Our People

Ministry Facilitator: Rev Andrew Doubleday

Lynne and I have been married for 42+ years. We have three adults sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandsons.
I grew up in Dunedin, and am the eldest of five to English and Dutch immigrants. I was baptised Presbyterian, and raised Open Brethren (youth into young adulthood), and found myself for some years
in an ultra-dispensationalist cult. I subsequently discovered in the people of the Mornington Methodist Church that being loved was not conditional upon my agreement or conformity. This proved life changing for me.
Ministry or Work Experience
Worked 13 years as a Quantity Surveyor for NZ Government.
St Johns/Trinity College 1987 through 1989 (B.Theol MCD)
Ministry appointments:
1990 through 1994 – Wanganui Methodist team ministry.
Feb 1995 through to Jan 2021 – Opawa Methodist/Community Church.
During this time we’ve been through a church split, exited Methodism and re-joined 10 years later, lost our buildings to earthquakes, took 6 years to rebuild and return. I did a two year stint as Synod Property Secretary where we set up processes to guide the District wide rebuild. Involved with both Council of Conference (6 years) & Tauiwi Strategy (7 years).
November 2020 to November 2022 – President of MCNZ.
I continue to be excited about ministry, believing as a young 69 year old that my most fruitful years may still be in front of me.
What I bring:
I’m creative, always looking for practical solutions to problems. I’m often passionate and enthusiastic.
I tend to see clearly, particularly the long-term implications of decisions. I seem to be graced with the capacity of being able to see the wood for the trees, and simplifying the complex.
I take the long view. I’m patient in waiting for people to ‘come on board’, believing that relationships need not be sacrificed in implementing a great plan. Having said that, I don’t tend to go in much for long term planning – I’ve found that life seems to find its own way.

I no longer believe in coincidences – I look to see what God is doing (what is happening in my life, around me, what people are coming across my path) and do my best to co-operate. Usually.
I tend to think out loud. This can be disconcerting for others as I’ve been known to change my mind mid-sentence.
While I tend to participate freely and can be outspoken, I never intend to be unkind – I like to be liked.
While usually clear on where I stand, I am inclusive and have the capacity to reach across the breadth of the Church.
I have twice made the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, and receive regular Spiritual Direction. Prayer, both contemplative and intercessory, is very important to me – it is the engine room for my
ministry and living.
As each day passes, the conviction that God loves me and has fully demonstrated this in Jesus Christ, deepens. I continue to have a deep conviction that the primary purpose of the church is to help people
connect with God.

Click here to contact Andrew

Co-chair: Rev Andrew Howley

Andrew was appointed by Standing Committee at Biennial Forum 2021.

He is a Presbyterian minister serving with the Alexandra, Clyde, Lauder Union Parish. Originally worked as a qualified painter and decorator in Christchurch. Prior to ordination training he worked for St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church, Christchurch, for five years as a community based intermediate youth leader and church-based children’s ministry leader. While working for the church, he completed a Bachelor of Theology from Otago University and then completed a Diploma of Ministry through the Knox Centre for Leadership and Ministry, while based in Dunedin at St Philips, Grants Braes.

He is married to Dr Rosalie Evans and they were blessed with the birth of Theodore in 2019, and Josiah in 2022.

To contact Andrew:

Phone: 021 518 053: Email: andrew.howley.nz@gmail.com

Co-Chair: Rev Jeff Caleb Odhiambo