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In an address to 800 Church members, overseas guests and civic dignitaries, Dr. McMullen unveiled his theme for the year ‘Building Relationships’, saying that he was “simply overwhelmed to have been called to the moderatorial chair.” He also described how the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has been for him “a sacred place of unnumbered blessings.”
Talking of the Church, the Omagh born minister of West Church, Bangor said, “My limited horizons have been expanded by those who are full of evangelical zeal and fervour; those who stretch minds as they illuminate theological truth, or speak courageously in the public square; those willing to venture beyond their comfort zones to reach out in a deeply divided society; those who have a strong social conscience and endless capacity for others…”
In developing his theme for the year, Dr. McMullen said that it came with a strapline that he took from 2 Corinthians 5:15, ‘For Christ’s love compels us’. Written by the apostle Paul, the Moderator said that the Paul proclaims “what should be the motivation for everything we are, think, say and do: the all-consuming, all-constraining, all-compelling, all-commanding love of Jesus Christ.”
The Moderator said that Christ’s love should compel us on many different levels, as individuals, “as Christ died for you and He died for me…” as a church, quoting the late Selwyn Hughes saying that it can be many good things, all of which “‘are but ashes on a rusty altar if it knows nothing of a burning, blazing love for the Lord Jesus Christ,’” and in building relationships, “Christ’s love compels us to reach out beyond ourselves to wider society.”
In building relationships Dr. McMullen spoke of a ministry of reconciliation and the challenges that came with it, “On the one hand, we can insist that everyone becomes like us. We can become exclusive, cutting ourselves off from those with whom we disagree, until we find ourselves splendid in our own isolation…On the other hand, we can be too inclusive as we accommodate ourselves to the spirit of the age, diluting truth, biblical integrity, the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ, orthodox Christian behaviour and morals, ceasing to be counter cultural.
“We need to be centred between love and unity on the one hand and truth and holiness on the other hand…It’s what we might define as a generous orthodoxy in our dealings with others. Confident of who we are in Christ, we are enabled and empowered to reach out the hand to others,” he said.
Turning to political events, he reflected on his own personal sadness at the recent referendum in the Republic of Ireland, while saying that it would have been “a glaring omission” if he talked on ‘Building Relationships,’ and ignored “the present political impasse” in Northern Ireland.
Dr. McMullen said that “It has been simply appalling that attitudes have become so embittered and entrenched with such adverse effects on our schools, hospitals, businesses, the economy and the many victims and survivors. Politics should not be played out on the level of brinkmanship, but of finding consensus on this small piece of land we have to share together.”
Posing this question, the Moderator asked, “What if our politics were based, to paraphrase Wesley, on doing all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can? Not a bad description of what it means to build relationships!”
Dr. McMullen concluded by talking about the parable of the Good Samaritan and how it had impacted him recently, especially when two men you would have expected to help the wounded man walked by on the other side. The Samaritan, meanwhile, the person you would not have expected to help did. “Love for God and one another is the greatest apologetic for our faith and the one essential prerequisite for a ministry of reconciliation…” he said.
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“Let us build those relationships then, as we walk with God glorifying Him and enjoying HIs presence, in the congregations where He has called us to serve, together as an Assembly, and as we reach out confidently to others – for Christ’s love compels us!”
Earlier in the evening the outgoing Moderator, Dr. Noble McNeely reflected on his year in office. “Florence and I will always remember the gracious way we were received by people in the Church across the whole island. The prayers offered for us and the regular text messages of encouragement have reminded us constantly of the humbling experience it is to serve Christ and His church,” he said.
He also revisited his theme for the year, which had been ‘Everyday disciples’, saying that in the gospels Jesus had called His disciples to leave behind their everyday lives of being fishermen, “to become followers of Jesus who would catch people.”
Speaking about the night Peter and his fellow fisherman had caught nothing, Dr. McNeely said that Christ had cried out to Peter from the shore telling him to cast his net on the other side of the boat – words which the former Moderator said had challenged him.
“When Peter and the other fishermen were frustrated and caught nothing, they responded to Christ’s voice and dropped the net on the right side where they caught an abundance of fish. This story, I believe, also speaks to us as a church. My experience over the past few months has been of a church with great potential, of people who have many abilities and gifts, of congregations engaged in numerous ministries and work...But, are we seeing the net catching the people Christ has sent us out to catch?”
Dr. McNeely concluded by saying, “If we are to have a voice in the public square, if we are to demonstrate what Christ means to us, if we are to be missional and declare the transforming power of the gospel, we must be prepared to hear the voice of Jesus instructing us to cast the net differently.
“As everyday disciples…is there another way to cast the net as we seek to witness to God’s grace. When radical change is required and the net is cast on the right side Jesus can surprise us. The nets may be full again some day.”
Photos: (1) Rt. Rev. Dr. Charles McMullen; and (2) Rt. Rev. Dr. Charles McMullen and Very Rev. Dr. Noble McNeely.
Approximately 1,000 people from congregations across Ireland will be involved in the four days of worship, prayer, Bible study, celebration, debate and decision-making at this year’s General Assembly. Business opens at 10.30am on Tuesday, 5th June and closes at lunchtime on Friday, 8th June with a special Wednesday Evening Celebration at 7.45pm that is also open to the public. Evening business sessions will also take place this year on Tuesday and Thursday (7pm-9pm).
With most business before the Assembly open to the public, public sessions are also streamed on the General Assembly event page. A live Twitter feed is also available @pciassembly, hashtag #PCIGA18.
For information and resources about this year's General Assembly: The Blue Book, individual reports, supplementary reports, daily business, minutes, previews and reviews of each day's proceedings, visit our General Assembly 2018 resources section here.