Ballynahinch church is torn apart by internal divisions

Ballynahinch church is torn apart by internal divisions

4 September 2013

FURTHER protests at a Ballynahinch church, where police broke up an extraordinary stand-off on Sunday, have not been ruled out.

A group of protesters at Ballynahinch Congregational Church, who want their minister removed, said their actions on Sunday — during which they shouted, stamped, whistled and jeered during the Rev. George Speers’ sermon — were “unbecoming of Christians” but a “last resort” after tensions reached breaking point.

Rev. Speers has been a minister at the church, which has around 90 members, since 2004. However, a series of long-running theological and personality clashes have led to a split in the church over the past year.

The protesting group, which no longer considers Rev. Speers as minister, claims to have the support of 75 per cent of the congregation. They say Rev. Speers and his ministerial team have not received a salary since he was voted out by a majority of members in June 2012.

The minister has his supporters and representatives of this group held talks with a solicitor for much of yesterday to prepare a statement outlining their position. The statement had not been issued by the time the Recorder went to press.

It is understood police were already at the Dromore Road church on Sunday morning investigating a report of criminal damage when the trouble broke out. Police then attended the evening service at the request of a member of the congregation.

It is understood police have been called out to the church several times over the past year.

At the height of the trouble on Sunday evening, the plug was pulled on the church organ and protestors shouted “Out, Out, Out”, moving to the front of the church to surround the pulpit in scenes which distressed some members of the congregation.

Unswayed, Rev. Speers continued to preach using a megaphone and was accompanied by police as he later left the church that evening.

Sammy Graham, who is one of 13 church trustees, said the protesters have been warned of possible arrests but that “all options are open” for Sunday’s service.

“We have been driven to this,” he said. “It is going to be more of the same.

“Mediation has been offered on at least four occasions, by the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches, the local church ministers, our legal team through a barrister and the Congregational Union of Ireland through their ministerial committee, but has been turned down every time,” the protesters said in a statement.

“However, George Speers has refused to step down or leave the church manse. All efforts to get him to be reasonable have not been successful, hence the loud protest, which all taking part in feel is the last resort they have, even though unbecoming of Christians.

“Mediation is still on offer should he be willing to take it up, and the trustees are still actively seeking mediation.”

Congregational churches are among the most autonomous of churches.

Mr. Graham said that was their weakness as well as their strength, as it meant there was no overruling body to intervene in disputes.

“We govern ourselves,” he said. “Our members are our governing body.”

Chairman of the Congregational Union of Ireland, Rev. Victor Neill, said he recognised the church’s independence but was “deeply saddened” by the situation at Ballynahinch Congregational.

“We would again offer help by way of mediation, in the hope of finding a resolution to this distressing situation,” he said.