“Because the driving sources of the growing economic and political and military divide in the world are from the US, though not all of them,” he said. He said he raised the issue with the Alliance’s nominating committee and others in WARC and was encouraged to let his name stand as the replacement for CS Song of Korea. “I frankly am surprised that more people have not raised these questions. If there were other candidates, I would have taken a second look,” said Kirkpatrick, currently a member of the Alliance’s executive.
“I’m taking this on with a serious degree of humility,” added the 59-year-old Kirkpatrick, who has served eight years as stated clerk and was just recently elected to another four years. Before that he served 15 years directing worldwide ministries for his church. He said in an interview his election may be a sign that delegates understand his church is among those in North America who are working to create a different kind of world and have spoken against economic injustice and the US war on Iraq.
He outlined three major challenges for the 75 million-member worldwide fellowship of churches: transforming the church, transforming WARC and transforming the world.
