Incoming Moderator the Rev Peter Cheyne has been minister of Calvin Community Church in Gore since 1990. Prior to that he was the minister of St Paul’s, Kaikoura.
Peter will become Moderator at General Assembly 2010, which starts on Thursday 30 September in Christchurch. His role is to preside at the Assembly, help deliberations and lead in worship.
Before training for the ministry, he worked as an electrical engineer with the Ministry of Works. He is married to Christine and they have three adult daughters.
He says his theme of “making disciple-making disciples” alludes to the importance of helping people grow in their faith.
“It is about making disciples who become sufficiently mature to then make another generation of disciples.”
Peter has a significant interest in leadership and leadership development. He believes the Bible’s “Great Commission” talks of bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ and then bringing them to maturity in Jesus.
He is primarily a teacher and loves to see people growing in their faith – not just in the vacuum of a Bible study group but in how life is lived. He says that maturity is seen in serving and selflessness and in strong relationships, as well as in Bible knowledge.
Peter has served the Church in various capacities at local, regional and national levels. He has served on the Council of Assembly (the body that governs the Church between General Assemblies), has chaired the Southland Board of BCNZ (now Laidlaw College) and the Gore Strengthening Families team.
Believing the Bible to be the word of God, Peter is committed to seeking to understand what God is saying, and to Biblical preaching and teaching. He believes in the Biblical call for Christians to “live a life worthy of their calling.”
He hopes during his two-year term as Moderator to explore his theme at a regional and local level. “I expect to learn from churches that are making disciples of Jesus Christ and perhaps be able to share some of their understanding and ideas.”
Peter says he feels a mixture of excitement and apprehension about becoming Moderator.
“In many ways I feel inadequate for the role but I am assuming God has some reason for my selection. My part is to discover and follow his plan, trusting him for the results.
Peter’s vision is for the Presbyterian Church to be vital, enthusiastic, growing, united and happy as it commits itself to “enjoy and glorify God forever”.
