Pentecost: Reigniting the Burned Out to Burn On

This last week I had the joy of attending a church camp, in Stirling which was hosted by Struthers Memorial Churches and led by Diana and Graham

Rutherford. The camp came at the right time for me. I’m currently on a period of leave from prison ministry and pastoring, whilst I recover from exhaustion. Thanks to friends, and my incredibly supportive wife, I’ve been able to get away for much of the summer to the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Skye. The physical rest has been much needed. Prison ministry and church ministry are incredibly challenging vocations. So the time out to walk some and rest in some of the most scenic parts of Scotland has been a God-send. I’m forever indebted to friends on Skye and Lewis who gave me a place to stay. I’m also grateful to a number of the Ministers from those parts who took time to meet up with me, and who empathised and encouraged me. These kind of encouragements are like streams in the desert.

Lewis

Skye

Back to the Camp. Whilst Skye offered a much needed season of physical recovery, I was concious I still needed spiritual recovery. When I heard the camp was taking place in my own turf where I lead the church, I knew I needed to get to the meetings. The cry of my heart on my way to the first meeting was simple but sincere: ‘God I need you to speak to me.’ Over the last 25 years of my Christian walk, I’ve always found that God meets with me at Struthers meetings. I know I’m not alone in this experience. Countless other Christians and leaders from other movements and networks have been refreshed in these waters. I’m glad to say the life giving streams are still flowing, and flowing abundantly I might add, in that movement.

Stirling Uni Grounds and Loch

Struthers Summer Camp 2025

The meetings were packed every night with well over 200 people (maybe nearer 300). The Lord’s presence was renewing. The ministry was Christ centred and drew us deeper. The prayer times were Spirit filled and the worship uplifting. The fellowship was encouraging.

For me, one of the most significant meeting was the Tarrying Meeting. These are meetings where space is given to seek the presence of the Holy Spirit. These used to be a standard feature in Pentecostal churches, but Struthers are the only churches I know who still practice them. Perhaps the wider church would benefit from returning to the place of Tarrying (waiting on God).

It was in the tarrying meeting where the Lord did something wonderful in my spirit. All I can say is a heaviness was lifted, and a deepening consciousness of Christ’s presence in my spirit has returned.

Ministry is tough. The cross we are all called to carry is heavy. Too heavy for us. (It’s supposed to be.) Yet there is a greater strength and a greater joy that we can know which transcends the burden. His yoke is easy and his burden is light, not because there isn’t a yoke or a burden but because we carry it in his strength. (Really he carries it, and we rest in him. )

As I’ve been reflecting on the ministry at Struthers this week, I’m reminded of a deep truth: Pentecost is ultimately about knowing God in Christ. We often focus on things like evangelism, teaching, ministry, service, or even spiritual issues like grace and holiness or the power of God, but all of these things are not the end goal— knowing and enjoying Christ is.

My ministry over the years has transcended denominational lines. Folks often see Pentecostalism and Presbyterianism as unreconcilable opposites. The reality could not be further from the truth. Pentecost is the real realisation of the Presbyterian dream:

What is the chief end of man? A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

This is perhaps the most well known section of the Presbyterian catechism. And this is the reality of Pentecost. It is Pentecost that enables us to love, enjoy and know God.

I’m also reminded that Pentecost is the only solution for burnout. It is the Spirit, dwelling within, who alone can renew us. It is he who restores the burned out ones and enables them to burn brighter until the King returns. Until then may we burn more brightly with a plenteous supply of heaven’s oil.