Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland

Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland
Logo of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland.
Classification	Protestant
Theology	Evangelical Baptist
Governance	Congregational
Region	Ireland
Origin	1600 (Formally in 1862)
Separated from	Congregational Union of Ireland
Congregations	115
Members	8,500 Worshipers: 20,000
Ministers	100
Missionaries	100
Aid organization	Annuity Fund Baptist Aid Orphan Society
Tertiary institutions	Irish Baptist College
Official website	http://baptistsinireland.org/

The Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland (ABC,ABCi and ABCI) is a Baptist Christian denomination based in Ireland. It is a group of 121 autonomous Baptist churches working together in fellowship and evangelism, training and caring ministries. The Association only acts on behalf of the churches for the work which the churches have agreed to do together.

Baptist work was started in Ireland by the middle of the 17th century. By 1653, there were 10 churches (9 in the south and 1 in the north). The Irish Baptist Association was organised in 1862, and was replaced by the Baptist Union of Ireland in 1895. Irish Baptists initially had a close relationship with the English Baptists. But desire for independence caused the Irish Baptists to follow their own path and they set up the Union in 1895. Initially there were 15 churches. They supported Charles Spurgeon during the Downgrade Controversy that raged in the Baptist Union of Great Britain. The Union returned to its original name of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland in 1999 highlighting that they are an association of churches of like mind which seek to work and fellowship together.

The Association comprises 115 Baptist churches. These member churches have over 8,500 members with a worshipping congregation of over 20,000 each Sunday. Departments include Baptist Women, Baptist Youth, Missions, Welfare, and Training (Irish Baptist Historical Society and Irish Baptist College). The ABC Insight is a bi-monthly magazine serving the churches. The Baptist Centre comprising the administrative offices and the Irish Baptist College is located near Moira, County Down, Northern Ireland. The Association holds an annual assembly in May. The Churches Council meets during the week of the annual assembly and also annually in November. The purpose of the Council is to hear reports and conduct business. Matters are handled between sessions by the Executive Committee elected by the churches at the May Churches Council meeting.

Each church appoints at least two representatives to serve on the Churches' Council. This body meets twice each year. It is the final authority within the Association. It appoints the committees and Association Officers, approves the policy and practice of the Association and reviews the work undertaken on behalf of the churches.