| Statement
from the Churches of Christ Theological College Board Churches of Christ Theological
College
changes name to
Stirling Theological College Thursday,
1st September 2011 At
its meeting on 16th August 2011 the Board of the Churches of Christ
Theological College (CCTC) made the historic decision to change the name of the
college in honour of former graduate and Vice-Principal, Gordon R Stirling.
From 1st October 2011 the college will be known as
Stirling Theological College. Name changes are indeed a rare
occurrence in the college's 104 years of training people for leadership and ministry.
Originally known as the College of the Bible when founded in 1907, the college
adopted its current name (CCTC) when it moved to the Mulgrave premises in 1989. Gordon
Stirling (1914-2010) was a statesman, minister, church planter, evangelist, youth
director, college lecturer and Vice-Principal who over a long period of service
in Churches of Christ gained the respect and admiration of everyone who met him.
He lived and ministered in all Australian states as well as in Palmerston North,
New Zealand. In 1954, he answered a call to become the first minister of
the Ainslie Church of Christ in Canberra and remained there for 15 years. During
this time, the church developed into a flourishing congregation with a broad outreach
into the community. Gordon became a well-known local identity. He was active in
the Marriage Guidance Council, the Council of Churches, and was a regular on Canberra
radio and television. From
Canberra, Gordon moved to Melbourne to become vice-principal of the College of
the Bible. Here he was able to share his perceptions of and skills in ministry,
particularly in its practical dimensions, with a generation of ministry students.
These students still speak of Gordon's influence on them with great warmth and
fondness. On
his retirement, Gordon became editor of The Australian Christian and, through
this national journal he was able to have further wide
influence on Australian churches. After a second retirement from this role, he
continued to preach regularly and to make a broad contribution to our churches.
In South Australia, an annual GR Stirling lecture was established in his honour.
He could not give the inaugural lecture because of his care and close attention
to wife Lesley during her long illness, but gave the second lecture, on the
future of Churches of Christ, a subject dear to his heart. Apart
from his Australian Christian
writings, Gordon wrote many pamphlets and several books. He received a special
citation from the World Convention of Churches of Christ, and was both a national
and State president of our churches. His ashes were scattered in the CCTC
grounds earlier this year. Andrew
Ball, Chairperson the Council of Churches of Christ in Australia commented, "Gordon
Stirling passionately pursued his love for people and God through ministry across
Churches of Christ in Australia. He was a wonderful minister who deeply
believed in the potential of all people for ministry in God's service. This
name change is not just in honour of Gordon, it ushers a new era for the college
in encouraging a new generation to offer themselves
in service for God's Kingdom." In
the life and ministry of the Churches of Christ there have been two national voices.
The Australian Christian was a prominent source of national conversation
as was the theological college. As a former editor of the Australian Christian
and former Vice-Principal of the College the name Stirling can remain in the movement's
lexicon as it embodies the love of Christ into the future. Gordon Stirling's
three daughters have given their permission and blessing to the use of their family
name in this way. Board
Chairperson John Sharpe commented, "It
has not been an easy or rash decision to consider a name change, but as a Board
and faculty we remain committed to encouraging the very best in practical ministry
formation in all of the variety that the 21st century demands. The name
change powerfully signifies the flavour, the feeling, the passion, the imagination
and articulate witness of the College in service to the diversity of our movement
of churches across the nation and also our witness ecumenically, across the Tasman
and into our emerging partnerships internationally. Gordon's
significant pastoral ministry, inspirational leadership and Christ centred witness
captures exactly what our processes are about.
My favourite image of Gordon comes from my own church's 90th anniversary in 2009
where Gordon was interviewed by a year seven girl. There was something about
the quickness of mind, the sharp contemporary witness, grace, wisdom and cross generational momentum in Gordon that
I would want to see captured by every one called into Christian leadership and
formation. The name encapsulates our intention, our interest in people,
our faithfulness to Christ and our commitment to the future." Paul
Cameron, Executive Officer for the Churches of Christ in Vic/Tas
commented, "G.R.
Stirling was committed to forming healthy and growing minister-leaders prepared
to get their hands dirty in the lives of people and neighbourhoods as they, like
him, simply lived out and explained the story of Jesus where they were. This name
change honours and celebrates a person who lived and lived out the deeper story
of our Movement while calling us to unite around this common story. Importantly,
it is also a tangible way for the Stirling legacy to live on, in and through a
theological college committed to inspiring, encouraging, equipping, and walking
alongside people preparing for mission and ministry leadership in local neighbourhoods." We
enter this new era as Stirling Theological College: a ministry of Churches
of Christ excited by the opportunities before us. We exist for the development
of God's people as ministers, leaders and servants towards the full potential
that is ours to imagine, as the Church of Christ. John
Sharpe Dr
Andrew Menzies Board
Chairperson Principal
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