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Over 1,000 ministers and lay representatives will attend the 1997 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland from Monday June 2nd until Friday June 6th. This is the supreme decision making body of the Church and meets annually, usually at Presbyterian headquarters in Church House, Belfast.
During 10 business sessions the Assembly will hear, discuss and debate some 30 reports on the work of the Church during the last year. Delegates will also vote on over 230 resolutions to accept reports and put into action their recommendations.
The opening of Assembly will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster Medium Wave at 7.00pm on Monday June 2nd and will include the outgoing address of Moderator Dr Harry Allen and the election and address of the incoming Moderator, Dr Sam Hutchinson.
"Into all the World" is the Moderatorial theme chosen by Dr Sam Hutchinson. "Our Church has long been involved in Overseas Mission, but my concern is much wider than that. The world of the media and public affairs, the world of youth, aged, education and social need - all require the Christian message and the Church, ministers and members alike, should be part of its mission."
In a week that will be dominated by political events outside the Assembly, interest will fall on the Church & Government report which will ask the Assembly to take decisions concerning parades, release of paramilitary prisoners and the attitudes of Northern Presbyterians to the rapidly changing society and culture in the Republic of Ireland.
The emphasis of many Assembly reports is on reassessing and establishing priorities to focus the life of the Church on Christian mission to people both inside and outside the Church.
The General Board will emphasise the need for a stable base of congregational life and witness in a brief report on priorities. The Strategy for Mission Committee will ask for approval to proceed with plans for in-service training and restructuring of some committees and Boards. Final arrangements will be presented for 2020Vision - the special Assembly planned for Coleraine in August that is open to everyone. The Youth Board are seeking permission to appoint a full-time field worker, such is the demand on their resources while the Board of Evangelism and Christian Training will present an updated report on Stress in the Ministry and recommendations for the Assembly to consider as to how ministers can guard against it.
Other presentations to be made include reports from theOverseas Board and the Board of Social Witness which will include some observations on stress in the ministry.
Assembly Programme
Church House, Belfast
2nd - 6th June, 1996
- Monday, June 2nd - 7 p.m.
- Opening of Assembly
- Address by outgoing Moderator, Dr Harry Allen
- Address by incoming Moderator, Dr Sam Hutchinson
- Tuesday, 3rd
- Communion
- Business Board
- Mission Assembly (1997) Committee
- Reports of Synods and Presbyteries
- Reception of Visitors and Delegates
- Union Commission
- Nomination Board
- Communications Board
- Evangelism and Christian Training
- Home Board
- Wednesday, 4th
- Trustees
- Fortune Mission Trust
- Commission on Trusts
- General Board
- 12.15 p.m. Worship.
- P.W.A.
- Overseas Board
- Inter-Church Relations Board
- Strategy for Mission Committee
- Thursday, 5th
- Education Board
- Board of Studies for the Ministry
- United Appeal Board
- 12.15 p.m. Worship.
- Recognised Ministries & Reception of Ministers
- Ad Hoc Commission
- Judicial Commission
- Ministry & Pensions
- Friday, 6th
- Youth Board
- Shankill Road Mission Commission
- Board of Social Witness
- Finance & Administration
- Closing of Assembly and Moderator's concluding remarks
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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