About the Presbytery

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland serves the whole island, both North and South and, with a total membership of some 300,000 people in over 560 congregations, it is the largest protestant denomination in Northern Ireland.

The Presbyterian form of Christian faith is best described as 'Reformed' with its strong emphasis on the Sovereignty of God, the Kingship of Christ and the authority of the Bible.

In the Presbyterian Church spiritual oversight is exercised by Elders (Presbyters) acting together in Church Courts. These are as follows:-

(I) Kirk Session: The Kirk Session is the Court of the Congregation and consists of the Minister and those elected by the Congregation and Ordained and Installed to the office of the Eldership by the Presbytery.

(ii) Presbytery: Congregations are grouped into twenty one Presbyteries. Each Congregation is represented in Presbytery by a Ruling Elder commissioned by the Kirk Session.

(iii) General Assembly: The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland comprises all the Congregations of the denomination, each being represented by a Ruling Elder commissioned by the Kirk Session.

In Ballymena Presbytery we have 13 committees to enable Presbytery to effectively deal with all its duties:

CONSULTATION COMMISSION

CHRISTIAN TRAINING

CHURCH EXTENSION

DIVINE HEALING

EVANGELISM

FINANCE

INTER CHURCH RELATIONS

OVERSEAS MISSION

R.E. IN DAY SCHOOLS

SUNDAY SCHOOL

SOCIAL WITNESS