CertIVTAA, DipMin, DipSocSc, BE(Hons), BTh(Hons), PhD

John Mark Capper is an ordained Anglican theologian, educational leader. John is involved in organisational governance as well as in teaching and mentoring teachers in theological education.

John’s PhD from the University of Cambridge is in systematic theology, exploring Karl Barth’s Theology of Joy. This built on five years of training evangelists with the Church Army in Australia. John built his love of theology and its relevance for practical ministry in rural New South Wales, building on studies at Ridley College and through St Andrew’s Hall. John began his professional life as a Chemical Engineer with Shell Refining in Sydney.

Ecotheology, homiletics, joy, Lamentations, theological education, Wesleyan thought, online education, graduate employment and Karl Barth have all been topics addressed in John’s research and publications.

A teacher of theology, John has been an early adopter and innovator in using online educational tools, as well as using drama and movement in teaching. Described by more than one student as a “stand-up theologian”, he seeks to engage students fully with each other, with the sources of theology and its traditions, and with God. John established the “Teaching for Learning” Conferences for those teaching in the University of Divinity in 2013 and ARK, the online learning platform, in 2014.

First interviewed on theology and cyberspace in 1999, John has had ongoing occasional radio and print media involvement since then, including in The Melbourne Anglican and The Conversation.

John is an active member and occasional preacher at Mullum Mullum Anglican Church and a Board Member of Tintern Grammar, his tenth school board. He has served on a number of Academic Boards in higher education and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, as well as professional bodies in the area of theology and theological education.

Positions

• 

  Academic Dean

  Stirling Theological College

  stirling.edu.au

External Affiliations

• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Expert)
• Dept Higher Education Research Science and Technology (PNG) (Consultant)
• Society for the Study of Theology (UK) (Member)
• Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools (Member)
• Society of Biblical Literature (Member)
• Australian Institute of Company Directors (Member)
• Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (Member)
• Faith-Based Online Learning Directors (Member)
• Australian College of Theology (Council Member)