Exploring ministry

Gordon Best highlights Union Theological College’s upcoming ‘Ministry Taster Day’, an opportunity for those considering ministry to find out more and to discern God’s will for their lives.

There’s no doubt that PCI, in line with other mainline denominations, is facing a concerning shortage of ministers. It’s a recurring refrain in different Herald articles, General Assembly reports, kirk session meetings, and informal after-church conversations. But this is not cause for despondency; it’s a call to action!

The reconfiguration taking place within PCI, and the Council for Mission in Ireland’s ‘10+10 in 10’ church planting initiative are timely incentives to us to be strategic with our resources – financial and human.

One way we can do this is by continuing to identify and equip the next generations of ministers. Those who have begun their training this academic year won’t be eligible for a call until 2030, so recruitment now is a crucial act of faith and preparation for the future, in which we trust that even more of this island will be reached and won for Christ.

There is no ‘standard’ ministry student. The Lord leads people in different ways…

Each member of every congregation has a part to play in this process. Rev Andrew Faulkner, convener of the Council for Training in Ministry, made this point clearly at last year’s General Assembly: “We need more ministers… Can I encourage you to be on the lookout for potential ministers within your local congregation? All of our applicants begin their journey towards ministry, by a minister, an elder, or some other leader in the congregation, recognising some gifting and asking, ‘Have you ever considered pastoral ministry?’”

This was how my own calling and journey into ministry began over 40 years ago, as the Holy Spirit prompted my heart through reading God’s Word and engaging in strategic conversations with key people who took time to encourage me and pray for me. If you recognise within your church family individuals whom you consider have ‘ministry potential’, let me urge you to strike up that conversation with them. It could be hugely significant. another to the Lord’s throne of grace. We are thankful for the opportunity to be taught by faculty who love the Lord and his church, who teach competently and pastorally, and who regularly join students for morning coffee.

Every year, Union Theological College (UTC) welcomes a new cohort of ministry trainees, committed to a process that normally takes around five years to complete.

There is no ‘standard’ ministry student. The Lord leads people in different ways, and while some have felt the call into ministry from an early age, others start training after several years of work or study in various fields. Our current first years include a radiographer, an accountant, a customer services agent, a PhD student in Cancer Research, and a BA graduate from another theological college.

Can I encourage you to be on the lookout for potential ministers within your local congregation?

I worked in banking for five years on Belfast’s Shankill Road, before beginning my ministry journey, and to this day, I consider that time to be a tremendous period of preparation and formation for pastoral ministry.

PCI accepts as trainee ministers, men and women of mature faith, who can demonstrate a life of faithful discipleship; who have a love for God’s Word, God’s church, God’s people and God’s mission; and who have both the giftedness and resilience to thrive in the mix of challenges and blessings of PCI pastoral ministry, with its Reformed distinctives.

If you sense that God may be calling you into the ordained ministry of our Church, or if you know someone in your congregation who has ‘ministry potential’, we would love to welcome you to our forthcoming Ministry Taster Day on Saturday 14 March, 10.30am–1pm, at Union College (College library open from 10am).

…the Ministry Taster Day…was an excellent opportunity to learn more about Union…and the PCI ministry training programme.

This will be a great opportunity to meet members of faculty and some of our current students; find out about the application process and training pathway options; discover what’s involved in studying Theology, Biblical Studies and Biblical Languages at UTC; and how ministry training prepares you for the rough-and-tumble of everyday ministry in 21st century Ireland. You will be able to ask your questions and enjoy some helpful conversations over tea/coffee and a light lunch.

In my 32 years of ordained ministry, the role has changed unrecognisably. There is no doubt that we are living in a deeply troubled world and worshipping in a fast-changing Church. The challenges of living a life of authentic discipleship are increasing, as are the demands of ordained ministry.

But we have a great God, and a great message of hope to share. As the next generation of ministers hold out the truth of God’s Word and show forth the beauty of Jesus, surely great opportunities and exciting days lie ahead as God builds his Church among us.

Might you be part of this exciting story?

Rev Gordon Best is Dean of Ministerial Studies at Union Theological College, having previously ministered in Newmills Presbyterian for almost 30 years. He is married to Pamela and they have two adult children.

Ministry Taster Day 2025

Saturday 14 March 10.30am–1pm at Union Theological College, Belfast (College library open from 10am)

The event is free, but booking is essential.

Please register by Friday 6 March, by emailing p.todd@union.ac.uk or telephoning (from NI) 028 9020 5080, (from ROI) 048 9020 5080.