Presbyterians to elect new Moderator (again)
Next Tuesday, 1 February, Presbyterians will elect the successor to Dr Norman Hamilton. The candidate chosen by the denomination's 19 regional presbyteries will then be formally elected Moderator at the Presbyterian General Assembly in June.
Here's the list of ministers shortlisted for the post: Rev Ivan Patterson (Newcastle) and Rev Roy Mackay (Second Comber), who both received nominations in last year's election; and the Rev Joseph Andrews (Ballee, Ballymena), who is also a; Rev Rob Craig (Kilfennan, Londonderry) and Rev Roy Patton (Ballygilbert).
Ivan Patterson (pictured) secured 4 votes in last year's election, which makes him the candidate most likely to end up wearing moderatorial tassels.
Shortlisted candidates for Moderator
Rev Joseph Andrews
Minister of Ballee, Ballymena, Joseph was born in 1957 and ordained as Assistant in Wellington Street, Ballymena in 1981. In 1984 he was installed as minister in Loughgall and Tartaraghan before accepting a call to Ballee in 1987. He served as Clerk of the Synod of Ballymena and Coleraine between 2003 and 2007 and is currently Clerk of the BallymenaPresbytery, a post he has held since 1997.
Rev Rob Craig
Minister of Kilfennan, Londonderry, Rob was born in 1954 and ordained as Assistant in Glengormley in 1983. In 1985 he was installed as minister of Clough and Seaforde and was called to Kilfennan in 1994. He was convener of the Home Mission Committee between 1998 and 2004.
Rev Roy Mackey
Minister of Second Comber, Roy was born in 1955 and ordained as Assistant in First Ballymena in 1981. In 1983 he was installed as minister of Hydepark and Lylehill and was called to second Comber in 1995. He convened the Church Extension Committee from 1989 to 1995.
Rev Ivan Patterson
Minister of Newcastle, Ivan was born in 1949 and in 1980 was ordained as Assistant in First Bangor. In 1982 he was installed as minister of Bushvale before accepting acall to Newcastle in 1991. He convened the Youth International and Inter Church Committee between 1984 and 1989, the Youth Board from 1989 until 1993 and the Reception of Ministers and Licentiates Committee in 2008. He is currently Clerk of the Iveagh Presbytery, a post he has held since 1995.
Rev Roy Patton
Minister of Ballygilbert, Roy was born in 1953 and in 1981 was ordained as Assistant in St. Enoch's, Belfast. In 1983 he was installed as minister of Downshire Road, Newry before accepting a call to Ballygilbert in 1994. He convened the Youth Centres Committee between 1988 and 1995, the Irish Mission/Home and Irish Mission Committee from 2002 to 2006 and has been convener of the Board of Mission in Ireland since 2006.
Comment number 1.
At 31st Jan 2011, upsidedownworld wrote:Why highlight one of the short-listed candidates' membership of the Orange Order?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 31st Jan 2011, Will_Crawley wrote:Because many will consider the connection newsworthy. If you would like to note other relevant connections in the case of this or other candidates, please feel free to mention them.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 1st Feb 2011, Paul wrote:Truly incompatible positions I would say. I'm surprised the Rev Joseph Andrews seems unware of the nature of his calling if he's a hopeful of election as "Moderator". What sort of message does this send to those wondering if the Prebyterian Church is a Church they could join.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 1st Feb 2011, upsidedownworld wrote:No, Paul, I really don't think so. PCI in the past has had moderators who were members of the Orange Order - who carried out their 'duties' well aware of the nature of their calling - and did so to the benefit of the wider denomination and with no adverse affect on the wider community. Such is the beauty of electing a moderator yearly (i.e. 'again'!). On the other hand, the current moderator to my knowledge is not a member of the Orange Order yet refused the Pope's handshake when given the opportunity. To a small extent it is a newsworthy connection, but I think the world has moved on - in fact probably doesn't really care at all. So, neither the office of moderator, nor the person who occupies it should really tip the balance as to whether someone should consider the PCI a church to join. There is a much more signiifcant message!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)