Being church in
21st century Ireland Patrick Mitchel reflects on a recent conference held in Maynooth Community Church which considered how the church in Ireland can move from being multi-ethnic to intercultural.
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n June, Irish Bible Institute (IBI) and Intercultural Ministries Ireland (IMI) co-hosted a rich and Spiritfilled gathering of people from all over Ireland at Maynooth Community Church – a day shaped by deep conversations, learning, and vibrant intercultural worship. The theme was ‘From Multi-Ethnic to Intercultural: Being church in 21st century Ireland’. There was much for participants to take away and apply in their own context. The main speaker was Nathaniel Jennings (OMF) whose keynote sessions set the scene for seminars led by experienced leaders in different areas. There was also space for lots of informal discussions and a Q&A session with a panel of leaders from different churches in Ireland. What follows is a primarily theological reflection on the event.
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Herald September 2025
God’s rebuilding project The story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 is a deceptively relevant tale for our divided world. Humans, united through a common language, learn to cooperate to reach new heights (literally). Innovation leads to the invention of a radical new technology (the brick). Imaginations start to run wild as they begin to appreciate its apparently limitless potential. They say, “Come let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves
We want churches that feel like fruit salads, not smoothies – diverse, distinct, and deeply connected.
and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” In response, God intervenes in two ways. First, he confuses their language. Second, as they had feared, he scatters them over the face of the whole earth. This judgment is an act of mercy. No longer would they be able to dream of global domination. The tower remains unbuilt and human power is curtailed. Separated physically and linguistically, humanity is to learn afresh that we are finite creatures who need others to survive and flourish. “God’s judgment was the grace necessary to relearn the humility that ennobles” (Stanley Hauerwas). But the human heart is stubborn and rebellious. The tragedy of our world is that we continue to repeat the sin of Babel ad nauseam. Rather than taking the path of humility and openness to the
