The Presbyterian form of Christian faith is best described as 'Reformed' with its strong emphasis on the Sovereignty of God, the Kingship of Christ and the authority of the Bible.
Preaching the Word of God is central to Presbyterian worship services that are set amongst a mixture of prayer and praise. There is no fixed liturgy in Presbyterian services of worship. Prayers and hymns, psalms and paraphrases, Scripture readings and sermons are adapted to the needs of the occasion.
The word 'Presbyterian' itself describes the form of Church government, which emphasises the individual and corporate responsibility of members. Ministers and members share in the organising and running of every aspect of the Church's work. In the Presbyterian Church in Ireland this is undertaken at three levels:
Through its congregations, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is very much a part of local community life and an integral part of wider society. Today PCI has over 225,000 members who belong to 536 congregations from Bushmills in County Antrim, to Aghada in County Cork. PCI is the largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland.
Across Ireland congregations seek build God’s Kingdom in their community, growing in faith as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that the Good News of the Gospel can be shared.
PCI is committed to bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people of all ages across Ireland and the wider world.
The Church has an active ‘social witness’ demonstrating God's love in action by ministering to the physical needs of people. PCI provides services for a diverse range of people in 17 locations across Ireland. This includes supporting and caring for older people and people with a learning and physical disabilities. The Church also works with people with addictions and with offenders.
Today PCI has partnership links with indigenous churches, Christian institutions or international mission agencies in more than 25 countries around the world. It also supports 36 adults who are engaged in mission in varying ways serving in 12 countries.
PCI is committed to building a more peaceful society. It also seeks to make a unique contribution to life on the island of Ireland, by giving voice to the concerns of many people, both within and outside the Church, engaging with government and speaking out on national and international issues.
Garnerville Presbyterian is a community centred church in outer East Belfast. It centres around community within, the community outside, and the place of the church within the community of the world. We seek to carry this out by promoting the five E’s:
The church was founded with this in mind in 1950, ministering to and serving the local community and further afield, and we hope that if you’re reading this, we can minister to, and serve you also.
We are a church which is concerned with people and their relationship with the God who made this world and who seeks us to be a part of His ongoing work within it.
With that concern and aim in mind, we meet each Sunday at 11a.m. to support and encourage each other, to inspire each other, and to care for each other, both during and after the service with tea and coffee. We also do this throughout the rest of the week when we get together in different groups, from Child’s Play to Ten Pin bowling; from coffee mornings to choir practises.
Everyone has a need, both physical, emotional, spiritual and social, and as a church we aim to meet those needs each week.
There are too many leaders within our Church to mention, without whom the Church could’nt function. Below are some who hold specific positions of leadership and who can be contacted if you have a need, or would like to be involved in their specific area of ministry.
If you have a pastoral need, or would like to speak to the Minister for any reason, please contact him via:
If you would like to be involved in the musical side of our worship, please contact her via:
If you have a pastoral need, questions or queries about the Church, or would like to know more about the life of the Church, please contact her via:
