The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, a former Stated Clerk and World Mission director, dies at 79

LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, who served three terms as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, was the president of what is now the World Communion of Reformed Churches, taught at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and directed what’s now Presbyterian World Mission, died Saturday at age 79.

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Kirkpatrick, of Columbus, Indiana, and formerly of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away at Four Seasons Retirement Community in Columbus. Read his obituary and watch a tribute video here.

A memorial service to celebrate his remarkable life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on March 29 at Strathmoor Presbyterian Church, 2201 Hawthorne Ave. in Louisville, Kentucky, with a reception to follow. Inurnment will be at the YMCA of the Rockies Columbarium at a later date.

Kirkpatrick was born May 1, 1945 in Harlingen, Texas, the son of Clifton and Elizabeth (Thomas) Kirkpatrick. He married Diane Worthington on March 22, 1966, and she preceded him in death on March 19, 2024.

He is survived by his daughter, the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick; son David Kirkpatrick (wife Christine Kirkpatrick); sister, Betty Carrol; grandchildren, Katherine (fiancé, Daniel Salazar-Harper) Brucken, Caroline Brucken, Amara Kirkpatrick, Mary Bagwell, and Victor Bagwell. He is also survived by nephews, Graham (Misty) Carrol, Lee (Lauren) Carrol, David (Margaret Dillon) Carrol, Frank (Sue Ellen) Warren, Willian Warren, and Matthew (Lennox) Warren and many grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Butch Carrol, and sisters-in-law Ruth Warren and Claire Worthington.

He was a beloved husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, global partner and friend. His family said he shared his desire to seek peace, justice and reconciliation with the whole world, working tirelessly as an ecumenical leader starting at the Dallas Council of Churches, moving to the Fort Worth Council of Churches, to Houston Metropolitan Ministries, to the Director of Worldwide Ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), and to professor of World Christianity and Ecumenical Studies at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He served as the president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and on the executive committee of the World Council of Churches. He leaves a legacy of compassion and justice for the world, faithfulness, being a good steward of one’s resources, curiosity and wonder found in traveling and standing with you in times of joy and trouble. His smile, humor, faith and dedication to both his family and the church family are his lasting gifts to us all.

A wave of admiration
PC(USA) leaders and others from around the world praised Kirkpatrick for his kindness, his global outlook and his humble leadership.

Throughout his tenure at Louisville Seminary, Kirkpatrick’s courses on the ecumenical movement, world mission and evangelism, and Presbyterian and Reformed theology and polity “enriched the lives of countless students,” the seminary said in a statement. “He was also a passionate advisor to Presbyterian students and co-chaired the seminary's ‘Doors to Dialogue’ initiative, ensuring that graduates were equipped to minister in a world of religious difference.”

“Cliff Kirkpatrick was a faithful follower of Christ who cared deeply about the Church,” said the Rev. Dr. Andrew Pomerville, president of the seminary. "His compassionate, dedicated service to the denomination, theological education and ecumenical relationships was remarkable. His life was an example of grace-filled leadership that provided an inspiration for so many of us. He will be sorely missed."

In his retirement announcement from Louisville Seminary in 2019, Kirkpatrick spoke of his commitment to the ecumenical movement, interfaith relations, and the pressing issues of theological vision, anti-racism work and climate change. His heartfelt desire was for the church to stand at the forefront of unity, reconciliation and peacemaking, committed to these values for the future of the Church.

The Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, said Kirkpatrick’s six years as WCRC president were marked by “his experience as a church leader, his understanding of the mission of the church, his commitment to justice and our friendship,” which “all added to a great time of working together.”

Kirkpatrick’s leadership extended “far beyond organizational successes,” the WCRC said. “He was a theologian, a teacher and a passionate advocate for justice.”

“We lost in the death of the Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick a special leader who impacted many lives around the Communion,” said the Rev. Najla Kassab, president of the WCRC. “His leadership was humble, pastoral, and focused on promoting church unity and strengthening global partnerships within the Reformed family and beyond. His eyes have always been on the witness of the church for Jesus Christ.”

“A mighty good man was Cliff Kirkpatrick,” said the person who succeeded Kirkpatrick as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), the Rev. Gradye Parsons, in a statement. “From the day he asked me to come work with him I quickly realized what a global understanding he had of God’s church. … People would already have a smile on their face when they would ask me about him. He seriously faced the struggles of the PC(USA) and its detractors and I heard him say this quote a thousand times: ‘Our role as Christians is not to be in the judgment seat but to be in the witness box.’ We are all better for having lived our lives with him, with his leadership and with his faith.”

The Rev. Dr. Neal Presa, Moderator of the 220th General Assembly (2012), recalled working with the Presbyterian Historical Society and PC(USA) multimedia producer Randy Hobson in 2023 on a three-part oral history project with Kirkpatrick as the subject. Their work can be seen here.

“His critical perspectives and personal vignettes provide rich texture of pre-1983 reunion, the 1983 reunion and the aftermath, and the various dimensions of the modern ecumenical movement as he was the Stated Clerk who bridged the 20th and 21st centuries,” Presa said. “We give thanks to God for Cliff’s life, witness and legacy.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution in memory of Cliff Kirkpatrick can be made to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance-International Disasters and Emergencies Fund in honor of his commitment to help those in need around the world. Donations to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) can be made online here or by sending a check to:

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
PO Box 643700
Pittsburg, PA 15264-3700

In all cases, please use the code DR999999 in memory of Cliff Kirkpatrick.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. You are invited to send condolences and share a memory of Cliff with the family via the funeral home website here.