Stephen served for 26 years as pastor in congregations of the Lutheran Church. Before commencing at ALC, in 2007, as Lecturer in New Testament and Pastoral Studies, he completed studies in education, taught in seminaries of partner churches in Indonesia and Malaysia, and was a scholar-in-residence at Luther Seminary, Minneapolis, USA.
Stephen completed doctoral studies at the University of Queensland. His thesis was published by de Gruyter (2003): Simon Magus: The First Gnostic. He has held a senior position at ALC, since 2008; being responsible for the oversight of Higher Education and VET programs and staff. He led ALC’s successful AUQA audit process in 2011, and managed ALC’s transition from being a non-self-accrediting higher education provider to a college of the University of Divinity. He has served on the Academic Board since 2012 (including Academic Quality and Learning and Teaching Committees).
Stephen teaches undergraduate and postgraduate coursework units. He supervises and examines Capstone units, research essays, and has examined research theses at Masters and Doctoral levels. He has contributed internationally and led local discussions on the topic of student experience and transformative learning in undergraduate theological education. His research into the provision of learner-focused levels of learning was acknowledged in MCD University of Divinity’s research project, Transforming Theology (2012). He contributed to the development of the University’s Graduate Certificate in Theological Education.
Historically, ALC lecturers have been considered doctores ecclesiae rather than academics. Preferential research for ALC lecturers has been considered that which enables the church to debate theology and practice, as well as facilitating the provision of pre-service and in-service education for pastors, teachers, and other church workers. Stephen has presented and published more than 40 papers and Journal articles.
Stephen has been a member of the Australian Lutheran Roman Catholic Dialogue for more than 20 years. He served on the Lutheran Church of Australia’s Commission for Social and Bio-Ethical Concerns for 5 years and is currently Secretary for the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
University Appointments
- Emeritus Lecturer (Australian Lutheran College)