Leaders and representatives from each diocese in the Church of Ireland are gathering for a special 'Think Tank' event on Thursday 7 December 2006 in the Emmaus Retreat Centre in Swords.

The purpose is to reflect on the changes that have taken place in the Republic of Ireland over the past 15 years, and to assess how effectively the Church of Ireland has responded or reacted to them.

The event is being organised by the Church of Ireland Hard Gospel Project.

The Republic of Ireland is changing fast. The 'Celtic Tiger' has brought phenomenal economic, social and religious change to the Republic of Ireland within a relatively short period of time. In terms of religion it will soon be unrecognisable., the Church of Ireland said.

This event will be informal enough for participants to reflect openly and honestly. It will also have input from a number of key speakers. David McWilliams (columnist and author of 'The Popes Children') will outline some of the key social, economic and religious changes that have overtaken the Republic of Ireland in the past ten years. Patsy McGarry (Religious Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times) will identify how the Church of Ireland has responded to this phenomenal level of change. He will also reflect on what these challenges have revealed about the Church of Ireland. Malcolm Brennan (with a background in theology, philosophy and psychology) will consider some of the key issues which the Church of Ireland must consider for the way ahead.

This event represents part of the Church of Ireland Hard Gospel Project's commitment to asking three fundamental questions:

-Who do we say that we are - what is our deepest sense of identity and greatest passion as a Church?

-How do we do what we do - what is the relationship between our activity and the mission we have been called to fulfil?

-What is the culture of our organisation - are we a body that believes that openly addressing difficult issues is always better than 'whatever you say ... say nothing'?

Revd Earl Storey, Director of the Hard Gospel Project, said:

"When the Standing Committee of the General Synod established the Hard Gospel Project it was displaying a core belief - any organisation is strengthened by having the ability to ask itself difficult questions and the courage to act when action is needed.

This event is part of what will be a wider vigorous public discussion within the Church of Ireland on what it means to be 'church' in 21st century Ireland."