In offering himself as a candidate, Stuart expressed a strong desire to be moderator of the whole church, not just a part of it. He suggested a process of “genuine discussion and dialogue” as a step toward overcoming misunderstanding and mistrust, saying in part:
“It is time for us to try anew to talk with one another. We have spent too much time talking about each other. We have spent too much time talking at each other.”
Stuart served on the planning committee for the national Unity in Diversity conference in 1999, keynoted a dozen regional Unity-in-Diversity conferences, initiated Pastor Theologian dialogues involving conservative and liberal pastors through the Office of Theology and Worship, and participating in the Bible study series with leaders of the Covenant Network, the Presbyterian Coalition, and More Light Presbyterians.
Noting it as an indication of his desire to serve the whole church, Stuart resigned from the board of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, which he served most recently as co-moderator.
A graduate of Amherst College and Princeton Seminary, he holds a D.Min. from Princeton. He is married to the former Virginia Kirkland; they have three grown daughters.
