Meet The Pastors

Pastors Bernie and Nan McLaughlin

Pastors Bernie and Nan McLaughlin have been in the ministry since 1980. They founded Cornerstone Church

(now The Bridge Church) in 1987, upon their return to Scotland from South Africa where they pioneered their first church.

Pastor Bernie and Nan have been married for over 40 years and they have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.

They bring a practical message of faith in God for daily living and share with compassion, love and are very sensitive to hearing the voice of God and the needs of people.

Pastor Bernie is a mentor to young men in the church, the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

The Bridge Monthly Message

March 2010

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Content means to be satisfied to the point to where you are not disturbed or disquieted.

Contentment is great gain and brings peace and joy into our lives.

When people are dissatisfied they become resentful, envious, unhappy and complaining. That is not the way Christians should be living. Jesus died on the cross to give us Zoë life, which is an eternal quality of life.

I have learned over the years how to be content. I may not be where I want to be but wherever I am, I can be content. We miss God’s best when we measure ourselves and what we have by what others have.

Many people get themselves into debt because they believe to be happy they have to have the best cars, the biggest house, the designer clothes and all the latest technology. They end up stressed out and miserable, surrounded by all their ‘stuff’ which still didn’t bring them the happiness they were looking for. Material things don’t bring contentment. That comes from a soul which is at one with God.

When problems arise we need to know how to work through them without losing our peace. God knows how much we can handle and He knows our character.

You may feel you wont be satisfied until you have your own ministry but just because you want it doesn’t mean you are ready for it yet!

We need to learn to be content with where we are at and let God promote us. Our gift will make room for us but we need the character to go with the gift. We have grown as ministers over the years and realize that in the early years of church pioneering we were novices and could not have handled the church the way we can now.

God will only commit to what you have prepared for and what you are mature enough to handle.

Sharing and ministering the word carries with it a greater weight of accountability and should not be taken lightly. Learn to be content and serve God and the church where He has planted you and don’t be weary in well doing.

Keep a humble attitude and be thankful. We have to remind ourselves that if it were not for the grace of God we would have nothing.

Discontentment is a display of pride. A truly happy person is a humble person.

Don’t be ruled by circumstances. If everything has to be perfect before you can be happy, then you are never going to be content.

Right thinking and speaking affects our contentment.

Proverbs 14:14 A good man will be satisfied from above.

Proverbs 18:20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth,

And from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

If all you ever do is moan and complain, it’s no wonder you are dissatisfied.

You eat the fruit of your words, so make sure you are not giving yourself indigestion!

Also take heed to what you hear. Many times people get disquieted from listening to other unhappy people. Even the news can make you fearful.

Some people delight in bringing all the bad news but as Christians we should delight in bringing the good news of the Gospel.

Be a blessing to people on purpose.

I enjoy seeing people encouraged and built up when I share with them.

Psalm 17:15 I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Talking to God first thing in the morning and last thing at night brings contentment.

We can’t make it without Him and we need the Power of the Holy Spirit and the life that is in God’s word to fill us. This brings peace and contentment to our soul.

Psalm 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness.

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

Live your life in Christ, with Christ and through Christ and you will always be satisfied and content.

Please take the time to check out www.bridge-church.com.

All our special events are on there, and this month we have a great night planned for the ladies on Friday 19th, ‘Life Is So Daily’. Not to be missed.

We are thankful for all our mothers and wish them a blessed mother’s day.

God bless you and please do keep in touch via our church web or email.

Pastor Bernie & Nan

Pastor Mark and Denise Fraser

Pastor Mark and Denise Fraser have been married for over 15 years and have 3 wonderful children. Mark and Denise have overseen the youth ministry at Cornerstone over the past 7 years. During this time almost 1000 young people have attended the Youth Under Construction outreach events.

Mark recently left his employment in Local Government to move into full time ministry as Assistant Pastor, with particular responsibility for developing and giving pastoral oversight to the youth ministry, children's ministry, college and career ministry and the community work carried out by the Church.