S2023 Ep71: 071 – Exploring ways of being transformed in Christ
Ahead of Presbyterian Women’s Annual Conference, this podcast considers the conference theme, Being Transformed which is based on Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” We want to consider ways in which we can be transformed in Christ as we study God’s Word, take it to heart and put it into practice. We will think about how ...
45m Apr 05, 2023
45m
S2023 Ep70: 070 – Disciple Shaped Lives, Disciple Shaped Church
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus calls his first disciples: “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Since this first invitation to follow, be transformed and commissioned into the mission of Christ, billions more people have sought to follow Jesus. Featuring Rachael Gamble (Discipleship Facilitator, Sloan Street PCI), Colin Neill (Waringstown PCI) and Trevor Reaney (First Holywood PCI), this pod...
39m Feb 15, 2023
39m
S2023 Ep69: 069 – Sharing Faith: Growing in Confidence
The first podcast episode of 2023 explores how many Presbyterians have a deep relationship with Christ but find themselves tongue tied in talking about their faith with friends, colleagues and neighbours. Philip Houston (Ballykelly Presbyterian), Phyllis Linton (West Church, Ballymena) and Neil Harrison (Congregational Witness Development Officer) explore the challenges for evangelism today and...
41m Jan 18, 2023
41m
S2022 Ep68: 068 – Parenting teenagers today
Being a parent of a teenager has never been easy, but many parents are seeing additional challenges and stresses for their young people and may wonder how to do the best job of supporting them at this time. This podcast begins with the voices of young people, sharing their challenges and opportunities, and what they most appreciate about their parents. Then Graeme Thompson is in conversation wi...
51m Nov 30, 2022
51m
S2022 Ep67: 067 – Children's Discipleship
Children’s discipleship is nothing new but in light of the last two years and looking to the future, it is something that we need to prioritise more in the months and years ahead. Teaching children Bible stories, facts about God, and how to behave in church is important but it is not enough to help them to live out their faith from Monday to Saturday, at home, in school, and with their friends....
32m Nov 16, 2022
32m
S2022 Ep66: 066 – Back Together Again and Getting Going Again
We are in a strange, kind of, in-between moment just now. On the one hand we feel like we have edged well out from the worst days of the pandemic and the lockdowns and the restrictions on what we were able to do. Whilst on the other we find ourselves asking questions about getting back together again ­– rebuilding the worshipping and fellowshipping community of the church among members – and ge...
38m Nov 02, 2022
38m
S2022 Ep65: 065 – Restored: Tending the soul in the wake of the pandemic
The last two and a half years have been hard on all of us. Since the emergence of Covid-19, Presbyterian churches across Ireland have been faced with the significant challenge of how to biblically and pastorally respond well to the avalanche of psychological, emotional, and spiritual traumas experienced by many church members of all ages. As we recommence more regular rhythms of church life, ho...
33m Oct 19, 2022
33m
S2022 Ep64: 064 – Urban and Estates Ministry
Ministry in urban centres and housing estates presents unique challenges and opportunities for the church to show and share the love of Christ to a community in need. PCI’s Urban Mission Network seeks to support and encourage those ministering in these areas. To explore this we hear from Felix Aremo (Training Manager, London City Mission), Rev Richard McIlhatton (Christchurch, Dundonald) and Ja...
50m Oct 05, 2022
50m
S2022 Ep63: 063 – Responding pastorally to the pandemic
Even though the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact have slipped down our news feeds with the cost of living crisis, the appointment of a new UK Prime Minister and the death of the Queen, and the Accession of King Charles to the throne, its effects are still felt by many and the task of pastoral follow up continues. To reflect on this we are joined by Andrew Dickson (PCI Congregational Life Devel...
41m Sep 21, 2022
41m
S2022 Ep62: 062 – Bible for all
In celebration of the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s translation of the New Testament into everyday language, Union Theological College is organizing a series of events called Bible for All to tell the story of how God’s Word in Scripture has come to us today, and equip people with resources and skills to get the most out of reading the Bible. To share more about this we are joined by Rev...
32m Sep 07, 2022
32m
S2022 Ep61: 061 – Expressing our faith
In the last episode before a summer break, regular podcast hosts Rick Hill and Neil Harrison take the chance to chat together. Their conversation focuses around the general theme of helping disciples of Jesus express their faith within every-day life, before the focus on introducing a new resource coming soon from PCI. The resource, Expressions, is an 8 session film series that seeks to help th...
