Working visit to churches in Ireland

Rev F.W. van der Rhee went on a working visit to Ireland in June 2024. To the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ireland and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland to be precise. The trip report gives an idea of what such a working visit entails.

Saturday, June 8 - worry and gratitude

I fly from Schiphol Airport to London Heathrow and from there on to Derry Airport. Andrew Lucas picks me up from the airport. He suggests showing me something of the Northern Irish countryside first. We drive along the coast and visit some tourist hotspots. Andrew is pastor in the EPCI of Omagh. In this congregation, I will get to preach on Sunday mornings. Andrew is single. He has been pastor of Omagh since 2007. Before that, he was pastor in Belfast. However, this congregation has been dissolved.

Tensions in the Netherlands

Along the way, we soon come to talk about both our church affiliations. In response to Andrew's question about our prosperity as churches, I tell him that we face major differences and tensions as a denomination. I explain to him that the immediate cause is the confirmation of women in ministry by some 30 to 35 congregations, against the ruling of the 2022 Synod.

I tell him about the situation of our churches after the convention. The convention made it clear that our churches are deeply divided. This is not just about women and ministry. A different view of homosexual praxis and a different interpretation of Scripture than before also play a role here. I explain that there are differences in theological understanding and that some of our churches favour a freer view of church, Scripture and confession. I explain how synods have so far decided: no room for women in ministry and those in homosexual relationships should be barred from the sacrament. Unfortunately, several congregations now seem to disregard synodal decisions. In the process, church life is getting bogged down in classes. There are classes that admonish these churches, but other classes do not. The results of polls during the convention show the division well. Seventy-eight per cent want us to remain Presbyterian-synodal. Sixty per cent, however, want more leeway for local churches over synodal decisions.

Andrew responds compassionately. He recalls how he has seen in the GKV how all kinds of theological switches have been made at a very rapid pace. In 2018, the EPCI suspended contact with the GKV. Since the 2022 ICRC conference, contact has actually been broken. I assure him that the composition of our denomination is different from that of the GKV at the time. A significant proportion of our churches are concerned about the situation and want to remain classically CGK.

Gratitude in Ireland

Speaking about the situation of the EPCI, Andrew says there is much cause for gratitude. The EPCI now consists of nine congregations with a total of about 300 professing members. In his own congregation, he sees blessing at work. There is openness to those who live in the church's neighbourhood. They visit the 'carol service' especially around Christmas. The church building is full then. Previously, when young people started their education in the city, it was often the case that they did not return to their old congregations in the countryside. Lately, however, Andrew has been seeing young people returning. They are marrying and moving to Omagh and starting families there. People are also coming to faith from outside.

The municipalities of the EPCI are fairly homogeneous. There are no major issues at play like ours. From the Omagh congregation, four (!) missionary workers have been sent out for mission. Andrew recently visited one of them in Nigeria.

Pastor shortage

There are concerns about the pool of pastors. Most current pastors are from abroad. This includes Andrew, who is originally from the UK. However, he sees Northern Ireland as his home now. However, no new pastors are emerging from the home churches. There are no students in training at the moment. In some time, a number of pastors will retire. There will be no succession then. Currently, two congregations are vacant. In one of them (Ballyclaire), I will pastor on Sunday evenings.

Church life

Andrew talks a bit about church life in the EPCI. On Sundays, there are two services. During the week, there is a short service on Wednesdays. In the morning service, he currently covers 1 Timothy. In the evening services, he spits through the gospel of Luke with the congregation. He started doing this two years ago. In the weekday services, he preaches a short sermon. Currently, he is covering the life of Elijah.

Lodging address

Andrew takes me to Eric and Margaret Spence, an elderly couple living just outside Omagh. Until 2019, they were members of a Baptist congregation. Now they are faithful members in Andrew's congregation. They occupy a spacious house, where I have access to a private bedroom with its own bathroom.

It is nice to witness around the rich meal how Eric and Margaret give substance to home worship.

