The Moderator's Diary

Congregational Union Greetings 15th May

moderatorsdiary — Sat, 15 May 2010 12:46:01 +0000

Just back in from Ballynahinch from the Congregational Union AGM in Ballynahinch. each year they kindly invite our moderator of Synod to address their gathering. Paul Dowlings their new chairman for the year, warmly welcomed me and the other delegates. The meeting house was packed to capacity with their representatives from throughout Ireland. Sadly I was not able to be with them for the whole day due to other family commitments. During my brief visit with them I met up with a congregational minister who had sat in on some classes at the RTC when I was a student back in the early 90s. It was good to be able to have fellowship with the Lord’s people outside our own bounds and to be reminded that the Lord is at work right throughout His church, building His church as He sees fit. I shared with the friends there something of what the Lord has been doing in our denomination over these past few years and what we are praying that He will do in the days that lie ahead. The text I shared was John 3v30 He must increase and I must decrease.

In athletics terms I have rounded the final bend in my year as moderator and the finish line is in sight. I have some visiting that I would like to complete but as far as I know no more official engagements.

Visiting Rev. & Mrs D.J. Magee 10th May

moderatorsdiary — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:17:26 +0000

On a lovely bright summer’s evening I made my way out over the hills to the city on a hill itself, Rathfriland, and down into the Sleepy Valley to visit Rev. and Mrs Magee. Mr. Magee is of the senior statesman of the RP Synod. His experience as a minister of the gospel spans the half century and more. He is a Donegal man like his life long friend, the late FS Leahy. Mr. Magee was brought up in the Stranorlar congregation under the ministry of the late Rev. Campbell who he later succeed as minister of the Larne congregation. On completing two years at the then Theological Hall Mr. Magee traveled to the RPCNA seminary in Pittsburgh. During his time there he was licensed and at the end of his training received calls from both sides of the Atlantic. Thankfully he accepted the call from the joint charge of Fairview and Tullyvallen where he served before moving to Larne and then in latter years to his final charge of Rathfriland. Mr. Magee has served on the College Committee for over 50 years and has had an influence on generations of men training for the ministry. It was a real privilege to have time to chat and tap in to his vast experience of pastoral ministry. Thankfully Mr. Magee didn’t press me in any of my Greek which he is still a master at.

The hour at the Magee home passed too quickly and it was off to Newry to visit my parents.

Moderator and son with very sore legs!

moderatorsdiary — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:21:56 +0000

To those who have no might He increases strength. So says the prophet Isaiah. This little text echoed in my mind over and over throughout the gruelling 26 and a bit miles of the Belfast marathon. Two weeks before the event it looked as if I would yet again be a non starter, this time with a painful foot injury. But the Lord in His mercy give sufficient recovery to get to the starting line. However just a few minutes in to the course my foot was getting sorer with every step and there are about 70,000 of them to take in the marathon. By 12 miles I was beginning to consider the possibility of having to limp the remainder and hopefully be home before nightfall. By 16 miles the ache in my right knee and thigh and achilles tendon had intensified so much that the pain in my foot now felt like a tickle. But on we went. We had made a commitment to do something – run the marathon and raise some money for our designated charity (see previous post) and with God’s help we would finish if physically possible. By 18 miles James was flagging big time and looking as if he was heading on a goths outing and needed that fatherly encouragement – YOU ARE NOT STOPPING BOY – JUST KEEP GOING. He is an obedient son and on he plodded.

On our own we wouldn’t have made it – I would have dropped out at 12 miles and he at 17 – but we had made a commitment to one another and to a vast number of people who had kindly sponsored us – so stopping wasn’t on the radar.

I am thankful to God for an earthly father who has taught me if a job is worth doing it is worth doing well, what you start you finish and when you are committed to someone or something you stick at it till you have done all that you can do. I am thankful to my heavenly Father who has placed me a church where many of God’s people understand what commitment to the church is that we are in this race team not for our own promotion or well being but the good of every one else. I feel a great measure of sadness for the lone rangers, and let’s face it there are a few with the RP stamp, who are in the team (just about) and the successful finishing of the others never registers in their minds.

