Podcasts from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

This isn’t an easy time to be a leader. The newness of the moment, the need to learn new skills, the pressures of decision-making among the vast array of opinions alongside constant changes and the need to generate momentum. So, what are we learning about leadership? 
For this conversation, host Rick Hill is joined by Rev David Thompson (Secretary, CCLW), Rev Kathryn Viner (Minister, Malone) and Trevor Long (Clerk, North Belfast Presbytery) to offer a breadth of perspectives. 
They discuss developing a shared ethos of leadership, the need to ask good questions that helps generate reflection, building teams of leaders rather than relying on individuals and the benefits of empowering leaders of all ages. 
The Kirk Session resource ‘Opening up to God’ is mentioned and can be found here: Opening up to God

The General Assembly is meeting next week for the first time since June 2019. This episode looks ahead to the practicalities of what to expect and some of the themes being discussed this year as we are joined by the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rev Dr David Bruce, the Clerk of the General Assembly Rev Trevor Gribben and the Secretary for the Council for Global Mission Rev Uel Marrs. This episode is hosted by Neil Harrison, PCI's Mission Development Officer.
Further information on the General Assembly and each day's business can be found here: www.presbyterianireland.org/Events 

Rev Gribben also refers to Climate Sunday, a suite of resources available to help congregations focus on God's creation and humanity's responsibility to be good stewards. Download the resources here: www.presbyterianireland.org/stewardshipofcreation

The Bible is part and parcel of congregational life, whether on Sundays or through the week, but this episode of the PCI Podcast explores how we are doing when it comes to Bible engagement. We live in a time where access to the Bible has never been higher and yet readership is in decline. Add to that the disrupted rhythms of the past 18 months. 
So, in this conversation, Valerie Murphy (Precept Ministries) and Richard McChesney (Whiteabbey Presbyterian) discuss with Rick Hill (PCI) how we can grow and develop in our engagement with the Bible. As well as discussing problems and principles, they both share about specific Bible projects they are involved in. 
You can find out more about the work of Precept Ministries at preceptireland.org or by emailing [email protected]and you can discover more about the Immerse Bible Project at immersebible.com or by emailing [email protected]

Guests at the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) centenary event ‘On These Steps’, which took place on 17 September 2021, were treated to the premier of a specially commissioned song by the Belfast-based indie singer-songwriter, Ferna. The livestreamed event from PCI’s Union Theological College in south Belfast, marked the part played by the College in hosting the Parliament of Northern Ireland 100 years ago, and also marked the centenary of the creation of Northern Ireland along with the partition of Ireland.

Speaking about the commission, Ferna said, “When Steve [Stockman] asked me I was surprised and very apprehensive about it because I felt the song could go wrong in so many ways! I mean, how do you reflect upon something as complex and troubled as 100 years of Northern Ireland in a helpful, thoughtful way?

You can read the full story here Contemporary musical take at centenary event - Presbyterian Church Ireland (presbyterianireland.org)

The impact of the pandemic for declining churches has accelerated some towards the point of unsustainability. What might a journey of re-habilitation involve for congregations like this? This conversation with Rev Neil Stewart (Trinity Greyabbey and Cloughey) and Rev Marty Gray (Ravenhill) and hosted by Neil Harrison, seeks to share experience and wisdom in this area.

The podcast returns after a summer break to bring you a fresh set of conversations over the coming weeks to help us reflect on the life and witness of our congregations at this time. This episode focuses on how we can be going about resuming and re-starting some of our rhythms in the months ahead. Host, Rick Hill, is joined by Rev Alistair Bates (Wellington) Hayley Cullen (Muckamore) and Matthew Banks (Tullyallen and Mountnorris) to hear how churches and leaders in a variety of roles and contexts are approaching the next season of church life. They discuss not measuring success by numbers but people, retaining the lessons learned throughout the last 18 months and how to go about restoring some additional activities.

On Thursday, 15 July 2021, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Right Honourable Brandon Lewis MP, published a Command Paper entitled, ‘Addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past’. In its response to the Secretary of State’s statement in the House of Commons, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said that key principles previously committed to by government, especially the right of victims and survivors to seek due process and justice in the courts, remains important.
The following day, PCI’s Moderator, Right Reverend Dr David Bruce, was interviewed on BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra drive-time programme, where he expanded on his comments and the Christian understanding of reconciliation. He also spoke about the right of victims and survivors to seek due process and justice in the courts. Dr Bruce also touched upon the moral dimension to the government’s announcement, saying that it was “a deep tragedy that we are witnessing.”
We would like to thank the BBC, and Evening Extra, for their kind permission to allow us to use this interview. Dr Bruce was interviewed alongside Father Eddie Magee of the Diocese of Down and Connor by presenters Declan Harvey and Jennifer O’Leary on Friday, 15 July 2021. You can read PCI’s initial statement here.

This is a challenging time to do ministry and the last year has been draining in so many ways for those who take a lead within our congregations. Therefore, for this episode, Rick Hill is joined by Dr Lena Morrow, Rev Jonathan Frazer and Rev David Allen to explore the whole area of rest and refreshment for ministry leaders. They explore things such as spiritual refreshment, self-care and Sabbath, as well as the danger of overworking and how congregations can develop a culture of care.

The experience of the pandemic has been shared globally and as global disciples we have a responsibility to care and respond in appropriate ways. In this episode we have an opportunity to hear an update from three of PCI’s Global Mission Workers including Diane Cusick (Zambia), Rev Peter Fleming (Nepal), Rev Steve Kennedy (Romania).

With restrictions gradually easing, how might church leaders consider using the summer months with better weather and longer evenings, to renew church community and refresh church life. Walking with others, football, barbeques, and a church weekend are just some of the helpful ideas shared by Rev Marty McNeely (Ballykeel PC), Rob Bailie (Dundonald PC) and Sonya Anderson (Shore St PC).