A New Hand on the Tiller for Church Army

 

Having been involved with church growth from the inside as former musical director of Lisburn Cathedral and with a passion for sailing, Church of Ireland General Synod member Roy Totten (51) is about to take over the tiller of Church Army. At a Church Army Board meeting (Tuesday 4 December 2001), he was appointed Chairman Designate in succession to June Simpson, Church Army's first ever woman Chair. With Church Army's Chief Secretary, Philip Johanson, they will be working together on a hand over process.

The Archbishop of Armagh and Vice president of Church Army said: "I have the highest respect and regard for Roy Totten as a colleague and personal friend."

Currently the Managing Director of Texam Ltd, a Lisburn mechanical engineering company specialising in automated conveyor systems, Roy is married to Patricia, a Christian counsellor, and they have three girls - Laura, a social worker; Emma, in her final year at medical school; and Jane, studying for her "A" levels. They live in the village of Ballinderry, near Lisburn. With his love of music and as a gifted pianist and guitarist, he enjoys duetting with Jane, piano and violin, and playing with the music group in Glenavy Parish Church.

His business skills are appreciated fully on the Standing Committee of the C of I General Synod and he has also given much time to the Youth Department, acting as chairman of "Summer Madness" for eight years, a youth festival now attracting 6,000. Roy's interest in Christian teaching on marriage and the family led to his involvement with Christian Guidelines, a Northern Ireland based training and counselling organisation with which he is currently chairman. Nearer home, he is a Cell Group leader in his own church, a member of the Select Vestry and assists with Alpha Courses.

Brought up in a Christian family, he made a commitment to faith at the age of 16. This faith in Jesus Christ began to grow during his time at Queen's University. He says: "It became not just a form of religion but a way of life and I understood that God had to become central to my living."

His first recollection of Church Army was a mission in the 1950's "which brought a lot of life to the parish." He was a member of the Church Army Committee for Ireland and more recently has helped organise various Church Army events in Northern Ireland. He commented: "In the past Church Army Evangelists were used as spare curates even though they had specialist training. Now, opportunities are provided for them to use this training, not only in parishes but in other developing forms of evangelism."

Added Roy: "It is such an honour to be considered for this position. I have just relinquished positions in two other organisations and I believe that this is God's timing in opening another door for Christian service."

A final comment from Roy: "I look forward to the privilege and responsibility of helping to discern God's way forward for Church Army."

In the summer he escapes with Patricia onto the water in their Moody 346 sailing cruiser, but in winter he relaxes at the piano with music from the 1940's and contemporary Christian music.