Kirkcaldy’s newest minister is on a mission to make a difference in the community.
Rev. Josh Milton was ordained last week as the first minister of the joint charge of Templehall and Torbain.
The two churches recently united and Mr Milton says he is ready to join elders and members of the congregation in their work.
He wants to move away from just holding a service every Sunday to create a style of worship more relevant to modern life.
And he hopes to involve local families in a mixture of fun, food, fellowship and faith.
It’s an approach he hopes will help the church to grow.
Rev Josh Milton moved from a career in IT to youth work
Mr Milton grew up in south east India, where almost his entire family is involved in Christian service.
However, rather than follow them into the ministry, he forged a successful career in IT before giving it all up to join the Church of Scotland.
“My parents are pastors,” he said.
“My great-grandfather was the first Christian in the family as a Hindu convert and most of my extended family are pastors and have planted many churches across India.
“But ministry never appealed to me as a career.”
However, questions about life and purpose eventually led him to study at Glasgow’s International Christian College.
While there, he became involved in youth work followed by a decade of service with churches in the Stirling area.
And he helped young people in schools he worked with to explore their concerns by writing and recording songs.
“All of these songs came from real life experience, challenges and inner struggle,” he said.
Minister’s hopes of fun, food and fellowship
Mr Milton says Templehall and Torbain Church is missional at heart.
“It would be my privilege to work closely with the members of the congregation,” he said.
“I would seek to use their wealth of gifts and build a robust team ministry.”
The parish already has its own youth worker, Lauren Jones.
And Mr Milton is looking forward to working with her and young families in the area.
He hopes to bring people together for barbecues and indoor gatherings in a mix of fun, food, fellowship and faith.
He said: “Jesus went to where the people were so today’s church has to go to where the people are rather than expect them to come to us.
“In this ever-changing world I seek to offer worship that is relational, inclusive and welcoming of all people.
“We need to move from the idea of just a Sunday morning service and provide something that is relevant and practical to people’s lives.
“The more we can do that, the more the church grows.”
Conversation