Relationship with other denominations
This afternoon the General Assembly will discuss a framework and recommendations that set out the principles by which the Church will seek to relate to other denominations, mission partners and inter-church bodies both locally, nationally and globally.
In one resolution, members will be asked to ‘encourage the development of a formal fraternal relationship with the Free Church of Scotland.’ The report to the General Assembly also includes recommendations regarding PCI’s relationship with the Church of Scotland. This involves the Presbyterian Church in Ireland stating clearly and graciously, its position regarding human sexuality and marriage, which is also set out in the report. Practical steps towards mutual reform of the relationship between Irish and Scottish Presbyterians are also outlined.
Unlike previous years, there is no recommendation before the General Assembly to nominate the Moderator to attend the Scottish General Assembly in 2018. The last Moderator to be nominated to go to Edinburgh was Dr. Michael Barry, who went in 2014.
A resolution will also come before the House that seeks to engage the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland in discussions around the contemporary understanding of the Doctrine of Justification. This would be the first time in recent memory that PCI has considered a formal church-to-church theological dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church. The Assembly will also be asked to approve the creation of a Task Group to undertake a ‘substantial reflection’ on the theological basis for the denomination’s involvement in multi-faith events.
Supporting the persecuted church
Following on from yesterday’s special presentation ‘Listening to the Global Church: Leadership in the crucible’ - which involved representatives from churches ministering and bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in very difficult situations – all ministers and congregations will be urged to ‘stand with and learn from persecuted churches’ in a variety of ways.
In a separate resolution the Church will be encouraged to ‘facilitate prayerful support’ and ‘meaningful engagement’ with key issues and its partners dealing with the huge challenge and consequences of ‘divisive and devastating’ conflict, which has resulted in the displacement of people. Focusing on mission overseas, the Church will also be asked to continue to develop its church-planting strategy, especially in the Western European context.
Major review of PCI’s Home Mission
In terms of mission in Ireland, the Assembly will hear and discuss the findings and recommendations of an important root and branch review into the Church’s Home Mission. There are 72 Home Mission congregations out of the denomination’s 539, established and supported directly by the central church.
The review of the Home Mission is the first of its kind in living memory and seeks to look forward and provide a platform to reconsider ‘what it means to be church’ and how best this can be done within the contest of Home and Urban Mission congregations across Ireland.
Mission of another kind also features heavily today – Chaplaincy, in terms of the Church’s involvement in prisons, healthcare, universities and colleges and Forces. The increasingly difficult challenges in terms of providing this valuable Gospel centred and compassionate ministry, especially in an increasingly secular Ireland will also be discussed. It is also the focus of the Assembly’s third alternative presentation entitled ‘Chaplaincy as Mission.’
Assembly members will also hear of plans to develop chaplaincy at the rapidly expanding campus at Ulster University in Belfast and a pilot scheme for rural chaplaincy, made urgent by the increasing isolation often felt by those working on farms.
Details of each day’s business can be found here. Resolutions and reports before the General Assembly can be found here in the 2017 Blue Book. Additional reports and resolutions can be found in the Supplementary Reports here.
Most of the public sessions will be streamed live via this website. All public session proceedings can also be followed via live Twitter feed @pciassembly using the hashtag #PCIGA17.