Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Iveagh Presbytery

Glascar Presbyterian Church

Presbytery Consultation 2014

Congregational Analysis Sheets

Questions and Responses

1. WORSHIP

2. FELLOWSHIP

3. DISCIPLESHIP.

4. MINISTRY

5. MISSION

Worship

WorshipistheactivityofthewholebodyofthePeopleofGodanddependsonthe participationandresponseofthewholecongregation(Heb.10:24-25)_-It shouldhelp youtoexperience God’smajestyandmercy(Ps.95:6-7);toaccept God'slovein Christ(John3.16-17)andto offer ourselvescompletelyinHisservice(Romans12:1).

Thereisaneedforstructureandfreedom(John4:24).

Questions

1. TheShorterCatechismstatesthatourchiefaimis"toglorifyGod andenjoy himforever".HowdoesyourSundayworshipenableyourcongregation to do this? Inwhatwayscoulditbeenhanced?

2. Inyourworship(onSundaysandother occasions) whatopportunitiesareprovidedforeveryonetoparticipateinameaningfulway?

3. How do you try in your worship to reflect the experiences and expectations of the different ages, sexes, cultures and social backgrounds?

4.a.Inwhatways doesthearchitectureofyourchurchbuildingseitherenhanceorhinderyourcongregation'sworshipofGod?

b. Howcouldyourfacilitiesbebetterutilizedorimprovedtoenhanceworshipinthelifeofyourcongregation?

Glascar Response

1. ThroughtheministryoftheWord,PrayerPraise(usingorgan, piano and praise band )andseekingtoinvolvecongregation.

Above needstobeworkedatmore

More preparation and coordination within choir and between choir and new praise band.

By greater enthusiasm.

ThroughHolySpiritrevival and empowerment.

2.Specialservicesgivequitea lot of involvement (PW, Children's Day,Youth,GoodFridayand Christmas).

SomeonereadingScripturesregularlyattheservice.

To include various ages and genders to collect offering.

Reports presented to congregation by those on mission teams at home and abroad.

3. Throughpreachingministry

Children'stalk.

Mission Praise can appeal to younger people provided newer songsbeingsung.

Music·reflectingallgenerations.

4. Churchlayoutscatterspeople, but also means that all are close to front.

Difficulttoseeraisedpodiumareafromgallery.

Possibly explore more regular use of power point..

Fellowship

Christianfellowshipisaboutsharingwhatwehaveincommonasfellowbelievers.ForthefirstChristians,therefore,meetingtogetherwasextremelyimportant(Acts·2:42-47).Inevery·placewheretheChurchwasestablished,theimportanceofgoodrelationshipswithfellowchurchmemberswasstressed(Philippians2:1-4).

Questions

1. Whatarerelationshipslikegenerally:

Withinyourcongregation?WithinyourKirkSession?

Withinandbetweenyourorganizations?

Betweenleaders?

Withothercongregationsanddenominationslocally?

2. WhatisbeingdonebyyourKirkSessiontopromotefellowship

withinyourcongregation?Howareyoutryingtomakenewcomersfeel

welcomeandwhatareyoudoing toincorporate themintothelifeofthe

church?

3. Whatisitmosthindersfellowshipwithinyourcongregation,and

whatmostencouragesit?

4. WhatinparticularisbeingdonetodemonstrateGod'slovetothose withdeep­feltneeds:

a.peopleWithpracticalneeds?

b.peoplewithemotionalneeds?

c.peoplewithspiritualneeds?

HowdoesyourKirkSessionpromotesuchanattitudeofcaringforoneanother?

5.Whatwouldyoudotorestorefellowshipwhererelationshipshave brokendown?

Glascar Response

1. Overallgoodwithin Glascar and between GCandDonaghmore, also between other local congregations.

2. Throughrefreshmentsregularlyat/after services/ meetings. Souplunchonceperyear.

FellowshipopportunitiesprovidedviadiscussionatMid-week.

GoodfellowshipatBowlsClubandalsoatBibleStudy/Prayertimes.

