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The five major 'synods' that make up the Presbyterian Church in Ireland will be holding regional meetings this week to address important church concerns. Each gathering sees over three hundred ministers and lay representatives join for communion before engaging in church business. Of particular interest will be the Ballymena and Coleraine Synod which meets at 1st Ballyeaston, Tuesday 9th March 10am.
The threat to society posed by drug abuse will be the key theme of the mornings' business as ordinary church member John Kernoghan gives a presentation and analysis of his work with drug abusers. John has been participating in a radical new drug awareness volunteer scheme, an initiative of the Board of Social Witness and will talk of how ordinary church members have been developing 'on the ground' awareness of the drug problem.
Announced earlier last year at the General Assembly, the initiative involves the training of volunteers throughout Ireland to the equivalent of NVQ level 2 so that they can go into churches, youth groups, schools etc to promote the anti drug message. Eight volunteers have been selected for the pilot scheme which will involve study of courses on The nature of Drugs and The Biblical Basis for Social Action together with practical training in Speaking to Young People and Working in Schools.
The Convener of the Alcohol and Drug Education Committee and minister of Kells Presbyterian the Rev Brian Boyd comments: "What we are seeking to do is outline the desperate social havoc that the drug epidemic is causing in our society and to encourage ministers to practically engage in tackling the problem."
In a seperate presentation Rev Stafford Carson will ask "How can churches respond to change in the post modern world?" Rev Carson, minister of the Carnmoney Presbyterian Church, notes decline in church numbers, increased levels of 'un-churched' young people and rising interest in new age spirituality.
"We cannot assume that we will continue to'do church' as we have always done it. We may want to withdraw to some safe haven where change will never invade... But that is just not an option," comments Rev Carson.
He will continue to argue for a radical defence of Biblical values as an unsure society faces the 21st century adrift from the certainty of traditional church teaching that it formerly embraced.
The other Synods meeting are as follows:
Dublin: Monday 8th March, Sandymount, 7pm
Belfast: Tuesday 9th March, Townsend Street, 10:30am
Armagh and Down: Tuesday 9th March, Armagh Rd, Portadown 10.30
Derry and Omagh: Wednesday 10th March, Waterside, 2:30pm.
Issued by Martin McNeely, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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