Church Leadership

Tim Given

2008-2010

My decision to study at Carey was a very practical one. I was an active lay preacher and wanted to bring my Dip Theo (Missions) qualification up to Bachelor’s equivalent, as that would open certain doors. My senior pastor was also doing part-time study, and we’d drive to Carey together every Tuesday. When I enrolled, I didn’t know that the next year would be a particularly troubled one in our church, with very personal attacks on our senior pastor. I was able to spend those hours each week listening and encouraging as we talked about the way forward. I am very grateful for that God-given time and to see him still continuing in ministry! There were positives from the study itself (and two very special lecturers in particular), but that stands out as the biggest thing.

Doug Vause

1996-1998

Yvonne and I had served in Central Asia (closed nations) in hostile times. I resigned from my position due to differences in ethics and integrity in handling multi-million-dollar aid and development projects. The pastor of the local church near our UK base suggested we complete a theological degree programme at a conservative college before obtaining a ‘professional’ (master’s) degree and returning to development work. Our time with Lifeway and experience with other Bible Colleges pointed us to Carey as an alternative training opportunity. That pastor was right; we learned how to read the Bible as literature, inspired but written communication, and this has guided much of my spiritual development and ministry. Tim Bulkeley was instrumental in literature, Laurie Guy in transformation, Derek Cristensen demonstrated pastoral care, and Viv Grigg in Spirit-leading.

My business and ministry experiences before Carey were primarily in leadership roles, so I understood the need for further leadership development, but the ‘L’ word was anathema to some of my cohort. A particular leadership video I supplied caused a lot of ‘feedback’. A new principal in year two, the L-word became curriculum, and leadership resources filled the library. Baptist churches have benefited from Carey’s leadership development. The funniest moment was when Glenda Hopkins furnished bogus markings on our essays, causing merriment and tears.

The skills to approach the Scriptures as inspired literature, along with my cross-cultural mission experience, have made the Bible a richer resource to me. Reading the Bible as literature from history fuels my study of how many church ‘traditions’ and ‘ways’ are from external influences that often conflict with the biblical accounts.

The Early Church and Baptist historical papers also permitted me to study what changed, who directed the changes in church culture and practice, and potentially, why. Discovering that the New Testament-era leaders were not ‘pastors’ and professional Christians working in dedicated church buildings convinced me our current model was not only wrong but obstructive to missional living. In the latter years of my pastoral tenure, our church agreed I could go bi-vocational to connect our people with the community we served. I became the local sailing instructor at three schools and the local lawn guy!

The decision to work in our community and fund my family’s needs through ordinary paid work, over a pastoral stipend, was fantastic. I could better identify with the needs and struggles of many, as I was no longer on a church salary. The change was strategic and required other believers to utilise their gifts and abilities to lead and guide others and disciple each other in humility and strength. Their support enabled my wider interest in local and overseas mission, and for that I am grateful.

The Carey leadership didn’t recognise me as pastoral; however, years of being loved by a local community have made me very much a pastor.

Decades later, I’m no longer a professional Christian but a Christian professional. Carey, with the local church, equipped me to encourage, disciple and join others as we follow Jesus, especially those I meet through business.

MM663 Introduction to Preaching

15 Credits

This course provides you with an introduction to the theology and practice of Christian preaching. Using the Apostle Paul’s philosophy of preaching (1 Corinthians 1.18-2.5) as a starting point, the course demonstrates how the preparation of effective sermons journeys through ‘five corners’: starting with the written word, then moving on to the listener, the society and the preacher, before finding a destination in the living Word. As this journey develops, you are equipped with a sound methodology for preparing and delivering sermons that are faithful, clear, relevant and engaging. The course introduces you to different types of sermons, as well as to the basic principles of effective oral communication. This is an interactive course, with sessions on Zoom supplementing the block course to enable a focus on practicing skills and evaluating sermons.

Chart your Course

Select your Course of Study for 2026

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies

New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies

Bachelor of Applied Theology

Graduate Diploma of Applied Theology

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Theology

Master of Applied Theology

FORMATION OFFERINGS

Pastoral Leadership

Youth Pastoral Leadership

Mission Track

Tony Siew in the Carey library

Tony Siew

I chose Carey Baptist because one of our founding missionaries, Rev Trevor White was a Baptist from Somerset, England (came to Borneo in 1938). I belong to Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) Church or in English, Borneo Evangelical Church in Sabah. The two-week intensive NT Greek certainly stood out, not just for the course itself, which was excellent, but the friendship made with Baptist students. I spent countless hours at the library, thanks to College for granting me a study desk. Not only Greek, but I also learned Hebrew at Carey and these two biblical languages are cornerstone of my preaching and writing ministry until today. Since 1994, I have served with my home denomination among the indigenous peoples of Borneo in Sabah except for 6 years as a NT lecturer in Singapore (2008-2014). Currently, I am pastoring a SIB church in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

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MA806 Luke and the Missional Imagination

30 Credits

This course engages Luke’s Gospel as a world-constituting narrative with the capacity to spark our collective imagination and form us missionally as individuals and church communities. We will undertake a missional reading of this sacred text with particular attention to Luke’s unique theological emphases – such as Jesus’ ministry of release, the inclusion of the marginalised, and the role of the Spirit– considered integral to the Gospel’s missional impetus. Students will have the opportunity to hear from people whose work embodies Lukes transformative vision and to consider how this Gospel invites us to fresh, hope-filled engagement in our own contexts.

Bryce Millar at Graduation

Bryce Millar

2007-2010

What motivated you to train at Carey?
I was in the midst of a gap year after finishing school, not knowing what to do with my life, but was spending as much time as I could volunteering in two different local church youth groups. One weekend, I went to help with a visiting youth group’s snow camp, and the youth pastor, my sister Tracey, told me to come be her intern and do a year at Carey. So, at the start of that next year, I packed my truck, moved to Auckland, and turned up at the Carey reception the week before classes started, asking to enrol. Somehow I was accepted, and I spent the next 4 years at Carey, was in the first intake for YPL [the Youth Pastors training course], and despite being quite terrible at turning assignments in on time, I manage to graduate.

When you think back to your time at Carey, what stands out? Can you share a memorable moment or story?
I cannot remember a single assignment I wrote, but I fondly remember the relationships I built at Carey. The formal theological training gave me a firm footing for ministry, but it has been the relationships with staff, both Carey and the National office, and other students who have been so meaningful to me as I have worked out my faith and my ongoing ministry – so many of the people I have turned to over the years for support and advice were first met during my years at Carey.

How did your studies strengthen your faith and deepen your discipleship?
I was 19 when I started so Carey was absolutely formative for me. I remember sitting in Charles Hewlett’s Christian Spirituality class thinking I was raised in the church for most of my life and I was only every taught very narrow ways to engage in scripture and to pray [quiet time before dawn or you’re backsliding], and here was church history stacked full of spiritual habits and disciplines that had breadth and depth, and I was angry that my churches had never shown me these different ways to engage God, to hear His voice and to feel His presence. Carey was also the first place for me where it was okay to think about and talk about and hold different theological positions in light of church history, scholarship and practical outworking.

What have you done since Carey, and how has your training influenced your ministry and leadership?
I did 12 years as a Youth Pastor [Royal Oak Baptist, Taupo Baptist, Pirimai Baptist], and since May 2020 I have been the Sole Pastor at Paeroa Baptist. On the side, I’ve also served in a few school programmes, as a high school chaplain, and on several community and school governance boards. I think my time at Carey started shaping me to strongly believe that God wants His kingdom to come to all people and all places, not just for the church to be nice, and so my responsibility as pastor is to be as active as I can outside the walls of the church building, and to encourage the church body during our programs to take serious their commitment to Jesus and to outwork His love in all the places they find themselves.

Rob Kilpatrick

1981 College Magazine

Rob Kilpatrick

1980-1983

What I can say for sure is that Carey changed my life. I got serious about study — both delighted by the challenges and frightened by the implications. Deconstructing faith is a tricky business.

I came to College from Hamilton South Baptist Church, which was pastored by Stephen Turner. He was an excellent mentor — a man who discipled others through regular meetings, Scripture memorisation, and deep theological discussions, often centred around the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. It was a text produced by the Particular Baptists and strongly Calvinistic. I was not a Calvinist, but I certainly arrived with that tradition sitting heavily on my shoulders — and supposedly, a position I needed to defend.

At Carey, I was fortunate to study alongside two of the most innovative, creative, and committed explorers of faith I’ve ever known: Mark Pierson and Mike Riddell. I was also lucky to share in their sense of humour, along with Gaylene Jackson, Murray Bean, and David Bromell. Lunch was a daily highlight — we even had a full-time cook back then. The raucous laughter from our table sometimes attracted disapproval from our more sedate brethren and staff, but generally, we all got along well enough.

