The Theology Programme has strong links with churches.
At Otago, you can gain an excellent Theology qualification in a context that respects and values Christian faith, and that supports practical theology, ministry, and church engagement. Theology staff are actively engaged in churches, often in pastoral or leadership roles. Many Theology staff preach regularly and are involved in various ministries in their church contexts.
Staff in the Theology Programme
Connections to churches
The Theology Programme has positive relationships and works closely with local churches in Dunedin and across New Zealand. For example, we run a programme called “Faith Thinking” in which short courses offered by staff are hosted by local churches, such as Dunedin City Baptist Church, Elim Church (Dunedin), First Church (Invercargill), South West Baptist Church (Christchurch) and St John’s In The City (Wellington).
Find out more about upcoming Faith Thinking lectures
The Theology Programme has many graduates and current students who worship in and serve as leaders in a wide range of church contexts, including the following denominations (in alphabetical order): the Anglican Church, Assemblies of God, Baptist Union, Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (Ekalesia Fa'apotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa), Elim Church, Equippers, Lutheran Church, the Methodist Church in New Zealand and in Samoa, Pentecostal, Presbyterian Church, Roman Catholic Church, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventists, Society of Friends, and the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Many former students around the world now serve in their local church contexts as teachers, pastors, and worship leaders.
What people say about studying theology
Maja
“I often think that to know God is to love him, and so the more I know, the more I love.”
Jonathan
“Studying theology is not like getting a driver’s license, but an opportunity to be personally transformed.”
Adam
“Studying theology is a wonderful opportunity to love God with all one’s mind.”
Home-educated students studying Theology
The Theology Programme also has positive relationships with the home-education community in New Zealand.
What Todd and Anna have to say
Theology for home-educated students
MOUs with Theological Education Providers
New Zealand-based providers
The Theology Programme is pleased to have Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the following:
- St John’s Theological College
- Laidlaw College
- Carey Baptist College
- Pathways College, and
- Trinity Theological College
We also have established conventions for recognising theological study undertaken through the Ecumenical Institute for Distance Theological Studies (EIDTS).
Providers and links overseas
The Theology Programme has MOUs with Piula Theological College in Samoa, and Trinity College in Singapore, and has strong links with many providers of theological education around the world.
We are proud of the University of Otago’s membership in the Matariki network, which includes the University of Tuebingen in Germany and Durham University in the United Kingdom.