B-Seektowelcomenewcomersatthedoorsand/oraftertheservice.

C– Extending invites to new families through mums and toddlers.

Visiting new families who move to the area.

Fostering Fellowship by holding church BBQ, social events and organizations.

3.A-Disputesifsucharise;lackofChristian/Churchcommitment.·

Over-busynessbysomemembersindailylife. Opportunitiestointeractoveracupoftea;encouragingpeoplenottorushaway

4. Minister and/or session seektorespond tosuch via pulpit

andpastoralministryasandwhenawareofsuchneeds.

Weseeneedtobeawareofandsupportiveof"carers".

VisitsofKirkSessionincase'sofsicknessanddeath.

D-By example,evenifnotperfect-needtogivemoreattention tothis.

Seektodealwithanyproblemsearly.

ToresolvesuchinaslowakeywayaspossibleaccordingtotheScriptureguidelinesofMatthew18.

Discipleship

Ephesians 4:11-13 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Questions

1. How are members being encouraged to deepen their understanding of the gospel and their commitment to Christ?

2. What are the aims and approaches being used to promote discipleship through Christian education programs for various age groups, through leadership development and in preparation for baptism, communion and full church membership?

3.How are the members being equipped to address the main priorities identified by your congregation for mission beyond your own membership (in terms of evangelism/outreach, meeting social needs, peacemaking, etc.)?

4.How are your members being taught to exercise appropriate stewardship in terms of their gifts, abilities, times and financial resources in support of both the local congregation and the wider work of the church?

Glascar Response

  1. ThroughpulpitministryandtheMidWeekespecially.

All organisations charged with this.

Having already completed Christianity explored we are currently running an Alpha course.

  1. Throughchildren'sandyouthsetprograms; GBBBhavetheirownformaltrainingprogram:keepingtoorg,aimsemphasized, via

Sunday school, Teens and Twenties and Ignite.

Through·preparationforBaptismandChurchmembership.

  1. Seektoeducatecongregationre.needsandresponsetosuch.

Aspecificfocusonwitnessingwouldbeuseful.

Needtomakemorepracticalmemberscallandchallengetobesaltandlightinsociety.

By encouraging mission teams.

  1. Through pulpit ministry and promoting needs and opportunities.

Seek to encourage people in the use of their gifts where they are willing.

Summer teams at home and overseas brought to the attention of the congregation.

PCI Publications promoted.

Missionary speakers presenting challenge.

Deaconess at PW service.

Supporting overseas work, such as metro ministries, Kids4school etc

Ministry

The patternofChristianministryisprovidedbythelifeof Christwho"camenottobeservedbuttoserve". (Mark10:45).

"Eachoneshouldusewhatevergifttheyhavereceivedtoserveothers,faithfullyadministeringGod’s graceinitsvariousforms.Ifanyonespeaks,theyshoulddoitasonespeakingtheverywordsofGod.IfanyoneservestheyshoulddoitwiththestrengthGodprovidessothatinallthingsGodmaybepraised throughfeslL5Christ". (1Peter4:10,11).

Questions

1. TheNewTestamentspeaksofaChurchinwhicheachmembersharesinsomeaspectofministry. Howdoyouseektodevelopthisinyourcongregation?

2. Whatroledoesyourminister(s)haveintheoverallministryofyourcongregation?

Inwhatspecificwaysisthisroleimplemented?

3. Whatrolesdoyoureldershaveintheoverallministryofyourcongregationandinwhatspecificwaysaretheyseeking tofulfillthese?

4. HowdoesKirkSessionimplementitsleadershiprolewithintheoverallministryof thecongregation?

5.WhataretheopportunitiesandchallengesfacingthosewithresponsibilityforChristianteachingwithinyourcongregation?

6. Howare thepastoralneedsofyourcongregationbeingmet?

7. Whatopportunitiesarebeingaffordedtoyoungpeopletoexercisetheirspecificministrieswithinyourcongregationandlocality?

Glascar Response

1. Weencourageourmemberstogetinvolvedwiththeirvariousgifts

Opportunity given via lifting offering, reading the Scriptures,welcomingatthedoors.