It was, however, a time of huge upheaval. The Springbok Tour was underway, and social justice advocates were deeply involved in protest. I even recall bailing out a couple of fellow students after arrests at demonstrations. Poor Dr Bob Thompson was not particularly thrilled when police arrived on campus to interview student protestors. He faced strong criticism from some quarters for running what they called a “liberal institution” — comments that came from people clearly unacquainted with several Old Testament prophets.

The College was divided over the Tour — or at least over the extent to which protest should be pursued — and those were riotous times. It was also the beginning of the debate around homosexuality and Christian faith within Baptist circles. The student body published a magazine called Good News, Bad News, which caused quite a stir when one article simply asked, “What is the good news for gays?” The reaction from some pastors and churches was intense, revealing the gap between theological inquiry at the College and the position held by many churches — a gap that, frankly, remains unresolved to this day.

As business manager of the magazine, it fell to me to deal with the financial fallout when some churches returned or disposed of their copies and refused to pay. Interesting times indeed.

Some standout memories:

Garth Jacobsen quoting Herr Dr Bromell (the “famous German theologian”) in two exam papers — a hilarious inside joke referencing fellow student David Bromell, who was himself a serious theologian. I imagine some poor examiner spent ages trying to locate that source.

Gomer (Colin) Pyle preaching an evangelical “come to Jesus” sermon in chapel, complete with two or three prearranged “repentants” making their way to the front during the appeal.

Mike Riddell’s speech after being elected student vice-president — a delicious summary of the “activities” he planned to introduce to College as the President of Vice.

Monday afternoons spent on College clean-up duty.

Volleyball.

The “racing cars” game quietly run at the back of Dr Bob’s Old Testament background lectures.

Mrs T, who truly ran the College — an amazing woman, strong enough to turn her back on Robert Muldoon and refuse to shake his hand at a public event because of his stance during the Springbok Tour.

Shirley Smith teaching us to touch type — as useful, I’m sure, as any soteriological lecture we ever sat through.

A visit from two College Board members asking me to “tow the line” a little more, not long after an altercation with Dr Bob in his office. He stood up, slapped his hand on the desk, and said, “For once in your life, do as you are bloody well told!” I stood up and replied, “No, I bloody well will not!” — at which point we both burst out laughing and ended up having a wonderful, serious, and life-directing conversation. It was about the Good News, Bad News magazine (I still have a copy), and in hindsight, he was more right than I was.

Mike Enright

1989-1992

My wife Lorraine and I had felt a strong sense of call to pastoral ministry – both individually, and then together. We began our married life in 1979 expecting and waiting for that call of God to become specific … and assuming that the first step would be training. But God’s plan was different from that – and on April 1st, 1981, I began as Assistant Pastor/Youth Pastor at Whangaparaoa Baptist Church. We were there for 8 years, and that’s where a large part of our training for ministry occurred – in an ‘apprentice’ role.

However, we knew that at some point we would still need to put time aside for biblical and theological study … and I was really looking forward to that, after several years of practical ministry. It became clear that 1989 was the year to begin, and that the New Zealand Baptist Theological College in Remuera was the place.

Our three years at Baptist College were a very positive experience … the teaching of Brian Smith and Terry Falla – great content, and delivered with deep passion for Jesus and His Church; forging bonds with other students on a similar journey – much of that happening on the volleyball court!, and also in the 18 months we spent in the new community of College houses at Papatoetoe; and the summer assignments which gave us the chance to practice what we were learning.

If I had to put into a brief statement what I learned at Baptist College which set me up for the next 30 plus years of local church ministry, it would be this: Jesus is the lens through which to view and understand God and His work and His ways. We must always come back to Jesus.

From Baptist College we went to Melbourne for a year, where I did another year of study at the Melbourne College of Divinity. And then we spent 11 years pastoring at New Plymouth Central Baptist Church followed by 10 years at Karori Baptist Church in Wellington. Then, to our surprise, we received a call to return to Whangaparaoa Baptist Church, where I was the Teacher Pastor for 7 years.

For the past 4 and a half years, we’ve been doing interim ministry – at Eastview Baptist, Milford Baptist, and now at Northgate Baptist – a type of ministry that suits our gifts and experience and life stage.

I still love being a local church pastor! If it’s what you were made for, it’s the best job in the world! And I’m exceedingly grateful for my years at Baptist College/Carey and all that I learned and all the formation that happened there.

I was recently asked to speak to a group of young adults on the subject of what I’d tell my 21-year-old self … As I thought about that, I realised that the first thing I’d want to say to my 21-year-old self was “Well done! You’ve recently made some great decisions that you won’t regret.” At the age of 20/21, I decided to fully trust and follow Jesus; to commit to what I believed to be His call on my life to pastoral ministry; and to head towards marriage with my now wife of 46 years. And I’ve never regretted any of those decisions!

Sarah and Paul Beisly with their children in Kolkota, India.

Sarah Beisly

2005-2007

After marrying, Paul and I served as youth pastors in West Auckland before becoming pastoral students at Carey from 2006–2009. When I arrived at Carey, I was passionate about Jesus, but my faith was a bit haphazard — full of quirky reasonings I’d gathered along the way. In God’s kindness, God led me into a deeply uncomfortable process of deconstruction. It felt as if God said, “While you’re in a safe place, I’m going to challenge some of your wobbly scaffolding.” Those years were filled with questioning, doubting, wrestling, and unlearning. Yet, through God’s mercy, after the dismantling came reconstruction — stronger, deeper, more grounded. I discovered what some call a “second naïveté”: a place where I could once again trust and follow Jesus with the faith of a child.

My lecturers at Carey taught me how to read Scripture well. I stopped consuming scripture as an antidepressant, a rulebook, or a horoscope — but instead I read with reverence for the author’s intent and their cultural moment. Luke quickly became my favourite class, as Jesus’ radical concern for the poor and marginalised broke open my imagination and reshaped my faith.

When I moved to India in 2010, it was this stronger faith scaffolding, paired with a clearer vision of God’s heart for the poor, that prepared me to serve and love women coming out of the sex trade. The next ten years at The Loyal Workshop — years marked by both beauty and heartbreak, by transformation and struggle — were only possible because of the formation we first received at Carey. Carey was our launchpad.

I remain deeply grateful to the lecturers who shared their passion for Jesus and the Scriptures with us. The Loyal Workshop exists today, in no small part, because you first invested in our lives. You know who you are — and I thank God for you.

MF505 Contextual Theological Praxis

30 Credits

This course combines 100 hours in a local placement with 100 hours of short-term community experiences organised by the Intermission Lead. Students explore tools for personal and relational growth while reflecting on how God is at work in their lives and contexts through supervision, peer groups, and guided theological reflection.

RESTRICTION: Available only as part of the Intermission programme and by arrangement with the Programme Lead prior to enrolment.

MB6/720 Christ and Trinity

15 Credits

This course will consider the identity and mission of Jesus the Christ, both as he has been understood in church history and as he has been considered in the light of contemporary questions of meaning. The goal is not only to become familiar with classic texts and controversies, but also to equip you to consider and articulate the enduring and universal relevance of Jesus to a postmodern cultural situation. Specific emphases will be directed toward the scriptural basis for Christology, the meaning of conciliar Christological definitions, the dynamics of soteriology, and the nature of salvation.

Chart your Course

Select your Semester Two Course of Study

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies

New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies

Bachelor of Applied Theology

Graduate Diploma of Applied Theology

MICRO-CREDENTIALS

Certificate in Christian Leadership

Jim in 1972 as a third-year student

Jim Patrick

1969-1972

I was at Carey College (then known as Baptist College) from 1969 -1972.

After a long drive from Invercargill to Auckland, it took a while to adjust to the increase in temperature!

Those of us just commencing our life at college had a unique experience. Together with 100’s of other Christian leaders, we attended a multi-day Leadership Training led by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn at St. Davids Presbyterian church. Speakers included Billy Graham, Cliff Barrow etc. While it was a short course it impacted many of us throughout the rest of our ministry.

Our main lecturers were Ayson Clifford (Principal), Bob Thompson, and Stan Edgar. I appreciated particularly Ayson’s ability to explore deep theological issues in simple terms. Because the class sizes were relatively small it enabled opportunity for informal discussion.

I (with my wife Lois) was one of the first full time married students. Virtually everyone else lived on the Campus in Victoria Ave, Remuera, while we were in a tiny bed-sitter across the road. Having been given a small black and white TV set, we often entertained students needing a break! In our second year we moved to one of the Arney Cres College flats. This became a great community as we lived alongside folk like Malcolm and Shirley Montgomery, Laurie and Shona Guy, John and Raewyn Garwood. We couldn’t complain about the accommodation, being in the top flat with views all over Auckland city and harbour!

