MILLER, J Graham, Rev, Dr (1914-2008)
Assembly memorial minute, 2008
Rev Dr J. Graham Miller died on 6th September 2008, aged 94, after a brief illness following a fall. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Flora, two years ago.
Graham Miller had an extraordinarily rich and varied ministry which deeply impacted the church in three nations: New Zealand, Vanuatu and Australia as he ministered in each place at a critical time in each one’s history. As a son of the manse, he was well grounded in the evangelical and reformed faith by his father. Rev Thomas Miller, at a time when that faith was under strong attack by a rising tide of liberalism. He was a member of his father’s congregation, youth leader and then student for the ministry.
He was ordained for missionary service in the New Hebrides, now Vanuatu, during the Second World War and under the threat of Japanese invasion. Following the war he gave himself to guiding both the Presbyterian Church and the nation of Vanuatu to independence and indigenous leadership, his legal training being put to good use.
After service as a district missionary he was appointed Principal of Tangoa Training Institute and became the first Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu. Revered in the church and respected in the nation, he received a Medal of Honour from the President of Vanuatu later in life. Graham became minister of Papakura, in the southern suburbs of Auckland, where he had a long and fruitful ministry. During those years he was heavily involved with the work of the Westminster Fellowship, publishing a number of Bible study books.
At the conclusion of his ministry there he accepted the call to become Principal of Melbourne Bible Institute, now BCV. This was followed by much appreciated acting pastorates in Hawthorn and Surrey Hills Presbyterian Churches in Melbourne before he took up what many believe to be his most important and influential ministry - at St Giles Presbyterian Church, Hurstville, NSW, which he held throughout the years leading up to the inauguration of the Uniting Church and the early years of the continuation of the Presbyterian Church. Though rarely seen in this General Assembly, he will be missed by many of us. He is fondly remembered for his discernment, kindly disposition and his attractive and powerful gospel preaching.
Rev Dr J Graham Miller was in demand as a convention speaker and wrote a number of significant books, most notably Live! the history of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu. He rests from his labours and his works follow him.
Gender
- Male