CONGREGATIONAL STORY
Second Ballybay
Elders of First Ballybay, Second Ballybay, Drumkeen and Rockcorry
20 years of reconfigured ministry in Ballybay
In 2005, there was a reconfiguration of the churches in the Ballybay area of Monaghan. Twenty years on, David Allen talks to the elders involved in the process about their experiences of it.
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olomon, when he was writing the book of Ecclesiastes, said “…there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). As in all of God’s Word, it’s true, even when it comes to reconfiguring ministry and mission in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. One example of this happened in 2005 with the formation of the Ballybay Group, when the four congregations of First and Second Ballybay, Drumkeen and Rockcorry were brought into a linkage. Before then, they were in two groups of two – First Ballybay and Drumkeen, and Second Ballybay and Rockcorry, with two ministers, and a weekly service in all the meeting houses. Now, they’re still four distinct congregations, with four kirk sessions and committees, and four meeting houses. But there’s only one minister, Rev Gerry Clinton, and there are only two services each Sunday, with First and Second Ballybay joining together every week in alternate buildings; and Drumkeen and Rockcorry doing the same. A few times
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Herald May 2025
each year, all four congregations join together for worship. The kirk sessions almost always meet together, and the youth work etc is shared. At the start of April, I spent a very pleasant evening with the elders who were serving in 2005, along with Rev Gerry Clinton and Rev David Nesbitt and his wife Elsie. David had been minister of First Ballybay and Drumkeen at the time, having been installed in 1968. In 2005, Second Ballybay and Rockcorry then became vacant. The reason for the visit was to hear their story – how they felt before, during and after reconfiguration – their concerns, their encouragements, and their reflections after 20 years of reconfigured ministry.
There are more leaders… members have greater opportunities to use gifts.
The first thing the elders were keen to share was that they all, without exception, believe that the reconfiguration has been a good thing – one that God has blessed – bringing encouragement, fellowship and support to them in their congregations. Each worship service has a much greater attendance, the praise inspires more involvement and there is greater encouragement for families of all generations to attend. There are more leaders and Sunday school teachers in the combined congregations and members have greater opportunities to use gifts. Fellowship has deepened, especially among the elders, as they meet together to give spiritual leadership to the congregations. There is also more finance available, as only two buildings each week are being heated, only one minister is being paid, and only one manse is being lived in. All of them firmly believe it was the right thing to do, and are thankful to God for the way reconfiguration has benefited their congregations. However, they were honest that back
