Nurses’ Christian Fellowship of Scotland

A Short History
Vision Statement and Goals
Basis of Faith

A Short History

Nurses’ Christian Fellowship of Scotland (NCF) exists to support and encourage Christian nurses in Scotland. It was founded in 1932 and initially took the form of meetings in hospitals when all staff were resident and had limited off duty, making church attendance difficult. Over the years its activities have changed to meet the changing needs of professional nurses, and have included such things as area meetings, study days and social gatherings. NCF still firmly believes that health care requires a body of Christian nurses working in all areas and at all levels, who, by their lives and in their professional conduct and practice, provide a strong, clear witness to Jesus Christ and His power to redeem every situation. It is NCF's mission to provide a network of support and encouragement to Christian nurses as they do this.

Currently NCF Scotland's activities include a number of prayer groups in different parts of Scotland, a quarterly magazine, a prayer bulletin, an annual conference and, from time to time, it organises other activities as seem appropriate. The main prayer support groups are in Shetland, Tayside, Edinburgh and Ayrshire, but there are smaller groups in other parts of the country. Further information, including details of the venues, dates and times, can be obtained from the Glasgow office. The annual conference normally takes the form of a residential weekend, although day visitors are welcomed. The programme always includes a devotional strand and an up-date on some of our missionary interests and there may also be lectures and/or discussion of professional issues as appropriate.

The Fellowship is a registered charity and is managed by an executive committee who are elected by the membership for a four year term of office. The president is appointed annually by the committee from its membership. The Annual General Meeting is held in November and, in addition to the business meeting, normally includes lunch and an afternoon programme which may take a variety of forms e.g. a professional study day, a social event, or a variety of other activities.

While NCF members maintain a strong base within their local churches and fellowships, they also co-operate with other Christian groups working with health professionals such as Hospital Christian Fellowship, Christian Medical Fellowship and the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship whose work is with students including student nurses and midwives.

In addition to its activities within Scotland, NCF maintains contact with nurses who are serving overseas.

The Fellowship is interdenominational and membership is open to anyone who is interested and who is prepared to sign the Basis of Faith. This proclaims belief in the one Triune God, the authority of Scripture, the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation and the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit. A full statement of the Basis of Faith is available.

NCF Scotland is a founder member of Nurses Christian Fellowship International and currently has a member serving on both the International Board and the European Regional Committee. This organisation links national fellowships throughout the world, providing a forum for mutual encouragement and development. NCF International is managed by an International Board and carries out most of its work through Regional Committees, the Regions being the same as those identified by the World Health Organisation. Every four years NCF International organises a world conference, the most recent of which was hosted by NCF Scotland in 2000. In the intervening years, usually also at four yearly intervals, the Regions also hold conferences which are the responsibility of the Regional Committees and are hosted by member countries. NCF International also usually has a stand at major exhibitions and events such as the International Congress of Nurses and the 3-yearly European Missionary Exhibition.

Vision Statement & Goals

Vision Statement

Nurses Christian Fellowship of Scotland (NCF) believes that health care requires a body of Christian nurses working in all areas and at all levels, who, by their lives and in their professional conduct and practice, provide a strong, clear witness to Jesus Christ and His power to redeem every situation. To this end NCF aims to provide a network of support, encouragement and prayer throughout Scotland.

Goals

Nurses’ Christian Fellowship will aim to:

1. Mobilise the existing membership to be active in prayer and in supplying appropriate encouragement and support to Christian nurses in their areas;
2. Spread the NCF network to all regions of Scotland;
3. Strengthen and support the devotional lives of nurses at all levels;
4. Encourage the establishment of mutual support;
5. Help nurses to recognise the need to be witnesses to the redeeming power of Jesus Christ;
6. Assist nurses to make the most of opportunities to witness to the redeeming power of Jesus Christ in their professional practice.

Basis of Faith

CONSTITUTION

NAME

The Fellowship shall be called:
“NURSES’ CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF SCOTLAND”
and shall be interdenominational, the Motto of the Fellowship shall be:
 “ONE IN CHRIST”.
Use of the term NURSE indicates nursing in the generic application to include nurses, midwives and health visitors.

BASIS OF FAITH 

(a) The unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.

(b) The person of the Lord Jesus Christ as very God, of one substance with the Father and very Man, born of the Virgin Mary.

(c) The Divine Inspiration and supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures.

(d) The guilt and depravity of human nature in consequence of the Fall.

(e) The substitutionary Death of the Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection as the only way of salvation from sin through repentance and faith.

(f) The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in the new Birth, and His indwelling in the believer for sanctification.

(g) The personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Judgement to come.

 

AIMS

(a) To provide a Christian Fellowship for nurses in which their spiritual lives may be strengthened.

(b) To encourage all members in their witness and in sharing their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and God.

(c) To foster the missionary spirit among nurses and to help those who are serving the Lord Jesus Christ in the spreading of the gospel.

(d) To apply the principles of our faith to the nursing profession.

 

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Last updated: June 2008