Evangelical Church – Page 2 – Matthew McKinnon's Blog

After all the preparations, all the travelling, after all the children’s parties, family get-togethers and Christmas and New Year celebrations, after too many extravagent dinners with sweets and drinks, it is all back to ‘auld claes and purridge‘ as my mother would have said!

January 1st – Late afternoon in Newlands Park, Glasgow

Still, it would be a shame to forget all the joys and blessings of the festive season before moving on, so here are some of my memories in pictures.

Christmas at Church
Choir Concert and Carol Service

Of course we also got out and about in spite of some very changeable weather, and spent a few relaxing days on the Clyde Coast with my son and his wife at their home.

With our grand-daughter and great grandchildren at the local park

And finally some pics of our changeable weather.

So now we look forward to another season in the garden and greenhouse, and today I was buying the seeds I need for the greenhouse at ‘Dobbies’ half price sale. Holidays were also discussed this week and some tentative plans were made for early summer. Amongst my friends I hear of similar plans, and for some it’s a year for marriage, for others a new school, a university degree, or a new job, not to mention the upgrade of houses, cars, computers, phones and gardens etc.

However I detect some nervousness and hesitancy, not just amongst my acquintances but in our national psyche as folks survey the international, national and local scene. We are continually bombarded with updates on wars and rumours of wars, (too many to detail) In the middle of last year it was reported that 110 million people were displaced including 36.4 million refugees, as nations struggle and fight to solve the ‘refugee crisis’. Nationally and individually, borrowing is going through the roof, with some folks and economies struggling to survive. In the UK local government is complaining of underfunding, and speaking of the need to cut services. Nationwide workers are on strike, from ‘civil servants’ to doctors and nurses, train drivers and teachers, … all asking for more money. Of course the weather ‘crisis’ or ‘global warming’ continues to dominate much of the news, along with the explosion in ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and its human implications, so people are genuinely fearful of all the gloomy predictions continually being proffered. No wonder the BBC’s viewers are rapidly declining, with a reported two million having stopped paying their TV licence. Have our news bulletins become too much of a burden one might ask? Twenty twenty four however, has been dubbed ‘The Super Election Year’ as general elections are planned in nations all around the globe, including here in the UK and in the USA. So can we expect great things? Mmm.. let’s wait and see!

It was wonderful being at the Messiah on the 2nd of January, not just to hear the stupendous music and singers, but to listen to a different narrative! The good news contained in the Jesus story, which the ‘Messiah’ so powerfully tells. King George II in 1743 during the Messiah Premier in London, stood during the singing of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, which has become a tradition observed until this day.

“Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah“

The coming of the King of Kings is the great hope of the Christian Church. People are asking these days, ‘what are you hoping for in 2024’? There are a miriad of answers to that question, but I heard one woman, within the last few days, immediateely respond to the question with ‘I’m looking forward to the coming again of Jesus.’ How do you respond to such a thought? Does it sound like a message of gloom? a message of hope and rejoicing? or do your scoff at the idea as just some religious nonsense?

Just as the Apostle Peter said, we do hear people today scoff at such a possibility and say ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. …….But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Are you ready if Christ came today?

I enjoyed listening to Max Lucado give a short talk on the subject recently, he describes it just as we were taught as young folks. If you think it too fantastical, perhaps you need to to rethink your concept of God. It’s well worth a listen, you can hear him here:

The psalmist David in Psalm 20 prayed this prayer for his people who trusted in God. May it be your experience in 2024. If ‘knowing God’ is an idea alien to you, may you come to know Him in 2024 through His Son Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

Thank you for visiting my blog – Matthew

The Church Weekend at Gartmore House, Gartmore -some years ago

GREENVIEW CHURCH – 1439 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 3RQ.

Website – Greenviewchurch.co.uk An Excellent Booklet which gives a short history of the Church and its activities from 1873 – 2023 has been been produced by our Pastor Colin Adams

I have blogged about many things over recent years, but could not let this special anniversary year of our Church pass without reflecting on God’s grace and goodness and His blessings to us His people over many years and right up until the present. Many thousands of other lives have also been touched by the preaching and teaching of the Bible, here at home and abroad, and in recent years through the use of the internet.

As a child my family moved from the centre of Glasgow to the suburbs, and on our first Sunday, on recommendation, we walked to Greenview Church (or ‘Greenview Hall’ as it was called then) and as children were imediately welcomed into their very large Sunday School! The year was 1941. ‘Greenview’ has been our home Church ever since. It didn’t take us long to feel welcomed, even although there were eight of us, including mum and dad. The folks from Pollokshaws were so friendly and ordinary people, who had a love and passion to worship and serve an extraordinary God. Here at Greenview I was converted, baptised, and later was married and throughout the years became involved in many aspects of Church life. And here too, we brought up our children, along with my brothers and sisters and their children! It’s been quite a journey!

