Island Bay Presbyterian Church

About Us

Want to know more about IBPC? Here are some insights... 

 Age:

 Roughly a quarter of our church have passed retirement age, with the rest of the congregation split 50-50 between under 35's and 35-65's. To cater to the different ages we have a Sunday Club during the morning service for 3(-ish) to 12 year olds; a youth group on Sunday evenings; a young adults study group during the week; and a Thursday morning Bible Study which attracts those who are retired or not in paid employment.

 

 Theology & Mission:

 The preaching at IBPC seeks to be rooted in scripture, in tune with what the Spirit is saying to the church at any point in time, and to cater to those with a thinking, enquiring faith. Times of quiet are set aside in the service to be still and listen to God's voice, and although you don't need to be an academic, it is expected that people will come to services with their brains turned on as we seek to worship God in spirit and in truth. Most of the congregation would come from more theologically conservative backgrounds but not all, and there is always space for questions and gracious disagreement.

 We recognise that we are called to partner with God in God's mission to this world, and in particular the area around Island Bay. Accordingly, IBPC set aside much of 2009 as a time of discernment, to seek to hear the Spirit's voice. This community has faithfully served Island Bay for 110 years, but is there a new direction the Spirit is calling us to take? We are in the process of stepping out in faith down new roads as a result of that discernment process.
 Currently, as well as our usual services and programmes, currently we support some youth ministries in our suburb like the Girl's and Boy's Brigades, we support Downtown Community Ministries, we have a kid's worker position which has recently been filled, we give
financial and prayer support to a couple from our congregation and another couple known to us who serve God in Asia, and some of our members are involved with Urban Vision - a contemporary order following Jesus on the margins of Wellington.

 On top of this, as a community of faith we try to be socially aware and responsible, and are proudly an officially accredited Trade Aid "Fair Trade Church!" We also promote CWS and Tear Fund appeals. Environmental awareness also features in our life together, we have an Environmental Task Group which is largely in recess now, but whose legacy includes some native gardens on our property, a vegetable garden, and a composting system.

 

 Worship:

 People come to this church from many differing backgrounds and differing preferences in worship styles - from high church Catholic, to traditional Reformed, to Pentecostal, to 'emergent.' We try to cater to all styles so that all might have their "turangawaewae," their place to stand among us, where the music of their hearts is shared, and where they may enter into the worship of our Creator with the whole of their being.

 Accordingly, we use a range of music from hymns old and new (some written by our own members), Scripture in Song choruses, chants ancient and modern, and Hillsong/Parachute music. For example, our band leads us once a month in contemporary praise; we have the occasional standard Presbyterian "hymn sandwich" service; we hold the occasional evening Taize/reflective service; and, as well as our much appreciated pianists, we also have an Ensemble who play regularly, leading us in up-beat versions of mainly older songs.
 The congregation is of a nature where most people appreciate the variety and can tolerate styles of worship that are not their cup of tea, knowing that they are speaking to someone else.

 

 Kid's Friendly:

 IBPC values its younger members and is working towards accreditation under the Presbyterian Kid's Friendly programme. Several babies have been born into the congregation lately (including one in the manse) so this has given the church more impetus to ensure that this house of God is friendly to young families.

 Older children are present in the servce for about 15 minutes before going out to Sunday Club, and in that time we try to include them through the lighting of a candle, a children's talk followed by a children's song (during which there are instruments they can use), and often a short time where they can tell the congregation about any exciting events in their life. Sunday Club also takes the whole service about twice a year.
 For the younger kids, or during the holidays when there is no Sunday Club there is a play mat at the back with toys - the congregation is quite relaxed
about a bit of happy chatter in their midst. The foyer is also wired for sound if parents need a break during the service, with large windows into the church. There are also toys, sofas and a heater mounted on the wall at a child-safe height.
 IBPC also employs a child and families worker to enhance our ministry to the pre-schooler age in particular.

 

 Ecumenism:

 The churches in Island Bay have a strong relationship and many links. There is a monthly gathering of the Island Bay ministers attended by St Francis de Sales Catholic church, St Hilda's Anglican, Wellington South Baptist and IBPC. The churches work together in prayer and outreach, have a regular "5th Sunday of the month" combined evening service, combine for Good Friday and an annual community Christmas Carol service, as well as also jointly putting on a Christian art exhibition for the Island Bay Festival at the beginning of each year.