Sunday, June 9 - sermons on Genesis

At the breakfast table, I get to know Eric and Margaret better. They are both retired. Eric worked for the government and Margaret was a teacher at an HBO-type college. They have two daughters. Eric talks about the background of their transition to EPCI. They are very grateful for Andrew's place in their congregation. They see him as their pastor leading them spiritually.

Morning service in Omagh

With Eric and Margaret, I drive to the EPCI in Omagh. When we enter, Bibleclass (a kind of Sunday school) is already underway. Meanwhile, the parents of these children entertain themselves by watching an episode of Ligonier Ministries' Church History Lectures together.

Andrew has asked me to preach this morning. He leads the first part of the service, during which he also briefly interviews me. I minister the word from Genesis 28:10-22, 'A Bethel Church for Jacob'. Afterwards, I hear that the sermon went over well. There is much cordiality and at the door I shake hands with all the churchgoers, about 50 in total.

After another rich meal at Eric and Margaret's house, which Andrew also joined, Andrew drives me to my next stop. I get to be a guest of David and Heather Watson. Heather's elderly mother has been living with them for some time. She turns out to be a scratchy lady, enjoying her old age with the necessary humour.

Evening service in Bellyclare

David is an elder in the congregation of Ballyclare. That is where I get to preside that evening. He is also a 'trustee' of the EPCI's bookshop in Belfast. This bookshop was there before the EPCI itself. It was founded by William Greer, one of the preachers who were expelled from the ministry in the 1920s and thus gave birth to the EPCI.

In the service, John, David's son from his second marriage, plays the piano excellently. From his first marriage, David has a daughter who is married and lives in London. Her husband is a pastor in the IPC. David tells me that the IPC is growing. It is a reliably Reformed denomination. The next day, he and his other daughter will fly to London to man a booth at the IPC's annual pastors' conference.

The congregation of Ballyclare is vacant at the moment. The previous pastor has retired. David also tells me about the concerns in the EPCI about the succession of pastors. In recent years, there are hardly any students studying theology with the intention of becoming pastors.

The congregation meets in a beautiful little church. There are about 40 churchgoers this evening. Among them a Dutch couple from the CGK of Goes, who are on holiday. They were guests of Andy Hambleton's congregation that morning and heard from him that I would be presiding in Ballyclare.

This evening too, the sermon on Genesis 28:10-22 appears to be coming across well. At the door of the church, I meet several hearers and they give a good testimony.

Young people in the church

On the way back, David updates me on the challenges facing Christians in Northern Ireland. These are similar to ours: an ongoing secularisation, manifested among other things in a changing outlook on various ethical issues. These social developments affect young people in the church in particular.

I talk to David about the history of the EPCI. He gives me the book 'By honour and dishonour. The story of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church', written by Ernest C. Brown.

After a good dinner, I leave for my room on time. Also at David and Heather's place, I enjoy a private room with bathroom.

Monday, June 10 - start of the synod

On Monday morning, I am picked up by Gareth Burke. He is the pastor of Stranmillis congregation in the south Belfast area. He hopes to retire later this calendar year. Gareth is the chairman of EPCI's 'Church development'. He takes me to a large garden centre, which also has a restaurant section. At the entrance to the garden centre, we meet by chance Ernest Brown, the chronicler of the EPCI. He is an elder in the EPCI.

Insufficient manpower

Over coffee and scones, I speak with Gareth Burke and Andrew Lucas. This conversation has the character of an official, church meeting. Andrew is chairman of 'Church Relations'. The following comes up:

1. I explain to Gareth Burke the tensions that exist in our denomination at the moment. Earlier I spoke to Andrew about this.
2. Gareth apologises on behalf of the EPCI for turning down financial support for the evangelism project in Londonderry. Although it is not directly named, I notice a certain embarrassment towards Willem van 't Spijker, who was previously in Northern Ireland from DZ for this project. A Bible study group had sprung up in Londonderry. This met once a week and was run in rotation by its own pastors. This continued for some time and the work was surrounded by prayer. Unfortunately, it proved unsustainable. The distance the pastors had to travel weekly was always considerable. It became too much of a burden. A search was made for someone to settle there to do a church plant. Unfortunately, this person was not found. The project stopped for that reason. The lack of 'manpower' was the reason for it.
3. Church Development is currently in a difficult situation as a committee. It is struggling with limited resources. This is more about manpower than finances. Contacts have been made with the RPCNA to deploy workers from America. Unfortunately, these contacts are proving difficult. Promises have been made, but not kept so far.

