Assembly agrees to establish new church

Speaking afterwards Mr Dickinson said,

“As I look at all God has done these past eight years, and as we open the doors every Sunday to see hundreds of people gather…I’m hopeful and expectant for all God is yet to do.”

 

Mr Dickinson continued,

“Throughout this period, the Presbytery of South Belfast, one of PCI’s 19 regional bodies, began conversations with the Central team about the possibility of taking on May Street, which was to close at the end of 2018 after 190 years of faithful worship. Funding raising began in anticipation of the expected renovation.

“We held a joint service with the outgoing May Street congregation in January 2019 to give thanks for the previous 19 decades, and to give thanks for what was to come. In Easter that year, with around 70 attending, we moved our services to Sunday mornings, in the new venue with a number of firsts – first wedding and first Carol services with the expansion of multiple homegroups and a growing kids ministry. When we reopened in 2022, following Covid, having gone online, we’d grown to around 120. Today, Central now exists as a worshipping community of between 350-375 people, which is an amazing work of God.”

Reflecting on the decision of the General Assembly, Mr Dickinson said,

“This is an exciting day and important moment in Central’s journey, as I believe it begins the process of putting down roots inside the life of PCI, and roots down in Belfast, so that a church might live here long beyond us as a transforming presence in the heart of the city for generations to come.

“We’re grateful for how PCI has stepped toward us in relationship, and warmly received us as a community, and are excited about how that relationship will develop in the years ahead. It’s also our prayer that our journey is a challenge and encouragement to many more people and congregations inside our denomination to follow God’s voice into planting churches throughout Ireland. As I look at all He has done these past eight years, and as we open the doors every Sunday to see hundreds of people gather, I’m hopeful and expectant for all God is yet to do.”

Proposing the Memorial, the minister of Carnmoney Presbyterian, Rev Stuart Hawthorne, said,

“Central’s story is a testament to God’s steady provision as the team has followed the Holy Spirit’s guidance, step-by-step. I became minister of Carnmoney after the church plant began. Today, around 300–350 people gather in the old May Street building each Sunday…[and] for some time, it has been felt that it is time for this church ‘plant’ to become established as a ‘church’ - hence this Memorial.

While city-centre ministry is not more important than suburban, or rural ministry, cities remain strategically vital in the Mission of God…The journey of Central has always been about faith—moving from one stage of God’s unfolding plan, to the next. We have now arrived at a significant new milestone…”

Mr Hawthorne’s immediate predecessor, Rev John Dickinson, under whose ministry the church plant began, also spoke in the debate,

“This is a special moment for all of us who worship in Central every Sunday, and already call it our church.” Having mentioned by name many who had made this day possible, in an emotional conclusion, he said, “In the formative years of my life, my dad was my pastor and now in my white-haired days, my paster will be my son.”