GOYEN, William, Rev, M.A. B.D., Prof (1861-1951)
Assembly memorial minute, 1952
William Goyen was torn at Talbot on 11th July, 1861. He entered the ministry of the Primitive Methodist Church and therein was ordained in February of 1890, at Eaglehawk. He entered the Theological Hall at Ormond College as a private student in 1899, and petitioned the Commission of May of that year. The Assembly instructed the Home Mission Committee to appoint Mr. Goyen to work near Melbourne that he may be able to attend lectures.
The following year, the Commission in May received him into full status. His first Presbyterian charge was Northcote, where he was inducted in 1900. He was translated to Bulla in 1903, and to Albert Park in 1909. In 1911 he was appointed convener of Welfare of Youth Committee, which he held until 1916, during which time, in 1914, he was appointed Director of Sunday Schools.
In 1916, he gave himself to the production of Sunday School Graded lessons, becoming one of the initial members of ths Board, which later came to be the Joint Board of Graded Lessons of Australia and New Zealand. Within ten years this work had increased and, within the Presbyterian Church, a Federal Board of Religious Education was set up, in 1927, with the Rev. William Goyen as its first Director. He resigned this directorship in 1934, remaining a member of the Board until 1936, when he retired from active service For twenty years Mr. Goyen had been the chief executive in Sunday School organisation and publications.
Mr. Goyen was one of the Church’s great statesmen, a man of wide and clear vision, of tireless sagacity. A natural teacher he was always able to impart his knowledge in such manner as listeners could assimilate. He was a born organiser and educationalist, a fearless preacher battling against superstition and evil in high places, a beloved pastor translating the Gospel of his Lord into practical living. He was a consecrated disciple, delighting to Use his great gifts in the service of the Master, unto the caning of the Kingdom.
It was natural that his Christian love and mature faith should be most evident in his home, where he was father and husband beloved.
He passed away on Tuesday, 11th September, 1951, at the age of 90, after serving faithfully throughout 61 years of ordained ministry.
To his daughter, Mrs. Butchers, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male