Peopleareasked,butdon'talwaysrespondpositively-encouragingpeopletotryoutgiftsontrialbasiswouldprobablybehelpful

2.Spiritualoversightwithsession.

Thatofteacher,preacher,pastor,initiator,motivator,administer, delegator.

3.Spiritualoversightwithminister.

Visitincasesofsickness,bereavement,organizing and encouraging fellowship.

InvolvedinSundaySchool,Choir,Finance.

4. Throughseekingtodrawingup and implement policy.

OverseeingtheChildProtectionPolicy.

Baptisms/newcommunicantchurchmembersbroughtbefore

session.

5. Most childrenattendSunday·Schooland SSteachers seektoattendteachertraining-someneedmoretraining.

Ignite Youth Group and Teens and Twenties

6.Ministertakesmainresponsibilityforthis.

Sessionconsultedandinvolvedwherenecessary.

Sessionvisit their districts andseekto keepministerinformed.

7.Inyouthorgsopportunityisgiventobeinvolvediftheystayon

HolidayBCprovidesopportunityforinvolvementfrommidteensup.

Wider opportunities made known to YP.

Through worship services, praise band, Presbytery youth events etc.

Mission

"Mission"conveys thebiblical ideaof "beingsent"(John20:21) Thechurch's missionencompasseseverything thatfJesussendshispeopleintotheworldtodo.

Amongthetasksofmissionare:

i) Bearingwitness(Acts1:8)whichmeansboththeverbalcommunicationofthegospeland thevisual demonstration of itspower tobringnewlife and hopetohumanrelationshipsandcommunities.

ii) Showingwhatitmeansinpracticetobeareconciledandliberatedcommunityinthemidst ofacorrupt,distressedanddespairingworld..

iii)Servinghumanbeingswithoutdistinctionandwhatevertheirneed.

Questions

1. Whatgoalshaveyousetasanevangelistic communityandwhatprogresshave youmadeinattainingthem?

2. Howwouldyouevaluateyourevangelisticstrategiesoverthepastfive years?

3. Whatchangesinyourcommunityrequirenewstrategiesforeffectivemission?

4. Inwhatwaysaremembersenthusedandequippedaswitnessesintheirhomes andplacesofwork,studyandsocializing?

5. Inwhatways,bothcorporatelyandindividually,areyouendeavoringtofulfillthecommissiontobe"saltandlight"inthecommunityinwhichyouareplaced?

6. Howdotheprograms andactivitiesoforganizationsshowthatleaderssee theirworkaspartofthemissionoftheChurch?

7. Howdomembersidentifywithandinvolvethemselvesinthewidermissionof thePresbyterianChurchinIreland(BoardofMissionforIreland, OverseasMission, Social Witness, etc)?

Glascar Response

1. PreachingoftheGospelandresponsetoit.

Progressongoinginvaryingdegrees.

Clearneedforspecificevangelisticministry.

Drawing up mission plan.

2. Website established, Moms and Toddlers established, Alpha. running, social events, BBQ by elders for their districts.

New organizations for youth, Teens and Twenties.

3. Lessandlessfulltimefarming.

Less commitment to local church hence we are running our alpha course in the local school as a neutral environment.

4. Throughpulpitministry.

PrayerministryforGod'sHolySpirit.

5. Callingpeopletoliveouttheirfaithindailylifewhere"rubberhits the road.

Through contact with members and through visitation andencouragingtowitness.

6.GBBBhaveenrolmentservice.

Allleadersremindedand challenged to seetheir work aspart oftheChurch'smissionandoftheimportanceoftakingtheirvowsandpromises seriously.

7.Havingmissionaryspeakersforspecialservices-PW;MWF; AF.

Through supportof United AppealandWorldDevelopment.

Involvementwithmissionteamsathomeandoverseasencouraged

Movingforwardtohavingacongregational representativewouldbehelpful.

Encourage practical demonstrations of God’s love to wider community.