The College family was small in 1969, (8 ministerial students and 4 deaconesses trained in my year). In all, 24 students on Campus. Practically everyone was on the same course (pastoral leadership), shared in the midday catered lunch, social events and Retreats at Waiheke Island, Thames, and Raglan All these resulted in a strong sense of family and established friendships that have lasted a lifetime. The sense of community along with the input from the academic staff and the practical experiences provided, resulted in a strong call to serve the last fifty years with our Baptist family of churches.

Since Carey, we have served at Island Bay/ Berhampore, Long Bay, Te Awamutu, Kaitaia, Darfield and Wanaka.

Warren in 1998 as a third-year student

Warren Judkins

1996-1998

I loved my time at Carey. The chance to study the Bible, our faith and mission for three years was like Christmas. Staff were warm and creative, and colleagues were worthy iron for mutual sharpening.

I’ll never forget studying the uniquely Christian understanding of God as three persons so close, it makes more sense to refer to them as one; where relationship is primary over personhood. And we’re invited in.

Carey gave permission to take creative risks, structure for these to be safe, and company for these to be convivial. Formative years for the mission ahead.

Craig in 1994 as a third-year student from Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church

Craig Vernall

1992-1994

1992 was a time of change for the NZ Baptist Theological College. I arrived in late January with my wide-eyed colleagues with whom I would go on to build a lifetime bond of friendship. The 2-week prerequisite Greek language intensive spoke of tradition. But the years ahead were to be far from traditional. Change was in the wind.

Firstly, a change of staff was occurring with Dr. Harold Pidwell and Dr Terry Falla returning to their homeland of Australia after many years of service. In came Dr. Laurie Guy and a year later Dr. Tim Bulkely who would lecture in New Testament, Church history and Old Testament respectively. They were supported by Margaret McClure, Dr. Lorna Jenkins and Mike Riddell with principal Brian Smith carrying the systematic theology load. All this academic change may have been enough change for us to cope with, but this was just the first wave.

The real change was happening with the training focus being built around learning the practical skills of ministry. Each student coming into college in 1992 was asked to help plant a church in partnership with other Auckland church planting initiatives. So, college training was now academic and practical. To help clear the diary for this to happen all the college lectures were moved to the beginning of the week. So, three 50-minute lectures per week on one subject were folded into one 3-hour lecture per subject per week. Some of these lectures were held in the evening. This released Thursday, Friday and weekends for study and church planting initiatives. Mission groups filled the Wednesday morning as students and spouses were mentored in small groups by experienced leaders. This helped us focus upon the soft skills of ministry and our spiritual development.

The new training requirement asked for 18 hours a week for church planting initiatives. This placed a big demand upon students who were studying 6-8 full time papers as well as raising families and, in some cases, they held part time jobs needed to pay the bills. So, did it work? As expected, there were mixed results. But the skills of juggling and prioritising were certainly important to learn, and we all had this experience. Some churches were planted. Some didn’t get the momentum. But they were faith inducing and very formative times. My own year group appears to have benefited from this shift in training as 30 years after graduating college the majority of this year group are still in ministry or have moved into retirement.

Change at NZ Baptist Theological college didn’t slow down. In 1993 the decision was made to relocate the college from the original campus on Victoria Avenue in Remuera to Penrose. When Principal Brian Smith explained the process to the students, he described how the Baptist Assembly Council had to approve the shift of location. I asked if that was going to be difficult? Brian said, “of course not because those serving on the Assembly council are my friends”. In that moment I saw how the Baptist family worked. We were and are friends and colleagues in ministry together.

The shift to 473 in the early part of 1994 created lots of disruption to classes and the rhythm of college life. But everyone remained positive and could see the advantages being generated by the shift. During this time the college changed its identity by renaming to become Carey Baptist College. The change of name helped to cement in a new sense of mission purpose. We had moved into a new and exciting chapter in the life of our theological college.

Alan and Pam Utting

The 1974 year group

Some of the 1974 year group at a reunion in Queenstown

Alan Utting

1974-1976

Our time at Baptist College wasn’t quite the norm. Having already completed three years of study at Laidlaw College, our situation was different from that of our classmates. But Baptist College insisted that wasn’t enough to be a Baptist minister—and looking back, we are very glad. The further learning and the bonding that took place over the next two years, and in the years since, proved to be deeply formative.

Unlike many others, we lived outside the College, in the Papatoetoe and Huntly manses. Even so, we felt very much part of the community and shared in many of the memorable moments of those years.

One of the first memories that comes to mind is Roly Scott arriving late to class one day, slipping into the seat beside me, and whispering, “We’re having twins.” Who would have thought they’d be announcing that same news again a few years later?

Another standout moment came during the initial interviews for College. A woman psychologist asked me, “On average, what height is a woman?” I guessed five foot. Amused, she encouraged me to try again, so I offered, “Five foot eight inches.” Fortunately, my lack of anatomical knowledge hasn’t caused too many problems in ministry!

Those mid-seventies years were also significant in the life of the Church, marked by the charismatic renewal movement. I was deeply impacted by the visit of English Bible teacher David Pawson. His teaching stirred in me a greater longing for more of the Holy Spirit’s work—something that has remained with me throughout my ministry.

The years since College have been rich and varied. We’ve spent 40 years pastoring in four different denominations across New Zealand and Australia. Interim and transitional pastoring became a significant part of my work, along with supporting pastors in ethnic churches (apart from Māori) and coordinating a team helping churches and pastors find one another. Then, at “retirement age,” we transitioned into full-time mission work in Asia with Operation Mobilisation, engaging in humanitarian projects. Boredom has never been a problem!

Our time at Baptist College may not have started in the usual way, but it laid foundations that have shaped a lifetime of ministry and calling—for which we are deeply grateful.

Brian Kenning

1973-1975

My first memory of Baptist College is sitting in a room with a group of strangers, each of us waiting to be interviewed as part of the selection process. If memory serves me right, it was November 1972, and twelve of us were interviewed—eleven made the cut. Some have since been promoted to Glory; others have become lifelong colleagues and friends.

The funniest moments at College were the pranks we played on one another—it’s hard to beat the fish head hidden in the hollowed-out library book. And then there was speech class with Deidre Sneddon. It wasn’t intended to be funny, but it certainly provided some much-needed light relief. I can’t say I have a standout “worst memory”—there were challenges, of course, but nothing that overshadows the positive.

The most significant memories aren’t tied to big events but to the small, meaningful conversations—often in the library—with more mature students. Issues raised in lectures were teased out in those discussions, and I think I learned as much through dialogue as I did from books. My time at College coincided with the height of the Charismatic movement, so there were many personal stories to hear and unpackage, shaping my theology and ministry.

College laid foundations that have served me well through three pastorates and 44 years of ministry. Of course, there’s a lot that College can’t teach—those lessons come “on the job” and through what might be called continued education.

I began as a full-time pastor at Remuera while still a student at College. Those ten years were followed by 30 years as Lead Pastor at Invercargill Central, and then 3½ years in Thames. Throughout many of those years, I also served on the Assembly Council—a role that helped keep this Southlander connected with the wider life and work of our Baptist family of churches.

There have been far too many good times to even begin to list them. The hardest times, however, are etched deeply: the death of my wife Robyn in 2004, and the loss of our 11-year-old grandson Noah in 2020. Yet even in grief, God has been faithful. I’m deeply grateful for Zoe, who has been my wife and ministry partner these past 15 years.

Mark and Robyn Pierson

Mark Pierson

1978-1981

When I think of Baptist College during the Victoria Avenue days, two things immediately come to mind.

First, Kevin Schulz. I believe he was Student President the year before we arrived. He wrote us a warm, welcoming letter that made a real impression. His generosity and pastoral care have remained a model to me ever since.

Second, babies. Lots of them—ours and others’. It was a season of nappies, noise, and community.

Some of the funniest moments from College still make me smile. There was the time Colin Pyle rolled the hired tractor on a work day—a moment of chaos no one present will forget. Then there was the infamous incident when the “Peanut Butter Liberation Front” kidnapped Dr. Bob right in the middle of his Open Day speech on the front steps of the big house. The perfect combination of rebellion and good humour.

Of course, there were challenges too. Weeks of chokos—served every way imaginable except flavoursome—courtesy of Anne and Betty’s faithful catering. The mystery supplier turned out to be Bob Fergusson, which explained a lot. But harder than that was the moment I was told, at the door of the interview room, that the Board had changed its mind and Robyn would no longer be allowed to be part of my College interview. That decision left a mark.

