Stirling Theological College

Christian college in Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia

Stirling Theological College

Former names	Churches of Christ Theological College (CCTC) The College of the Bible
Motto	Forming God's people for leadership, mission and ministry.
Type	Christian theological and counselling education
Established	1907-2022 (closed)
Accreditation	none
Religious affiliation	Churches of Christ
Academic staff	0
Students	0
Location	Melbourne , Australia
Campus	Mulgrave, Victoria, Melbourne CBD, (former)
Website	stirling.edu.au

Stirling Theological College is a former Australian Christian theological college located in Mulgrave, a south eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria.

History

The college was established in 1907 in Carlton, Victoria, by H. G. Harward as the College of the Bible. By 1912, there were "44 students in residence, including two women students".^[1] From 1910 to 1988 it was located in Glen Iris. It changed its name to Churches of Christ Theological College in 1989 when it moved to its current location at 44-60 Jacksons Road, Mulgrave and in September 2011 changed its name to Stirling Theological College. Stirling Theological College was named in honour of former graduate and vice-principal, Gordon R. Stirling. Stirling ministered in all Australian states and in New Zealand. After retiring he became editor of The Australian Christian.

The college board sold the Mulgrave campus in 2020.^{[citation needed]} In November 2022 the college announced that it was leaving the University of Divinity on December 31 2022.^{[citation needed]} It subsequently announced merger discussions with the Australian College of Ministries which is a Member Institute of Sydney College of Divinity.^{[citation needed]}

Notable alumni

Ernest Aderman OBE (1894–1968) - Member of Parliament in New Zealand^[2]
Andrew Hughes - missionary, minister, politician, actor^{[citation needed]}
Terry Lane - noted atheist, radio broadcaster and newspaper columnist^{[citation needed]}
Gordon Moyes AC - Head of Wesley Mission in Sydney and Member of Parliament in New South Wales^{[citation needed]}

Principals

Three presidents of the council of the University of Divinity and its predecessors, the Melbourne College of Divinity and MCD University of Divinity, came from Stirling Theological College: K. R. Bowes (1978–79), W. Tabbernee (1986-1987) and M. A. Kitchen (2004-05). A. F. Menzies served as Deputy Chancellor of the University of Divinity from 2012 to 2020.

1907 - 1910: H. G. Harward
1910 - 1938: A. R. Main
1938 - 1944: T. H. Scambler
1944 - 1973: E. L. Williams
1974 - 1980: K. R. Bowes
1981 - 1990: W. Tabbernee
1993 - 1999: G. O. Elsdon
2000 - 2009: M. A. Kitchen OAM
2010 - 2020: A. F. Menzies
2020 - 2022: G. J. Hill
2022 - : S. Sutton

References

^ The Argus, 13 April 1912.
^ Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. p. 296. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.