photo above: 1989 students being congratualted by Principal W. Tabbernee

where we came from

In 2007 the College celebrated 100 years of ministry formation, training and theological discovery. The College has an amazing history and its graduates have had a marked influence on faith and religion all around the globe.

Even before the establishment of the College in 1907 the need to train people involved in preaching and evangelism was recognised. In 1871 one of the early advocates for founding the College wrote.
No intelligent [member] can dispute the propriety and imperative necessity of our preachers being fully instructed in the sacred Word, and this is the prime object of the Bible College.

The early students were trainee preachers, evangelists and ministers as intended but today the student body has changed remarkably. Now over 50% of students are studying to enhance their personal understanding of faith, scripture and theology with no thought of taking up ministry as a paid profession.

The College of the Bible (COB), as it was first named, began with sixteen students under Principal H.G. Harward on 19th February 1907. For a brief time, lectures were held in the Lygon Street Church of Christ at Carlton and then in a building on Rathdowne Street. Early in 1910 the College moved to a 4˝ acre property at Glen Iris, which at the time was an unsettled area southeast of Melbourne. The construction of the Monash freeway eventually forced the College to sell its property to the State Government. The new premises were opened in February 1989.

Back in 1911, Mr A. R. Main was appointed as the College’s second principal. He held the position until 1938. In his first year Mr Main formulated a statement which outlined the following objectives:
The chief purpose of the College is to provide Biblical instruction and to furnish ample facilities in education for Christian ministry... to encourage an impartial and unbiased investigation of the Christian Scriptures, and in the spirit of devout faith in the Divine Word, freely to lay under tribute every source of light and truth available to modern scholarship.

Over the years costs have forced student fees up, the profile of the student body has changed and statutory regulations now define the guidelines for accreditation with more rigour than ever before. However, within this changing context the objectives set out by Principal A.R. Main in 1911 still remain paramount.

Today, Stirling seeks to prepare and support people for effective and faithful Christian ministry and mission through the provision of flexible learning programs. The primary purpose of the College is still the formation of ministers to serve churches but the College is also strongly committed to providing a stimulating learning centre in which increasing numbers of lay people can engage in theological education. Enrolments at the College are at their highest for ten years. In terms of the accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered through the Melbourne College of Divinity, the privileges have never been as valuable.

Stirling Theological College teaches theology that has done a few miles. In an age of contested diversity in religion, culture and thought it is good to engage theological education that has been developed and tested for over 100 years.