The new Moderator-designate of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is the Rev Dr Russell Birney, who is minister at High Kirk, Ballymena, Co Antrim. He was nominated by 17 of the church's 21 presbyteries in Ireland, who met for the election yesterday at various centres around the island.
There were two other candidates: the Rev Leslie Casement, minister of Sixmilecross in Co Tyrone, and the Rev Jack Richardson, from Hillhall, near Lisburn, Co Antrim.
The new Moderator will take up office on June 10th when he will succeed Dr Alastair Dunlop.
Dr Birney was born on November 16th, 1940, in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh. He was educated at Enniskillen Technical College before graduating from Trinity College Dublin. He completed his theological education at New College, Edinburgh.
In 1993 he gained a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He was ordained on January 16th, 1972 as assistant minister in First Carrickfergus, and in 1973 was called to the Downshire Road congregation in Newry where he stayed for nine years.
During this time he ministered to the victims of various atrocities. In 1982 he became minister of High Kirk Presbyterian Church.
He is also engaged in the wider work of the church through the General Assembly and was convenor of the PresbyterianYouth Board from 1979 to 1984. He has been Moderator's chaplain on two occasions, to Dr R.G. Craig in 1980 and Dr Trevor Morrow in 2000.
Dr Birney is married to Arline and they have three daughters, Emma, a fashion designer in London, and Sarah and Claire who are studying in Edinburgh and Manchester respectively. He lists his interests as reading, walking, camping and watching sport.
He describes himself as an "empowered evangelical" and believes that the church must be constantly renewing itself. "Only if we are open to God's leading and prepared to change can the church continue to be relevant and have an effective witness," he said.
Dr Birney received the votes of the presbyteries at Ards, Ballymena, North, East and South Belfast, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Derry-Strabane, Donegal, Down, Dublin-Munster, Iveagh, Monaghan, Newry, Omagh, Route, and Templepatrick.