17m Jun 29, 2022
17m
S2022 Ep60: 060 – The General Assembly 2022
As annual events retake their familiar place in the calendar, next week the General Assembly meets in Belfast, from Wednesday, 22 to Saturday, 25 June. It will be the first time since 2019 that it has been able to meet in its usual month and manner, following a smaller in-person meeting last October.   In this episode we look ahead to next week’s gathering of ministers and elders with guests ...
47m Jun 15, 2022
47m
S2022 Ep59: 059 – A Time to Plant
This episode was recorded at the church planting conference, ‘A time to plant’, organised by the Council for Mission in Ireland that took place earlier in May in Dundalk. The conversation captures much of the energy, enthusiasm, and spirit of the day including some short reflections from a few individuals as well as an interview with keynote speaker Scotty Smith from Nashville Tennesse, and Tom...
15m May 25, 2022
15m
S2022 Ep58: 058 – Service and Leadership
If you find yourself asking, 'Where have all our leaders gone?' then this conversation is worth a listen. Here, Rick Hill chats to David Thompson from the Council of Congregational Life and Witness and Christine Craig, elder elect in Kilbride Presbyterian and together they discuss themes like personally approaching people to serve, developing a leadership pipeline, and helping younger leaders t...
30m May 11, 2022
30m
S2022 Ep57: 057 – Reshaping our thinking about women’s ministry
It is increasingly apparent that there is a growing generational gap within women’s ministry that makes it more and more difficult to build an effective ministry to women of all ages. How can we think differently about women’s ministry and what approaches can we adopt to help us grow deeper together? To give an insight into how we, both individually and corporately can do this better, we draw l...
36m Apr 27, 2022
36m
S2022 Ep56: 056 – Refuge – A focus on Ukraine
This week’s episode seeks to shine a light on the experience of refugees in Ukraine and the response on the ground by the Hungarian Reformed Church. We hear from Rev Nigel Craig, PCI Global Mission Worker in Hungary and Réka Gilicze who works with Hungarian Reformed Church Aid. In addition, the Moderator Rev David Bruce, shares a number of ways congregations can respond including supporting the...
32m Apr 13, 2022
32m
S2022 Ep55: 055 – Let’s talk about young adults
This conversation flows out of a recent event held in Assembly Buildings for young adults called NOW. This evening event focused on the themes of discipleship, church engagement, and friendship to help the 18-25-year-olds present reflect on these important issues. Two of the speakers from that event, Zara Miskimmin (Made for More) and Chris McBurney (Christian Unions Ireland) shared with Rick H...
38m Mar 30, 2022
38m
S2022 Ep54: 054 – PCI talks education
The world of education has been increasingly in the spotlight, with all that the last couple of years has brought compounding and exacerbating existing challenges. Education is also part of PCI’s DNA – through the role of transferor governors and boards of management alongside the people in our pews who serve as school leaders, teachers, classroom assistants, support staff and other roles.   In...
42m Mar 16, 2022
42m
S2022 Ep53: 053 – Onward: Journeying together in hope
The pandemic has taken its toll on all our young people, with some tough times when hope has been scarce. In April, a brand new type of youth event ONWARD: Journeying together in hope will help young people reflect on the Hope of the Gospel. This podcast features the two speakers of ONWARD, Nicola Clarke and Carl McManus, who talk to Graeme Thompson (PCI Youth Development Officer) about their e...
47m Mar 02, 2022
47m
S2022 Ep52: 052 – Renewing our all-age worship
The podcast continues its ‘RENEW’ theme by turning attention to how we might be able to help renew our all-age worship. Children’s Director Nicky Bradley (Knock Presbyterian Church), Kidzone Leader James Cousley (Bloomfield Presbyterian) and Schools Ministry Manager and former children’s worker Mark Moorhead (SUNI) join Ruth Bromley to discuss thinking about why we do all-age worship and also s...
41m Feb 16, 2022
41m
S2022 Ep51: 051 – Renewing Our Volunteers
The podcast continues its ‘RENEW’ theme by turning attention to how we might be able to help renew those who serve as volunteers within our congregations. Discipleship Facilitator Rachael Gamble (Sloan Street) and Clerk of Session Paul Elliott (Carnmoney) join Rick Hill (PCI) to discuss encouraging those who serve, drawing others into leading, carrying an equipping mindset in their roles, and b...
