An Update on the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland

Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) and the Republic of Ireland share the island of Ireland. This isle on the edge of Europe, typically known for its greenness, the Troubles, Catholicism, Celtic culture, and conservative mindsets, is rapidly changing. Recently, gay marriage was approved in the Republic by means of a public referendum, and many are pushing for Northern Ireland to also approve it. Both Catholic and traditional Protestant denominations have seen a huge decline, as it is no longer the norm to attend church on Sunday. Ireland is becoming increasing multicultural and secular in its outlook, following a similar pattern in mainland Europe.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (RPCI) has had a presence on the island for 400 years. It currently has 42 churches, 35 of these in Northern Ireland and the remainder in the Republic of Ireland. These churches are geographically close, and the farthest churches are within a two-hour drive of each other. This proximity creates opportunities for a large number of denominational and presbytery events. In recent years the RPCI has enjoyed the blessing of an increased number of ministers in the denomination and, thus, fewer empty pulpits.

The RPCI is the only psalm-singing, a cappella denomination in Ireland, although it enjoys close relations with some other conservative Presbyterian denominations.

The RPCI has historically been a rural denomination, with churches found in the towns and villages where Scottish migrants settled in the 16th Century. In recent years, there has been a desire to break new ground. There have been 8 church plants since 1982 that focus on the larger towns in Northern Ireland.

Many churches are involved in evangelistic efforts to reach the local communities. Approaches include traditional methods like holiday Bible clubs, parent and toddler groups, and leaflet distributions, plus more novel ideas like public meetings on topics that affect people today, English classes for foreign nationals, and upcycling events to attract those with creative abilities. The goal for these events is to establish friendships within the community, speak the gospel into their lives, and encourage the community to visit the church. Frequently, churches offer special services and introduction to Christianity courses to for those interested the gospel.

Reaching the Republic of Ireland has proven to be a difficult task. While Northern Ireland has many evangelical churches, the Republic of Ireland has the lowest percentage of evangelical Christians in the English-speaking world. The RPCI has two church plants in the Republic of Ireland, Galway and Letterkenny, which have recently been established as congregations. The Galway church, known as Covenant Christian Fellowship, also operates a town bookshop that sells Christian books and secondhand books, which has proven to be a useful ministry. Exploratory work in the Republic of Ireland continues in North Dublin and Waterford.

Another difficult field to sow is France. The Irish RP Church has had a mission work in the city of Nantes since 1988. The missionaries are involved in a variety of initiatives to meet people, and a number of internationals worship with them, but the French people have proven to be hardened to the gospel message. Currently there are two missionary families in Nantes, the Balls and the Lytles.

Although the RPCI is a small denomination, they are blessed to have their own seminary: the Reformed Theological College. All of its professors are full-time pastors, which provides students with not only theological training but also an insight into pastoral ministry from each of their professors. Three students are currently training at the Reformed Theological College, including one guest student. The college intake works on a three-year cycle, meaning that the college accepts new students only once every three years. The current students have nearly completed their first year.

RPCI young people, many of whom grow up in congregations where they are the only young people of their age, enjoy weeklong summer camps where they learn God’s Word and participate in fun activities. The denomination has five yearly summer camps for those age 10 to 25, plus a family camp every two years. Covenanter youth are active in individual congregations and at presbytery- and denomination-wide events. Many young people are also involved in GO teams, which are outreach teams that help RP congregations for a week through activities like holiday Bible clubs, leaflet distributions, and other ministries that the congregation might not be able to handle themselves. These teams often prove to be stepping-stones to longer-term missions, whether in Ireland or further afield.

Prayer Points

• Pray for the island of Ireland, that God would convict sinners of their sins and show them that salvation is found in Christ alone.
• Pray for revival in the evangelical churches in Ireland, where many people continue to have a traditional tie although they are spiritually are dead.
• Pray for opportunities among Catholic communities, now that the Catholic church no longer has a hold on its people. Pray that culturally ingrained suspicions regarding evangelical churches would be removed so that more effective evangelism can take place.
• Pray specifically for the Irish RP Church. Ask that God would bless the congregations in their efforts to reach family and friends and their local community with a rich harvest.
• Pray for more opportunities to plant churches, particularly in the Republic of Ireland, and that God would provide the resources to enable this to happen.
• Pray for the mission work in France, and ask that God would bless this work with a thriving congregation.
• Thank the Lord for an increase in ministers in the RPCI, and pray that God would continue to raise up men to serve in local churches and farther afield.
• Pray that God would bless young people, so that they would follow the footsteps of their parents and respond to their privileged position of growing up in a Christian home.

Author Philip McCollum is the associate pastor of Shaftesbury Square RPC in Belfast, Northern Ireland, U.K.