Rev Dr Andrew Nicol appointed Lecturer/Ministry Formation Coordinator at Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership

4 May 2023

The Council of Assembly is delighted to announce the appointment of Rev Dr Andrew Nicol to the position of Lecturer/Ministry Formation Coordinator at Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership (KCML).

Andrew will begin his new role on 31 July 2023 and he will be based at KCML in Dunedin.

It was with both gratitude and excitement that Council of Assembly approved the recommendation that Andrew be appointed to this role at its 4 April meeting, says Council Convener, Rev Dr Jaco Reyneke. “We are looking forward to seeing the fruit of Andrew’s ministry in this context. Andrew brings experience, skills and a theological foundation which will help the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership team to continue to serve the Church and the Kingdom well”.

It is Andrew’s experience that will make him a great asset to the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership team says KCML Principal Rev Dr Geoff New. “Andrew joins us with his gifts and experience honed and crafted after years as a parish minister and theologian. I am thrilled that he will be part of the KCML ministry. We seek to provide training that includes deep spirituality and robust intellectual engagement with the scriptures and dynamics of the Church’s mission in God’s world; Andrew’s ministry journey means he is eminently placed to serve such a venture.”

Andrew says he was called to the role by his “deep regard for theological formation and a foundational conviction that the whole people of God are called to participate in God’s ongoing mission and ministry”.  

He says he will “bring a mixture of theological reflection, pastoral sensitivity and leadership experience founded in relationships across our broad Church, and beyond”.

Most recently a teacher and chaplain at John McGlashan College in Dunedin, Andrew’s conviction about the centrality of the Christian faith to all of life has seen him undertake theological education in a variety of contexts over the past 30 years.

His undergraduate formation was at Te Nikau Bible Training Centre, he gained a Bachelor of Ministries at the Bible College of New Zealand (now Laidlaw College). His Post-Graduate Diploma and PhD in Theology were completed at the University of Otago, 2006 to 2012. 

A trained teacher, Andrew was Head of Religious Studies at St Bede’s Prep School in East Sussex from 2002 to 2006. He was a teacher and chaplain at John McGlashan College in Dunedin from 2022.  Between teaching roles, Andrew was minister at St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church in Bishopdale, Christchurch, from 2013 to 2022. During his time in parish ministry he also taught Christology for Laidlaw College for several years, and he assisted in a variety of capacities for Alpine Presbytery, including as interim moderator.  

Andrew is married to Charissa and they have four children - Elliot, Theo, Eliana and Abrielle.  He relishes being at any of the children’s many activities. Having trained as a chef in the early 1990s, he is the family’s self- designated ‘glory cook’. He is learning to appreciate walking, and loves travel… but not always by foot.

Andrew’s thesis was published by Fortress Press in 2016: “Exodus and Resurrection: The God of Israel in the Theology of Robert W. Jenson”.