Rev Dr Alistair Bates has relinquished the reins at Wellington Presbyterian Church in Ballymena to take up a new role as Lecturer in Practical Theology and lead of the master’s degree programme at Belfast School of Theology, formerly Belfast Bible College.
This marks a new chapter in the life and ministry of the Randalstown native, who was installed in Wellington on 28th June 2013.
On his arrival, Alistair recalls feeling a massive sense of responsibility as he began to shepherd such a large congregation in addition to leading a growing team of pastoral staff.
That said, he has enjoyed getting to know people at Wellington and watching them grow in their faith, serve the Lord while walking alongside them on that journey.
Musical worship is also something Alistair has enjoyed throughout his ministry at Wellington.
He said: “I was able to allow those responsible for choosing worship and for discerning what the right worship songs would be to give them the freedom to do that and to develop their ministries in conjunction with mine.”
Alistair also relished working alongside the Kirk Session at Wellington and watching the members become the Ruling Elders that God had called them to be as they have taken the decisions required by that role.
Preaching in Wellington was also a ‘distinct highlight’ for Alistair:
“I was given the freedom to develop my sort of own ministry of preaching and was encouraged by many within the congregation as I sought to do that”, he said.
As one would expect, pastoring a large congregation of around 600 people has brought its fair share of challenges for Alistair over the years.
He has conducted over 300 funerals during his time on the Sourhill Road; this is an emotionally challenging task, which has been compounded by the frustration of not having the time to journey with grieving families in the way that he would have liked to because of the number of people needing support in such a large fellowship.
Equally, making sure that everyone who worships in a larger Church feels included and involved in what’s happening there proved to be a challenge for Alistair and his team.
Predictably, the COVID-19 pandemic brought increased difficulties in that regard, especially when activities were continuing remotely or online.
Persuading people that it was safe to return to Church after being in insolation also proved to be a challenge for Alistair and his team. Certainly, he is quick to pay tribute to the COVID-19 taskforce at Wellington. Working together, they provided so much practical help to members of the Church with needs as well as providing a safe environment for people to return to when circumstances allowed.
The call of God to the lecturing post at Belfast School of Theology was one that he answered affirmatively only after much soul-searching. In common with most Ministers of his age, the 61-year-old expected to finish his ministry at Wellington by entering retirement.
Alistair said: “This next step appears to be very clearly within the will of God that that’s what I am to do. Hopefully, as a consequence that I can be of some benefit to the college and to the students.
However, I also hope that by following God’s purpose for me and plan for me, that the next phase of ministry within Wellington will be a very fruitful stage for the church and that as they open themselves up to the direction that God will take them. I pray that it will be a time of great blessing for them and that the Holy Spirit will move amongst the congregation and that whoever comes will see a very fruitful ministry.”
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