Peter Carrell – Educating the Masses

06 Dec 2009

Peter Carrell has a reputation as a switched on thinker and formidable New Testament scholar. And very soon we’ll be able to claim him as our own, as he moves from Nelson to take up the joint Diocese and Theology House position of Director of Education. Spanky Moore caught up with him to find out his vision for education in the Diocese.


What’s your background - you’ve been based in sunny Nelson for quite a while now?
I am a Cantabrian, born in Christchurch, raised in Hororata, Dunedin, and then Christchurch. Educated at Christ’s College, Canterbury University, and Otago University. The latter was a degree in theology which led to ordination in the Diocese of Christchurch at the end of 1986. Shortly after I met Teresa Kundycki. We married in 1988, left for Ph. D. studies at Durham University in 1990 and returned to NZ in 1993. That began a sixteen year sojourn in the Diocese of Nelson - Stoke, Blenheim South parishes, then the last nine years as Ministry Educator based in the Anglican Centre, Nelson, which is, indeed, sunny!

What exactly will your new position as Director of Education for the Diocese involve?
I cannot say ‘exactly’ as that is an unfolding matter as various discussions in the Diocese continue in the light of the strategic plan. But generally the position will entail theological education, ministry training for lay, pre-ordained and post-ordained ministers. Some of this will involve working closely with the new Archdeacon for Mission, John Day, so I am sure that what ‘exactly’ happens will include elements of education for the missional church. I will also be on Bishop Victoria’s staff and look forward to finding out just what that means. Some people have hinted mischievously at early starts and long days …

What attracted you to the job?
The possibility of the Diocese and Theology House developing an arrangement with the University of Otago for its theological courses to take place in Christchurch offers a very attractive challenge! I’ve really enjoyed working for Bishops Derek Eaton and Richard Ellena in Nelson, but it’s time for a change to my work. I’m looking forward to working for Bishop Victoria.

We often hear about the importance of education for Clergy, but what about the rest of us?
Education lies at the heart of the life of the church. Jesus was a teacher who gathered disciples around him whom he trained in the ways of the kingdom. The apostles continued as teachers of the faith to all believers, and twenty centuries later that apostolic ministry continues. I hope that much of what is offered through Theology House and diocesan educational opportunities will be accessible to both laity and clergy, in keeping with the foundations of the church. Obviously some courses, such as Post Ordination Training, will be for clergy only.

What do you think your biggest challenge will be?
On a cold overcast Christchurch day in June repressing all thoughts of sunny Nelson.