James and I would like to thank all our team members who have kindly donated to our charity.

We have well since passed the target of £500 and are now well on track to make the £1000 marker. The online giving is still operational and we would be glad to receive your late contribution (see previous post) We put the names on the running tops just in case you got us mixed up!

Closing Address at RTC Thursday 15th April

moderatorsdiary — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:29:24 +0000

The hall at Knockbracken RPC was filled as usual for the closing meeting of the RTC. Rev. Andrew Kerr presided as chairman of the meeting and Rev. John Hawthorne gave the report of the RTC congratulating all four students for successfully completing their examinations.

The text I decided to preach on was John 3:30 “He must increase but I must decrease.”

The four students now have a few weeks off before beginning the third term of placement. We give thanks to God for these men and continue to pray that the Lord Jesus will be pleased to provide us with more men to train for ministry.

Perhaps you are not in to praying for specific numbers for things but I have been praying for the past two years that the 2011 intake will have at least 6 men. If we are to really reach Belfast and the island of Ireland we need men called and equipped by God by the score. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest fields.

Moderator Planning Marathon Run

moderatorsdiary — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:53:40 +0000

The title was just to catch your attention. Seriously though, my son James and I are planning DV to run the Belfast marathon at the start of May. We are in the final weeks of training and so far no major injuries. A few weeks back we decided that we should put our pain to some good use, i.e. raise some money for charity. The charity that we are running for is The Cancer Prostate Charity. At present I have one family member and one friend coping with various stages of this common cancer. The stats for the UK are pretty alarming: one man dies every hour from prostate cancer, 35,000 men are diagnosed with this each year.

The deal is easy. James and I take the pain of training for a running the marathon – and YOU kindly donate – and men and their families throughout the UK benefit. We are hoping to raise £500 between us so your generosity will be most appreciated. You can sponsor us in one of two ways: follow the link below and donate on line or the next time you see either of us sign up on our form. All donations gratefully received.

Online Donations

Some more visits in March – Mrs Reid, Mrs Gilmour, Rev & Mrs W McCollum

moderatorsdiary — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:42:04 +0000

My first stop for the day was with Mrs Reid. I was looking forward to this visit very much as Mrs Reid is the widow of Rev. Sam Reid who was my minister when I was growing up in Riverside. Mr. Reid also served in Stranraer and Ballyclare. What a privilege to be able to read and pray with someone who has prayed for me for years. It was great to get caught up on the details of her son and daughters with whom I shared Sabbath school classes many years ago. I shared with Mrs Reid some of the many happy memories that I had of days in Riverside and the lessons that the Lord was weaving in to my mind decades ago through SLR’s ministry (as a boy I was always fascinated by my minister’s initials). The lesson that echoes repeatedly in my mind from Rev. Reid’s ministry was a question that I asked him when I was 17. At a united CY meeting I was interviewing him and asked, What keeps you in the ministry? To which he replied, “God has called me.” Those four words of a godly pastor have been used of God to keep me in the ministry over and over again throughout the past 15 years.

Mrs Reid wouldn’t be too keen in me saying too much about her – but I can’t resist – I know she will forgive me. I was struck in the hour that I had in her home – how this dear lady loved Jesus Christ more and more each day and delighted in His Word and His church. Her little kitchen notice board a place of prayer for the work of the kingdom. In her life I was reminded again of the wonderful sufficiency of the Lord for His servants in all the different seasons of life. In her love for the Church of the Covenant I could see once more that it was and it is the prayers of Mrs Reid and others like her that the Lord is using to pour down His blessing on us in our day.

