OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Serving Christ by Serving His Church

At Balintore United Free Church, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. Under His authority, the congregation is cared for by a team of leaders who seek to serve with humility, wisdom, and faithfulness to God’s Word.

Who We Are

Balintore United Free Church is part of the United Free Church of Scotland.

We are:

1. Evangelical

Being Evangelical means that we believe the good news (the evangel) of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the Christian faith. We believe that all people need to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again for sinners.

As an Evangelical church, we emphasise:

The authority of the Bible as God’s Word.
The need for personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation by God’s grace alone through faith alone.
The importance of repentance and new life in Christ.
Sharing the gospel with others so that they too may come to know Christ personally.

In short, we believe Christianity is not merely a tradition or a set of beliefs, but a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

2. Presbyterian

Being Presbyterian means that the church is governed by elders (presbyters) rather than by bishops or a single leader.

In the United Free Church:

Each local congregation is overseen by a Kirk Session, made up of the minister and elected elders.
Congregations are connected together through Presbyteries, regional gatherings of ministers and elders.
The whole denomination meets annually in the General Assembly, which is the highest court of the church.

This reflects the New Testament pattern of shared leadership and accountability, where elders work together for the spiritual care of God’s people.

3. Voluntary

Being Voluntary means that the Church exists independently of the state and that membership and support are freely given rather than imposed.

Historically, the United Free Church has believed that:

Christ alone is the Head of the Church.
The Church should be free from state control in spiritual matters.
No denomination should receive special privileges from the government over others.
People should be free to worship according to their convictions without coercion.

We are united as a church because of our shared faith in Christ and commitment to His Word, not because of any legal or political establishment.

Simply Put

The United Free Church is:

Evangelical in its message: proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ.
Presbyterian in its government: led by elders working together.
Voluntary in its principle: free under Christ and independent of state control.

Together, these convictions shape our worship, ministry, mission, and life as a church seeking to glorify God and make Christ known.

The Kirk Session

Spiritual Leadership

The spiritual oversight of the congregation is entrusted to the Kirk Session, which consists of the minister and elders.

Together they:

Provide spiritual leadership and pastoral care
Pray for the congregation
Encourage growth in faith and discipleship
Guard the teaching and witness of the church
Support and shepherd members of the congregation

Each elder shares equal responsibility in the work of the Session as they seek to lead the church under Christ.

The Management Team

Practical Stewardship

Alongside the Kirk Session, the congregation elects representatives to serve on the Management Team.

This team helps oversee:

Church buildings and property
Finance and budgeting
Health and safety
Maintenance and improvements
Practical administration

Their role is to ensure that the resources God has entrusted to the congregation are used wisely and effectively in support of the church’s mission.

Balintore United Free Church