Redeemer Community Updates 2025
Redeemer Community Updates
2025
Redeemer Community Updates 2025
Redeemer Community Updates
2025
Community Updates 2025
Dear Redeemer Community
This year we are preparing some developments within the Redeemer family to strengthen our foundation for the future. These updates focus on the practical and organizational aspects of church life — where we gather (our building), how we are led as a church (leadership team) and how we are governed as a charity (board of directors) and you can read a summary below. If Redeemer Central is like a thriving plant, then these ‘behind-the-scenes’ elements serve as the trellis, providing the support needed for our community to grow, flourish, and thrive.
We plan to work these things through over the next year, keeping you informed each step of the way, and letting you know how you can participate in the process as members of the community.
We hope these developments will lead to a strengthening, allowing us to grow and thrive as a church in this next season as we seek to live out the good news of Jesus and his Kingdom.
Grace & Peace,
David Armstrong & Daniel Saunders (On behalf of SLT & Board)
“Practicing the Way of Jesus together through simple, generous & inclusive community and working for the peace & common good of our City”
Summary of Updates
1. Building | The Place we Gather
As we continue to pursue full ownership of 101 Donegall Street, we’re glad to share that solicitors are now engaged in positive negotiations with the current owners. Due to legal and practical considerations related to heritage buildings we know this will take time, but we are delighted things are moving forward.
In the mean time, we continue to invest and improve the building as best we can and raise funds through a mix of venue hire, grant funding, community fundraising, and partnerships.
When: Ongoing. CONSERVATION SURVEY completed in may 2025.
Why This Matters
Our building is more than a physical space—it is a heritage building with a beautiful story, a home for our community, a place of worship and a hub for connection and mission. Investing in it will ensure a welcoming place for both our church family and the wider community for years to come.
2. Board | The Way we are Governed
Over the past year, our board has greatly benefited from a strategic planning and governance review resulting in several recommendations. As a result, we plan to appoint additional board members this year to expand our board’s personnel, skills, and capacity.
WHEN: BOARD RECRUITMENT process now open to the entire Redeemer community, accepting expressions of interest and nominations for these positions. Click the button below for all the info.
Why This Matters
Good governance and a strong board are like the trellis that supports the vine. It provides accountability, stability and support for the vision and ministry of our community.
3. Leadership | The Way we are Led
Our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) embrace joyfully their responsibility for the overall spiritual direction and care of our community. We have developed a shared conviction that a local church like ours should be led by elders; men and women who are called, who meet scriptural qualifications, are commissioned by apostolic oversight and recognised by their congregation.
This year — through a process of discernment involving the whole Redeemer community — we hope to transition from a Senior Leadership Team to an Eldership Team — men and women who are recognised as elders by our community and who commit to leading and caring for the church through the enabling help of the Holy Spirit.
WHEN: MORE TO FOLLOW LATER IN 2025
Why this matters
The New Testament consistently models the appointment of elders (Titus 1:4-5), publicly affirmed through the laying on of hands (1 Tim 4:14, 5:22, 2 Tim 1:6). It recognizes their commitment to lead and care for the church while empowering them through the Holy Spirit.
Establishing an Eldership Team would allow us to fully embody our belief in inclusive, egalitarian leadership and enable a process that involves the participation of the Redeemer community.
4. Network | The Way we Relate
Over the past 15 years of our journey, we have been blessed by relationships with other churches/networks that have provided love, support, accountability, and healthy oversight. We are searching for a new church network that aligns with our values and can support us as we live out our mission.
It will take time to explore our options so in the interim we believe it is wise to put something in place to provide that accountability and spiritual covering. We are reaching out to trusted friends of Redeemer — both local and international — to serve on a Spiritual Advisory Board to offer guidance, wisdom, and support.
WHEN: MORE TO FOLLOW LATER IN 2025
Why This Matters
Our desire for wider affiliation is rooted in both Scripture and our conviction that local churches thrive in relationship, not isolation.
