Podcasts from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Presbyterian Church in Ireland

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?