Ardens Sed Virens - burning but living.

The question is often asked, "what is a Presbyterian and where does that name or title come from?"

First and foremost a Presbyterian, who lives up to the name, is a Christian - a believer in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. The name "Presbyterian" describes our form of church government. The New Testament Greek word presbuteros means "presbyter" or "elder". The Greek word presbuterion means "a body of elders".

Therefore Presbyterians believe that their system of Church Government follows the form of the New Testament Church (1 Timothy 5:17 and 19, and 1 Timothy 4:14). Ardens Sed Virens is a Latin expression which is the motto of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It is linked to the burning bush symbol of the Church, taken from the story of Moses at the bush as recorded in Exodus 3, which burned but was not consumed. The motto literally means, "burning but living".

As a denomination, Presbyterians believe in the scriptures as the inspired Word of God: the supreme authority for faith and practice. We believe in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, being a Trinitarian church. We believe that as sinners we cannot put ourselves right with God. Only God can save, and He has done so in Jesus Christ. We are called to respond in repentance and faith, becoming by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit His redeemed children. We also believe that God's purposes for us begin here and now but go beyond our earthly lives. In Christ, our destiny is to share in His eternal Kingdom in heaven.

Presbyterians emphasise the Sovereignty of God, believing that everything depends utterly on Him as Lord of history whose purposes cannot fail. We emphasise the Divine Initiative in our salvation, as it is God who reaches out to make it possible for us to respond. We believe God is concerned with every area of our lives, meaning our faith has political, economic and social implications. Because everyone and everything matter to God, Presbyterians must be concerned about the stewardship of creation and Christ's mission to the whole world - a mission which includes evangelism and social concern.

Our congregation's work, worship and witness is governed and regulated by what the Bible teaches. Through an evangelistic and teaching ministry we seek, under God, to win men, women and young people for Christ through saving faith and trust in Him, and to edify the people of God.