially’ and people gave you a round of applause. Maybe you did something special at home to mark the occasion. Being […]
How do Christians celebrate big life changes?
How do Christians celebrate big life changes?
What are the big ‘milestones’ you’ve experienced in your life? Maybe you can remember the first day you went to school. Maybe it was a time you moved to a new place to live. Maybe you’ve even moved country. Life is full of these big […]
Perhaps the clue to what a Christian is can be found in the name. The word ‘Christian’ is actually a nickname – it literally means ‘little Christ’. It was a nickname given to men and women in the first century who went about talking about […]
How did Jesus treat people who were hungry?
How did Jesus treat people who were hungry?
Miracles are often seen as signs by the Gospel writers to explain what sort of God Christians believe in and how Jesus his Son shows that. This story shows that Jesus can supply the basic needs we have – in John’s version of the story, […]
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