Dundee’s freshest pastor believes a new church can help cure some of the city’s deep-seated social ills.
At a time when many kirks are closing, and congregations across Scotland are dropping, Pastor Malcolm McKay, 37, has been inducted in Dundee Law Congregational Church – a denomination so new to the city it does yet have a physical church building.
Mr McKay, who has previously volunteered as a scout leader and for suicide charity the Samaritans, introduced himself to his new flock during their first service held via telephone conference last week.
He said his church, which is looking for premises to rent, can help people in the city who are in crisis.
“The churches in Dundee that are already there have people coming down to chat to them, people that are addicted to substances and have various problems in their life to have cups of coffee, a chat with the minister, things like that,” he said.
“I hope that if we get a building to rent then we can do that too.”
The Dundee church is the latest member of the wider Scottish Congregational Fellowship, which links 12 similar churches across the country, including one in Perth.
He said he believes there was a demand for a new church, despite shrinking congregations elsewhere.
He said: “The congregational church is a little bit different. It is wholly self-funded. There might be a case in Dundee where some people might like that fact.”
Mr McKay graduated to the voluntary role after spending three years on an apprenticeship programme.
He said he was working for Stagecoach in a marketing role, but had to leave in 2013 due to living with the condition ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease where small bones in the spine can fuse together.
He said: “We want to get people to live a more morally responsible life and for people to do the right things.
“It’s aimed towards the youth so a lot of them don’t go down the wrong path in life.
“I believe if people do have faith then they might do more things that are morally right.
“I know a lot of people don’t believe in it, but if they go to the bible it tells them not to do these wrong things in life.
“That can help people, even if they are not religious.”