But what stands out above all else from those years is simple: relationships. Lifelong friendships were formed at College, and they’ve remained among the most significant gifts of my life. If I had to name the thing that’s helped me most over the past 50 years, it would be those relationships—along with learning to ask good questions.

Over the last 45 years, ministry has taken us to many places and seasons. From College, we went to Wainoni Baptist (Pebblebrook 3 and 4), then on to Wellington Central Baptist (Mainstage Festival 1, 2, 3, with Robyn also undertaking ECE training during that time). I later served in interim roles at Lower Hutt Baptist and at Auckland Baptist City Mission, which became Cityside Baptist. That led to involvement with Urban Seed in Melbourne, the Creation Care Study Program in Auckland, and a season with World Vision New Zealand as Christian Commitments Manager. More recently, I’ve served as Lead Pastor and Curator of Rhythms of Grace Church in Auckland and continue to offer Tea & Be experiences. Robyn retired from ECE teaching a couple of years ago.

So much has happened, but the foundations laid at College—especially through community, questioning, and calling—continue to shape the journey.

Paul and Adrienne Thompson

Paul and Adrienne during their college days

Paul's car during college

1975 Baptist College Students

Paul Thompson

1975-1978

When I think of Baptist College in the Victoria Avenue days, the first image that comes to mind is Dr Bob Thompson leaning over the lectern with piles of books on either side. That image is etched into memory—and probably counts as one of the funniest memories too!

I don’t really have any standout “hard” or “worst” memories from College. I was never an ‘A’ grade student and had to work hard at my studies—but I certainly didn’t make it easy for myself by choosing to take both Greek and Hebrew!

The most significant part of my time at College was the year I was assigned to work with the Baptist Māori Department in Pukekohe. I arrived at College confident that God had called me there for the next stage of life, but unsure where it would ultimately lead. In high school, I had been headed toward engineering. Through my university years, God redirected that toward working with people—but I didn’t yet know in what context.

That year in Pukekohe helped clarify things. It confirmed that cross-cultural ministry was where I was best suited and where I felt most at home.

What has helped me most over the past 50 years has undoubtedly been the four years of solid biblical and theological study. That foundation proved invaluable—especially during the 20 years we spent in Bangladesh. Growing up in a Christian home with regular Bible reading gave me a grounding, but College introduced me to scholarly exegesis and a broader view of Scripture and biblical history. Ironically, history had never been a favourite subject of mine at school—but I found church history to be both fascinating and important.

Some students found the introduction to liberal theologies unsettling. For me, those ideas challenged me to engage with my faith at a much deeper level—something that’s stayed with me.

One memorable moment was getting married at the end of my second year and moving out of my room in Driver Wing into the little flat at the end of North Wing—a significant shift in every way!

Ministry Journey – A Brief Overview
After graduating from College, I began pastoral ministry at Wellington Central Baptist in 1979, gaining New Zealand experience before serving in Bangladesh (1979–1999). There, I worked in evangelism, church planting, leadership training, publishing, and development aid, eventually becoming Team Leader for NZBMS. A sabbatical at Fuller Seminary in 1987 deepened my understanding of Islam.

Back in New Zealand (1999–2000), Wellington Central Baptist supported our resettlement. From 2000 to 2005, I worked with Scripture Union NZ and also served on the board of the Refugee & Migrant Service (2000–2012).

In 2006–2007, I completed a Master’s in Development Studies, focusing on the Freeset business model, while working part-time for CASI. I also served on the NZBMS/Tranzsend/Arotahi Council (2004–2007).

In 2007, I joined Banzaid, managing funding for international development projects in partnership with the NZ Government. Highlights included work in Bangladesh, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and India. I was also involved with APBAid and served six years on the board of the Council for International Development (CID).

Retirement Years
Since retiring in 2019, I’ve continued to stay involved, taking on a part-time (1 day/week) role as Property Manager for Central Baptist and a 5-hour/week role as Secretary/Treasurer for the Lower North Island Baptist Association (formerly the Wellington Association, now expanded to include Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay through to Wellington). This helps keep me in touch with what’s happening across the Baptist movement.

We’re now the proud parents of four children and grandparents to three. As I reflect on these years, I’m deeply grateful for the foundation laid at Baptist College—especially the relationships formed and the training that shaped a lifelong call to cross-cultural ministry and social justice.

Shania Qiu and her daughter

Shania Qiu

2003-2010

I started Carey in the second semester of 2003 and one of the main reasons I started studying was because I began a home group in the spring of 2003 and felt I didn’t know much to lead a life group. The first night of our first life group, I stood in the doorway and shared just one scripture, one verse. I didn’t know what to say and what to feed them, and I thought Carey would help. I would write notes from the class then copy the notes and hand them out to my life group. I did evening classes and only one paper a semester as I was working full time, had my mum living with me and my daughter so life was busy. I would finish work and go straight to lectures.

Studying at Carey was the foundation to my ministry and life. I always make my priority to serve God and serve where He leads me. Currently I have two jobs: I help my daughter who owns MissMoo’s Kitchen, a café in St Heliers; and I run an online church. I pray MissMoo’s kitchen will be a place where people learn about the gospel. Our online church is global, and through zoom, we are meeting with people across the world. I preach at church and still lead a life group. Carey has helped me to understand the Bible better and teach others from what I have learnt.

Kelvyn and Mary Fairhall

The 1974 year group

Kelvyn Fairhall

1974-1977

The first thing that comes to mind for me when reflecting on my time at NZ Baptist Theological college and ministry thereafter, are developing relationships with other students from a range of backgrounds and life experiences, firstly within our starting year group (1974) and then with others before and following. As we lived in South Auckland the whole time these relationships were mostly forged within the study and library environments, though eating together at lunches, the table tennis room, and volleyball court also contributed greatly.

Secondly, I am thinking about the extracurricular activities that consumed some of my mental and physical energy. I had some input into obtaining the first photocopier for the college office and making the facility available to students. I recall establishing along with Iian Jackson a bulk buying arrangement for groceries for the benefit of married students. And of course, there were the obligatory hours of gardening and other maintenance around the Victoria Avenue property, though there was a little relief for those of us who lived elsewhere and had our own grounds and homes to tend.

It was a 23km drive from home to college which I did often on 2 wheels and am thankful I never experienced a mishap on the Southern Motorway. I would not attempt such a venture today. Thinking about vehicles, there was usually enough parking in the dedicated motorbike area, and the semicircular driveway if using the car, but if you were late then the roadside parking was necessary. I have always had to have some practical project on the go so in our third year purchased by tender a burnt-out Austin J4 van that Robin Williams and another mate from Manurewa helped me repair. This took us to a 1976 summer assignment at North East Valley church and was the transport for me and others in a student team that visited a number of churches around the South Island in the 1977 May school holidays.

I guess for me the “learning by doing” was a significant portion of my preparation for pastoral ministry. I had the yearly placements at Grey Lynn, Manurewa, and Mt Albert, while my first summer placement was at Pukekohe.

I was privileged to stay on there for the second-year placement where I did most of the morning service preparation and preaching until Doug Salthouse was appointed as Pastor in about September 1975. That summer I was able to employ a couple of college boarders as a painting gang with the first job being the three houses owned by the Pukekohe church then the church interior. Later with other students we painted the exterior of the Ponsonby church.

Going to pastor the Stratford church following completion of the college 4-year training was a wonderful experience. Half the church were farming families and I was able to help in the milking sheds, and sometimes solo while the family were away. A different aspect to ‘pastoral’ ministry. Joining the fellows in watching mid-week international rugby matches in New Plymouth was another aspect. There were of course moments when I was held to account by our Father in Heaven such as when one of the saints made a comment in a meeting ‘Who does he think he is – God?’

A significant ministry developed in Taranaki initiated by people from Stratford – the provision of an alcoholic rehabilitation centre. Triumph House became the property name for a disused dairy factory and 4 accompanying houses we were able to purchase through the Ngaere Support Centre Trust that Stratford, New Plymouth and Hawera churches formed and governed together. It was my first foray into administering trusts and community ministries, and what a privilege to see some men and women become followers of Jesus as a result.

The Church Administration course at College must have had some impact as well as my accountancy training and work before theological study. Because when coupled with the pastoral ministry experience of Stratford, Balclutha, Wanganui Central, and Kawerau churches I was uniquely shaped to take the roles of Accountant for the Baptist Union and Missionary Society followed by National Administrator for the Baptist Union. God gave me these for the second half of our ministry within the Kingdom.

An unanticipated interlude arose after retiring from the Baptist National Centre as we took a role in Christchurch mid 2012 for 18 months helping churches with their earthquake claims and pastoring the pastors. A new experience in red and black country where people were still coping with the trauma, tired from the additional stresses, but also looking forward to new opportunities.

