Meeting the challenge of church finance; Eco–Congregation Ireland‘s inaugural conference; Irish College of Preachers’ Conference 2012
Meeting the challenge of church finance
Fewer churches are looking to undertake large new building projects – the challenge is more about finding ways to sustain ongoing ministry. It is with this in mind that Creed Ireland is launching a new programme entitled CREED Pro–VISION.
CREED Pro–VISION is designed to help local churches successfully rise to the challenge of sustaining and developing ongoing ministry, even in financially challenging times. The programme has been developed over two years and has been piloted in nine churches.
It may come as a shock to realise that there are over 2,300 injunctions regarding wealth and poverty in the Bible. In fact there are more than all the references to heaven, hell and love combined. This gives a sense of God’s priority for the wise and ethical stewardship of money as well as ministry that has confidence in His provision.
Following the principle that money follows vision CREED Pro–VISION offers churches a step–by–step process that gives two essential things. Firstly it helps churches understand what God is calling them to do in terms of ministry in their local community. On that foundation it then gives practical tools for addressing finance by biblical teaching, prayer and action.
Space on the CREED Pro–VISION programme is limited, with significant interest already shown. It does require a significant level of commitment from participating churches. To find out more about Pro–VISION a special ‘Engage Seminar’ will take place in St Saviour’s Church, Dollingstown, Craigavon on Saturday 29th September. Running from 9.30am to 12.30pm it will give a more detailed view of CREED Pro–VISION. The keynote speaker will be the hugely experienced Dr John Preston, the Church of England Resources and Stewardship Officer.
To register for the ‘Engage Seminar’ or to find out more about how Pro–VISION could serve the needs of your church visit www.creedireland.com. This will also give details of a number of Pro–vision workshops planned for this autumn.
www.creedireland.com
Eco–Congregation Ireland‘s inaugural conference
Eco–Congregation Ireland (ECI) is holding its inaugural conference in Dromantine Retreat and Conference Centre, near Newry, Co Down, on September 14 and 15 2012. The theme of the two–day event will be ‘God’s Creation – Our Responsibility?’ with talks and workshops on a variety of topics related to faith and the environment.
ECI is an ecumenical project that encourages churches, communities and individuals to adopt an eco–friendly approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, community outreach and contact with the developing world.
ECI chairperson, Sr Catherine Brennan, looks forward to welcoming a broad section of people to the conference from both north and south of the border. “The stark sign of our time is a planet in peril at our hands and it is poor people who suffer most from environmental impoverishment,” she says. “Commitment to the poor and commitment to the well–being of life on this planet must go together as two inter–related dimensions of the one Christian vocation.
“The great incomprehensible mystery of our transcendent God is also the dynamic Spirit at the heart of the natural world and its evolution. When people begin to think about God in relation to this world, it leads to a whole new approach in theology, biblical studies and everyday spirituality.”
Participants are welcome to attend all, or part, of the conference. There will also be a public lecture followed by an open forum at 8pm on the Friday evening (September 14) involving the five main speakers.
For further details and to download a booking form see
http://ecocongregationireland.com/archives/3349 for further details and to download a booking form.
Irish College of Preachers’ Conference 2012
The residential event will be held in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Dublin, from 12–14 September (inclusive). The speaker this year will be the Revd Barry Forde, Church of Ireland Dean of Residence at Queen’s University Belfast. The conference is open to all aspiring preachers, both clerical and lay. Over the years it has proved to be a valuable resource for those entrusted with the Ministry of the Word in parishes throughout Ireland.
For further details, please contact the Revd Ferran Glenfield, tel: (028) 9268 8839
Or email: rector@hillsboroughparish.org.uk