Stafford Carson
Encyclopedia
John Stafford Carson is a former Moderator
of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
from 2009 to 2010, when he was replaced by his successor Dr. Norman Hamilton
. He is also minister at the First Presbyterian Church, in Portadown
, Northern Ireland
. Mr Carson was nominated by 10 out of the 21 Presbyteries who met throughout Ireland to vote for a new Moderator and took office on 1 June 2009 in succession to Dr Donald Patton.
on 29 May 1951, John Stafford Carson attended Moyle Primary School and Larne Grammar School
. In 1973 he graduated with a BSc from University of Ulster
in Coleraine
and three years later was awarded an MA from the same university.
Brought up in the Elim Church, Mr Carson was also strongly influenced through the ministry of Christian Endeavour and Youth for Christ and after his marriage joined his wife's congregation of First Portglenone Presbyterian.
While studying for his MA, Mr Carson taught Biology in Ballymena Technical College before his theological studies took him to the USA and Westminster Theological Seminary
where he graduated with a Masters in Arts and Ministry in 1980 before completing his ministerial training at Union Theological College
in Belfast.
congregation before being installed in the joint charge of Kells and Eskylane a year later. In 1991 Mr Carson was called to be minister of Carnmoney where he stayed until taking up the post of Academic Dean at Westminster Theological Seminary in 2000. In 2005 he returned to Northern Ireland and became minister of the First Portadown congregation.
He has convened various committees of the General Assembly, particularly those related to theological education of ministers and the provision of resources to help local churches be more effective in their mission outreach.
season ticket holder Mr Carson is married to Patricia and has two daughters and a son.
Moderator of the General Assembly
The Moderator of the General Assembly is the chairperson of a General Assembly, the highest court of a presbyterian or reformed church. Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries may also style the chairperson as moderator....
of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Presbyterian Church in Ireland
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland , is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Ireland, and the largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland...
from 2009 to 2010, when he was replaced by his successor Dr. Norman Hamilton
Norman Hamilton
Norman Hamilton, OBE is the current Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He has also been minister of the Ballysillan Presbyterian Church in Belfast for twenty-two years....
. He is also minister at the First Presbyterian Church, in Portadown
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Mr Carson was nominated by 10 out of the 21 Presbyteries who met throughout Ireland to vote for a new Moderator and took office on 1 June 2009 in succession to Dr Donald Patton.
Early life and education
Born in LarneLarne
Larne is a substantial seaport and industrial market town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is...
on 29 May 1951, John Stafford Carson attended Moyle Primary School and Larne Grammar School
Larne Grammar School
Larne Grammar School is a co-education voluntary grammar school located in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1886 by Sir Edward Coey and John Crawford, it has around 760 pupils and 50 teaching staff.-Past Headmasters:R.M Jones...
. In 1973 he graduated with a BSc from University of Ulster
University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...
in Coleraine
Coleraine
Coleraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
and three years later was awarded an MA from the same university.
Brought up in the Elim Church, Mr Carson was also strongly influenced through the ministry of Christian Endeavour and Youth for Christ and after his marriage joined his wife's congregation of First Portglenone Presbyterian.
While studying for his MA, Mr Carson taught Biology in Ballymena Technical College before his theological studies took him to the USA and Westminster Theological Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary is a Presbyterian and Reformed Christian graduate educational institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with a satellite location in London.-History:...
where he graduated with a Masters in Arts and Ministry in 1980 before completing his ministerial training at Union Theological College
Union Theological College
Union Theological College is the theological college for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and is situated in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was established in 1853 as Assembly's College. The building served as the location for the early Northern Ireland Parliaments.The college offers a full range...
in Belfast.
Ministry
In 1983 he was ordained as assistant minister in the High Street AntrimAntrim, County Antrim
Antrim is a town in County Antrim in the northeast of Northern Ireland, on the banks of the Six Mile Water, half a mile north-east of Lough Neagh. It had a population of 20,001 people in the 2001 Census. The town is the administrative centre of Antrim Borough Council...
congregation before being installed in the joint charge of Kells and Eskylane a year later. In 1991 Mr Carson was called to be minister of Carnmoney where he stayed until taking up the post of Academic Dean at Westminster Theological Seminary in 2000. In 2005 he returned to Northern Ireland and became minister of the First Portadown congregation.
He has convened various committees of the General Assembly, particularly those related to theological education of ministers and the provision of resources to help local churches be more effective in their mission outreach.
Personal
An Ulster RugbyUlster Rugby
Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
season ticket holder Mr Carson is married to Patricia and has two daughters and a son.