The Church we now call Greenview Church, had met in a number of different buildings within the Pollokshaws area of Glasgow prior to our arrival, but was now settled in the building purchased at the corner of Pollokshaws Road and Leckie Street. Here are some pics of these early locations, plus extensions and alterations made to the current building. –

Templars Hall – 1873-1876
Main Street opposite Bengal Street

On the right > is Norman Macrae one of the eight founding members with his wife, prior to going to India as missionaries. The eight men who in 1873 decided to rent the Templars Hall in Main Street, were motivated by the love of Jesus Christ, and had a burden to preach and share the Good News about Jesus with others. Their message could be encapsulated in the words of John 3v16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

The Church is its members, not the building, so here are some pictures of Church from across the years.

I wasn’t around when these photos were taken, but I grew up to know many of them who were, or became, leaders in the Church! Old friends from the ‘Shaws might recognise some of the faces. Dress style has changed a bit since then 🙂 Here are more taken some years later, in the 50’s and 70’s There are too many faces to show, let these few suffice as being representative of those who were amongst our mentors, and others with whom we served.

Jim and Annie Wands – Elder and leader in so many different capacities

The Bible is central to all our Church activities, and has been faithfully preached and taught down through the years, to young and old, week by week, indoors and out of doors, at sheduled services, in house groups and at special campaigns and events. Like so many others I’ve found it to be a lamp to my feet a light on my path. It’s an amazing book, and an endless source of treasure.

As the city demographics changed over the years it was a privilege to welcome Christians from other churches in the South Side of Glasgow. Wolesley Gospel Hall in Oatlands, Elim Evangelical Church in Crosshill and Maple Evangelical Church in Newton Mearns. Many of these Christians have made, and are making a real and valuable contribution to Greenview Church’s life and work.

Evangelist Peter Brandon preaching at Shawlands Arcade during a Gospel Campaign

Stan Ford (mentioned above) died in 1991 but you can still hear his remarkable story on line, it’s well worth the listen. He was the man who said ‘if there is a God I hate him! https://gospelhallaudio.org/sermons/if-theres-a-god-i-hate-him-54-min/

Children’s and Youth work has always been an integral part of Church life from the earliest of days until present. The Church over a period of time purchased a number of buses which were used to bring young people from Thornliebank, Carnwadric, Mansewood and Eastwood districts of Glasgow to the various activities. My wife and I spent almost 25 years of our lives working with the young people. Today the Contageous Youth Camp still attracts young people from around the country including young people from Greenview. Here is a selection of photographs.

Many missionaries from Greenview have travelled far and wide to share the Gospel story cross-culturally in Asia, Africa, India and the America’s. In the first row below are missionaries who went out in the 30’s, and who were an inspiration to the Church. In the 2nd row are some of my contemporaries from the 60’s. Since then others have gone out to Kenya, Tanzania and other destinations, with various skills – Bible translators, medical experts, Bible teachers, builders, engineers and administrators. Even today many members are serving overseas. Others have gone on short term projects throughout the UK and Europe and in various countries abroad.. Far too many to display! Here are some of the missionaries that I grew up listening to:

Jim Caldwell was a well loved gospel singer whose work was recorded. Click on the link and hear him singing ‘How great Thou art’. https://youtu.be/-3cdTlqPgys?si=bpOLEsg45YutdiDn

Dedicated work amongst men and women has been a major feature of Church Ministry. The Women’s Meeting on Wednesday’s at 2.15pm and the Men’s Meeting on Tuesday’s at 2pm from the 50’s to the 90’s was led by a dedicated team of men and women. The Women’s ministry played a major role in the conversion of my mother-in-law Muriel snr., which was a cause of great rejoicing! The nature and emphasis of the work has changed over the years, but still continues to this day. Here are some photos from more recent years of Men’s activities folllowed by some Women’s activities

Unfortunately I don’t have many photos of the women’s events, which is a bit sad considering all the work they have done, and still do in the Church. But the sewing class has donated countless quilts and other items for Children’s homes abroad and we always enjoy their ‘Coffee and Craft’ events which raise money for missionaries and charities. Many also serve in our Cafe on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Well I think I’d better bring this to a close, so I’ll finish with a general selection of some photos I like:

Church picnic to Helensburgh by tramcar and service bus!

Check out our website for details of our current programme. Morning services are live on You Tube, or if you live locally why not drop in and see us, you would be most welcome. And to past members and friends, you would receive a special welcome on this our 150th Anniversary year, please think about coming to visit us.

If you are not a Christian and all the above seems very strange to you, you may like to take a ‘Christianity Explored’ or ‘Alpha Course’. Courses near you can be checked on line, or get in touch if I can be of help.

I hope you have enjoyed these personal memories of my life at Greenview Church, but wherever you are and whoever you are, I wish you God’s blessing as we start our run up to the Christmas Festival and Celebrations.

Matthew

NB: Thanks to those who donated photographs, and to others whose old photographs of Pollokshaws are in the publc domain.

Category: Evangelical Church

So what will 2024 bring?

150th Anniversary – Greenview Church, Pollokshaws, Glasgow.

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