As I look back there are some enduring effects in other people’s lives that we have been blessed to see or learn about for which we praise God and are very thankful. There are also some entities I was one of God’s instruments in establishing that continue to serve the ministry of our churches such as CATAS – the accounting and payroll company that has grown its client base to include other denominations and is now able to provide some financial support to arms of our Baptist movement.

In the mystery of God’s leading through life we could not have dreamed or planned such a rich, wide ranging, sometimes tortuous, and fulfilling journey as we have sought to “trust and obey”.

Richard during his college days

Richard and Margaret Coombs

Richard Coombs

1977-1980

When I think back to Baptist College during the Victoria Avenue days, the first things that come to mind are the friendships—made, developed, and continued over the years. And then there’s Hobson House—the old student accommodation that later became the Bolivian Embassy and, more recently, the home of Grant Dalton of America’s Cup fame. In 2021, it was sold for just under $20 million. Quite a legacy!

One of the funniest memories is from a class led by Dr Bob on the Holy Spirit. He often walked into class with a towering pile of books, and on this particular day, after settling in, he suddenly remarked, “I’ve left the Holy Spirit upstairs!” A well-timed line—intentional or not—that gave the whole class a good laugh.

The most significant part of College for me was having time set aside to study God’s Word. Add to that the shared experiences, conversations, and debates with friends who were all preparing for ministry, and it was an incredibly formative season. I found it a time of growing in both gifts and self-awareness.

Looking back, I realise that what helped me most wasn’t just one class or one moment, but the entire experience—like daily meals. I don’t remember every dish I’ve eaten, but they’ve nourished me and kept me strong. My time at College was like that. It prepared me well for both preaching and pastoral ministry, and I’ve often found myself grateful when talking to pastors trained in other places. Our College’s focus on fieldwork, practical assignments, and the variety of experiences we had was truly a cut above.

It might seem surprising, but I’ve also really come to value the preaching and speech classes—especially those led by Ruth Pidwell. Preaching doesn’t always hold the same value it once did, and it can be frustrating to hear speakers mumble their way through a message. Clear, confident communication matters, and I’m thankful College emphasised it.

Neil and Barbara Perry

Neil Perry

1987-1989

In 1981, Wanganui Central Baptist took a chance on a young couple with a heart for youth and a calling toward mission. I was brought on as Youth Pastor for two years—a role that not only nurtured our love for ministry but also prepared my wife Barb and me for the mission field abroad.

Just two years later, we found ourselves in one of the most remote corners of Papua New Guinea, serving with the New Zealand Baptist Mission. Life was raw, challenging, and full of purpose. We were “living the dream,” or so it seemed. But mission life, as many will know, often leads to new and unexpected paths. For us, it was a surprising one: Carey Baptist College.

It wasn’t my idea. In fact, I was reluctant. But Barb had a clear leading from the Lord—so clear, in fact, that I couldn’t ignore it. And so, with a sense of divine nudge (and maybe a little human push!), I enrolled at Carey and returned to New Zealand.

My secondary school days had been filled with sport and fun, but not much study. So walking into an academic environment was a shock to the system. I struggled—with routine, with motivation, with focus. For months, Psalm 13 became my daily prayer: “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?”

It was a raw and honest cry, and for 10 months, I felt every word. Yet the psalm ends with hope, and though I couldn’t fully feel it at the time, I held on to those last two verses as a prayer of faith.

A turning point came at the end of that first year, during a summer assignment. Something shifted. A fog lifted. I found clarity. The resistance to study melted away, and a joy began to take its place—a joy in learning, in ministry, and in the calling that God had placed on our lives.

One of the greatest encouragements during that time was Principal Brian Smith. His deep cross-cultural experience and simple but profound teaching helped bring order to my chaotic thinking. His diagrams were masterpieces of clarity, and his willingness to listen reminded me I wasn’t alone in the struggle.

The following two years at Carey weren’t without their challenges, but they became a season of deep discovery—about Scripture, about myself, and about God’s unfolding mission and my place in it.

Since those days, Barb and I have had the privilege of serving in many places: from Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Macau, Auckland in the Tranzsend office, and pastoring in two New Zealand Baptist churches. It has been a life filled with adventure, questions, service, and joy.

Looking back, those final verses of Psalm 13 no longer feel like a distant hope. They’ve become a lived reality: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me.”

And indeed, He has, and still is!

Jeremy preaching in 2022

Jeremy at his commissioning service at North Porirua Baptist Church in 2017

Jeremy Selfe

2004-2006

What motivated you to train at Carey?
I was worshipping at a non-denomination church on the North Shore of Auckland that was part of an American church plant. They kept sending potential pastoral leadership candidates to the States for training however, when I received my calling, I asked if I could train in New Zealand (as I felt my calling was to minister in New Zealand). The church checked out Laidlaw College and Carey and decided both were great schools providing great training. I felt the Carey environment and study process matched my personality better and so I chose to study at Carey.

When you think back to your time at Carey, what stands out? Can you share a memorable moment or story?
I’m guessing you are looking for something a bit more substantial than the epic table tennis battles. In all seriousness, a lot of my memories are around relationships. The conversations on breaks. Serving people lunch at the community lunches. The one-on-one discussions with the lecturers. I feel like the discipleship and mentoring that happened within the Carey community was a huge strength for me (I was quite young when I studied).

One memorable moment that I still share today is when I was studying ‘Worship Wisdom Literature’ with Brian Krum. When we got to the week before doing ‘Songs of Solomon’ Brian Krum made the comment: “If you are not married you might need to bring a permission slip from your parents.” The class laughed. However, because I still lived at home, I got my Mum to write a permission slip. I walked into class the next week and handed Brian my note. Brian read it and just erupted in laughter. It took him a few minutes to recover and find himself so that he could read it to the class. Needless to say, it provided some great lighthearted humour for the entire class, to begin a very interesting session.

How did your studies strengthen your faith and deepen your discipleship?
I remember one of our lecturers saying: “Your degree teaches you how to study and do good scholarship which you will use in the future.” I have found this very much to be true. Can I remember everything I studied (almost 20 years later). Nope. But I believe I know how to do good study, and I know how to critique and determine what sources can be trusted and what sources I need to proceed with caution. It’s taught me to not just believe everything I read (which is something the whole church needs to learn). One class that still sticks with me however is my ‘Christian Counseling’ class and in particular the session on ‘grief.’ What I learnt in this class, I’m still using to this day and it even helped me through my own grief when I lost my dad a few years ago. And like I said above, the mentorship and discipleship was so important to me. I was young and in a way, I was a sponge and I’m so pleased I had lecturer’s and classmates that helped me grow in my faith to help form me into a better disciple of Christ (and yes, some of the discipleship even happened over table tennis or tennis).

What have you done since Carey, and how has your training influenced your ministry and leadership?
Since Carey I did 6 years as youth pastor at Papakura East Presbyterian Church. I did 4 years as youth pastor at East Taieri Presbyterian Church in Mosgiel, Dunedin. And at the end of this year, I would have done 9 years at North Porirua Baptist Church in Wellington as Youth Pastor and now Senior Pastor.

My studies have been crucial to me. Every week I’m using the skills I learnt at Carey as I prepare sermons, do research and help lead God’s people. Not only that but my time at Carey gave me a wealth of people who I can contact if I do need a little bit of advice or support as I navigate different areas (of theology or life). In a way, I wish I could go back to Carey and study again (maybe one day in the future).

MA901 Thesis

90 Credits

The thesis is a scholarly piece of written work that reports on the findings of theoretical, practical, or empirical investigation into a defined area of applied theology conducted by you under supervision. Undertaking a thesis provides you with an opportunity to do original in-depth research at Masters level. You will engage in a supervised investigation of a topic of their interest. You are expected to be self-directed in your studies and to produce an account of your research which equates to internationally recognized standards.

MA902 Thesis

120 Credits

The thesis is a scholarly piece of written work that reports on the findings of theoretical, practical, or empirical investigation into a defined area of applied theology conducted by you under supervision. Undertaking a thesis provides you with an opportunity to do original in-depth research at Masters level. You will engage in a supervised investigation of a topic of your interest. You are expected to be self-directed in your studies and to produce an account of your research which equates to internationally recognized standards.

MB531 Introduction to the Old Testament

15 Credits

This course dives into the wild, exciting, bewildering world of the Old Testament. While Christians often neglect this portion of their Bibles, the Old Testament was Jesus’s Bible and the Bible of the early church. The Spirit still speaks through these ancient texts, inviting us to grapple more deeply with God’s mission to the world and helping us understand more fully the story that comes to its climax in Jesus. In this course, you will gain a better sense of what’s in the Old Testament, as well as specific skills, practices, and dispositions for interpreting the Old Testament. Together, we will also consider some of the implications of the OT for Christian ministry and practice today.

