Diocesan Ministry Education
The Diocese of Nelson encourages ministry training and theological learning at all levels of its life. Ministry Educators Peter Carrell and Mark Chamberlain oversee Diocesan Ministry Education. They offer training possibilities in parishes and on a regional basis for lay leaders of ministry. In May/June 2006, for example, they led a series of evenings in the regions of the Diocese on the topics of Worship Leading and Preaching. A regular monthly training course is Post Ordination Ministry Training for recently ordained clergy. Annual training includes the Diocesan Leadership Conference for clergy and lay pastoral staff.
Peter Carrell is a regular tutor/teacher for BCNZ diploma level courses at the BCNZ Nelson Centre. It is envisaged that some diploma level courses will continue in 2007 after the closure of the Nelson Centre. In various parts of the Diocese people are taking theological courses through distance learning (through Moore College, BCNZ, University of Otago and EIDTS) and in a number of cases funding support for fees has been made available through Diocesan Education funds. Students are welcome to use the Diocesan Theological Library in the Anglican Centre, 48 Halifax St, Nelson (Post: Box 100, Nelson. Email: library@nelsonanglican.org.nz ).
Other aspects of Diocesan Ministry Education include supporting the bi-ennial Diocesan Rural Forum, bi-ennial Catalyst festival, Rural Church Development plan, supervision in the Diocese, annual Network 200 group meetings for vicars of our medium-sized parishes, theological consultancy and writing, and advice and support for the Bishop of Nelson, especially in relation to discernment and training of candidates for ordination.
Peter Carrell (BSc (Hons), BD. PhD) currently leads Bishopdale College in its present form. Peter works with Mark Chamberlain to extend the teaching ministry of the Bishop. Together and separately they lead practical ministry training for lay people in each main region of the diocese. Together they lead monthly sessions of the Post Ordination Ministry Training Group.
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The role of God in human Life
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Alongside these practically oriented groups Peter works with the BCNZ Nelson Centre [LINK] in the delivery of Diploma of Biblical Studies and Diploma of Ministry Internship courses. An important part of Peter’s role is oversight of the Diocesan Library which provides books, videos, tapes, and course materials covering a wide range of subjects for trainees, students, and members of the public. Mark and Peter are also available as theological consultants – available to give advice to the Bishop, clergy and lay people as and when questions arise.
Prior to ordination Peter worked in NZ and in Egypt in labouring and teaching jobs. His BD from Otago University majored in both Old and New Testaments. He was ordained into the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch on completion of that degree and worked for three years in the Parish of Shirley. Postgraduate studies followed leading to a Ph. D through the University of Durham (UK) on the subject of Jesus and the Angels: the Influence of angelology on the Christology of the Apocalypse of John. On returning to NZ, Peter worked in the Parish of Stoke, Nelson for two years, and as Vicar of Blenheim South for nearly 5 and a half years. He has been in his current Nelson-based role since early 2001. Peter is married to Teresa. They have 4 children.