After the talk, Andrew Lucas takes me to Belfast. We first visit the bookshop there. This bookshop was once founded by Rev W Grier and was at the birth of the EPCI. On the way, we take another look at the synod building of the Protestant Church of Ireland. Andrew tells me that this 'PKN' of Ireland was very liberal for a long time. Meanwhile, there are good signs. Almost exclusively conservative professors are appointed to the pastorate. This will eventually be noticeable in the churches.

He then treats me to a visit to the docks where the Titanic was once built. We visit the beautiful new museum that stands there. We then have dinner at the Watsons' and I say goodbye to Heather and her elderly mother. David, meanwhile, has left for a visit to the IPC's Calyster Conference in London.

Vulnerable and hopeful

After dinner, Andrew drives me to Limavady. There, the bicentenary synod of the RPCI is opened. Outgoing moderator Rev Stephen Wright presides. He preaches on Psalm 72. At the beginning of his sermon, he names the situation of the RPCI at that time. Over the last five years, the number of 'communicant members' has declined by eight per cent. More than half the congregations consist of 30 or fewer professing members.

These figures can be discouraging. Wright stresses, however, that Psalm 72 gives hope. He highlights four points:

1. The King in this psalm rules over the whole world. He rules over more than just the Israel of David's time, cf. verse 8. He rules over everything. So also over Ireland!
2. The King reigns forever, cf. v. 7 and 17. Who is this King? It is about Jesus Christ.
3. King Jesus protects us. He protects precisely that which is weak and vulnerable. He is like a personal bodyguard. There are organisations and lobby groups that want to destroy Christianity. But there is also sin within ourselves, trying to destroy us. The devil fights against us. In James 4, we are called to resist the devil. This can only be done in Jesus' strength.
4. King Jesus makes us prosperous, cf. verse 3. He provides growth and abundance. Verse 16 even speaks of wheat in places where you wouldn't expect it. The Holy Spirit wants to work powerfully to this end. He can also give growth to the RPCI.

We cannot do without this King Jesus. Look to Him for protection, prosperity and blessing. Don't allow yourself the thought that it would be impossible. So pray through the psalm, slowly and in the meantime, apply it to your own life.

Standards and values

After the opening of the synod, from the Southern Presbytery, Philip Murphy is nominated as the new moderator. The RPCI has four presbyteries (north, east, west and south), which meet several times a year. It was this presbytery's turn to nominate a new chairman. Philip Murphy became a pastor later in life. He is pastor in Tullyvallen and is 69 years old. He hopes to retire in not too long, but has been persuaded to serve as chairman this synod period. In doing so, the presbytery has managed to delay his retirement.

The synod president, by the way, still has the necessary tasks after the synod closes. He visits eminent pastors, maintains contacts with local congregations and is involved in the deployment of missionaries and missionary workers. He represents the face of the denomination as a whole.

After Philip Murphy addressed the assembly, Rev Dr Richard Turnbull addressed the synod. He is serving the Christian Institute. This organisation is committed to Christian values and standards in society. It is an organisation that seeks to equip both Christians in all denominations from a conservative Christian perspective, usually on moral issues. In addition, they have been more successful in establishing themselves firmly in the social debate. They are successful in their Christian lobbying. The RPCI has links with this organisation and cooperates with them.

