The Rev. Rod Ferguson, Assistant Minister

Resumé

Rev. Rod Ferguson

rod7025@gmail.com

Status:  Retired Minister (June ‘05) in Good and Regular Standing in the Presbytery of Kamloops

            (The Session of St. Giles' Presbyterian Church, Prince George has asked for permission from the Presbytery of Kamloops to name me Minister Emeritus)

Education:  Sir George Williams, Bachelor of Fine Arts ('71 - With Distinction)

                 McGill, Bachelor of Theology ('75 - Birks Award)

                 The Presbyterian College ('76 - Calvin Gold Medal and Graduate Scholarship)

Employment Record:

(following Ordination on June 3, 1976 at KCK Presbyterian Church, Montreal):

St. Timothy's PC, Ajax, ON (1976-80)
Highlights include going to self-support after 2 years at this extension charge and a major addition to the building while growing the church.  Supervised Terri-Lee Hamilton (diaconal).

St. Andrew's PC, Kitchener, ON (1980-82)  (Assistant Minister)
Highlights include the development of a number of Adult educational and fellowship programmes at this very large congregation.  Supervised two candidates for ministry in year-long internships, the Rev. Harry Curry and the Rev. Cathy Pater (now in U.C.C.).

Elmwood Avenue PC, London, ON (1982-88)
Highlights include the development of the Elmwood Avenue Seniors Citizens Centre.  Supervised the Rev. Barbara Young and the Rev. Greg Blatch in final year field placements.

First PC, Regina, SK (1988-93)
Highlights include the restructuring of the congregations into effective short term task groups called "Commissions."  Established "Freedom 55'ers", a Seniors programme that still exists.

Memorial PC, Sylvan Lake, AB (1993-95)
An 18 month Interim-Ministry.  Again, much restructuring to create dynamic lay-centred congregational leadership.  Supervised the Rev. Irwin Cunningham in a year-long internship.

St. Giles' PC, Prince George, BC (1995-2005)
Many, many highlights in this very dynamic experience, include stabilizing and healing the congregation following a major rift with the previous incumbent, major mission initiatives, overseas and at home, blending contemporary and traditional worship models, undertaking a major renovation project.  Inspired two mwmbers to attend the Presbyterian College, Montreal - the Rev. Steve Filyk and the Rev. Stephen Jenvey.

Knox Crescent Kensington and First PC, Montreal, QC (2007-08)
This involved an eight and a half month interim-ministry with a congregation undergoing major change and looking to the future with hope in difficult times.  A new minister has been called there.

The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal (2009-2010)
Interim Minister during 14 months as this historic congregation searched for a new minister. Now assisting Rev. Jeff Veenstra on a part-time basis.

Other Church Involvement:

Member and Convenor of the Studies and Statements Committee of the Board of Congregational Life.  Author of several position papers and pamphlets. 

Member and Convenor of the Board of Ministry.  Author of a number of Book of Forms re-writes and new policies.

Member of Assembly Task Force on the structure of Theological Education in the P.C. which created the Committee on Theological Education.

Member of the Committee on Theological Education.

Moderator of Presbytery several times.  Moderator of the Synod of British Columbia.  Nominated to be Moderator of the General Assembly.

Trained Facilitator in Congregational Vitalization, Vancouver School of Theology, 1989.  Facilitated (team of three) CV with 10 United Churches in Calgary, 1990-91.

Member of the Assembly Council (2002-2005).

Convenor of the Assembly Council Task Force on developing policies to deal with racial harassment and equality hiring policies.

Community Involvement:

Many things from singing in symphonic choruses, to Rotary Clubs in Ajax, Regina and Prince George (presently a past-President of the Prince George Nechako Rotary Club), to Vice-President of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, numerous Boards and Committees including the Prince George Hospice Society.  Presently Director of Operation Rednose (Nez Rouge) in Prince George.

Other interests:

Music has always been a passion.  I enjoy my extensive collection of recorded works.  After downloading my classical collection to my computer and then to an iPod, the Ferguson Classical Library has been established in the offices of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra.  I am also a landscape painter, and my work can be viewed on my Website.  I have an abiding interest in theological education.  Last year the Ferguson Prize in Pastoral Leadership was established at The Presbyterian College.  Reading, camping and the out-of-doors round out my interests.  I have an article published in The Practice of Ministry in Canada on the spirituality of hiking.  I am presently working on a book: Seven Thoughts About God: Modest Meditations on Creation While Hiking in the Canadian Rockies.

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