33m Feb 02, 2022
33m
S2022 Ep50: 050 – Renew Our Vision for Reaching the Lost
It is increasingly apparent that there is a growing cultural gap between church and society across Ireland that makes it more and more difficult to reach new people with the gospel. To give an insight into how we as Christians, both individually and corporately can do this better, we draw learning from experiences of global mission in this conversation with Donna Jennings from Evangelical Allia...
47m Jan 19, 2022
47m
S2022 Ep49: 049 – Renew Ourselves
For our first episode of a new year, Rick Hill hosts a conversation about Refreshment and Renewal. Rev Sam Finlay, Minister of Redrock and Druminnis Presbyterian Churches in County Armagh, along with Paul Bowman, Youth Worker in Fitzroy Presbyterian reflect on coping with the challenges associated with leading in the church. They talk about sustainable ministry, counting blessings, finding our ...
44m Jan 05, 2022
44m
S2021 Ep48: 048 – Hope at Christmas
Tune in for a festive special on the Moderator's theme of, Hope at Christmas. Host Sarah Harding, editor of the Presbyterian Herald, is joined by Rev Richard Kerr, minister of Templepatrick PC, Olivia Elwood, member of Bloomfield PC, and Ilona Veres, PCI global mission worker. This episode explores how the World Development Appeal will bring hope to people living in Haiti and Ethiopia, get an u...
30m Dec 15, 2021
30m
S2021 Ep47: 047 – Let's talk about... Prayer
While so much of life was disrupted and so much church activity was paused last year, it could be argued that one thing that couldn’t be stopped by any restrictions was prayer. We can always approach God, and perhaps we found a greater emphasis on prayer or a freshness in how we prayed with others. Rev David Cupples (Enniskillen Presbyterian Church) and Lucy Hill (24/7 Prayer) join Rick Hill to...
51m Dec 01, 2021
51m
S2021 Ep46: 046 – Let’s talk about the parents as disciple makers
Christian parents who want to actively help their children follow Jesus may find that this role changes as their family gets older. In this episode, Dr. Gareth Crispin (Cliff College, England and father of 3) and Gillian Spiers (mum of 4 from First Dromara Presbyterian) are in conversation with Graeme Thompson (PCI Youth Development Officer) about how parents can disciple their young people. Th...
40m Nov 17, 2021
40m
S2021 Ep45: 045 – Let's talk about climate change
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference known as COP26 is currently meeting for twelve days of talks in Glasgow. To give an insight into why we as Christians, both individually and corporately should be concerned about climate change and suggest some practical ways we can respond, this episode hears from Rachael Thomas, a member of Knock Presbyterian and Gareth MacLean, minister of Orangefield Pr...
35m Nov 03, 2021
35m
S2021 Ep44: 044 – Let’s talk about restarting our children’s ministry
Ministry to children and families has been seriously impacted by the pandemic and we may have lost momentum that we had in this ministry previously. So, what are some of the things we need to think about as we restart children’s ministry for this season? For this conversation, Ruth Bromley is joined by Rev Mark Johnson (minister, St Andrew’s Bangor), Hazel Kyle (volunteer, Glengormley) and Ste...
35m Oct 20, 2021
35m
S2021 Ep43: 043 – Let's talk about Leadership
This isn’t an easy time to be a leader. The newness of the moment, the need to learn new skills, the pressures of decision-making among the vast array of opinions alongside constant changes and the need to generate momentum. So, what are we learning about leadership?  For this conversation, host Rick Hill is joined by Rev David Thompson (Secretary, CCLW), Rev Kathryn Viner (Minister, Malone) a...
44m Oct 13, 2021
44m
S2021 Ep42: 042 – Lets talk about the General Assembly
The General Assembly is meeting next week for the first time since June 2019. This episode looks ahead to the practicalities of what to expect and some of the themes being discussed this year as we are joined by the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rev Dr David Bruce, the Clerk of the General Assembly Rev Trevor Gribben and the Secretary for the Council for Global Mission Rev Uel Marrs. This ...
