An appreciation by Kevin Watson, minister of Ponteland, of Norman Birnie, who died on February 5th 2006.
We limit not the truth of God to our poor reach of mind,
By notions of our day and sect, crude, partial, and confined:
No, let a new and better hope within our hearts be stirred:
The Lord hath yet more light and truth to break forth from His word.
These powerful words from George Rawson's hymn, are based on the words of Pastor John Robinson as the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from Plymouth in 1620, leaving their homeland for an unknown future. But the hymn also encapsulates the Spirit of Norman Birnie's life.
Norman began reading Maths at university, but answered a call to Christian ministry, so transferred to read Theology. As a minister in Bannockburn he could have seen through the war in safety, but volunteered for an overseas posting. He was sent to Georgetown, British Guiana, with his wife Félicité and their children only following a year or so later.
Returning to a pastorate in Aberdeenshire, he then took the brave step of coming south, leaving the Church of Scotland to minister in the English Presbyterian Church at Stockton on Tees. Norman wrote that he felt settled there, probably for the rest of his ministry, when unexpectedly he received a call to Cardiff. Another big change. Norman was heavily involved in the unity talks that eventually led to the formation of the United Reformed Church, discovering a new life from two old denominations.
It was while at Cardiff he received another challenging call - to be Moderator of Assembly, and this took him across the whole of the British Isles. Yet another call awaited – to Bexhill on Sea, but after retirement still much service to be done, leading worship until nearly 90 years old. Like the Pilgrim Fathers he set off to take the risks of faith whenever God called him to change his life, and often it meant leaving precious things behind, safety, homeland, denomination, or beloved congregations.
Darkling our great forefathers went the first steps of the way;
‘Twas but the dawning, yet to grow into the perfect day.
And grow it shall, our glorious sun more fervid rays afford:
The Lord hath yet more light and truth to break forth from His word.
Throughout his life Norman saw the challenge and gave himself in new ways of service – in Guyana it was learning to cope as the only ordained minister of the Kirk in the whole country, an experience he described, “these years matured us in the Lord's service as little else could have done.” In Aberdeenshire it was taking young people out into the villages, with drama and music, some written by himself. In Stockton he took on the chaplaincy to a local RAF base, and in Cardiff chaplaincies to university and Infirmary.
As Moderator he learnt Italian to preach in the Waldensian Church, a visit he described as the highlight of his year of office. In retirement, he graciously did a very difficult Interim Moderatorship at Kenilworth. We were blessed by his wisdom and understanding in housegroup and saw how well he related to and inspired young people. His reaction to Synod changes or Ponteland's Redevelopment Project would always be governed by his stirring us to find risk-taking faith to change and grow in obedience to Christ.
The valleys past, ascending still, our souls would higher climb,
And look down from supernal heights on all the bygone time.
Upward we press, the air is clear and the sphere-music heard:
The Lord hath yet more light and truth to break forth from His word.
I once asked Norman what was it that made hill walking and mountain climbing so attractive. He replied that when he sees a mountain he has to know what is on the other side. Norman was driven by a desire to see the ever new vision of God's Kingdom, and a determination to help get us all to get there. He clearly had an enquiring mind; always an avid reader, but with purpose - to learn, to teach others and do new things himself.
He learnt French, Spanish as well as Italian, and loved to use his languages as he travelled. He learnt piano and entertained many, and his love of words and music led to writing hymns and prayers. He is remembered by all for leadership skills of statesmanlike quality, yet always with humility of service, a life lived with such graciousness. He was an open, understanding man who loved people, and gave everyone he met the feeling of being loved and special.
As I chewed things over with him, I know how much I was blessed by his wisdom of experience, patience of character, and depth of faith. He lived to minister God's grace, and to see the world come to know Jesus as Lord. May we enjoy the fruits of Norman's ministry.
O Father, Son, and Spirit, send us increase from above:
Enlarge, expand all Christian souls to comprehend Thy love;
And make us all go on to know, with nobler powers conferred,
The Lord hath yet more light and truth to break forth from His word.