Our Structures
The Board of Mission Overseas (BMO) is appointed by, and is responsible to, the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), which meets at the beginning of June each year (usually in Belfast).
Representative of the whole of PCI, membership of BMO totals just over 100 with a proportion of new members joining each year as others come to the end of their period of service. The Board's Convener (see below) is appointed by the General Assembly and can serve for a maximum term of seven years.
The work of BMO is shared by four Assembly-appointed Committees (see below), the focus of each reflecting our Board's priorities.
Committee Conveners are also General Assembly appointees and, like our Board Convener, they too can serve for a maximum term of seven years.
From time to time, the Board's so-called 'Assembly Committees' may appoint small working-groups or panels to help carry out detailed work on their behalf. Such groups normally have a 'time limited' and 'task specific' brief.
Board of Mission Overseas (BMO)
Convener: Rev Cheryl Meban, LLB BD, appointed June, 2011.
Presbyterian Chaplain to The University of Ulster at Jordanstown, and a member of the North Belfast Presbytery.
BMO administers and promotes the overseas mission work of PCI. With mission regarded as an integral part of the Church's life, BMO draws together representatives from Presbyteries, Presbyterian Women and Youth in order to inform and involve as many people as possible in this important work.
As one of PCI's 'Mission' Boards, our vision is to serve a mission-hearted church. It is one thing to be mission-minded, but we also need to be enlivened in our hearts with a passion for mission, that we might fulfil effectively our purpose which is to proclaim Christ and His universal reign.
Mission Involvement Committee (MIC)
Convener: Rev Dr Mark Welsh, BSc PGCE PhD Dip Min, appointed June, 2009.
Minister in Trinity, Greyabbey Presbyterian Church, in the Ards Presbytery.
Mission is the calling not simply of individual missionaries but of the whole Church at every level. MIC aims to provide appropriate resources and training to help develop the missional vision, identity and responsibility of all our members; and, at the right time, enable appropriate and effective mission involvement overseas.
Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Convener: Rev Prof Gordon Campbell, BA PGCE BD PhD, appointed June, 2006.
Professor of New Testament Studies at Union Theological College, Belfast.
We rejoice in the growth and vitality of some of our partner churches, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. The focus of LDC highlights our desire to share with them in facing up to the challenges such growth brings, and our commitment to the equipping of indigenous church leaders.
Outreach Ministries Committee (OMC)
Convener: Rev Stephen Richmond, BD MSc, appointed June, 2006.
Minister in Donegal Presbyterian Church, in the Derry & Donegal Presbytery.
Through OMC we are seeking to build on our existing relationships with partner churches around the world; sharing with them in God’s call to make disciples, especially amongst those who have never heard the gospel.
World Development Committee (WDC)
Convener: Rev Katherine Meyer, BA MDiv, appointed June, 2011.
Minister in Christ Church, Sandymount, a united Presbyterian and Methodist congregation, in the Dublin & Munster Presbytery.
WDC aims to see our Church share in God’s creative and just purposes in active compassion for all He has made, so that all peoples might know fullness of life in Jesus Christ. WDC is responsible for planning, promoting and overseeing the annual World Development Appeal, which helps fund Christian Aid and Tearfund supported development projects in various parts of the world.
The Board and its Assembly Committees normally meet twice yearly, in February or March, and again in September or October. Additional meetings are arranged, if (and when) needed.
The members of three 'Board' Committees – Finance, Personnel and Steering – are appointed by BMO. These three committees meet, as required, at various times throughout the year.
Most presbyteries within PCI, and many congregations, have mission agents who seek to give a lead in ensuring that support for, and involvement in, overseas mission is an integral part of the life and work of the local congregation.
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