David Phillips, elder, St. Andrew’s-Chalmers, Uxbridge, Ontario
For the past two years, David Phillips has acted as the Leading with Care coordinator for the denomination. During this time, he has visited or worked with more than 500 congregations. He is also convener of the Pickering Presbytery’s Leading with Care Committee, and serves as clerk of session, teaches the adult Sunday school class and convenes the mission committee at his home congregation.
Prior to his current position, Phillips taught high school for 34 years for the Durham District School Board, where he acted as the physical and health education department head for a Whitby, Ont. school for most of his career. In a move to expand his own education, he enrolled in the Basic Laity Course at Knox College and is now taking the Enriched Laity Course.
Phillips serves on numerous committees including an interdenominational anti-bullying initiative that is examining bullying in Canadian churches, the Healing and Reconciliation Advisory Committee, Ewart Centre for Lay Education Advisory Committee, the Uxbridge Public Library Board and the Youth in Mission Advisory Committee. He has led the Youth in Mission trip to Mistawasis First Nation Reserve in Saskatchewan for the past seven years.
David is married to Anne and they have one daughter, Nancy, who is married to Brian Alexander.
1. What did you think when you found out you were nominated?
“I was very honoured to be nominated for the position of Moderator of the General Assembly.”
2. What would you bring to the position?
“For the past two years, I have led workshops for over 500 congregations for the Leading with Care program. As a result, I have a good sense of what lives in the hearts and minds of Presbyterians across Canada. I have listened to a great number of our clergy and even more lay people. Women, men, youth and children continue to make their Christian presence felt in the communities in which they live. Personally, I have always been involved in church and community activities in Uxbridge, serving in the church and on a number of civic boards.”
3. What would your theme(s) be for your moderatorial year?
“I would choose education for the moderatorial year. As a former high school teacher and department head, I would focus on education about current issues in our church and communities. Christian education is vital for adults, young adults and children.”
4. What do you think are the church’s current strengths?
“Our strength is our people. My contacts within The Presbyterian Church in Canada have made me aware of the wonderful people in our congregations, and their many gifts and talents. Many congregations are doing some incredible work with very little publicity or fanfare. They are providing a real Christian presence in our communities.
“The challenge that we face is the need to communicate and share some of the many fine ideas and programs that are happening in our congregations. During my travels I have been fortunate to meet many fine Presbyterians; to learn from them and to have the opportunity to share what is working for them. We must work together, clergy and lay, rural and urban, large and small churches. We are all engaged in ministry.”
