5 Feb 2026, 20:24SM CommunicationsDundee, Dundee City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Scottish Mission Training Day Inspires Church Leaders to Lead with Vision and Integrity
Bringing together church leaders from across Scotland, the Leadership Skills Training Day offered inspiration, practical resources, and mentoring to strengthen ministry and community leadership.
On 1st February, over 100 church leaders from across Scotland gathered in Dundee for a Leadership Skills Training Day. The programme combined keynote presentations with targeted advisory sessions for treasurers, youth leaders, and Pathfinder coordinators, providing practical tools and spiritual guidance for leadership.
With a warm welcome from Pr Jimmy Botha, President of the Scottish Mission (SM), the day began on a note of intentional leadership, followed by a concise overview of Scottish safeguarding legislation from Hellevi Walker, SM Communications Manager. Covering the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators, and the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, her presentation highlighted the legal and moral responsibilities of churches in protecting and nurturing the vulnerable, reinforcing that faithful ministry requires attention to both people and policy.
Dr Dan Serb, Principal of Newbold College, explored the heart of empowering leadership, emphasising that true leadership is about shaping people and culture, not just managing tasks. Reflecting on the spiritual purpose behind ministry, he asked, “WHY do we do what we do?” and answered, “To create a community that restores the image of God in humanity.” He encouraged leading with vision, focus, integrity, and purpose, while mentoring others and fostering a culture open to innovation, quoting Michael Fletcher: “Don’t build people to build the house. Build people and the result will be that the house gets built.”
Pr Christian Salcianu, Director of the Adventist Discovery Centre, built on these themes by exploring Vision, Mission, and Strategy through vivid biblical examples — from Moses at Sinai to Paul in Corinth. He emphasised clarity in purpose, inviting leaders to translate divine vision into practical steps, align mission and strategy with God’s calling, and engage teams in shared commitment to foster a culture of alignment and purpose.
Cathy Boldeau, BUC Stewardship Director, highlighted the importance of aligning resources with God’s mission and introduced the Union’s first Giving Survey and Stewardship Consultation, inviting leaders to engage with initiatives that support mission planning and accountability.
To offer a brief respite after the content-rich morning programme, Pr Max McKenzie-Cook, Executive Secretary of the Scottish Mission, led a light-hearted quiz based on the Church Manual. The exercise drew laughter and friendly competition while reinforcing the guidelines that underpin Church governance and practice.
Advisory sessions for treasurers, youth leaders, and Pathfinder coordinators provided opportunities for planning, discussion, problem-solving, and sharing of best practices. Youth leaders were especially encouraged by the presence, support, and mentoring of Pr Marcel Ghioalda, Trans-European Division (TED) Youth Director and former Scottish Mission pastor, appreciating his insight and passion for youth ministry.
Reflecting on the event, Pastor Jimmy Botha said this year’s training day marked “a gentle but significant” shift in format from previous years. “This change is, in itself, good news. It reflects a growing Scottish Mission and the need to respond thoughtfully to that growth,” he commented. He added that the day clearly demonstrated the deep commitment of local church leaders to the mission God has entrusted to them. Their care, professionalism, and active engagement with church life, he said, are laying “a strong and hopeful foundation for the future of Adventist ministry in Scotland.” Pastor Botha also highlighted the growing shared understanding among leaders that “what we have gratefully received, we are called to share abundantly.”
Scottish Mission leadership and the event planning team extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, the presenters, and Oy’Nissh Grandiece with the kitchen team for their dedication and hard work. Feedback from the day will help shape next year’s training, and the team looks forward to building on this successful event.
Bringing together church leaders from across Scotland, the Leadership Skills Training Day offered inspiration, practical resources, and mentoring to strengthen ministry and community leadership.
On 1st February, over 100 church leaders from across Scotland gathered in Dundee for a Leadership Skills Training Day. The programme combined keynote presentations with targeted advisory sessions for treasurers, youth leaders, and Pathfinder coordinators, providing practical tools and spiritual guidance for leadership.
With a warm welcome from Pr Jimmy Botha, President of the Scottish Mission (SM), the day began on a note of intentional leadership, followed by a concise overview of Scottish safeguarding legislation from Hellevi Walker, SM Communications Manager. Covering the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators, and the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, her presentation highlighted the legal and moral responsibilities of churches in protecting and nurturing the vulnerable, reinforcing that faithful ministry requires attention to both people and policy.
Dr Dan Serb, Principal of Newbold College, explored the heart of empowering leadership, emphasising that true leadership is about shaping people and culture, not just managing tasks. Reflecting on the spiritual purpose behind ministry, he asked, “WHY do we do what we do?” and answered, “To create a community that restores the image of God in humanity.” He encouraged leading with vision, focus, integrity, and purpose, while mentoring others and fostering a culture open to innovation, quoting Michael Fletcher: “Don’t build people to build the house. Build people and the result will be that the house gets built.”
Pr Christian Salcianu, Director of the Adventist Discovery Centre, built on these themes by exploring Vision, Mission, and Strategy through vivid biblical examples — from Moses at Sinai to Paul in Corinth. He emphasised clarity in purpose, inviting leaders to translate divine vision into practical steps, align mission and strategy with God’s calling, and engage teams in shared commitment to foster a culture of alignment and purpose.
Cathy Boldeau, BUC Stewardship Director, highlighted the importance of aligning resources with God’s mission and introduced the Union’s first Giving Survey and Stewardship Consultation, inviting leaders to engage with initiatives that support mission planning and accountability.
To offer a brief respite after the content-rich morning programme, Pr Max McKenzie-Cook, Executive Secretary of the Scottish Mission, led a light-hearted quiz based on the Church Manual. The exercise drew laughter and friendly competition while reinforcing the guidelines that underpin Church governance and practice.
Advisory sessions for treasurers, youth leaders, and Pathfinder coordinators provided opportunities for planning, discussion, problem-solving, and sharing of best practices. Youth leaders were especially encouraged by the presence, support, and mentoring of Pr Marcel Ghioalda, Trans-European Division (TED) Youth Director and former Scottish Mission pastor, appreciating his insight and passion for youth ministry.
Reflecting on the event, Pastor Jimmy Botha said this year’s training day marked “a gentle but significant” shift in format from previous years. “This change is, in itself, good news. It reflects a growing Scottish Mission and the need to respond thoughtfully to that growth,” he commented. He added that the day clearly demonstrated the deep commitment of local church leaders to the mission God has entrusted to them. Their care, professionalism, and active engagement with church life, he said, are laying “a strong and hopeful foundation for the future of Adventist ministry in Scotland.” Pastor Botha also highlighted the growing shared understanding among leaders that “what we have gratefully received, we are called to share abundantly.”
Scottish Mission leadership and the event planning team extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, the presenters, and Oy’Nissh Grandiece with the kitchen team for their dedication and hard work. Feedback from the day will help shape next year’s training, and the team looks forward to building on this successful event.
