A Guide To The Vacancy

Retirement of The Very Rev. Dr. S. John Dixon

This information has been produced by the Kirk Session about what will happen on the retirement of our minister The Very Rev. Dr. S. John Dixon in March 2008 and the process for identifying and appointing his successor.

Dr. Dixon was installed as minister of 1 st Antrim in May 1980, so by the time of his retirement he will have served as our Pastor for almost 28 years.  John celebrated his 65th birthday on 30th March 2008and coincidentally preached his farewell sermon on that day.

The Kirk Session acknowledges his faithful and inspirational ministry, which has left the congregation in a vibrant state to face the future.

Prayer

Prayer, both individual and corporate, is important at all times but in particular during the period up to John's retirement and the forthcoming vacancy. The Kirk Session encourages you to pray about these matters and we trust the following points will help you to do so with understanding.

Templepatrick Presbytery

Templepatrick Presbytery is one of the 21 Presbyteries comprising the Presbyterian Church inIreland.  It has over 40 members comprised of the minister and a representative elder from each of the 20 congregations.  Retired ministers are also members of Presbytery.  It has corporate oversight of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations in its geographical area and takes a 'hands on' role in the process of filling a ministerial vacancy.

The Presbytery is responsible for the official notification of the vacancy in the congregation and its supply with the preaching of the Word and other Gospel ordinances.

This is achieved by the appointment of a Vacancy Commission, with a ministerial member of the Presbytery being appointed as Convener and interim Moderator (or chairperson) of the Kirk Session.

The Vacancy Commission will be comprised of 8 to 10 members of Presbytery (ministers and elders) and will oversee the process by which we identify and call a new minister.

The Convener of the Vacancy

The Vacancy Convener, on behalf of the Vacancy Commission and Presbytery, will work closely with the leadership of the congregation to ensure its continuing work and witness during the vacancy.

This includes making provision for the leading of worship, preaching and the administration of the Lord's Supper.

. Making arrangements for marriages, baptisms and funerals

. Providing pastoral support

. Keeping the congregation informed about the process of filling the vacancy

. Chairing meetings of the Kirk Session

The Union Commission

Before any step is taken to fill a vacancy the approval of a central church body called the Union Commission must first be obtained. This body has power, on behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church inIreland, to determine whether or not a vacancy may be filled and, if so, on what terms.

The Union Commission will enquire into the viability, vibrancy and vision of the Congregation before granting permission to call a new minister. It will set the initial minimum salary and the expenses to be paid.

Our Kirk Session

This is comprised of our minister, as the teaching elder and the active ruling elders (more usually referred to as elders). They have been elected by the congregation over the years. The role of the eldership is to watch over and promote the spiritual welfare of the congregation and of the local community.

In relation to the vacancy, the Kirk Session and the congregation have distinct but complimentary roles. It is the duty of the Kirk Session to select the candidate (or candidates). The congregation's role is to hear them preach and ultimately call one to be its new minister.

Our Congregation

The ultimate responsibility for the choice of a new minister rests with the voting members - the 'qualified voters' of the congregation.

The voting members have the right to submit the names of possible candidates to the Kirk Session for its consideration.

Voting members will later decide how they are going to hear the candidates selected by the Kirk Session. They will choose between inviting the candidates to preach in 1^st Antrim or by appointing a representative 'hearing committee' who will go out to hear the candidates on behalf of the congregation. They might even task the hearing committee to narrow the field to one candidate who will be invited to preach in our pulpit.

Finally, at a specifically called meeting of the congregation, the members will have the opportunity to elect (or not) the candidate, or candidates, whom they have heard.

Qualified Voters

While we value highly everyone who comes through the doors of 1^st Antrim, for whatever purpose and at whatever time of the week, the rules of our Presbyterian Church, not unreasonably, confine full participation in the hearing and calling a new minister to 'qualified voters'.

Basically, a 'qualified voter' is someone who is on our communicants' roll and who is recorded as having contributed to the Stipend and weekly Freewill Offerings of the congregation in the last financial year.

A list of such voters will be finalised and displayed early in the process.

The Code

During this process you may hear occasional reference being made to 'The Code'. This is a lengthy document detailing the Constitution and Government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. In so far as the vacancy is concerned it sets out the responsibilities of the various parties and the requirements to be met in the process of selecting a new minister. If you have access to a copy, see especially Paragraphs 189-196, but please note the various amendments that have been made, up to and including 2007.

Timetable

Once the initial formal matters have been attended to (e.g. securing 'leave to call' from the Union Commission) the process moves to the Kirk Session engaging with prospective candidates and ultimately the congregation hearing one or more of them preach. Hence it is not possible to set out an accurate timetable but in the light of general experience it could be some considerable time before a new minister is appointed.

The Kirk Session warmly encourages everyone with 1 st Antrim connections to participate as fully as possible in this important process.  Please speak to any member of the Ministry Team to find out more about formal membership of our congregation and continue to pray for all the parties who will be involved.

Ivan Gillespie Clerk of Session

John Johnston Deputy Clerk