The Methodist man: London calling for Napier minister, the first Kiwi in global role

Reverend Tony Franklin-Ross is leaving his post at Trinity Methodist in Napier for a London-based role in the church. Photo / Warren Buckland

For the head of Napier Methodist Church, Reverend Tony Franklin-Ross, London awaits, although Napier will not be entirely off the residential map as he works his new international role in with his regional role as co-superintendent of the Lower North Island Synod.

His global role as chairman of the Ecumenical Relationships Committee and council member for the World Methodist Council is a major advancement in his church career and will see him spread his time between Europe and England and New Zealand.

And he is well and truly ready for it, as the role encompasses his philosophy of engaging the Methodist family with other church communions - just on a far greater scale.

And he is the first New Zealander to be accepted for the role which he was confirmed for in September last year and which he will hold for seven years.

"My years will be spent between regional overseeing here as well as internationally," he said.

That international role has already been visited — he was in Denmark at the end of last year and in January was in Rome — where he met the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis.

And early next month he is off to London in his new role.

A role which is effectively that of drawing all churches together and he has been a focal part of that during his eight years as minister for Trinity Methodist in Napier.

"Napier is a unique in ecumenical relationships," he said, adding it had been that way for 30 years and the only centre to have done that.

The four inner city churches, Trinity Methodist, St Patricks, St Pauls Presbyterian and Waiapu Cathedral St Johns have worked in together over the three decades — for the community.

It is that togetherness his role internationally is focused on, and it is happening, he said.

It was important to connect the relationship at international level the way it had been worked through at grassroots level, he said.

"Ecumenical relationships are being formed at the coal face — it has happened here in Napier and we work in with each other — we do what we can do together."

Such relationships are essential in helping push the bigger practice along.

"Working together has been a specific part of my ministry and we need to keep that relationship alive."

He is no stranger to the international face of religion, having attended World Methodist Council meetings where he built up a network of connections, including working in with former chairs of the Ecumenical Relationships Committee role.

That, and his devotion and achievements in his regional role, saw his CV get the thumbs-up when he decided to apply for the international role.

"No nerves at all," he said with a smile.

"Because I have already been involved in these roles internationally."

He will spend three to four months a year based in London and Europe, and the rest of the time back in New Zealand.

It is a far cry from his previous profession, as a chartered accountant, although he had been involved in church activities for several years and was involved in lay leadership roles before feeling "the call" to the ordained ministry.

He was ordained in Christchurch and was appointed to the Methodist ministry's Aotea Chapel in Auckland in 2008.

He made the move to Napier in 2011 and took up the role at the historic Trinity Methodist Church off Clive Square — which is set to appoint a new minister in about a fortnight.

"But I will keep my regional role, so I will still be spending time back here in Napier."