Introducing our Interim Moderator, Stephen Kendall
Well, normally we’d all head back to the Winchester Room after Sunday worship, indulge in some soup or cake or cookies with ample servings of coffee in tiny church mugs, and chat up the room to meet who’s new in our community. But in lieu of that distant memory, we have the internet for introductions.
I introduce to you, then, our newly (re)appointed Interim Moderator, Rev. Stephen Kendall. Stephen is the Principal Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and as such he also represents our denomination on the Canadian Council of Churches.
Below are a few questions Rev. Stephen was gracious enough to respond to, but just before that, maybe you’re wondering: what does an Interim Moderator do? An Interim Moderator is appointed by the Presbytery (that’s the group of churches in a geographical area) to guide a church’s leadership—elders, staff, congregation—through the process for calling their next Minister, ensuring things are done in good order. Sometimes this will include advising the appointment of an Interim Minister to carry out the responsibilities of worship leading, preaching, pastoral care, etc, but in our case, we are grateful to have a capable pastoral staff team that can carry much of that load.
Now, here’s a little bit about our Interim Moderator!
Sam Mudiappahpillai: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Stephen Kendall: After a degree in mechanical engineering I went to Knox College. After graduation in 1987, I was appointed to church extension work in south Calgary. We went with one bouncing baby boy (James) and returned with two more little cowgirls (Diana and Charlotte). They are now all in their thirties and have, over the past five years, provided me and my wife Alison with six adorable grandchildren. How time flies!
After our time in Calgary I was called to Fallingbrook Presbyterian in Toronto and then appointed as Clerk of the General Assembly in 1998. In that position I am responsible for supporting governance and ecumenical matters for our church. I consider this a great privilege and it has given me a glimpse into the ministry of our own church across Canada and around the world, but also our global partners through roles with the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Council of Churches.
SM: Some of our leadership was recently in a prayer retreat where we were encouraged to reflect on our early days of falling in love with Jesus. Can you share a memory or story of some of your early days of following Jesus?
SK: As a child of the manse the air I breathed was always suffused with God’s love and a generous approach to the grace extended to all people in Jesus Christ. I tried to be a rebel teenager but without much success. The time I hooked up my new bass guitar to a fuzz box and let rip in our little congregation only resulted in dear Christian people saying (quite untruthfully) how nice it was. I have always found that the Christian life lived in the community of the church with others who love Jesus is how I come to love him more.
SM: What is something you’ve learned about God or the Church (or at least mainline denominations of churches) in Canada as you’ve participated in the Canadian Council of Churches?
SK: Since part of my current ministry is to serve on the governing board of the Canadian Council of Churches, I have been privileged to be in a room together (now on Zoom) several times a year with leaders and members from many different denominations. I have discovered that Christian Unity is very real. In those rooms, it is so natural to be at a table with (for example) a Roman Catholic bishop, a Pentecostal leader, a Salvation Army officer, an Orthodox priest and a Lutheran young person. In those gatherings, I discover what it means not only to be Christian but what it means to be Presbyterian since we are often called to talk about our faith together and our church, what it stands for and means to me. It’s truly a gift.
SM: What is a scripture or part of the bible you have been reflecting on lately?
SK: I’m reading through the Psalms daily right now. I do that every couple of years. Yesterday Psalm 67 was such a refreshing way to start the day:
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
SM: What is something you’ve witnessed recently that’s reminded you that the Kingdom of God is near?
SK: I am so grateful and amazed to see how so many of our churches across the country have stayed strong in faith and love through the many challenges of the pandemic. They have been doing new things for the Kingdom. It’s truly inspiring and I think the church will never be the same again. We now know that sometimes we need to be the church engaged in mission in new ways, and we now know we can do it.
SM: What is one of your favourite things about Toronto.
SK: The St. Lawrence Market - I have gone each Saturday for over 30 years. Now our Saturday morning group meets at our usual time by zoom, but we can’t wait to get back.
SM: Share a favourite book or author.
SK: I loved Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese, a grace filled journey of a father and son according to Ojibway traditions. (Indian Horse is also a must-read). And I admit that each summer I enjoy the latest Louise Penny mystery, too.
SM: When you’re not in church meetings, what are some things you enjoy most?
SK: I still play the bass guitar from teenage days, especially in my band, Lost Pilgrims, a folk/country/rock acoustic quartet that is a blast. When I am not bounding grandchildren on my knee—or running after them with my wife, I will try to create something useful, and maybe beautiful in the woodworking shop.
Hopefully we’ll be able to meet in person in the future, but until that day, we look forward to working with Rev. Stephen online.
I’ll finish off with this invitation from Rev. Stephen last Sunday:
“As you enter this season of prayerful discernment, as you seek to call your next Senior Minister, I invite you to join me in praying for the Session as they guide the process; for the search committee when it is appointed; for Nick and the rest of the staff in their additional responsibilities in these days; for the congregation as it strives to fulfills its gospel mission here and around the world; and for whoever God may be nudging towards being your next Senior Minister, too.”
If you have any questions about the search process, please feel free to contact Rev. Stephen at the PCC head office, skendall@presbyterian.ca, (416) 441-1111, x227.
