Five ministers go forward for post of Presbyterian moderator

​The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has announced five ministers to go forward for the post of moderator in an election conducted by the denomination's 19 presbyteries across Ireland on Tuesday, February 6.
Above are the five ministers in the race to become the next moderator. Pictured, clockwise, from top left: Rev Mairisíne Stanfield; Rev Trevor Gribben; Rev Richard Kerr; Rev Gary McDowell; Rev Richard MurrayAbove are the five ministers in the race to become the next moderator. Pictured, clockwise, from top left: Rev Mairisíne Stanfield; Rev Trevor Gribben; Rev Richard Kerr; Rev Gary McDowell; Rev Richard Murray
Above are the five ministers in the race to become the next moderator. Pictured, clockwise, from top left: Rev Mairisíne Stanfield; Rev Trevor Gribben; Rev Richard Kerr; Rev Gary McDowell; Rev Richard Murray
By Billy Kennedy
Published 27th Jan 2024, 08:00 BST
Updated 29th Jan 2024, 11:45 BST

​The five ministers, four based in Northern Ireland and one in the Irish Republic, serve in congregations in counties Antrim, Down, and Wicklow, with one cleric serving in a position outside of parish ministry.

The new moderator, elected by ministers and elders in the presbyteries, will be recognised and proposed at the church General Assembly in Belfast in June.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The elected cleric will succeed present moderator the Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney and will become the 179th minister to serve in the post since the Irish Presbyterian Church was founded in 1840.

The five ministers who will be considered by presbyteries are:

Rev Trevor Gribben, clerk of the General Assembly and Presbyterian church general secretary;

Rev Richard Kerr, minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian church, Co Antrim;

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rev Gary McDowell, minister of Greystones Presbyterian church, Co Wicklow;

Rev Richard Murray, minister of Drumreagh Presbyterian church, Co Antrim; and

Rev Mairisíne Stanfield, minister of First Presbyterian church, Bangor, Co Down.

Church deputy clerk, Rev Dr David Allen, is overseeing this year’s process.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The way in which we elect our moderator is very Presbyterian, in that it is a prayerful and open process, and fundamentally a democratic one as well," said Dr Allen.

Dr Allen explained that should there be a tied vote, presbyteries will remain in session and vote again.

Only those who tied in the first round will be eligible for consideration and the person with the support of the most presbyteries will become moderator-designate.

The last occasion this happened was in 2014.

The Rev Trevor Gribben (pictured top right) was appointed clerk of the General Assembly and Presbyterian general secretary in Ireland in 2014. The 62-year-old Tandrageee man served in Whiteabbey church from 1996, where he remained for 12 years, prior to being appointed PCI’s deputy clerk in 2008.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rev Richard Kerr (bottom right) was ordained minister of Templepatrick church in 2005, where he continues to serve. Richard, 58, has been convener of the global development committee from 2021.

Rev Gary McDowell (bottom centre), 68, was ordained minister of Greystones Presbyterian church, Co Wicklow in 2015, where he continues to serve.

Rev Richard Murray (bottom left), 59, has been minister of Drumreagh church since 2016. Before coming to Drumreagh, he was installed as minister of Connor church, Co Antrim.

Rev Mairisíne Stanfield (top left) has been minister of First Bangor Presbyterian church, since 2013. Aged 59, Mairisíne was installed as minister of First Presbyterian church, Ballynahinch, in 1993.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has never had a female moderator.

Related topics:Northern IrelandGeneral AssemblyDavid Allen