In a paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself

I’m 39, getting married at the end of March I teach fitness, paint peoples houses and write fitness books!! I do modules at Baptist College and with God’s guidance study full time in the autumn for the ministry.

How long have you been a member of SBLPA and what attracted you to join?

Less than 12 months, I met Glen at a course I was on through the Baptist college and was invited to join from that. It’s a great opportunity to get your name banded about throughout Scotland for lay preaching and with Glen revamping and refining the lay preachers association it’s a good time to be involved.

How did you first discover your gifts in preaching?

I still am!! I have had the privilege to preach for over 12 months now on a regular basis and learning more and more every time. I did pray lots and still do, I also teach so my voice is used to public speaking and crowds, although I’m winging the fitness speech at times you can’t really do that with God’s word. I moved from kid’s talks to asking God if this was all I was meant to do with my voice and passion, the answer was clear and I am just being obedient to that.

What was your most memorable preaching trip?

I hope the next one!! I enjoyed the United Free church in Cathcart Glasgow and last year I was in Wishaw most away days are fun and you never know what your going to get or how the spirit will use your sermon to speak to others.

In seeking to develop as a preacher - what has your favourite book been so far?

I have to say I’m just finished exams at the Baptist College and have spent the last 3-4 months reading the psalms and heaps of commentaries on them. My favourite book tends to be the commentary I’m reading or the ideas that come into my head from other books. I wouldn’t say I lean towards any particular book although they all give you wee nuggets you can use in your sermons.

What advice would you give to another lay preacher starting out?

It’s the greatest privilege you will ever have so don’t ever take it lightly. Seek guidance from people who’s preaching you respect and get as much preaching under your belt as you can.

“What is Truth?” Pilate asked. (John 18:38)

Riaz Mohammed (Dr.), Newton Mearns

An Indian story recounts an occasion when some blind men in a village encountered an elephant for the first time. Each had wondered what an elephant was like given that none of the blind men had ever seen an elephant before.

The first blind man approached the elephant with outstretched arms to feel the animal. He reached out with his hands and by chance felt the side of the animal.

“Why”, he exclaimed, “the elephant is like a large wall!”

“Well I never!” said one of his companions. “I must feel this animal for myself”. I have never felt an animal like a wall before”. Happening to feel one of the elephant’s ears, he said with astonishment to his friend “The elephant is not like a wall at all. I would say it is much more like a fan”. This led to a major disagreement between the two.

The third blind man decided to check for him self. He happened to reach out and got a hold of the elephant’s trunk and stated “the elephant is not like a wall or a fan. It is clearly like a snake. You two are mistaken”. This led to a severe argument amongst the three of them. Each person asserted from his experience and understanding what an elephant was like.

Finally, as they could not reach agreement, they decided to seek the advice of a well known blind wise man. He had lived a long time and they all felt sure he would be able to assist in assessing the truth of what an elephant was like.

The wise man on reaching out found the elephant’s tail and came immediately to the conclusion that the others were all wrong and that, in fact, an elephant was more like a strong rope than any thing else.

Well what is the truth? What does an elephant look like in reality? Who amongst the blind men is right? Does even a combination of all the opinions held by the blind men put together lead us into the full truth of what the elephant is like?

The blind men were unable to see the truth as they were unable to see. Perhaps someone with eyesight might have been able to reconcile their differences.

Human beings can be just as blind at recognizing truth. Pilate asked the question “what is truth?” but did not realize that the truth stood in front of him! He was blind to the fact that truth in the ultimate sense is not a philosophy, or science or art or religion. Truth is a person!

It was Jesus who said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6) He also told Nicodemus: “I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man” (John 3:11-13)

Unlike the blind Indian men we may have perfect vision and can see the characteristics of the elephants from far off but do we have the spiritual insight to see The Christ for who he truly is?