This reveals something at the beginning of the synod that is named at several points in the assembly and also in conversations outside it. There is a strong antithesis to the liberal culture in which with church should be. In my experience, this is much more deeply rooted in theology, church and church teaching than is the case with us. One actively opposes all kinds of lobbies in ethical areas such as abortion, euthanasia, gender, LBTI, marriage, etc. One does so not only from negation, but also from a positive interpretation and heartfelt preaching of Biblical norms and values. To do that cordially requires a lot of Christian education. There is a group of parents in the RPCI who do that through homeschooling. Either way, they want to be nourished by a lot of online material, for formation and equipping church members.

Turnbull sees three dangers facing churches in today's culture: religious liberalism, state interference in what the church says and thinks, and education. 'We are losing the idea of a well taught people of God.'

The synod is then addressed by a number of sister churches from abroad. On behalf of the RPCNA, Rev Noah Bailey (pastor in Cambridge, Boston US) addressed the assembly. He is attending the synod with his wife. Rev Stephen Steele is also present on behalf of the RPC of Scotland and addresses the assembly.

At work

The evening closes with worship by the new moderator. He preaches on Haggai 2:1-9. God does not exhort but urges the Israelites to get back to work. God's work can be hard. It can seem too big for us. The Israelites who returned from exile were weak and few. We live in the same situation.

We must then do three things, as Israel had to do. First, ask ourselves whether the current state of affairs is the way things should be (cf. v.3). We know the stories from our history of full churches and Sunday schools of 1,000 children. That was not very long ago. Now there are sometimes only so few. Should it be like this? How do we look at our people? And when I say this, what yardstick am I using? Not that of society itself, but that of God's Word.

Second, pick up the tasks and get to work, cf. v. 4 and 5. In doing so, God gives us His promise. He strengthens us.

Third, we must trust His promises. After all, right now the temple is still a mess. If we do what God calls us to do, we will see the impact. In doing so, we need to be bold and willing to step outside our own comfort zone.

John McCallum is an elder in the Limavady congregation. I get to sleep at his farmhouse. Again, I have access to my own spacious bedroom with its own bathroom. John is also the one who manages everything around the synod.

Tuesday, June 11 - mission and prayer

This day, I am attending the synod all day. I have been handed a booklet, which contains the agenda and related reports. This makes everything easy to follow. A few things stand out to me.

Churches are financially sound. The overall budget is going up by a third. Still, they expect to be able to raise it.

There is a lot of focus on missions. There are missionaries active in church plantings in France and Spain. In addition, there is a church planting in Limerick, Ireland. One is also active in the International Mission to Jewish People. Subcommittees report from each area. There is an extra focus on the work in Spain. After five years, a committee visited for a deeper look into the work.

After all the reports on missionary work, an hour is taken for prayer. The moderator opens this prayer. Synod members then stand up to pray. The moderator ensures that in four times 15 minutes, all four mission areas are addressed.

In the afternoon, John Rodger, pastor in the EPCI, opened the meeting and then also addressed the synod. He reported that the EPCI has many blessings. The summer youth camps are attended by 100 young people. Several missionary workers have been sent out. Challenges mentioned include small churches, lack of pastors and ageing congregations. The cessation of missionary work in Londonderry is also mentioned. As dangers, Rodger names a spirit of cynicism ('maintenance mode') and worldliness.

Surrounding Northern Ireland's version of 'ANBI status' is the question of to what extent the RPCI wants to be labelled as a 'welfare organisation'. This is because it means making changes to the church order. This raises the question of whether the state will not gain influence over the church's speech and thinking through this amendment. After all, the state can then set and impose conditions. Once ANBI status is applied for, there is no turning back. It is not possible to undo that application. Some in the synod do not think it will go that far. The committee dealing with this will take all deliberations on board and come up with a proposal at a future synod.

In the evening meeting, Rev Andrew Allen addresses the meeting via Zoom on behalf of the FCC. On behalf of the RPC in Canada, Rev Andrew Quickley does so. The RPC in Canada has not long become independent of the RPCNA.

