Last Monday I paid a visit as Moderator to my Alma mater, Glasgow University. It was for me a journey down memory lane. This was where I started my training for ministry.  I was reminded of the times when I would be rushing to a General Philosophy class and be looking for change to put in a parking meter or of the morning I was pleading with Professor Frend to give me back my parking ticket. Why you may well ask? The answer is straightforward,  he had removed the ticket from my car windscreen believing that I had been unfairly treated by the traffic warden who patrolled South Park Terrace.  

Stuart MacQuarrie now the University Chaplain,  at that time was a first year divinity student in the professor's class. He  recalled to me  how the professor had been looking out the window and spied the traffic warden. Without a word of  warning he suddenly ran out the class uttering a few choice words; had an argument with the warden - ripped the ticket off the car and re-entered the classroom singing in triumphant rebellion,   "Ye Gates Lift Up Your Heads on High".

I of course had to approach him for my ticket which was another story, suffice  to say, I had to pick it out of the paper bin at the side of his desk.

A few hours later when I recounted the story to the clerk at the Council Office where to fine had to be paid, he was so impressed by the incident that he said to me. " That's a great story, you couldn't make it up, leave it with me, I'll make sure the ticket doesn't go through.  He was true to his word no ticket ever arrived. Different world today but that was Glasgow in the mid 1970s

It was a great privilege to meet the Principal of Trinity College Dr Doug Gay and some of the staff. I was also impressed with students I met and greatly encouraged to hear their stories of faith relating to their call to the ministry.

The visit has highlighted the great need for more people to answer the call to become ministers of the Gospel. At present we have a very small number of people in training for he ministry. This of course will have to change. We will require at least another 650 people to replace the ministers who will be retiring within the next 15 years.

The visit concluded with a wonder dinner in the home of the Principal of the University. In all it was a good experience and one that has helped to see the urgency of the problem of ministerial training  that is now facing the church.

All of us will need to reflect more upon this issue and indeed begin to ask how we will pay for ministerial training in the future. many of those who will be called to take up this challenge will require the church to give greater financial support in the future. How we do that will require all of us to think and act more creatively.