Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Appoint New Moderator

The Revd Dr Adrian Burdon is “delighted” to have been appointed Moderator of the Board of Trustees of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). CTBI is an ecumenical organisation which works towards unity, peace and social justice. The Revd Adrian feels its “theological vision and ethos, rooted in our calling to be an inclusive, justice seeking Church, resonates” with him as a minister in the Methodist Church in Britain.

Having served as a presbyter in the Methodist Church in Britain since 1988, he has a wealth of experience in ministry, mission and ecumenical work, in the United Kingdom and overseas. His experience includes working as a Mission Partner in the Kingdom of Tonga, where he was Principal of the Methodist Theological College.

He has also held several national roles within the Methodist Church in Britain and has chaired the CTBI Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Writers' Group since 2016.

The Revd Adrian is excited to be embarking on this new role “at a time when many people are pushed to the margins, silenced or treated as ‘other’”. He stresses the importance of the CTBI’s work, saying its insistence that “everyone has a place at the table and that every voice is heard” is both vital and prophetic, not just an “optional extra”– “it is the living work of the Gospel, reflecting the compassion, justice and welcome of God in a world that needs them more than ever.”

Dr Nicola Brady, General Secretary of CTBI, said: “We are delighted to welcome Adrian as our new Moderator.” The Revd Adrian will chair the CTBI Board of Trustees as it continues to support and coordinate ecumenical work across the four nations, bringing together member churches and ecumenical bodies to promote collaboration, mission and justice.

Dr Brady highlighted the Revd Dr Adrian Burdon’s breadth of experience, “from parish and circuit ministry to mission service overseas and national leadership roles within the Methodist Church,” which she says, “will be of enormous value to CTBI as they work for “unity, peace and social justice across Britain and Ireland.”

The Revd Adrian particularly relishes the collaborative nature of his new role: “I look forward to working with CTBI’s many partners across the four nations and across the breadth of our churches.”

The Revd Adrian was delighted to be in Edinburgh for his induction service at the Church of Scotland’s, historic New Town Church and welcomes this new chapter of his ministry – “Stepping into this expanded role feels both a natural progression, having worked closely with the CTBI for ten years, and an exciting challenge.” He says, “ecumenism has long been at the heart of my life and vocation, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in this way alongside my ministry as Superintendent Minister of the Telford Circuit.”

He also paid tribute to his predecessor, the Revd Cannon Dr Graham Sparkes, who “brought substance and stability to CTBI’s work during his six years in post.”