The tenth president of the Uniting Church in Australia will be Rev Dr Dean Drayton.

Assembly yesterday elected Dean as president-elect to serve as president from 2003 until 2006.

Dean first attended an Assembly meeting in 1982, coincidentally also in Adelaide. At that meeting he admitted he was suspicious of everything.

"However I have slowly come to trust the way God has called us together," he said. "To listen to each other, to learn social justice people really do believe in God, and to hear the unique ways the Lord has addressed people."

"You have given me an incredible privilege and, in Christ's name, I will attempt to serve in my fallible way.

"We desperately need the younger generation," he told Assembly. "Their gifts will lead us differently from the way we have become accustomed.

"I am proud that as a church we are willing to spend a long time on important issues like reconciliation, and to walk together on a quest for a solution to sexuality issues."

Dean admitted he was not sure of all his election meant but he pledged himself to walk in the steps of the living Christ.

Assembly 2000, SA (July 19, 2000)