Engaging in relationships with others provides accountability, spiritual covering and Godly wisdom, that supports our SLT/Elders and helps our church strengthen as we pursue our mission.
Meetings so far
Redeemer Community Meeting: Online Q&A
This meeting was open to all who call Redeemer home. Our Senior Leadership & Board shared before giving opportunity for questions or queries via a Q&A time.
When: Thu 06 Feb, 7:45pm
Where: Online via Zoom
We’d love to hear from you
Ask a Question
If you have any questions or comments about the Community Updates 2025 you can submit them here. Thanks in advance for your participation.
You can also reach out directly to David Armstrong (SLT Team Leader) or Daniel Saunders (Chair of Board) and they would be happy to help. For questions & queries regarding the Redeemer Board Process please speak to Daniel Saunders (Chair of Board) or Joe McVey (Blueprint Development Consultancy) who is helping us with the recruitment process as an independent third party.
Board 2025
Board 2025
Recruitment Process Now Open
Board 2025
Board 2025
Recruitment Process Now Open
Board 2025
In recent years we’ve been discovering who we are as a community and growing our mission to our local parish on Donegall Street. We believe this next phase should build on that, with a focus on sustainability and our board have an important role to play.
We hope to move towards greater financial stability, developing our staff team and increasing income generation through giving, venue hire, grants and fundraising. We also continue the stewardship, investment and potential ownership of our building at 101 Donegall Street.
Structuring ourselves well as a church and charity will enable us to serve our community effectively for years to come.
2024: Review
Partnerships are vital to us and North Belfast Heritage Cluster, with its expertise in heritage sites and strategic planning, has been instrumental in supporting us. Over the past year, they have provided us funding for a Strategic Planning and Governance Review, that has assessed how we as a charity are structured and managed. This review was facilitated by experienced consultant Joe McVey (see FAQs below for Joe’s bio) and has been invaluable in helping our Board reach this stage.
2025> : Sustainability & Growth
The conclusion of the Strategic Planning and Governance Review has led to a number of recommendations and changes that might help us as we move forward. Our Redeemer Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors have discussed these recommendations and settled on a model that frames governance as the “trellis that supports the vine.”
This involves:
Expanding the size, skills and capacity of our board through appointment new board members
Introducing more structures and systems to provide the necessary support for our ministry and protect and care for our people.
We believe these steps are essential for healthy growth and will serve us as a church well for this next season.
Expanding the Board
The Process
To expand our Board of Directors we propose the following open and transparent process of recruitment for new board members:
Inform – Through this webpage and various Redeemer Family Meetings we aim to highlight the vision and the need for an expanded board, and provide opportunity for our community to discuss and query what is involved in the role.
Discern – We hope and pray that individuals from our community with diverse backgrounds and skill sets will step forward to serve on the Board. We are looking to fill key roles such as Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary as well as those with expertise in areas like HR, law, finance, and architecture.
Recruit – In the first half of 2025 we plan to conduct an informal recruitment process, overseen by an independent consultant Joe McVey (for bio see FAQs below). This process will include written expressions of interest, discussions with existing Board members, and input from members of Redeemer Central. We may also offer prospective members a “shadow” period to explore if the role is a good fit.
Appoint – At the mid point of 2025 we hope to appoint the new Board members and introduce them to the Redeemer Central community.
Support – Ongoing training and support will be provided to the board to ensure it is equipped to serve effectively.
What does a Board Member do?
You probably are wondering what a board member does. To help we’ve put together this PDF that contains info on the role and what is involved.
Joining the Board
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
If you would like to be considered for the role of a voluntary board member please click on ‘expression of interest’ and complete the form.
NOMINATE SOMEONE
If you know a trusted person in the community who would offer experience and skills in the role of a board member you can, with their permission, nominate them for consideration. Click ‘nominate someone’ and complete the form.
OFFER SUPPORT
If you do not feel being a board member is right for you, but you would still like to offer some of your skills and experience to help the new board team, please click on ‘offer support’ and complete the form.
