In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Andrew Dickson, PCI’s Congregational Life Development Officer, explores being present to God as we read the Bible with David McCullagh, Rosie Donaldson and Richard McChesney. 

This podcast is part of the denomination wide Present initiative, inviting and encouraging congregations and their members to make themselves fully present to God who is ever present to us.

Find out more and watch a video about the Present initiative here www.presbyterianireland.org/present

In this latest episode of the PCI podcast, Jonny McClune, PCI’s Congregational Witness Development Officer, explores with Darin and Joy Stevens from the organisation Start to Stir, why sharing our faith with our friends can be so challenging. 

We can see examples in the Bible of people who struggled to speak up for God like Moses and Jonah but we take time to explore on the podcast the things that are holding us back today and how we can have more confidence to share Jesus with those around us.

This podcast also highlights the Stirring Spiritual Curiosity event happening on the morning of Tuesday 28 January 2025 from 10.30am to 12.45pm in Assembly Buildings, Belfast, at which Darin and Joy will be opening up this theme further. 

Further details and booking can be found here:

www.presbyterianireland.org/stir

This event is free but you do need to pre-register.

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

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:

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