New moderator: Prayer is key to developing community and a strong supportive fellowship
New Irish Presbyterian moderator the Rev Richard Kerr says the modern Christian church faces a society that is demanding, challenging and increasingly Godless, or at least not God-centred.
He believes the task in his moderatorship year ahead is to renew the church's message in the public square, accepting there are many options ahead of him as he steps forward to lead Northern Ireland's largest Protestant denomination.
Banbridge-born Rev Kerr, 60, who spent 11 years with his wife Brenda and children on the Malawi African mission field and has been minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian church for 21 years, says focusing on a God-centred church are among the many options vying for his attention.
"As people deal with their faith, I have always tried to support them and encourage them to see that there is a better God-gifted way to live," he asserts.
“Developing community and a strong supportive fellowship are key aspects of my ministry. I see church as a family where we all look out for each other. I want each one of us to engage with God and His will for us.
"Prayer is key to this, and is an acknowledgement that we need God to move and work in our lives, homes, community and world.” The single biggest influence on his ministry, Rev Kerr adds, are his parents. “For me, they model what it means to live out Christian faith day-by-day."
While living in Malawi, Rev Kerr studied remotely for a MSc degree in agricultural development from the University of London. He was also awarded a Masters in Divinity from PCI’s Union Theological College in Belfast when studying for the ordained ministry.
Speaking about his journey into the ministry, he said that he always saw service as being part of his calling.
“I had served in various capacities in church through the years, not least in Malawi where I was an elder with the Church of Central Africa, Synod of Livingstonia."
Richard Kerr grew up near Ramelton, Co Donegal with parents and five siblings. His father worked for the Reformed Presbyterian Church and the family worshipped at the local RP congregation.
In 2005, Richard became minister of Templepatrick Presbyterian church in Co Antrim, which traces its history to the 1620s and today he ministers to 330 families totalling 800 people.
He was elected Presbyterian moderator-designate on Tuesday night by ministers and elders of the church's 19 presbyteries and will be installed in June.
Rev Kerr received most votes in a second round of voting, having tied initially with Rev Ker Graham, minister of Clarkesbridge, First Newtownhamilton, Garmany’s Grove, and McKelvey’s Grove Presbyterian churches in South Armagh-Co Monaghan.
Richard succeeds the present moderator the Rev Dr Richard Murray.
Speaking about his election, Mr Kerr said: “I feel deeply humbled, and very conscious that I cannot do this by myself, or in my own strength. I pray that God’s Spirit will grant me the wisdom and guidance that I will need to reflect His mission to the Church, wider society and our global community. I also recognise that I serve in partnership with God’s people who’ve elected me, and their prayers and support I deeply value as I seek to serve God faithfully in the year ahead.
“My overriding desire in this year would be to encourage the church, reminding us of the confidence we have in Christ, encouraging us to serve the wider community, and world, out of that place of knowing we are deeply loved by Him.”