He moves from a role in guiding the development of the Church’s links with other Christian traditions, as secretary for ecumenical relations. His appointment was approved at the Church’s Mission Council, meeting on Tuesday 2 December.
Rev Mortimer was ordained in 1979. He was a local minister in Newcastle, Ipswich and the Norwich area, before being appointed to a national role in 2003.
His wife, Jane, is a United Reformed Church minister in Chelmsford.
As well as being involved in how the United Reformed Church relates to other churches, he has also had responsibility for doctrine, prayer and worship.
He is regarded within the United Reformed Church as a theologian, although he describes himself as a “passionate amateur” alongside others he considers to be of greater stature.
Before entering the ministry he worked as a translator and teacher of english as a foreign language, helping him develop listening skills he believes will be invaluable in his new role.
He said: “In the United Reformed Church, we come from roots which asked ‘Where is God? What is God doing? How can we join in?’ I look forward to working alongside the whole Church to discern our answer to these questions today."
Rev Mortimer, 54, will work with the Rev Roberta Rominger, appointed general secretary earlier this year. He takes up his new role early in the New Year.