40m Sep 29, 2021
40m
S2021 Ep41: 041 – Engaging with the Bible
The Bible is part and parcel of congregational life, whether on Sundays or through the week, but this episode of the PCI Podcast explores how we are doing when it comes to Bible engagement. We live in a time where access to the Bible has never been higher and yet readership is in decline. Add to that the disrupted rhythms of the past 18 months.  So, in this conversation, Valerie Murphy (Precep...
35m Sep 22, 2021
35m
S2021: ‘Lapsed’ by Ferna – a song commissioned for, and performed at, PCI’s special centenary event, 'On these steps'.
Guests at the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) centenary event ‘On These Steps’, which took place on 17 September 2021, were treated to the premier of a specially commissioned song by the Belfast-based indie singer-songwriter, Ferna. The livestreamed event from PCI’s Union Theological College in south Belfast, marked the part played by the College in hosting the Parliament of Northern Ire...
4m Sep 17, 2021
4m
S2021 Ep40: 040 – Lets talk about rehabilitating church
The impact of the pandemic for declining churches has accelerated some towards the point of unsustainability. What might a journey of re-habilitation involve for congregations like this? This conversation with Rev Neil Stewart (Trinity Greyabbey and Cloughey) and Rev Marty Gray (Ravenhill) and hosted by Neil Harrison, seeks to share experience and wisdom in this area.
41m Sep 08, 2021
41m
S2021 Ep39: 039 – Getting re-started
The podcast returns after a summer break to bring you a fresh set of conversations over the coming weeks to help us reflect on the life and witness of our congregations at this time. This episode focuses on how we can be going about resuming and re-starting some of our rhythms in the months ahead. Host, Rick Hill, is joined by Rev Alistair Bates (Wellington) Hayley Cullen (Muckamore) and Matthe...
44m Aug 25, 2021
44m
Interview with Rt Rev Dr David Bruce re NIO’s legacy statement
On Thursday, 15 July 2021, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Right Honourable Brandon Lewis MP, published a Command Paper entitled, ‘Addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past’. In its response to the Secretary of State’s statement in the House of Commons, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said that key principles previously committed to by government, especially the right of ...
11m Jul 27, 2021
11m
S2021 Ep38: 038 – Keeping Going, Keeping Well
This is a challenging time to do ministry and the last year has been draining in so many ways for those who take a lead within our congregations. Therefore, for this episode, Rick Hill is joined by Dr Lena Morrow, Rev Jonathan Frazer and Rev David Allen to explore the whole area of rest and refreshment for ministry leaders. They explore things such as spiritual refreshment, self-care and Sabbat...
53m Jul 07, 2021
53m
S2021 Ep37: 037 - In conversation with PCI Global Mission Workers
The experience of the pandemic has been shared globally and as global disciples we have a responsibility to care and respond in appropriate ways. In this episode we have an opportunity to hear an update from three of PCI’s Global Mission Workers including Diane Cusick (Zambia), Rev Peter Fleming (Nepal), Rev Steve Kennedy (Romania).
41m Jun 23, 2021
41m
S2021 Ep36: 036 - Reconnecting in the summer season
With restrictions gradually easing, how might church leaders consider using the summer months with better weather and longer evenings, to renew church community and refresh church life. Walking with others, football, barbeques, and a church weekend are just some of the helpful ideas shared by Rev Marty McNeely (Ballykeel PC), Rob Bailie (Dundonald PC) and Sonya Anderson (Shore St PC).
42m Jun 09, 2021
42m
S2021 Ep35: 035 – The Church Recovery Guide
This episode is focused on congregations can recover core elements of their life and witness that has been lost over the past year. We hear from Author and Pastor Karl Vaters who unpacks some key themes from his recently published book called “The Church Recovery Guide.” He explores the need to re-assess our programmes, re-engage with volunteers and continue to use digital technology to engage ...
53m May 19, 2021
53m
S2021 Ep34: 034 –Journeying forward with young people
The pandemic has undoubtedly taken its toll on young people and it is important for us as adults to try to understand how it has impacted them. Katherine Dickson (The Big House), Ashley Parks (First Lisburn Presbyterian), and Lyndsay Shields (Hillsborough Presbyterian and GB district commissioner) each work closely with teenagers and share with Graeme Thompson their thoughts on the best way to ...
