Media Release for Immediate Issue
30 September 2000
<typohead type=2>Presbyterian Moderator Signals Hope for Outward Looking Church</typohead>
The church is ready for a more outward-looking involvement with society and communities, said Rob Yule, new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Mr Yule was today elected Moderator by a large majority of over 400 Presbyterians at their General Assembly in Dunedin. As Moderator he will be the leader and spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church for the next two years.
" Despite some areas of decline, our church is well poised in New Zealand because we have significant grassroots contact with communities up and down the country.," Mr Yule said.
" I think all voluntary organisations are experiencing difficulties, but the church is probably better placed to handle those than many other groups. I have strong hopes for our churches where they have good links with their communities and are well positioned for significant local social service, friendship and evangelism initiatives.
" In my term as leader I want to encourage our churches to reach out to their communities and be concerned with our mission to society, " Mr Yule said.
Mr Yule was born in Ranfurly, Central Otago, the first parish of his father the Rev. Morris Yule. He attended Auckland Grammar and gained a BA in history and geography from Auckland University. In 1968 he graduated Bachelor of Divinity from Otago University and this was followed by post-graduate study at New College, Edinburgh.
His career included being ecumenical chaplain at Victoria University and Wellington Teachers' College for six years in the 1970s. He is currently minister at St Albans Church in Palmerston North.
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