Is small-town ministry a stepping stone—or a calling worth ambitious investment?

Today, Rev. Stephen Witmer joins us to unpack the unique dynamics, opportunities, and tensions of rural church life.

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about Engage2026 and the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

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— #healthygospelchurch #FreeChurchofScotland #Discipleship #SpiritualFormation #ReformedChurch #ChristianLiving #ChurchLeadership #Podcast #HealthyChurch #freechurch #freechurchscot #engage2026

We’re delighted to welcome former Free Church of Scotland Moderator Rev. David Robertson to the podcast this week. David is an author, formerly minister of St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee and now serving at the Scots Kirk in Newcastle, Australia.

The Wee Flea: https://theweeflea.com

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about Engage2026 and the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

💬 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date with future episodes!

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#healthygospelchurch #FreeChurchofScotland #Discipleship #SpiritualFormation #ReformedChurch #ChristianLiving #ChurchLeadership #Podcast #HealthyChurch #freechurch #freechurchscot #engage2026

We’re delighted to welcome Christian author and experienced church leader Chic Lidstone to the podcast, sharing insights from his life in ministry and his thoughtful new book Take My Yoke on discovering the rest and grace Jesus promises.

Take My Yoke - https://chiclidstone.com

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about Engage2026 and the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

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#healthygospelchurch #FreeChurchofScotland #Discipleship #SpiritualFormation #ReformedChurch #ChristianLiving #ChurchLeadership #Podcast #HealthyChurch #freechurch #freechurchscot #engage2026

This week we welcome Rhiannon MacKintosh and Alasdair Macleod to the podcast to discuss the new initiative from the Mission Board of the Free Church of Scotland called "Engage2026."

Its purpose is to encourage Christians to pray for ten people they know who are not followers of Jesus yet. If everyone in the denomination prayed that would be over 100,000 prayed for over the next year.

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about Engage2026 and the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

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#healthygospelchurch #FreeChurchofScotland #Discipleship #SpiritualFormation #ReformedChurch #ChristianLiving #ChurchLeadership #Podcast #HealthyChurch #freechurch #freechurchscot #engage2026

Should churches blend in or stand out? Our guest this week, Derek Lamont, unpacks what it means for a church to reflect — or reshape — the community it serves.

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

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This week, we’re joined by Rev. Dr. Cory Brock, minister at St. Columba’s Free Church in Edinburgh, as he shares his story from Mississippi to the Royal Mile, reflecting on faith, theology, and what makes a Healthy Gospel Church in today’s culture.

Cory discusses his journey from a Southern Baptist upbringing to Reformed ministry, the marks of a healthy church, and the importance of cultivating prayerful, gospel-centred, and welcoming communities in a pluralistic world. He also explores how ancient truths and confessional theology continue to speak powerfully to a new generation seeking depth, transcendence, and meaning.

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

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This week, we’re joined by Rev. Joe Barnard, minister of the newly renamed Holyrood Church in Edinburgh and founder of XTrainingMinistries, an organisation dedicated to forming mature, godly men in a spiritually distracted age.

Joe reflects on the landscape of discipleship today, the unique pressures men face in modern culture, and why intentional, rigorous spiritual formation is essential for the health of the church. From daily habits to long-term vision, Joe offers practical wisdom for cultivating Christlike maturity in ourselves and in those we lead.

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

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This week, we’re joined by Robin Silson, Free Church of Scotland minister and church planter in Winchburgh, as he shares his journey into ministry and the vision behind planting a gospel-centred church in one of Scotland’s fastest-growing new towns.

Robin speaks about the opportunities and challenges of church planting in a rapidly developing community, the importance of relational ministry, and how the gospel shapes every aspect of church life from the ground up.

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

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This week, we’re joined by Esther Dickson, Scotland Team Leader for UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship), an organisation committed to giving every student the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Esther shares her passion for student mission, the unique challenges and opportunities facing university ministries today, and how local churches can partner more meaningfully with students and CU leaders. Esther calls the church to see students not as a separate mission field, but as vital members of the church now.

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

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This week, we’re joined by Dr. Diane Langberg, internationally renowned psychologist, speaker, and author of Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church.

Dr. Langberg brings decades of wisdom and pastoral insight to a deeply important conversation about power, trauma, and the witness of the Church. With grace and clarity, she challenges us to consider how we use power in our churches and how true gospel ministry must reflect the character of Christ.

👉 Visit https://freechurch.org to learn more about the work of the Free Church of Scotland.

💬 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date with future episodes!

You can also watch the episode on YouTube! 📺

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