MB6/726 Baptist Churches

15 Credits

An exploration of the contexts and convictions of Baptist churches as they developed in England, America and New Zealand. This course integrates these contexts and convictions with contemporary issues in Baptist ministry and mission.

MM6/769 Youth Development and Gospel Formation

15 Credits

This course explores the nature of both the gospel and salvation through the lens of ministering to youth in New Zealand. It will also evaluate the presentation of the gospel in the context of the unique qualities of youth culture and the adolescent experience, making note of various ethnic differences in the New Zealand context. The course will help you to think through the challenges for youth of living out the gospel in the 21st century, as well as developing ministry solutions, at both an individual and group level.

MA829 Public Theology and the Church

30 Credits

This course examines the way the discipline of public theology seeks to enable the people of God to engage biblically and theologically with public issues in church and society. We will consider the contested nature of public theology as a discipline, as well as the role of biblical studies, systematic theology, historical studies, and practical theology within public theology. Readings and Zoom discussions will give you an opportunity to engage contemporary examples of public theology, while the final assessment will invite you to consider the role of public theology in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic (or a topic negotiated with the lecturers).

MA828 Gospel and Discipleship: Interpreting Mark in Today’s Contexts

30 Credits

Gospel and Discipleship: Interpreting Mark in Today’s contexts. This course seeks to address the question, what is the good news of Jesus and how does it teach us to live? The Gospel of Mark has two central themes, the identity and work of Jesus Christ – the Gospel’s central character, and the nature and cost of answering Jesus’ call to discipleship. This course will begin with detailed critical exegesis of Mark, setting the book in its historical context with attention to Jewish, scriptural, and Graeco-Roman backgrounds and with close attention to its theological and narrative design. The goal of this paper will be to bring such historically informed exegesis into robust and meaningful integrative conversations with the pressing issues of today.

MA827 Theology, Race and Church

30 Credits

The magnification of the #blacklivesmatter movement and protests about systemic racism around the world raise important issues for theology and the church, not least because of the church’s entanglement in the construction of the modern racial condition. This course examines historical and contemporary misappropriations of theology in the development of current racial issues and explores the biblical and theological possibilities for a gospel centred account of the church’s antiracial witness to God’s kingdom. The aim is to understand the church’s historic and contemporary relationship to racism and examine biblical and theological possibilities for anti-racist discipleship.

MA826 Bible and Politics

30 Credits

This course explores the question: what does it mean to live as disciples in our political lives? Our primary focus will be exploring political dynamics in specific biblical texts, both in light of their ancient political contexts and in dialogue with their contemporary theological and ethical significance. We will examine both the political nature of the people of God and the diverse ways Scripture envisions that people engaging politically with the nations and places within which they find themselves. Having glimpsed something of the exegetical diversity of the Bible’s political witness, we will then explore some of the diverse ways Christian theology and praxis has sought to understand and respond to that Scriptural witness. Readings and Zoom discussions will give you an opportunity to engage examples of political exegesis, theology, and praxis.

MA821 Research Essay

30 Credits

The Research Essay provides you with an opportunity to undertake an in-depth study of a topic or issue in Applied Theology under the guidance of supervisor. The topic will normally be in an area that you wish to explore but is outside the scope of available courses in the academic programme. You will acquire specialist knowledge of a specific field and develop skills in research, the evaluation of evidence and the articulation of ideas.

MA812 Leadership – Divine and Human

30 Credits

This course considers the life and written work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who has been variously described as theologian, pastor, pastor-theologian, writer, activist, pacifist and martyr. In the face of such diversity, we attend to the continuities in Bonhoeffer’s thought and practice. More specifically, this course will posit a personal quest undertaken by Bonhoeffer to understand the plight of ego and power and their solution in the notion of discipleship and freedom.

Further, the course brings Dietrich Bonhoeffer into conversation with Bull Hybels, the former pastor and leader of Willow Creek. Willow Creek proves to be a valuable case study in which issues of ego and power surface. It is important to understand them rightly and posit how Bonhoeffer’s thought and practice provides a needed corrective.

MA810 Leading in the Footsteps of Jesus

30 Credits

This course asks why various models of leadership found in the biblical text may have been helpful to the church in their ancient socio-historical contexts and how they may provide insights into contemporary ministry leadership. Students will engage the writings of Luke-Acts and the letter to the Philippians and the models of leadership they present. These models of leadership will be explored in the socio-historical milieu of the New Testament and interpreted in the crowded marketplace of classical ideas about leadership. The course will exegete New Testament texts and classical Graeco-Roman sources to critically compare their various approaches to leadership. The insights gained from studying biblical approaches to leadership in their ancient setting will enable students to critically reflect on competing modern ideas about leadership and recalibrate their approaches to leadership in Aotearoa.

MA805 Human Flourishing

30 Credits

God epitomizes the flourishing life within Godself. Further, God creates the cosmos out of the sheer abundance of God’s goodness and plenitude, not because God needs to create, but in some sense, God wants to create. In creating, God orders the creation toward its full flourishing. While, that flourishing has also been thwarted, God has still provided means for this to be restored and even deepened. This course will focus especially on human flourishing, assuming this is what God intends for humankind. To inform what is meant by flourishing, we will look at biblical, theological, and psychological perspectives on the flourishing life. This will entail looking back to understand that which impedes us from flourishing and looking forward as we envisage what flourishing may look like in the future.

MA801 Research Methods in Applied Theology

30 Credits

What is “Applied Theological Research” as understood within Carey’s whanaungatanga ethos and how could we go about it? What kinds of topics and questions could it explore, and what methods might be employed? This course considers the philosophical, epistemological, methodological and personal issues involved in researching at the intersection of faith, contexts and practice. A range of research methods will be introduced and examples of recent and current research evaluated. Attention will also be given to the motives for undertaking research, the communities within and for whom the research is to be done, and the spiritual life and personal care of the researcher.

Through the course you will follow a process of identifying an area of research that is of interest to you and shaping a research project directed towards answering a specific focal question, engaging relevant fields of study and utilizing appropriate research methods. Through the process your cohort will be a supportive community engaging with each other’s areas of interest and contributing to your development as emerging researchers. By the end of the course, you will have designed a research project such as would be suitable for a postgraduate research essay or thesis and presented this as a full Research Proposal.

MI700 Integrative Project

15 Credits

The Integrative Project is typically undertaken in the final year of the Bachelor of Applied Theology programme. It is an opportunity for you to draw on your learning across the Integrative Theology curriculum to resource understanding and faithful action in relation to an issue at the intersection of their faith, context, and practice. Utilizing the integrative framework of Word, World, and Work you will make use of a range of sources of knowledge and approaches to bring your faith, contexts, understanding, and examples of practice into conversation with each other. Having considered the topic and questions that arise in relation to it from within each of those areas, you will develop a Christian response to the issue that demonstrates attentiveness to faith, context, and practice.

MS6/705 Christian Spirituality

15 Credits

This course introduces and explores Christian spirituality. It equips you to comprehend and cultivate authentic Christian spiritualty and critique various approaches to spirituality. We construct a biblical theology for Christian spiritualty and trace various spiritual themes and dynamics through Christian history, highlighting key people, movements, practices and writings. We examine the principles and practices of spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines. You will engage with spiritual practice and reflect on your own spiritual journey. Christian spirituality is not only personal, but also public, so we consider its implications for Christian community, leadership, and select global issues.

MS510 Te Ao Māori

15 Credits

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the Māori world in order to inform Christian life and ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand.

MM6/794 Poverty, Transformation, and the Gospel

15 Credits

In this course we consider the challenges that issues such as poverty and injustice pose to Christian faith and action. Current development theory and practice will be introduced and considered in relation to Biblical and theological perspectives on such themes as the gospel, the kingdom and the mission of God. The course will resource you to evaluate various development approaches and construct proposals for Christian practice in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas. 

MM6/777 Families and Ministry in Aotearoa

15 Credits

All of us are part of a family of one sort or another. How do we make sense of family in today’s complex world? How do social and cultural changes influence family trends and our understanding of what families should be like, including marriage, gender roles, and parenting? This course examines the family, and family life, in contemporary New Zealand from theological and sociological perspectives. You will be challenged to think through the implications of such perspectives and family trends in NZ for church life and ministry. This course has been developed to support the needs of students engaged in ministry particularly to children, young people, and families.

MM565 Faith Formation in Children

15 Credits

This course examines the nature and spirituality of children in light of biblical, theological, and developmental perspectives. It analyses current ministry practices, considering cultural trends, as well as addressing transformational teaching practices for children. Practical approaches that respond to the spiritual needs of children and nurture their growth as whole persons are included.

