Craig Brown: A vibrant, busy ministry whose message is heard

For Partick Trinity Church in the West End of Glasgow, the future is bright: a vibrant, busy church, it has a roll of 180 and an average attendance to services of 120.

More than that, though, the demographic of its congregation is young. It attracts students, young professionals and families, a state of affairs at odds with the ageing population that characterises the congregations of the wider Kirk.

According to the Rev Stuart Smith, who has been minister at the church for almost 17 years, the key to maintaining its strength has been finding ways to present what he sees as the fundamental Christian message in a way relevant to 21st century, creating a supportive and welcoming community for people to join.

"I think it's a combination of two things. I think the main principal is an emphasis on Bible teaching and the use of the word of God to speak into people's lives in a way that is relevant and challenging.

"The second part that goes along with that Biblical conviction is the sense you have to make that form in which you present your message is accessible to people of all ages and stages.

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"We have done quite a lot at Partick Trinity to take out some of traditional elements of organised religion.," he said. "So we no longer use the organ, we have re-designed the church, we have a more flexible form of service and we have different groups meeting at different times.

"We meet on Sunday mornings, but also on Tuesday evenings. Some of our group meetings are in people's homes."