staff

Minister:

Rev Francis Murphy

I grew up originally in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire until I was 10 years old, but later moved with my parents and younger sister to Dalkeith in Midlothian where I attended high school and lived until I got married. My wife Sheila is also from Dalkeith and when we were married we went to live in the nearby mining village of Newtongrange where we spent 10 happy years. We have two boys who are enjoying life here in Greenock very much.

When I left school I trained as an Electronics Engineer studying at Napier and Heriot-Watt Universities and worked for GEC Marconi company and then BAE Systems for many years. I later went on to Edinburgh University to study theology for my BD before being ordained as a Church of Scotland minister here at The Mount Kirk in 2006.

My journey of faith which led me into ministry is a long one, but in a nutshell, I was brought up Roman Catholic but later became a member of the Church of Scotland via numerous Evangelical and Charismatic churches. I would describe by beliefs as Reformed (drawing on the teaching of the reformation), Evangelical (the Bible is fully trustworthy for Christian faith and life), and Charismatic (I believe the Holy Spirit empowers his people with gifts, both natural and supernatural, for the building up of the church).

My vision is for God to lead us in growing a church which is a missionary church, a church which is culturally relevant, but looking to the scriptures for guidance in all that it does.

It is my vision that our church would be committed to growing disciples, who are totally sold out on Jesus, who are devoted to the bible and prayer, empowered by the Spirit to use the gifts that God has given for service and mission, who regularly share their faith with others and whose lives display the righteousness of Christ.

It is my vision that we would be a church that in time would grow leaders and preachers of the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ who will lead, reform, grow and plant churches across the nation.

If you are interested in finding out more about my thoughts on the church and it’s mission, why not check out my blog which you will find at http://emergingkirk.blogspot.com/