General Council
Convener: Very Rev Dr David Bruce
Secretary: The Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Dr David Allen
The General Council is the largest and most representative body under the Assembly, with around 70 members. This includes all the Conveners of other Assembly Councils and Presbytery Clerks. The General Council can, as appropriate, act on behalf of the General Assembly between meetings. Part of its remit is to coordinate the work of all the other Councils and act where work overlaps between two or more Councils and is not covered by any Council.
Key Responsibilities:
- Many logistical elements of Council formation, such as nominations from Presbyteries and nominations of Conveners.
- Recommending an order of business to the General Assembly.
- Arranging all accommodation and managing the discharge of the Assembly business.
- Examining the records of all the Presbyteries and Assembly Councils.
- Drawing up priorities for the work of the General Assembly.
- Reporting that the work of all the Councils is consistent with the priorities agreed by the Assembly.
- Overseeing budgets for each Council receiving support from the United Appeal.
- Assisting with the provision of publicity materials to help congregations and Presbyteries reach their United Appeal targets.
- Preparing, where appropriate, through the Doctrine Committee, general Church policy and statements on doctrine for submission for the General Assembly’s approval.
- Advising the Moderator and Clerk on matters of sensitivity for the church.
- Oversight of the Church Relations Committee, which develops relationships with other Churches and monitoring those inter-church bodies of which PCI is a member.
- Oversight of support services, including finance, personnel, IT, property services and creative production, ensuring they are delivered efficiently and cost effectively to all Councils.
Council for Congregational Life and Witness
Convener: Rev Albin Rankin
Secretary: Rev David Thompson
This Council seeks to support the ongoing life, mission and witness of congregations in their work with all age-groups, through casting vision, assisting in development, offering training and both providing and signposting models of good practice and resources. Key areas include worship, discipleship, pastoral care, evangelism and outreach in the community and leadership, including elder training.
Council for Global Mission
Convener: Rev Stephen McCracken
Secretary: Rev Uel Marrs
The work of the Council for Global Mission is reflected in the strapline, ‘global disciples sharing God’s heart for the world, declaring good news and demonstrating God’s love’. It points to both the Great Commission and the Great Command, and recognises the call to authentic fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ all around the world. The Council is tasked with enabling the coordination and delivery of global mission as determined by the General Assembly especially where it is beyond the ability of the local congregation and not falling under the remit of other mission councils, partners or agencies.
Council for Mission in Ireland
Convener: Rev Dr Ben Walker
Secretary: Mr Rick Hill
This Council seeks to develop PCI’s strategic priorities in all-age mission in Ireland, and plans initiatives at General Assembly level where appropriate as well as considering new church development and church planting. It oversees all aspects of the Home and Irish Missions, including the Irish Mission Fund and the deployment and ongoing support of Deaconesses. It also supports a chaplaincy service in the forces, hospitals, hospices, prisons, universities and colleges.
The Council for Public Affairs
Convener: Rev Daniel Kane
Secretary: Rev Dr David Allen
This Council seeks to demonstrate the power, truth and beauty of the Gospel across a wide range of highly contentious moral and ethical areas of public life. Influencing public policy decisions by advocating for Gospel-inspired values, and ethical considerations in legislative and governance processes is at the heart of much of what this Council does.
Council for Social Witness
Convener: Rev David Brice
Interim Director and Secretary: Mrs Caroline Yeomans
This Council addresses both social care work for people in need and, through the Safeguarding Department, supports congregations in making arrangements to ensure that they are safe places for the core work of the church. A huge portion of the Council provides and manages older people and disability services, including residential, nursing, day and respite care, supported housing and care in the community. The Council also manages and has professional oversight of Thompson House.
Council for Training in Ministry
Convener: Rev Andrew Faulkner
Secretary: Rev Dr David Allen
This Council oversees the selection and training of ministry students, deaconesses, accredited preachers and auxiliary ministers. It is involved with the ongoing development of ministers, and guidelines for pastoral care for them and their families. It also provides a conciliation service.
The Linkage Commission
Convener: Rev Ker Graham
Secretary: Mr WK Belshaw
The Linkage Commission is required, among other responsibilities, to determine conditions under which congregations shall be linked, vacant pastorates filled or supplied.