Two names will appear on the ballot for Moderator of the 2008 General Assembly, both immigrants from two very Presbyterian countries: Rev. Thomas Kay of Knox, Guelph, Ont., from Scotland, and Rev. Cheol Soon Park, of Toronto Korean, from Korea. The new moderator will be officially voted in at the assembly to be held in Ottawa in June.
Rev. Thomas Kay has served in five charges in P.E.I., Nova Scotia, and Ontario; has been clerk and moderator of six presbyteries and has served on the Fund for Ministerial Assistance, the Committee for Theological Education, and on the General Assembly's Committee on Business. He has been active in camping ministries, was a lecturer in church polity at Knox College, was chaplain of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment, and helped establish CORE, a group coordinating the social action ministries of churches in Guelph. He is married to Cathy, a minister at Knox, Crieff, Ont. They have three adult children in university.
“There are many challenges facing the PCC today, not least are issues of identity, theological and social relevance, and denominational vitality. Some of those issues have been highlighted in debate around the departure of the minister and many members of the congregation of Trinity, Oro. Out of that sad situation, however, has come a reminder of the PCC's greatest strength — its individual congregations. With more emphasis on supporting and encouraging the vitality of congregations, denominational vitality can take care of itself.
“An essential element of congregational vitality is education in the faith. When individual members are engaged in faith formation ministries, the life of the whole congregation benefits. If, by God's grace, the church calls me as moderator, I would hope to focus renewed energy and attention on educational ministries at all levels — from the local Sunday school to the education of future ministers in our schools of theology.”
Rev. Cheol Soon Park is the son of a Presbyterian minister, and graduate of Knox College. Prior to Toronto Korean (1,500 members) he was minister at Kitchener-Waterloo Korean. Park has served on the Committee on Church Doctrine, the Evangelism Committee, the Centre for Asian-Canadian Theology and Ministry at Knox College, the Board of Governors of Knox College, and as the clerk of the Presbytery of Eastern Han-Ca. Park has been married to Karen for 25 years and they have three children.
“I think we have been in survival mode for so long that we have become quite comfortable with it. The church's future depends on the leadership of the church. We should look back to realize what has been missing in the life of the PCC. And we should look around to see what is available to improve the situation and to get the energy back to the local congregation. Reflection may be a luxury for us. Concrete action is a mandate.
“I'd like to focus on the globalization of our understanding. We need to open our eyes to realize what is going on in Canada as well as abroad. When we become truly open regardless of ethnicity, colour, gender and heritage, we will be able to serve and win the world to our Lord.
“The local church should be a place that makes a joyful noise and wakes up people's heart and minds. In order to achieve it, renewal of leadership is a pre-requisite.”