We’d love to hear from you
If you have any questions or comments about the Community Updates 2025 you can submit them here. Thanks in advance for your participation.
You can also reach out directly to David Armstrong (SLT Team Leader) or Daniel Saunders (Chair of Board) and they would be happy to help. For questions & queries regarding the Redeemer Board Process please speak to Daniel Saunders (Chair of Board) or Joe McVey (Blueprint Development Consultancy) who is helping us with the recruitment process as an independent third party.
FAQs
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You can read more about the current Senior Leadership Team and Board here
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The North Belfast Heritage Cluster is a group of voluntary organisations that own or care for an historic building in the North Belfast area. Their collective goal is to deliver heritage-led regeneration. This simply means making better use of what people care about – the collection of historic buildings and the real stories connected to them – to support economic and social development in north Belfast. It is about using what’s special about the area to create a more confident sense of place.
You can find out more about the cluster and those involved here: https://greatplacenorthbelfast.com/about-us/#northbelfastheritagecluster
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In 2024 Joe McVey led the strategic planning and governance review of the Redeemer Central board and in 2025 he will oversee the expansion of our board process.
Joe has extensive experience in regeneration and development across local government, private enterprise, and the community sector, with a strong focus on strategic planning, evaluation, and facilitation.
Before founding Blueprint Development Consultancy, Joe established and led the Economic Development Section within Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland’s largest local authority. He played a key role in developing and implementing policies and strategies in economic development, tourism, arts and culture, and European affairs.
Joe has also worked internationally as a development consultant in Nigeria, Russia, and Bulgaria. He holds an Honours degree from Queen’s University Belfast, along with a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Improvement.
Actively engaged in the voluntary and community sector, Joe currently serves as Chair of Volunteer Now and the Community Arts Partnership and is a Trustee of the Building Change Trust. In June 2015, he was appointed as a Commissioner with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
In 2010, Joe was awarded an OBE for his services to the voluntary sector.
Building 2025
Building 2025
Building 2025
Building 2025
Our building is more than a physical space—it is a heritage building with a beautiful story, a home for our community, a place of worship and a hub for connection and mission. Investing in it will ensure a welcoming place for both our church family and the wider community for years to come…
History
For over 200 years, since 1804, this has been a church where a community have gathered to worship and support the local community.
Buildings have come and gone — from The Tabernacle in 1804, through the Brown designed church in 1860, the alterations in 1900 as the church grew and grew through the ministry of John White to the John Deeds designed church of 1934 and the rose window in 1955 post blitz.
This heart of the people that served and were a part of the community can also be found in the open-mindedness of the men and women here to invite a black slave turned abolitionist here to share their story and advocate against oppression and slavery and for the freedom of every man. On 5 December 1845, by invitation of the church, Frederick Douglass gave a lecture in this very building during a time when slavery continued to be practiced extensively across the world, not least by many Christian slaveowners.
There is a legacy in this place to give a voice to the voiceless. We want to see this continue.
Survey
Over the past few weeks in May an extensive conservation survey has been conducted of 101 Donegall St. The purpose of the survey is to provide a detailed assessment of the building’s condition, identify any defects, potential issues and repairs. It will help us when considering the project of a full renovation to understand the building's current state and make informed decisions.
The survey is being undertaken by CONSARC conservation and they have been looking at the following areas:
Exterior fabric – Element by element – Roofs / Rainwater Goods / Walling / Windows etc.
Interior – Room x room / element x element – Ceilings, walls, floors , windows doors, special items.
Mechanical & Electrical Survey – Non-intrusive survey / compliance / recommendations
Structural Survey – Non-intrusive survey of structural items and potential defects
Refurbishment Costs
We will make this report available to the community once it has been finalised. The survey will also help us in our negotiations with the owners of the building - Donegall Street Congregational Church Trustees.
