Revd Dr Stanley Gamble joins Irish Methodist Faith and Order Committee
Revd Dr Stanley Gamble has begun his tenure as Church of Ireland Observer on the Faith and Order Committee of the Methodist Church in Ireland. He succeeds Revd Canon Dr Ian Ellis, who recently retired from full time stipendiary ministry.
As part of the covenant relationship between the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland, observers are appointed onto respective committees to increase mutual understanding and respect in the area of doctrine and theological issues.
The Faith and Order Committee is appointed by the Methodist Conference. On behalf of the Conference, it helps to ensure that what the Methodist Church in Ireland says and does is true to its self–understanding, mission and purpose. The Committee normally meets twice a year – in the autumn and early spring. It seeks to encourage a deepening of theological understanding, engagement with the Methodist tradition, and shared critical reflection in order to help discern Methodist perspectives and responses in all aspects of the Church’s life.
Dr Gamble’s academic interest is in Anglican–Methodist relations. His PhD thesis was on “The Wesleyan Quadrilateral in Irish Ecumenism: an examination of theological method in Irish Anglican and Methodist conversations since 1965.”
President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Dr Sahr Yambasu, welcomed Dr Gamble to the committee and hoped he would enjoy the challenge of grappling with theological issues of importance to both churches. He also put on record his sincere thanks to Dr Ellis for his service to Faith and Order in previous years.
Revd Gamble (pictured far right) is rector of Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill in the Diocese of Down.