I sensed a call to ministry in my early twenties and began my theological degree in 1986 aged 24. I was fortunate to be living in Dunedin and didn’t need to relocate. I recall the challenges facing students and their families who had to adjust to life in Dunedin’s climate. I took a year off in 1988 to spend time as a house-dad looking after our one-year-old daughter, Vanessa, and graduated with a B.D. in 1989.

Classes were large, there was a thriving community life and lifelong friends were made during our time at Knox. If you read Martin Stewart’s reflection you’ll see a photo of a gumboot-throwing contest that took place on one of our community days – heaps of fun. I have always appreciated the theological training I received. Even now when preaching, I enjoy the discipline of looking at a Biblical text, giving it space to percolate, reading commentaries, taking time to reflect and finding a sermon emerge through that process.

A lot of teachers were on staff at that time; Maurice Andrew was principal, there was John Bluck, John McCullough, Peter Matheson, Nan Burgess, Alan Torrance, to name just a few; and for a time we shared lectures at Otago University with Catholic seminarians from Holy Cross, with lecturers including Fr. John Donne and Sr. Helen Bergin. Those were stimulating days.

My years at the Theological Hall were not without controversy. There were some challenging times and Maurice Andrew’s reflection alludes to some of those. A favourite memory for me of Maurice was when he was sharing information with a large cohort of students at our orientation. We were all unsure about everything and someone asked a fairly obscure question. In his understated way, Maurice replied, “Well, I’m not sure, but perhaps you should have another look at Appendix E-11.” Everyone roared with laughter. It was our introduction to the Book of Order.

It’s amazing to look at where my ministry has taken me – from parish ministry to some incredible experiences as Global Mission Director. In this role I have sometimes being asked to preach or give devotions at the last minute in an unfamiliar context and have needed to dig deep into my theological training (combined with prayers for last-minute inspiration). I learned to travel prepared. I also had a short stint as Acting Assembly Executive Secretary, something I would never have previously imagined. And now, with remarkable timing of Biblical proportions, I find myself occupying an office at KCML exactly 40 years after I began my theological training here. Fascinating.

I’m no longer that young man of 24 who began his theological degree not knowing what he didn’t know. I have the years behind me now to allow for some reminiscing. It’s been a fulfilling journey and I’m grateful for the foundation my training gave me all those years ago, the friendships that were forged, and the desire, nurtured during my theological training, to continue learning and growing.