The 21 Presbyterian presbyteries in Ireland will meet again today to nominate a moderator-designate to succeed Dr Russell Birney, whose year of office ends in June.
Last month, for the first time in 10 years, the annual election for the post ended in a tie between two Belfast men, the Rev Ivan McKay from Dundonald and the minister of Fitzroy congregation, the Rev Ken Newell.
Each polled seven votes from the 21 presbyteries, with the remaining seven votes spread among other ministers. A second election must take place involving the tied candidates.
Presbyteries are the governing bodies responsible for groups of approximately 25 congregations around Ireland. Each is made up of all the ministers and a representative elder from every congregation in its area.
Members will vote among themselves to decide who their presbytery will nominate as the moderator-designate. Each presbytery has just one vote. A result is expected to be declared by 9.30 p.m. this evening.
Ballymoney-born Rev McKay (57) ministers in the suburban parish of Dundonald on the outskirts of Belfast.
He was ordained in Bethany Presbyterian church, now Immanuel, before being called as minister to Brookside Presbyterian church in Ahoghill in 1972. He remained there for 24 years before moving to the Dundonald congregation in 1996.
Rev Newell (59) is minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian church, off Belfast's Ormeau Road.
Born and brought up on Belfast's Shore Road, he was ordained as assistant minister in Hamilton Road Presbyterian church, Bangor, in 1968 and three years later was called to the Overseas Mission of the Presbyterian Church. Until 1976, he lectured in New Testament studies in West Timor, Indonesia. On his return to Belfast, he became minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church.