41m May 05, 2021
41m
S2021 Ep33: 033 – Re-building community in our congregations
In our last episode we explored how we could go about pursuing new connections with new people. This time we take a look within our church communities, to consider how we can go about re-building our congregational life together again. Host Rick Hill is joined by Rev Helen Freeburn (Galway) and Rev David McCullough (Annalong) to discuss opportunities of reconnection in the months ahead along wi...
40m Apr 21, 2021
40m
S2021 Ep32: 032 – Pursuing new connections with new people
One positive outcome of digital church is that it has never been easier for unreached people to go to church and yet we know that the experience and expression of church is one that is corporate. Digital communication, offering prayer, regular phone calls and distributing resource packs are just some of the helpful ideas shared by Rev Lachlan Webster (Craigavon Presbyterian) and Roberta Irvine ...
28m Apr 07, 2021
28m
S2021 Ep31: 031 – Resetting and rebuilding
We’ve heard lots over the last months about ‘road maps’ and in this episode of the podcast, three leaders in the life of our denomination join Rick Hill to reflect on the moment we are now in and how we can move forward. The current Moderator of the General Assembly Rev David Bruce, the Clerk of the General Assembly Rev Trevor Gribben and the Secretary for the Council of Congregational Life and...
44m Mar 23, 2021
44m
S2021 Ep30: 030 – Making the most of Small Groups
Meeting in smaller groups throughout the week is something that happens in many of our congregations and is one of the areas of church life that has been able to be maintained in various forms over the past year. Rick Hill (PCI) is joined by Rev Sam Mawhinney (Adelaide Road, Dublin) and Jonny Campbell (Orangefield / Alpha NI) to discuss howsmall groups have developed in their congregations in r...
34m Mar 10, 2021
34m
S2021 Ep29: 029 – Stories of God's ways among us
The creativity and courage of congregations and individuals is encouraging in stories of life and witness from across PCI including recipes, a drive-in cinema and the hope of sunflowers. These are some of the examples told by Neil Harrison and Pauline Kennedy along with guests Flo Houston (Conor) and Andrew Dawson (Second Dromara), as we hear good news stories of God’s ways among us, near and f...
40m Feb 23, 2021
40m
S2021 Ep28: 028 - Parenting in a pandemic
Parenting our children through the pandemic has been a challenge in many ways over the last 10 months. Caroline Hawthorne (Waringstown Presbyterian) and Marc Harding (West Church, Bangor) joined Ruth Bromley and Graeme Thompson to reflect and share about parenting children through lockdowns, homeschooling and faith journeys. They discuss challenges and opportunities that have arisen as families...
43m Feb 10, 2021
43m
S2021 Ep27: 027 - Living Witness
The simple practices of noticing others, being brave, asking good questions, looking for relationship opportunities and praying. These were some of the things that emerged from this conversation between a minister, a community outreach worker and a university student as Neil Harrison was joined by Rev Andy Carroll (Donabate), Rebecca Smyth (West Kirk) and Peter Hutchinson (Waringstown) to discu...
34m Jan 27, 2021
34m
S2020 Ep26: 026 - Living with it
The power of the phone call, pressing into God, doorstep conversations, sitting still and creating family moments of discipleship. These were some of the things that emerged from this conversation between a minister, a deaconess and a youth worker as Rick Hill was joined by Rev Ben Walker (Saintfield Road), Joanne Dunlop (Hospital Chaplain) and Andy Lamberton (Exodus North West) to discuss how ...
43m Jan 13, 2021
43m
S2020 Ep25: 025 - Discussing Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
Our final episode of 2020 has a special guest. Well-known pastor and author Jon Tyson joins Rick Hill to discuss the whole area of discipleship and spiritual formation. Jon is pastor of Church of the City New York, and has also written several books including "A Creative Minority" and his latest work "Beautiful Resistance". On the podcast he shares about the critical importance of spiritual for...
47m Dec 08, 2020
47m
S2020 Ep24: 024 - At Home for Christmas?
Where is home? And who do we include or exclude from our vision of home? This episode ties in with the launch of the Moderator's Christmas Appeal to benefit Christian Aid, Tearfund and PCI's partner churches across the world in their broad-ranging relief and development response to COVID-19. The Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, Rev Dr Liz Hughes (Global Mission Convener) and Rev Uel Marrs (Gl...
34m Nov 24, 2020
34m