Resources
Present
An invitation to be fully present with God, who is ever present with us
Launched at the General Assembly in June 2024, the Present initiative is an invitation and encouragement to congregations and their members to make themselves fully present to God who is ever present to us.
Watch introductory video
A framework for church life
The Present initiative provides a framework for exploring and expressing presence in four ways:
- Be present in this season of life and witness
- Be present to God as his people
- Be present for one another in God’s family
- Be present where God has placed us as his witnesses
It:
- Celebrates that God is at work in the ordinary
- Encourages fresh approaches to spiritual rhythms of life together
- Fosters connectedness among congregations across Ireland
Present in 2025/26
This church year, congregations are encouraged to sharpen their focus on each aspect of being present. Stories of how congregations are engaging will be shared on PCI social media and in the Presbyterian Herald.
Resources for your congregation
Here are some practical resources to help in your church:
- Postcard prompts: simple ways to be present (downloadable and print formats)
These can be ordered free of charge (postage and packaging apply) or download a pdf version here. - Interview questions: to capture stories of members seeking to be present
- Discussion framework for leaders: PowerPoint slides, facilitator’s notes and worksheets
Other resources to help
Several existing PCI resources connect directly with the four themes of Present:
- Encounter (Present to God as his people)
- Proximity – Habits of a life time (Present to God as his people)
- Finding our voice in prayer (Present for one another in God's family of the church)
- Close to Home (Present for one another in God's family of the church)
- Share (Present where God has placed us to be his witnesses)
- Inside Out (Present where God has placed us to be his witnesses)
- Being Global Disciples: Going Deep and Wide (Present where God has placed us to be his witnesses)
Good Book Company resources
To supplement PCI material, The Good Book Company has suggested several helpful books:
- Faithfully present: Embracing the limits of where and when God has you, Adam Ramsay. A book on what it means to be present.
- Dream Small: The secret power of the ordinary Christian life, Seth Lewis. A book on God at work in the seemingly ordinary.
- Love Your Church series. Bible study series material.
- 5 Things to Pray series. Prayer material.
- Do Great Things for God. A series of books for children on people who were present where God has placed them to be his witnesses.
- Worth It, Chris Morphew. A book for young people on what it means to be present to God, for others and as a witness.
- Meals With Jesus, Ed Drew. A book for parents to read with their children about what it means to be present to God, for others and as a witness.
Books can be ordered directly from the Good Book Company or from the local representative: Robin Fairbairn, Ministry Development Officer. Tel: 07841 469165.