At the end of the meeting, I address the synod on behalf of our churches. After my address, the moderator addresses me briefly. He asks to send greetings to the brothers and sisters in the Netherlands. He promises that there will be prayer for our churches in view of the synod. It is the prayer of the RPCI that our churches will be obedient to God's Word and confession.

Wednesday, June 12 - work in municipalities

I am still fully experiencing the morning meeting of the synod. The meeting opens with a 'devotion' by Rev Paul Wallace. In a particularly penetrating sermon on Ezek 34: 1-17, he encourages the pastors and elders present at the synod. He identifies six 'fundamentals' that constitute Christ's method of shepherding the flock of God. He urges synod members to take up this work without hesitation. It is the job description for our work.

1. Find the lost sheep.
2. Feed the hungry sheep.
3. Bring back the wandering sheep.
4. Bandages wounded sheep.
5. Strengthen weak sheep.
6. Punish the sheep that do not belong to the flock.

Following this, there is another hour of prayer, this time for all the work being done in the congregations.

Several smaller reports come up next. Most of these are disposed of fairly quickly. A more extensive conversation develops about the lack of manpower, now that there are 9 vacant positions. There are 2 students preparing for preaching at the theological school. In the next two years, there are six pastors who will retire. Several solutions are suggested from the meeting:

• Is it possible for communities that are geographically close to each other to work together? In doing so, a rotation of buildings is recommended, so that ties to local communities are maintained.
• Can't small congregations leave their buildings and meet in a new (rented) location? That could give new appeal.
• Presbyteries need to think strategically about building church buildings. Is the money being used properly?
• Attention is drawn to pastors who serve several congregations on Sundays. They often have to make long journeys. How do you prevent them from getting burnout?
• The idea is floated that a pastor presides for several congregations at the same time in a central place. This spot can then rotate.
• It is noted that if this is the direction in which we think, more elders are needed to organise and nurture local congregational life without a permanent pastor.
• The cry for help is raised: where are the young people from our own churches to become pastors?
• It is not just a problem of too few pastors, but also of too few people. Afternoon services are not as well attended as morning services. There is spiritual sunkenness in congregations. Where is the heartfelt love for God and the accompanying church attendance?
• One of the delegates came up with figures. In 2005, there was a total of 1960 professing members. In 2015, it was 1,900. By 2023, the number had dwindled to 1700. He argues that we sometimes deceive ourselves by paying much attention to mission. Then it seems like the churches are alive and thriving. However, we have forgotten to pray for our own church members. We look too much at mission in other countries and too little at mission in our own areas.
• A young preacher is less negative. He suggests getting to work and expecting much from the Lord. After all, He is the King of His Church.

After lunch, I experience a short part of the afternoon meeting. Then John McCollum takes me to the airport in Derry. On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, I am back home after a prosperous journey. 

Fruit picking and observations

Looking back, this was a good and important visit. I see the next fruits.

• The speech at the RPCI synod highlighted our current precarious church situation. Initially, I was unsure whether the Dutch openness I had displayed had been appreciated. On Wednesday, however, I spoke to many brethren around the meeting time. They showed great compassion and promised prayer. I tasted the brotherly bond clearly. I also tasted this in the contacts with the EPCI.
• There was good time to make contacts. I spoke with at least 20 to 25 brethren for shorter or longer periods during these days. I got to know well the mode of church-going of EPCI and RPCI and what is current in these churches.
• It was much appreciated on the part of the EPCI that I presided twice. People were grateful for the sermons delivered and there was good attention.
• It was much appreciated on the part of the RPCI that I was able to visit the synod through Wednesday morning. One appreciated the commitment shown therein.
• The RPCI is a denomination focused almost exclusively on its own RP family (Scotland, Australia, Canada, USA). We are the only denomination abroad with which there are official ties. In that, I see a mutual interest. For the RPCI, it is good to hear a voice from outside. For us, it is good to see how this old denomination holds a (in my opinion) fresh form of conservatism. People realise they are church in an ancient tradition and the basis for being church is unshakable.