Proposal
On Wednesday 21st May we are meeting with the building owners to present our final proposal for taking on the ownership of 101. We will share our findings on the condition of 101 Donegall St and our vision for its future. It is our prayer and hope this will help bring a positive outcome and help us move forward as a community at 101.
Taking on a heritage building is a big responsibility and commitment — it will require fundraising through community giving, grants and investments. The refurbishment work will take a number of years to complete. This will be a 3-5 year project! Therefore, we will be presenting the outcome of our meeting at a community conversation gathering. This will be an opportunity for us to pause together, make room for questions, but also discern together if this is something we are all prepared to step into — in faith.
Please do continue to pray over all of this — Your prayers and support are deeply appreciated.
“Redeemer central is an integral part of Belfast’s most dynamic and young neighbourhood with whom St Patrick’s enjoys a warm and growing relationship. Straddling the Cathedral Quarter and Ulster University New Campus, Redeemer is a bridge between communities and a haven of spiritual and human values amidst the hustle of the city. St Patrick’s has worked closely with Redeemer on projects as diverse as arts outreach and cultural heritage. We are particularly proud to have been invited to share in Redeemer’s outreach to the homeless and lonely, The Long Table. I am honoured to support Redeemer in their creative, innovative and faith-filled initiatives which are an inspiration to me and my parish community”
“As Dean of Belfast, and Belfast’s Black Santa, I have been proud to support the ministry of our close neighbours at Redeemer Central, with a substantial grant from the 2024 Black Santa Appeal towards their really important work done through the “Long Table” project. The needs of those caught in the homelessness crisis in the city of Belfast require responses which are imaginative and compassionate. It is my hope that the community of Redeemer Central will be able to continue this vital work operating out of their current location at 101 Donegall Street, and will be able to expand their practical care to the people of the Cathedral Quarter area and the wider area of North Belfast”
“Ulster University and Redeemer Central are neighbours and partners in North Belfast, with a common interest in supporting North Belfast to flourish. Redeemer Central have approached this task with enthusiasm, passion, and commitment from their base in Donegall Street for several years now, making a marked and distinctive contribution to the life of the community. We look forward to continuing to find ways to work together for the good of this area.”
“Redeemer Central has been an important member of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster for several years. Their curiosity and appreciation for the history of the Congregational Church has ensured that over 200 years’ worth of history has remained accessible to a wide audience.”
“Redeemer Central is a strong vibrant organisation that is well governed and well managed. It truly delivers on its mission and works to improves the lives of many people within society who others chose to forget or ignore. It has played an important role in the development and life of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster (NBHC) and I, as Chair, am delighted to have Redeemer Central as part of the team!”
“Belfast City Centre Chaplaincy is an extension of the local Church, reaching out into the City Centre making Jesus and His kingdom tangible to those with no connection to Church. As Lead Chaplain, I have been profoundly encouraged by Redeemer Central, who are a truly a welcoming ‘koinonia’ (Christian community). The reality and effectiveness of the Redeemer Central community is evidenced in the diversity of its members and in its ministries, such as ‘The Long Table’ and ‘Lesser Heard’. Redeemer Central is a blessing from God in our City.”
“As a member of Belfast City Council Shared Partnership I recently reached out to Redeemer Central and had a very good experience of the church hosting a consultation event for Belfast Stories. The church was very obliging and supportive, creating a warm and welcoming environment for council officers and guests. I am also aware and grateful for the community meal on Friday evening which Redeemer hosts which is open to everyone.”
“Redeemer Central’s approach and commitment to governance provides an exemplar to other voluntary organisations and is driven by their core values”
What does Redeemer Central and 101 Donegall St mean to you?
Over the past few weeks we have been gathering endorsements from partners to help our case in highlighting why we think Redeemer Central should be the custodians of 101. Here are some excerpts…
To help support our case for taking on the ownership of 101, we would love to hear from you!
Take a few moments to write a short paragraph about your experience of Redeemer Central and 101. What does Redeemer Central mean to you and your journey of faith? What difference has 101 made to you, the community and the people of belfast?