Podcasts from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

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...

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 podcas...

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 sh...

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 with...

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. We...

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 getti...

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, how c...

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 Jason...

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 Deve...

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 Go...

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 those...

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 the Mod...

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 Gi...

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 to g...

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 lear...

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 Mo...

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 Hill...

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 th...

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 expe...

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 some...

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 bein...

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 Alliance...

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 res...

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 upd...

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 ta...