Livestream
With a limit on invitations due to the current restrictions, this service, which commences at 6.30pm, will also be livestreamed and available to watch here.
The Moderator Rt Rev Dr David Bruce will be present to acknowledge those who have successfully completed the courses including 20 Accredited Preachers and 9 Auxiliary Ministers representing 29 different congregations.
Union Theological College’s Professor of Ministry and Director of the Institute for Ministry, Rev David Leach said, “We are delighted that a Service of Accreditation can be held in Elmwood Presbyterian to recognise those in our denomination who have completed the Auxiliary Ministry Scheme and Accredited Preacher Scheme over the last couple of years.
“Like so many other areas of church-life, this service had been delayed due to the pandemic but at the same time it takes nothing away from the hard work and commitment of those who have co-ordinated, and, of course, completed the courses.
“It is a delight to be able to gather in this way and give thanks to God for those who have spent these last few years grappling with scripture and training to be faithful to God's Word in leading services and filling pulpits across the island, on a regular basis.”
Rev David Leach concluded, “The Council for Training in Ministry is grateful to the congregation of Elmwood for allowing us to use their building for this service.”
The Accredited Preacher Scheme is open to church members, male or female, who have a gift in communicating God’s Word and who have attended the Handling the Word introductory course on preaching. Accredited Preachers have a voluntary role helping out with leading worship services and preaching. You can find out more about them here and applications for the 2022 intake are now open.
The General Assembly first gave the go-ahead for the Auxiliary Minister Scheme in June 2010. An Auxiliary Minister is a Minister of the Word and their primary duty is to preach and teach, with the rest of the role comprising various combinations of pastoral care, discipleship and outreach. As a support role to the ordained Minister they will be responsible to him or her and to the local Presbytery.
Depending on congregational need, they can be full-time or part-time, salaried or expenses based. Their duties, however, will not include officiating at baptisms, the Lord’s Supper or weddings.
The Church’s Council for Mission in Ireland, which is responsible for new Church development and Church planting, can also request the creation of an Auxiliary Minister post to support the establishment of new congregations across Ireland.
For further information on the Auxiliary Minister Scheme click here.