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Food insecurity is an issue that's affecting many parts of the world – it is said one in ten people in the world live in food insecurity. To discuss this important issue and to introduce this year's World Development Appeal, Rev Richard Kerr, Convener of PCI's Global Development Committee, hosts the episode with guests - Ruth Cooke (Christian Aid Ireland’s Head of Fundraising and Supporter Engagement), Chris Thompson (Tearfund’s NI Director) and Rev Liam Rutherford, PCI’s World Development Agent and Convener of its World Development Appeal Task Group.
The 2024 World Development Appeal is entitled: “Hunger Pains: Scarcity to Abundance.”
You can find more resources, including a promotional video, here:
www.presbyterianireland.org/worlddevelopment -
In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Ruth Bromley, PCI’s Children’s Ministry Development Officer, hosts a conversation with Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International and contributor to the Kitchen Table Project, Caroline Bradley from Care for the Family and Andy Lamberton from Legacy, about sowing the seeds of a growing faith in the lives of our children.
This podcast also highlights the Starting Strong event happening on the evening of Thursday 14 November 2024 from 7.45pm to 9.15pm in High Street Presbyterian Church, Holywood at which Andy Frost is the keynote speaker. It will pick up and develop this theme, providing the opportunity to explore this territory further with others and be encouraged and envisioned in this crucial area of church life.
Further details and booking can be found at www.presbyterianireland.org/startingstrong -
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This episode explores PCI’s vision for church planting across Ireland. It considers why we need more churches on this island, and how that can be an effective way to reach new people with the good news of Jesus Christ. Tom Gilliam, an elder in Maynooth, and Josh McCance, church plant leader in Balbriggan, share their experiences and insights into church planting along with ways everyone can be involved.
PCI is holding a Church Planting Taster Day in Maynooth on 16 November 2024. For more information and to register visit: www.presbyterianireland.org/churchplanting -
In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Will Leitch interviews Rev David Thompson, Secretary of PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness, on the thinking behind and hopes for Present - the new, denomination wide, initiative designed to encourage congregations in this season of life and witness, launched at this year’s General Assembly.
The initiative will roll out over three successive church years, inviting and encouraging congregations and their members to make themselves fully present to God who is ever present to us. It offers a framework to encourage congregations to explore and express being present in four particular ways:Be present in this season of life and witness;Be present to God as his people;Be present for one another in God’s family of the church;Be present where God has placed us to be his witnesses.
Find out more and watch the introductory video here www.presbyterianireland.org/present -
Neil Hudson is Senior Leader of Salford Elim Church, but is better known to us in PCI for his work on the Imagine Church project for the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. That is the project that birthed the Frontlines small group material which many congregations have used and found helpful, along with two books authored by Neil, Imagine Church and Scattered and Gathered.
David Thompson is Secretary of PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness and brings extensive experience and qualifications in consultancy for ministry and mission.
This podcast also highlights the Leading for a change event happening on the morning of Thursday 17 October 2024 from 10.30am to 12.45pm in Assembly Buildings, Belfast. It will pick up and develop this theme, providing the opportunity to explore this territory further with others and be encouraged and envisioned in making space in our church life to adapt and respond to changing challenges and circumstances, new opportunities and options. Further details and booking can be found at www.presbyterianireland.org/leadingforachange -
The 2024 General Assembly opens on Thursday, 20 June and will run until Saturday afternoon, 22 June.
In this episode four guests, each with different roles in next week’s event, look ahead to the annual gathering of ministers, elders and other representatives from home and overseas. They are the Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Trevor Gribben, Deputy Clerk, Rev Dr David Allen, PCI’s Public Affairs Officer, Dr Rebecca Stevenson, and Rev Albin Rankin, Convener of the Council for Congregational Life and Witness.
In a new departure, this podcast is in two bite-sized chunks, in which you will get a good overview of proceedings and insights from our guests to a number of the significant reports that will come before the Assembly. The podcast is hosted by PCI’s Press and Media Officer, Mark Smith.
Further information on the 2024 General Assembly, the reports that are discussed in this episode, schedule of business, and news stories, can be found here: http://www.presbyterianireland.org/ga24 -
The 2024 General Assembly opens on Thursday, 20 June and will run until Saturday afternoon, 22 June.
In this episode four guests, each with different roles in next week’s event, look ahead to the annual gathering of ministers, elders and other representatives from home and overseas. They are the Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Trevor Gribben, Deputy Clerk, Rev Dr David Allen, PCI’s Public Affairs Officer, Dr Rebecca Stevenson, and Rev Albin Rankin, Convener of the Council for Congregational Life and Witness.
In a new departure, this podcast is in two bite-sized chunks, in which you will get a good overview of proceedings and insights from our guests to a number of the significant reports that will come before the Assembly. The podcast is hosted by PCI’s Press and Media Officer, Mark Smith.
