Palmerston North Presbyterian minister, the Very Rev Pamela Tankersley, has been elected as the head of Singapore-based Council for World Mission (CWM).
Pamela has been appointed Moderator of CWM Ltd with immediate effect, and will serve in that capacity until the organisation’s next Assembly in June 2016. While the role will be fulfilled from her home base in Palmerston North, she expects that frequent travel will be required.
Pamela describes CWM as a “a family of churches” operating across 40 countries, who are engaged in supporting each other in mission and outreach.
Pamela’s appointment to the role of Moderator means that she oversees the governance functions of the multi-million dollar charitable organisation, which in 2014 was responsible for distributing around $NZD 13m to projects led by its 31 member churches.
“I have been a passionate advocate for ecumenical initiatives during my ministry, and it is an honour to have the trust of my colleagues and be elected to this position.
“I’m looking forward to using my skills and gifts that have been nurtured in the Presbyterian Church here in New Zealand in this international role.”
Prior to accepting the appointment as Moderator, Pamela served as Deputy Moderator (Pacific Region), and has been on the CWM Executive for the past three years in this capacity.
This appointment strengthens the Presbyterian Church’s connection with CWM, as another Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Fei Taulealeausumai, is CWM’s Regional Secretary for the Pacific.
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About the Council for World Mission
- The Council for World Mission is a worldwide partnership of Christian churches. The 31 members, including the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, are committed to sharing their resources of money, people, skills and insights globally to carry out God’s mission locally. See CWM's website for more info.
- The role of Moderator of CWM Ltd is the corporate equivalent of board chairperson.
- CWM is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom. For the financial year ended 31 December 2014, CWM declared assets of £139.30m, and charitable spending of £5.53m. For further details see: http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1097842&SubsidiaryNumber=0
About the Very Rev Pamela Tankersley
Pamela Tankersley has been an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand since 1988.
She has served as a parish minister in three parishes in New Zealand for over 20 years. During this time she was highly involved in the leadership of the Presbyterian Church and in 2006 she was elected to the Church’s highest office as Moderator of the General Assembly. In 2010 she was appointed Global Mission Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church.
Pamela has a strong international ecumenical background, which began when she was elected as a member of general committee of the Christian Conference of Asia (2005-10). She has also been an advocate for full participation of women in church and society, and has attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women over three consecutive years, representing the women of New Zealand.
Pamela is married to Roy and they have three adult children and four grandchildren.