MM6/768 Adolescent Development and Spirituality

15 Credits

This course will explore the process of adolescent development and its complexities and consider how a growing sense of spirituality might be nurtured during adolescent years. You will learn about adolescent development, including biological and sociological perspectives, as well as some difficulties within the field of adolescent research. Spiritual formation in adolescents will also be explored, including theories of formation, research on the effectiveness of current models of faith formation, and key practices that contribute to spiritual formation in young people. Discussion and evaluation of the course concepts will occur in light of your own faith stories and experience in congregations.

MM665 Missional Leadership

15 Credits

This course explores a biblical understanding of Christian leadership for our present mission context that is changing, dynamic, and often chaotic. You will be introduced to models of leadership from differing biblical contexts, drawing from these models principles and practices of leadership for today and tomorrow’s church and mission organisational life. You will learn a variety of skills for leading yourself, teams, churches and organisations. You will learn how to think theologically about the practices of leadership you and others utilise in Christian organisations. The course will address a range of practical topics related to leadership, and students will learn to develop creative, culturally nuanced, and faithful forms of leadership.

MM661 Pastoral Counselling

15 Credits

This Level Six course builds on the foundation laid in Introduction to Pastoral Care. It introduces you to the philosophy and basic skills involved in pastoral counselling. In so doing, it seeks to demonstrate how these principles and skills apply in the personal, relational, and spiritual experiences of persons that seek pastoral counselling.

MM581 Mission of God

15 Credits

The mission of God is the outworking of God’s gracious love to redeem and restore all of creation, ultimately revealed to us in the work of Christ. Remarkably, it also includes an invitation to God’s people to participate in this ongoing work of reconciliation and renewal in the power of the Spirit.  In this course we explore the biblical story and trace God’s mission and the formation of God’s people in the narrative. We evaluate examples of how God’s mission has been, and is being interpreted and carried out, and consider what this means for our participation today.  Various strands of learning in Bible, theology, spirituality, history, culture and society, and the practice of ministry and mission are introduced with a common orientation towards knowing and serving God within the community of God’s people as participants in God’s mission. The mission of God course serves as a gateway into Carey’s Applied Theology programme. Various strands of learning and Bible, theology, spirituality, history, culture and society, and the practice of ministry and mission are introduced with a common orientation towards knowing and serving God within the community of God’s people as participants in God’s mission.

MM572 Foundations of Youth Ministry

15 Credits

This course aims to introduce you to ideas and practices that are fundamental to youth ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will encourage you to begin the journey of thinking theologically, sociologically, and philosophically about youth ministry. You will develop practical skills for ministry with youth as well as engaging with a range of recent scholarship that highlights various approaches to, and ethos of youth ministry.

MM564 Worship Then and Now

15 Credits

The course will strive to integrate both the practical and theological application of worship design and leadership in order to foster meaningful, contextual and biblically grounded response to God as His gathered community. It will explore the narrative nature of worship and liturgy and its formative potential. You will be exposed to various worship experiences and worship leading guests throughout this course in order to explore the actual practice of worship leadership and the careful theological planning of creative, experiential, participatory, interactive, and connective worship experiences.

MM561 Introduction to Pastoral Care

15 Credits

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the theory and practice of pastoral care in a Christian framework. This will involve an exploration of the biblical, theological, and historical underpinnings of pastoral care. We will also explore the role that self-awareness and self-care plays in the lives of pastoral care givers. We will examine a range of listening skills and pastoral care processes that are foundational to effective pastoral care. And we will delve into several issues that are frequently encountered in pastoral care such as crises, grief, cancer, and questions on listening to God.

MF409 Learning to Live

15 Credits

This course is focused on developing your personal formation and self-awareness for ministry and follows a model of Reflective Practice. It also allows you to receive accreditation for supervised participation within a number of appropriate ministry contexts. Over the year you will participate in 240 hours of practical ministry and will reflect upon this with the coordinator, a mentor, in a peer group, in a reflective essay and in a personal journal project.

MF478 Faith Engaging Social Issues

15 Credits

This course will help you practice the process of theological reflection in regards to various social issues you may confront as you seek to live out you faith. You will also learn valuable participatory development skills for engaging with various social issues, such as the environment, war, poverty, gender, race, sexuality, etc.

MF402 Making Life Work

15 Credits

In this course you will examine various facets of life that you will encounter during you Intermission year. You will explore through both biblical and theological approaches how you might interact with, and respond to these facets effectively as a young Christian. This course will explore and probe a range of life facets, including: identity, social action, character, spirituality, discipline and sexuality – and consider implications for personal growth and group discipleship.

MB430 Exploring God’s Word

15 Credits

This course provides a broad overview of the Bible as God’s ongoing story of creation and humanity. It will introduce you to key people and events from both the Old and New Testament, while providing a framework for understanding recurring themes (theological, ethical, and literary). It will consider how the Bible continues to influence and inspire individuals and communities in the present day.

MB421 Christian Worldview

15 Credits

This course will explore the concept of worldview as a foundation for what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in a complex world, enabling you to articulate a Christian perspective on the world. The course will investigate the multiple ‘stories’, or worldviews, in which New Zealand Christians must operate and, using this, you will examine various aspects of life in order to help you effectively interact and engage with your wider community.

MF705 Contextual Theological Praxis

30 Credits

This course allows you to receive accreditation for a supervised ministry internship undertaken within an appropriate context. Over the year you will perform 200 hours of practical ministry internship and will reflect upon this with a Supervisor, in an online peer group, and in assignments.

RESTRICTION: This course is available only by arrangement with the Programme Lead of Field of Education prior to enrolment.

MF505 Contextual Theological Praxis

30 Credits

This course allows you to receive accreditation for a supervised ministry internship undertaken within an appropriate context. Over the year you will perform 200 hours of practical ministry internship and will reflect upon this with a Supervisor, in an online peer group, and in assignments.

RESTRICTION: This course is available only by arrangement with the Programme Lead of Field of Education prior to enrolment.

MF605 Contextual Theological Praxis

30 Credits

This course allows you to receive accreditation for a supervised ministry internship undertaken within an appropriate context. Over the year you will perform 200 hours of practical ministry internship and will reflect upon this with a Supervisor, in an online peer group, and in assignments.

RESTRICTION: This course is available only by arrangement with the Programme Lead of Field of Education prior to enrolment.

MF701 Reflective Field Education

15 Credits

This course aims to allow you to reflectively use in-depth biblical and theological knowledge within practical Christian ministry experience.

PREREQUISITE: This course is restricted to those achieving merit or excellence in MF601 Reflective Field Education 2.

MF601 Reflective Field Education

15 Credits

This course aims to allow you to reflectively use in-depth biblical and theological knowledge within practical Christian ministry experience.

PREREQUISITE: This course is restricted to those achieving merit or excellence in MF501 Reflective Field Education 1.

MF501 Reflective Field Education

15 Credits

This course aims to introduce you to biblical and theological reflection, as well as tools for personal growth, to assist you to reflect within your practical Christian Ministry placement, and integrate this knowledge into your praxis.

MB6/728 A History of the Gospel in Aotearoa

15 Credits

This course explores the story of Christianity in Aotearoa New Zealand from 1814 through to the present day. We will examine how the message of the gospel has shaped church and society over the last two hundred years. We will illuminate the historical dimensions to many contemporary issues facing the New Zealand church. And we will highlight how an understanding of the history of Christianity in Aotearoa is crucial to effective gospel ministry and mission in this country today.

MB526 Insights into Church History

15 Credits

This course provides an introduction to the history of the Christian Church between 1500AD and 2000AD. You will explore key personalities, topics and themes drawn from the Reformation era, the modern church movement (c.1700’s to 1900’s), and mission history.

You will reflect upon and critically evaluate the significance of these selected personalities, topics and themes for the historic development of Christianity and their ongoing influence on Christian life and leadership today.

MB6/743 Apologetics

15 Credits

1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” We all have questions, both non-believers and believers. Doubt and questions are part of honestly seeking truth for non-believers and a faith seeking understanding. In contemporary New Zealand society, Christianity is now often seen by many as weird, incomprehensible and stupid, but is that true? This course helps equip you with the essentials of a holistic contemporary apologetic, which shows why Christians have good reasons to believe what we say we believe. This is holistic because those reasons are of the head and the heart, embracing the human condition, human experience, and basic intuitions as well as history, science and logic, which all point to the truth of essential Christian beliefs. You will be equipped to confidently (but not arrogantly!), listen better, ask better questions, share better answers and have better conversations, all with gentleness and respect. This course will provide an overview of all the key areas in contemporary apologetics, while giving the opportunity to look at an area of personal interest in more depth. It will also look at how apologetics is relevant in the current post Christian cultural context.