Traveled a short distance from Mrs Reid’s home to visit another widow – Mrs Gilmour. She is the widow of the late Rev. Gilmour who served in Cullybackey for many years. Mrs Gilmour is an active and faithful member of the Cullbackey congregation. My visit with Mrs Gilmour was a real blessing for me. Though she is unable to hear we were able to communicate by me writing down on her notepad all that I wanted to say. She patiently followed along with her finger my poor writing – smiling and nodding at the appropriate places. This dear lady still is present in worship every Lord’s Day where she is helped in participating in the services by the minister providing his notes for her to read. Her example to a rising generation is fantastic. Sadly so many today have been sucked in by the idea – I will go to worship if it suits me. Mrs Gilmour and others of her generation go to worship because it delights God and encourages the church of Christ. We would do well to learn from these saints of God for whom the very dust of Zion is a joy.

From Mrs Gilmour’s home it was again a short trip to call with Rev Wallace and Mrs Margaret McCollum. It was a joy to be with these dear friends for lunch and to talk together of the things of Christ’ s Kingdom and His blessing on our families. Rev. McCollum served for many years in the Cullbackey congregation before taking early retirement but like so many of our men retirement isn’t really a word that Rev. McCollum knows. His service for Christ goes on in the Northern Presbytery in a host of ways – interim moderatorships, visiting, preaching, clerk etc etc. Any young man training for ministry should spend some time with this experienced pastor to learn how to love the people of God. Rev. McCollum is gifted with the blessing of remembering names of generation after generation of families. But perhaps it is not a gift at all – simply a heart that loves Christ and loves men and women and longs to see sinners draw near to Christ. Mrs McCollum’s assistance and help for her husband in his ministry continues to be a model that all minister’s wives can look to and learn.

It was such a privilege to have time with this godly couple. Do pray for them as they continue to serve Christ.

From Cullybackey I traveled on with Rev. McCollum to my aunt’s funeral in Ballymoney. Once more I had many reasons to thank God for the blessing of belonging to the RPCI. The minister Rev. Edward McCollum clearly and compassionately presented the gospel to the congregation. My mum and dad’s minister, Rev. Simon Sweeney had traveled to be there for their sake; Rev. W. McCollum had visited my aunt even though she was never a member of his congregation. I thank God that I belong to a church that preaches the word and the pastors seek to pastor God’s people.

EuCRC 16th – 19th March

moderatorsdiary — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:13:47 +0000

As moderator you get the odd wee trip. This one was to Edinburgh to the European Conference of Reformed Churches. It is a regional grouping of the ICRC of which the RPs are members. The conference was based at Heriot Watt uni. I have to say I wasn’t really looking forward to being away from the family for 4 days and with plenty to be getting on with in Dromore. However the days at the conference were stimulating and helpful. About 12 countries were represented. Just as well my Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Hungarian etc were all top drawer – NOT! I felt like the proverbial Philistine not being even able to greet other men in their language. Thankfully they all spoke perfect English. The theme of the conference was “Reaching Out Together in Europe (ROUTE). Prof Pratt was the main speaker dealing with the theme of reforming reformed evangelism. The conference was packed with talks, seminars and plenary sessions from early morning to late at night. It was exciting to hear what the Lord is doing throughout the continent of Europe through our brothers in Christ. We have much to learn. On Wednesday evening we had a trip in to Edinburgh to a Free Church building where Alex MacLeod gave a super paper on evangelism in a postmodern world from John 4. At supper time I had a chat with Willie Lytle Hannah Yeates who worship in the congregation. The closing sermon of the conference was delivered by Rev. Ian D. Campbell on II Corinthians 4v7. In between all the addresses there was time for chatting to the other 80 delegates and learning first hand from their experiences. I was particularly challenged on speaking with a minister from the India Reformed Christian Mission (I know it is not in Europe – I did a Geography degree). Maybe it is just that I am creeping up of the half century but he looked very young. In the past 10 years or so he had been used of God to found one congregation, get four church plants off the ground and set up a home for orphans. As I talked with my brother I thought – just what am I doing struggling to get a few sermons together each week, do some pastoral visiting and lead a midweek.

