Leadership

A team of spiritually mature and gifted church members, called "elders" leads every Presbyterian Church. Elders are called to this role by God and recognised as such by the congregation. They are appointed by the wider group of Presbyterian congregations (Presbytery) to which we belong. As a congregation we are responsible to, and receive support from, our Presbytery of North Belfast as well as from the headquarters of our denomination, based at Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast.

The elders and the minister, who is also an elder, form what is called historically, the "Kirk Session," but which is simply the congregation's leadership team. All elders are equal, with the minister having the role as first among equals.

In addition, Whiteabbey has a team of seven paid staff led by the minister: 5 pastoral staff (one part time) and 2 support staff - an office administrator (part time) and care taker.

The pastoral staff work with the elders in leading, training and supporting the members of the congregation in doing the work of the church.