Be equipped to proclaim!
The Accredited Preacher Scheme is open to church members, male or female, who have a gift in communicating God’s Word and who have attended the 'Sharing God's Word' introductory course on preaching. There is no upper age limit.
The scheme develops the gifts of participants through training and mentoring over one year. On successful completion of the scheme the participant will be recognised as an Accredited Preacher for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Accredited Preachers will then be able to provide support by leading worship services and preaching, for example, in vacant congregations or their own congregation.
The classes for the course are delivered in an Intensive Course over one week, from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day, Monday to Friday, usually during the first week in July. All participants are also assigned to a preaching mentor who will help them develop through the practical experience of taking three Sunday services.
Applicants are first interviewed by their Presbytery and, if endorsed by Presbytery, have a further interview by a panel from the Council for Training in Ministry.