MB630 Understanding Culture

15 Credits

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the theology of culture and develop basic skills for understanding and interpreting culture from a theological perspective. In so doing, it seeks to demonstrate how culture has a profound impact on the ways in which we view ourselves, others, our own contexts, and the gospel.

MB6/724 Humanity and Hope

15 Credits

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to theological anthropology as this has been revealed in Scripture, in Christ, and developed in light of eschatology. As we come to these revelations, we will also recognise that we are cultural beings, and thus our understanding of anthropology cannot be divorced from the particularity of individual persons or whole societies. You will thus be equipped to engage questions of who and what we are, while also doing this as an embodied and encultured learner. These questions necessarily lead to the further question of how we are meant to be in the world, both in this age and in the one to come.

MB6/723 Spirit and Church

15 Credits

What does it mean to be the body of Christ? This course explores ideas of the Church, ministry and the sacraments from a biblical, historical and theological perspective. Particular attention will be paid to a trinitarian theology of Church and the impact of these concepts on other Christian doctrines.

MB6/722 Spirit and Trinity

15 Credits

In this course we attempt to equip you to analyse and evaluate Christian understandings of the doctrine of Trinity, with special focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Deep engagement with Scripture, especially from Paul’s theology, will provide you a basis for understanding the development of the doctrine of the Trinity in the early church. Various aspects of Trinitarian grammar will also be examined, with the aim of bringing those insights into dialogue with contemporary issues.

MB521 Thinking Theologically

15 Credits

In this course we introduce you to the study of the Christian faith and how to apply theological methodology to key doctrines. We will define what theology is, how it has been practised in the past, and how recent developments are affecting the discipline. We shall spend some time investigating the various resources for the theological task including Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. This will involve an examination of the concept of revelation and authority.

MB790 Research Essay (Bible and Theology)

15 Credits

This course provides opportunity for advanced level students to undertake guided research. Enrolment must be approved by the Academic Director and will also require the support of a supervisor able and willing to supervise the research. (There is therefore no guarantee that a student will necessarily be given the opportunity to undertake a proposed research essay.)

The Research Essay is a maximum in length of 6,000 words including footnotes and excluding bibliography.

MB6/733 Worship and Wisdom

15 Credits

This course examines two areas of Old Testament literature: the Psalms and the so-called Wisdom books (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes). The Psalms serve as scripts for prayer and song intended to shape our lived theology of life with God. The wisdom books invite us to explore what the wise, flourishing, God-fearing life looks like practically, both in the humdrum of “everyday” life, as well as in the crucible of physical, social, and existential suffering. All four books offer God’s people an essential, irreplaceable, yet often neglected resource for contemporary discipleship oriented towards life with God.

MB6/748 Biblical Narrative (Old Testament)

15 Credits

Stories are central to the way humans understand themselves, their world, and God. In this course you will explore Old Testament narratives (stories) and how to interpret them. You will focus especially on the skill of reading Old Testament stories with literary sensitivity and skill. In the course, we will learn some of the specifics of how biblical authors make their points through the narrator’s comments, characters, plot, dialogue, etc. To accomplish this, we will explore 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, and Esther in detail. Learning to read these biblical narratives well will help you imagine how they might shape and inspire the theological imagination and action of contemporary faith communities.

MB6/740 Acts: A Missional Reading

15 Credits

The book of Acts is unique among the New Testament writings, connecting the story of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel to the continuing narrative of Jesus’ followers as they took their witness from the geographical centre of Jewish faith in Jerusalem across political, ethnic and cultural boundaries into the heart of the Roman Empire and its capital city. It is a book about mission produced in the context of early Christian mission. In this course we read it in relation to the understanding and practice of mission today, utilizing tools of Biblical study and of missiological reflection as we engage both the text and our contemporary mission contexts.

MB6/738 Revelation and the Justice of God

15 Credits

In this course, you will explore the original meaning and significance of the Book of Revelation with a special focus on its message of God’s justice. In exegeting the text, we will consider the importance of genre, interpretative method, historical background, context, and theology for understanding Revelation’s message of hope and justice for those living in an unjust world.

MB6/737 Romans

15 Credits

Paul’s letter to the Romans has been one of the most influential documents in the history of the church. In this course we attempt to hear its message. We shall explore its historical, social and religious context, follow its argument carefully and consider what its original purpose might have been and what it could say to the church today.

Your skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, research and presentation and your theological awareness and interpretative competencies will be cultivated.

MB6/736 Gospels: John

15 Credits

In this course we get beneath the surface of John’s gospel. Why was it written in that particular way? What are its distinctive emphases? How has John structured his narrative? What does it contribute to our understanding of Jesus and the church’s faith, and how does it speak to our own day? Skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, and theological awareness. This course will enable you to acquire a thorough knowledge of the content of this Gospel; recognise its genre and literary structure; identify some of its distinctive characteristics, emphases and theological themes; become aware of major issues of current scholarship in relation to its nature and interpretation, and make use of the results of your study of this gospel in considering issues of contemporary significance.

MB6/735 Gospels: Luke

15 Credits

In this course we will get beneath the surface of one of the four Gospels (Luke). We will consider why Luke has constructed his account in this particular way. What are the Gospel’s distinctive emphases? What does it contribute to our understanding of Jesus and the church’s faith, and how does it speak to our own day?

Your skills will be developed in exegesis, analysis of texts, research, and presentation; your theological awareness and interpretive competencies will be cultivated.

MB6/732 Pentateuch

15 Credits

The Pentateuch is the explosive beginning and foundation of Christian Scripture. In this course, you will explore these remarkable books, gaining both a sense of their overarching themes and content, as well as interpretive strategies for digging deeply into their stories, laws, rituals, and poetry (the world in the text). You will see how understanding the ancient Near Eastern context can illumine our understanding of these ancient texts (the world behind the text) and imagine what it would mean for these texts to shape us as participants in God’s mission individually, in our churches, and in the world (the world in front of the text).

MB6/731 Prophets: A Canonical Reading

15 Credits

This course will introduce you to key themes and texts in the prophetic books of the Old Testament. We will set the scene by introducing the historical, cultural, literary, and theological contexts of these texts in ancient Israel before moving to explore in more depth their theological message in the light of the whole of Scripture. Our primary focus will be on what these books, in their finished form, contribute to our understanding of God and his relationship with his people and the world. Thus, we will see themes and theological questions that are raised and answered in different ways in different books and how these are in dialogue with each other within the canon. The ultimate goal will be for you to understand how to hear and respond to these texts as God’s address for us today.

MB6/744 1 Corinthians

15 Credits

Paul’s correspondence with the church in Corinth permits us to glimpse some of the realities and
challenges of life in the early Christian communities in the Greco-Roman world. In this course we shall explore the historical, social and religious context of 1 Corinthians, follow Paul’s response to
theological issues, ethical questions, and practical problems that had arisen, and consider what this
letter might say to the present-day church and Christian leaders. Your key learning from this course will be historical exegesis of ancient texts, critical engagement with New Testament scholarship, theological analysis, and integrative biblical engagement with contemporary concerns and realities.

MB532 Introduction to the New Testament

15 Credits

This course aims to introduce reading and interpreting the New Testament, to enhance knowledge and understanding of your faith, and ways in which New Testament Scriptures can influence personal and community faith, and the use of New Testament theology in ministry contexts.

MM790 Research Essay (Ministry and Mission)

15 Credits

This course provides opportunity for advanced level students to undertake guided research. Enrolment must be approved by the Academic Director and will also require the support of a supervisor able and willing to supervise the research. (There is therefore no guarantee that a student will necessarily be given the opportunity to undertake a proposed research essay.)

MM6/795 Special Topic: Ministry

15 Credits

This course will help students to explore reaching their community through both good news and good works. Essentially it is a course in practical theology; however, students will engage with dimensions of sociology, missiology and theology to examine topics as varied as place-sharing, the art of neighbouring, community development and justice making, establishing social and community ministries and becoming an ‘Alongsider’.

MM6/788 Issues Facing the Church Today

15 Credits

This course studies the topic of Issues Facing the Church Today. Aspects that will be explored include history, theology, method and practice of mission, and mission in particular contexts.

Church Leadership

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Are you a Christian leader who wants to grow in identity, capacity, and skill for transformative ministry leadership?

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What Makes Carey's Ministry and Leadership Training Transformational

Study Pathways

Year 1 – Ministry Leadership Training (Diploma in Christian Studies)

Years 2 & 3 – Pastoral Leadership or Youth Pastoral Leadership

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Diploma in Pastoral Leadership

Diploma in Pastoral Leadership (Youth)

At Carey we believe that the God of mission is at work in the world by the Spirit to renew people and places in Christ. Our vision is to equip Christian leaders for that mission, bringing gospel renewal to Aotearoa and beyond.