Further information on the 2024 General Assembly, the reports that are discussed in this episode, schedule of business, and news stories, can be found here: http://www.presbyterianireland.org/ga24 -
In both good times and dark days, pastoral care is a vital ministry of the church. We all want to be confident to walk alongside and care well for those God has placed in our lives. But how do we do that?
In this podcast, Andrew Collins (Director of the Certificate Course, Biblical Counselling UK), Marion Hadden (Family and Youth Coordinator and Elder, Terrace Row Presbyterian Church), and Rev Ben Walker (Minister, Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church) reflect on some ways we can build pastoral connection, hold quality conversations, and bring biblical and prayerful content into our pastoral care.
This podcast highlights the now sold-out Confident to Care three-week practical training course being delivered by Andrew Collins, in conjunction with the Council for Congregational Life and Witness, at Union Theological College in May.
To find out more about similar events in the future, sign up to E-quip www.presbyterianireland.org/equip -
We hear so much about how we are an increasingly aging society and an aging church. The focus often falls on the challenges that brings, but that reality also offers enormous possibilities for ministry and outreach through the local church if we have eyes to see them.
Alex Drew who leads the work of a ministry called Faith in Later Life and David Thompson, Secretary of PCI’s Council for Congregational Life and Witness, which will be partnering with Faith in Later Life to bring an event called Age of Opportunity on this theme to Assembly Buildings, Belfast on 16 May 2024 discuss the untapped potential of this area of ministry and mission for the church.
Links to an upcoming event and resource mentioned in the podcast can be found below:
Age of Opportunity - Presbyterian Church Ireland (presbyterianireland.org)
All the days of my life -
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) is holding a Ministry Taster Day on Saturday, 16 March 2024. The special open day is for men and women who have been thinking, and praying about, becoming ordained ministers in PCI and feel that God is leading them in this direction. The event will take place in Belfast at Union Theological College, PCI’s principal body for the training of its ministers prior to ordination.
In this BBC Radio Ulster interview, from 25 February, Audrey Carville interviews Reverend Professor David Leach, Professor of Ministry and Director of the Institute for Ministry, about the day itself. First-year ministry student, Christine Craig, and third-year student, Andrew Ferguson, also talk about their personal journeys to study for PCI’s ordained ministry, and what studying for the ministry at Union is like. -
All around the world, people are on the move, displaced from their homes by conflict, natural disasters, persecution, and land grabbing. In this podcast episode, Pip Florit, PCI’s Mission Support Officer for Partnerships talks to Rev Richard Kerr, Convener of the Global Development Committee, and Ruth Cooke, Christian Aid Ireland’s Head of Fundraising and Supporter Engagement about displacement and our response to it. Richard and Ruth share stories and reflections on their visit to Sierra Leone for this year’s World Development Appeal, ‘Starting from Scratch’ and talk about where we can find hope in a world of injustice.
You can find out more about the World Development Appeal here:
www.presbyterianireland.org/worlddevelopment -
Leading in the church today can bring lots of encouragements and joy – lives transformed, people growing as disciples, a sense of purpose and community. But leading in the church can also feel difficult. Emerging from the retreat and restrictions, limitations and loss, disruption and disaster brought by the last number of years, many leaders feel weary and lonely. Whether we are a minister, elder, other ministry staff member, or volunteer, it’s important that we regularly take time to be encouraged, envisioned, and equipped as we continue to lead and serve.
To reflect on ways leaders across PCI can be refreshed and sharpened to fulfil their calling, we are joined by David Thompson (Secretary, Council for Congregational Life and Witness), Rev Angus Stewart (Minister, Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church), and Anne Dines (Clerk of Session, West Church, Ballymena).
This podcast also highlights two upcoming initiatives facilitated by CCLW:
Refresh – a series of one-off evenings to encourage, envision, and equip ruling elders in PCI.
Leading Edge, is a five-session programme offering ministers, elders, and other ministry staff the opportunity to come together with others to explore some key aspects of leading in the church today. -
The world today can be overwhelming. Culture wars. Constant connectedness. Covid’s impact. A changing church landscape. Crisis after crisis local and globally. The list of challenges impacting how people faithfully follow Jesus goes on.
So, how do we craft a disciple-shaped life? And how can we shape aspects of local church life – our corporate worship, Bible engagement, and congregational community – to effectively equip members to follow Jesus with courage, commitment, and conviction in today’s world? -
The 2023 General Assembly opens on the evening of the longest day of the year, Wednesday, 21 June, and will run until Saturday afternoon, 24 June.
In this episode, four guests, each with different roles in next week’s gathering, look ahead to the annual gathering of ministers, elders, and other representatives from home and overseas. They are the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev Dr John Kirkpatrick, Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Trevor Gribben, Deputy Clerk, Rev Dr David Allen, and Karen Jardine, PCI’s Public Affairs Officer.
