4 days ago
‘I don't think it is great to have sporting games on a Sunday': Presbyterian Moderator shares view amid debate on changing NI football schedule
The incoming Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has confirmed he would not attend a football match on a Sunday, in reference to the ongoing debate about altering the Northern Irish soccer schedule.
Speaking ahead of next week's General Assembly, when he will be formally installed as Moderator, Dr Rev Trevor Gribben (64) also said he believes there may be a 'female Moderator [for the church] in future'.
The Moderator for the PCI is the most senior office-bearer in the organisation, each one serving a one-year term in the post.
Originally from Tandragee, Rev Gribben had been serving his denomination as a clerk since 2014.
The views of the new Moderator were shared at a briefing today, which was held in the lead-up to next week's General Assembly — the 38th he will attend.
While in the past Moderators had the theme for their tenure chose by the church, in this case Rev Gribben was able to select his own.
Rev Trevor Gribben believes it is 'not particularly great' to have significant matches on a Sunday
Since ceasing his duties as an Assembly clerk on May 12 to take up his new role, the reverend announced that his theme will be 'Hope and Future in Jesus'.
Rev Gribben was questioned on his view on Sunday matches, as well as female Moderators, the latter of which he believed will happen 'in the future' if it is 'God's will'.
As a supporter of Belfast club Linfield, Rev Gribben believes it is 'not particularly great' to have significant matches played on the Sabbath.
His take on the debate comes amid ongoing discussion between fans and authorities of the local game, this newspaper reporting last month that the Irish FA and NI Football League have joined forces in a concerted effort to push through a proposal on Sunday football at the IFA's Annual General Meeting later this month.
Currently, league matches here can only be played on a Sunday if both participating teams agree to it.
'I would probably not go on Sunday myself. I have other things to do then,' said Rev Gribben.
'I don't think it is particularly great to have significant sporting games on a Sunday. If I was out for a walk and I saw people playing cricket on a Sunday afternoon, I may stop to look at that.
'The Irish Football Association, for the Premier League in particular, states that games can be played on a Sunday, but only if both teams agree.
'If one team says they don't want to play on Sunday, then they won't be forced to.
'I think that, as a church, we are content with that position. I want to live in a world where we didn't have that on a Sunday.
'But we do not feel that people should be forced to play on a Sunday.
'It is not just people who are coming from a church or religious backgrounds [saying this], it is also people who are part-time players.
'They have day jobs; they don't want to be playing on Saturday and Sundays.
'Sundays are an important day for them, for their family. It's not just for Christian perspectives.'
Regarding ordination, Rev Gribben said at the briefing that, within the PCI, both men and women 'have equal opportunity to be Moderator'.
'I believe it is God's will that a female Moderator will be chosen. Women are open to be Moderator as much as men. The opportunity is there,' he added.
'Men and women are both eligible for ordination. In my time in the Assembly, 30-plus years, I have seen some really good women being nominated [to be Moderator].
'And I have also seen, just because of the numbers, even more really good men be nominated… and not be elected.
'Do I think there will be a female Moderator in future? I think I got into a lot of trouble for this last year, but, yes, I think there will be.'
At the General Assembly, made up of ministers and elders from more than 500 congregations, a number of church 'mergers' will be discussed in addition to their '10 plus 10 in 10' goal.
Among churches set to be merged include First Portglenone Presbyterian Church and Town Hill.
'This is a strategy to plant 10 new congregations, plus 10 other missional enterprises, in the next 10 years,' said Rev Gribben.
'I am actually delighted that that is the first session I made since being the Moderator.
'We have planted new churches. There is one growing in Carlisle Circus. There is another about to be established in the old May Street buildings.
'This new vision of '10 plus 10 in 10' I think is very exciting.
'Listening to the global church, we have got delegates coming this year from Malawi, Indonesia, Greece and an official delegate from the Evangelical Church of USA.
'With the latter, we are trying to formalise our fraternal and confessional relations with them.
'General Assemblies are times when the PCI family comes together from across the island to pray, worship and be guided by God,' said Rev Gribben.
'It is also part of the democratic heart of our Presbyterian denomination.'
