Commencement Report

Monday, 3rd October 2022
Image: commencement-report

Commencement Service Report

By Claire McNabb

The Commencement Service is one of the highlights of the College year. It is here that we welcome and pray for our new students as they begin their time with us. We take time to chat to them and their families and friends over tea, coffee and traybakes. This year we celebrated what God has done over the last 130 years of the Irish Baptist College, as well as looking forward to what he will do in the lives of the staff and students this year. Our aim is to magnify Christ, advance the gospel and strengthen the church. This year the new undergraduate students did a pre-recorded video interview which can be viewed here. After watching this, the new Preparation for Ministry students, the new intake of Postgraduate students and those undertaking the Christian Education Courses came forward, had their photo taken and were prayed for by Dr Peter Firth.

After the Student Chairperson, Tim Houston, read 2 Peter 1, Pastor Richard Blayney preached on this passage. He challenged us to stand firm in our faith, instead of finding ourselves leaning over (like the Leaning Tower of Pisa) and nearly collapsing. Despite what happens we must build our faith on a firm foundation. Richard reminded us from verse 4 that we have everything we need in Jesus (new life, power from the Spirit, the promise that Jesus will return) therefore we need to stand firm and build on him. One line that stood out for me was that a stagnant Christian is an emergency, and something needs to be done about that! Finally, to complete his building metaphor that ran throughout the sermon Richard’s final point was to watch out for cowboy builders who spread lies. He concluded that we will face pressure and temptation to give up on Jesus and find, just like the leaning tower, that it’s easier to collapse, but instead we need to check our foundations and build on Jesus.

We are very thankful that the Lord has brought to us another group of people who want to study his word, grow to be more like his son, and serve others in a variety of ways. Please pray with us that the students will settle in well to this new season in their lives and that as staff we will be able to assist them well during their time with us.

You can watch the full service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMYhLwfcN-8

    Blog Archive

Let’s Read Irish Baptist College Conference (Online) From Intern to Undergraduate (Emily Middleton) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Reason for Redemption Baptists and Revival in the Long 18th Century Second Year Placements From Intern to Undergraduate (Josh Brown) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The What and Why of Holiness Final Year During A Pandemic 2nd Year Placement Experience Friends of the College 2021 Update The Art of Reading More Books Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Real Possibility of Holiness A Basic Easter Fact The Servant King Podcast Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — You Are Holy Third Year Reflection Gospel Guardians: Protecting the Purity of the Gospel for Future Generations Graduation 2021 Book Review: Succeeding at Seminary Let's Read: The Hole in Our Holiness — A Work in Progress Why the Irish Baptist College is Vital to the Health of the Association A Good News Story: The Ministry Partnership Scheme Why Study the Biblical Languages? Profit in Toil: A Short Message on A Level Results Day Let's Read: Small Preaching Recognition Service Report 2021 Sin Forgiven: Nourishment for Life and Joy for Living Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Character of the Preacher Commencement Service Report Placement Friends of the College Update God Rejoices over His People: A Meditation on Zephaniah 3:17 Let’s Read: Small Preaching—Constructing the Sermon Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown Evangelism Teams: Stonepark and North Belfast Christian Fellowship First Year Reflections (Reuben and Andrew) Some New Books Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Craft of Preaching Let's Read: Small Preaching—What is God Saying? A Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘The coming of the light’ Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘Life, Light & Glory’
Time to read Genesis...again Friends of the College - January 2020 Friends of the College - January 2020 Finances Tribute to Marion Craig The Resilient Pastor: Surviving & Thriving in Ministry Just a Blow-in? What is new on the shelves at IBC? Friends of the College - February 2020 Four Reasons to Study Theology Academically From Spain to Moira Testimonial Financial Update Friends of the College – March 2020 Irish Baptist Historical Society: The Mayflower Thomas Patient: the Father of the Irish Baptist Church Testimonials The Pastors’ Conference: An Encouraging Privilege Testimonials (part-time studies) In the worst of times: COVID-19 and the Book of Ruth Friends of the College - April 2020 The Long Wait: Victory Delayed Testimonials - Preparation for Ministry and Evening Classes The Leadership Podcast Testimonials - Ladies Study Fellowship The Leadership Podcast (part 2) Friends of the College - May 2020 Reflections from the Student Chairman Why do we teach the Old Testament? Reflections on first year at IBC Friends of the College - June 2020 Why do we teach Romans? IBC Placement Is Church History a Thing of the Past? Friends of the College - July 2020 Friends of the College – August 2020 Friends of the College September 2020 Recognition and Graduation Service Introducing the Irish Baptist College’s New Logo Commencement Service Friends of the College - October 2020 Filled with the Spirit: Soundings in Luke’s Theology of the Holy Spirit The Famous Five: The Abiding Relevance of the Solas of the Reformation Friends of the College - November 2020 The Importance of Theological Training in Fulfilling the Great Commission First Year Reflections — Tim Houston Singing: The Place of Theology in Corporate Worship New Library Books Friends of the College – Unite to Pray – December Christmas Reflections
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