During this episode, you can get an overview of proceedings and insights into a number of the significant reports that will come before members. Dr Kirkpatrick also reflects on his year in office. The podcast is hosted by PCI’s Press Officer, Mark Smith.
Further information on the 2023 General Assembly, the reports that are discussed in this episode, the schedule of business, Assembly procedure, and news stories, can be found here: www.presbyterianireland.org/ga23 -
Over the past few weeks, much attention has been drawn to the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement with many visiting dignitaries and special events across Belfast and further afield.
In this podcast episode, Karen Jardine (PCI’s Public Affairs Officer) is joined by Rev Dr Tony Davidson (Convener, Peace & Reconciliation Panel and recently retired from First Armagh), Rev Dr Marty McNeely (Ballykeel), and Jack McQuillan (Eglinton) to reflect on the unfinished work of peace 25 years on from the Agreement.
Together they will explore the role of PCI in peace and reconciliation across the island of Ireland, and whether peace-making is still part of the mandate of the church today – as a denomination, in congregations, and as individual members. -
The world is a different place now than it was three years ago. Church is not the automatic place to come to for community and relationship building. No longer does the mantra of “if we open the doors, they will come” hold true. There are many children and families who have connections with our congregations and come to organisations during the week but are not part of our Sunday morning church family.
There is a growing realisation that new approaches are needed to reach and develop relationships with those on the fringe of church life. There are many challenges involved in imagining and implementing this creativity in the midst of busy church calendars, but these days are a new beginning and give us the opportunity to try new things.
In this podcast episode, Ruth Bromley (PCI’s Children’s Development Officer) is joined by Rev Corrina Heron (Dunmurry Presbyterian), Rev Stuart Morrow (Portstewart Presbyterian), and Rev Jimmy Warburton (High Street Holywood Presbyterian) to talk about how their congregations have tried different approaches to connect with children and families in their communities and encourage them to be a part of the church family on a Sunday. -
Ahead of Presbyterian Women’s Annual Conference, this podcast considers the conference theme, Being Transformed which is based on Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
We want to consider ways in which we can be transformed in Christ as we study God’s Word, take it to heart and put it into practice.
We will think about how can we get into God’s Word for ourselves and what are some of the obstacles and pitfalls. We also want to think about how we can live transformed lives that make a difference in our broken world.
Contributors: Ali Calvin, Esther Parker, Louise Davidson and Pauline Kennedy (PCI’s Women’s Ministry & PW Development Officer) -
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus calls his first disciples: “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Since this first invitation to follow, be transformed and commissioned into the mission of Christ, billions more people have sought to follow Jesus. Featuring Rachael Gamble (Discipleship Facilitator, Sloan Street PCI), Colin Neill (Waringstown PCI) and Trevor Reaney (First Holywood PCI), this podcast explores key principles and practices that can help both individuals and local congregations towards living a life of faithful discipleship in the 21st century.
This episode also highlights a number of Discipleship resources from PCI for use personally and in small groups, including:
Inspirations – a resource for women’s ministry filled with engaging, relevant and thought-provoking content.
Essentials – a multi-session small group or midweek course that aims to help followers of Jesus reflect on and live out the essentials of discipleship.
Expressions – an eight session film series that seeks to connect themes from Scripture with the real lives of church members to open up conversations on how their faith expresses itself in everyday life and witness.
Proximity – these three booklets exploring relevant and challenging content on “Seasons of Life”, “Life in God’s Story” and “Habits of a Lifetime” are ideally suited for one-to-one discipleship or small groups.
Tides – a daily devotional delivered straight to your inbox containing a section of God’s word to read, a short reflection sharing what this could mean for your life, and a simple way for you to respond. -
The first podcast episode of 2023 explores how many Presbyterians have a deep relationship with Christ but find themselves tongue tied in talking about their faith with friends, colleagues and neighbours. Philip Houston (Ballykelly Presbyterian), Phyllis Linton (West Church, Ballymena) and Neil Harrison (Congregational Witness Development Officer) explore the challenges for evangelism today and share some suggestions to grow in confidence in talking about the good news in everyday life.
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Being a parent of a teenager has never been easy, but many parents are seeing additional challenges and stresses for their young people and may wonder how to do the best job of supporting them at this time. This podcast begins with the voices of young people, sharing their challenges and opportunities, and what they most appreciate about their parents. Then Graeme Thompson is in conversation with people from three different perspectives - teaching, youth work, and psychology – about what is going on for young people these days from educational, emotional, relational, and spiritual perspectives. The conversation concludes with some practical thoughts on how parents of teenagers can walk with them and support them most effectively.
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