The big lesson that struck me during the week came in an illustration of Prof Pratt. He said that so many reformed churches are like the pioneers going out west in their wagon trains. When the Indians attacked they moved into a circle and the attack stopped. But those old Indians were clever – waiting for the train to move on again and then picking off the last wagon until there weren’t enough wagons left to make a circle. Sadly we are tempted too often to get into our circles – if we don’t reach out big style – we will soon not have enough wagons. He said “enclaves by definition disappear” “if you retreat from frontline evangelism then you can predict what will happen.”

Perhaps we have some serious rethinking to do.

Ordination & Installation of Philip McCollum 5th March

moderatorsdiary — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:21:59 +0000

Shaftesbury Sq was fairly well filled for this historic night in the witness of the RPCI in Belfast. As moderator I had the privilege of leading the opening devotions. Derek Petrie was assigned the task of preaching. Harry Coulter did the Exposition of Reformed Presbyterianism and Knox Hyndman the charge. It was a real blessing to be present and witness Phil being ordained and installed. How merciful and kind the Lord Jesus has been to our church by providing godly and gifted men to serve as ministers. As a denomination we should give ourselves to praying for the capital city of our Province. Nearly half a million men and women and children live in the city and we have one congregation in the centre and several on the periphery. Let us give ourselves to praying that the Lord Jesus would build His city within the city.

During the reception I had the opportunity to bring the greetings of Synod and the Presbytery to the new minister.

Galway 7th February

moderatorsdiary — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:29:07 +0000

One of the privileges of being Moderator is having the opportunity to visit some of mission works. On Saturday afternoon I made the journey south and east via the most amazing road network to Galway. The four and a half hour journey passed quite quickly with some time for reflection on what God has been doing in my own life.

Was warmly welcomed at Raymond & Carol’s home by their four girls who made me feel very much at home. (They even sneaked a few After Eights my way for the journey home.)

I had heard often about the Bridge club premises where the church meets so it was great to see it first hand. It was bright and airy room with good facilities for a cuppa after the service. Raymond led the worship and spoke to the children and I preached. I took II Chronicles 10v12 as my text, “We do not know what to do but our eyes are on you.” Experienced much liberty and help of God in bring His Word to the people there. Somewhere between 25-30 had gathered for worship. There were at least 5 countries represented that morning. It was encouraging to hear different languages spoken in the one room of God’s people. Sadly my Irish wasn’t up to scratch for the praise – but it was lovely to listen to the rendering of Psalm 117 and certainly the nations were praising Him.

There was time after the service to get to know one or two of the members and friends.

For decades our denominnation has been proclaiming the gospel in Galway Many lives have been touched by the power of the gospel. Men and women have laboured faithfully in the cause of Christ’s Crown and Covenant. We have much to thank God for as He builds His church in His way in that needy city.

Continue to pray for the elders and people in the church in Galway. Pray that they will know much of the Lord adding to their number those who are being saved.

Business of Synod Committee 18th January

moderatorsdiary — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:47:18 +0000

Some moderator’s have taken up the challenge of sitting in on meetings of every committee of Synod. This moderator nas no plans to do that. But having been invited by the clerk of Synod to attend the Business of Synod Committee I went along to see what they do. It is one of those committees that many wonder – what do they do? The answer is – a lot. Basically they keep things running in between meetings of Synod. They deal with all the correspondence which comes in from other churches, keep a tab on the business to be covered at meetings of Synod. The Committee is made of the clerk of Synod, the clerks of the four Presbyteries and a few others to keep an eye on things. Like all committees of the Synod this one two is responsible to synod – presenting its report each year so all can see what they do.

The meeting was on a Monday afternoon – not the best day for me personally – my brain is usual still a bit scrambled from Sabbath day.