Kirk selects Moderator Designate
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Rev John Cairns Christie
The Rev John Cairns Christie, an Interim Minister presently serving St Andrew’s Church in West Kilbride and the Scots Kirk, Lausanne, is Moderator Designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Mr Christie, (62), was born in Glasgow. He studied at the University of Strathclyde, graduating Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1971 and, for a year, was Assistant Warden at Compass Christian Centre, Glenshee Lodge. There followed a year’s study at Jordanhill College, Glasgow from where Mr Christie graduated with a Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education.
From 1973 until 1976, Mr Christie taught biology and chemistry at Albert Secondary School, Springburn, Glasgow. He became assistant principal guidance teacher in 1976 and remained in that post until 1978 when he was appointed principal teacher of science at Tiree High School. During this time, Mr Christie was ordained to the eldership in Tiree Parish Church.
After answering a call from God to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, Mr Christie studied at Glasgow University, graduating Bachelor of Divinity with Upper Second Class Honours in New Testament and Systematic Theology in 1989. He served for one year as Probationer Assistant in Mosspark Parish Church, Glasgow.
In 1990, Mr Christie was ordained and inducted into Hyndland Parish Church, Glasgow where he served for 14 years. His ministry included school chaplaincies in Hyndland Secondary School, Broomlea School, which caters for children with profound learning difficulties, and Middlefield School for children with communication difficulties. Mr Christie developed community links and worked to meet the needs of the local community, providing pastoral care for all who sought it. He actively encouraged ecumenical awareness and interfaith dialogue and was active in Christian Aid.
Mr Christie undertook a variety of roles within Glasgow Presbytery including Convenor of the Education Committee, Vice-Convenor of the Superintendence Committee, Vice Convener of the Lodging House Mission Committee and supervision of probationers and students for both full time and auxiliary ministry.
Mr Christie was called to Interim Ministry in 2004. Interim Ministers are deployed for up to two years to congregations that need some help. He is currently in St Andrew’s Parish Church, West Kilbride and is also spending some time in the Scots Kirk, Lausanne.
• A full biography is available at the Church of Scotland website.
