Ridley College Podcast

🎙️ S4 E4 Raising Up the Next Generation of Leaders with Sam Oldland
 
Episode Description
In this episode, Rhys Bezzant sits down with Sam Oldland, the minister overseeing traineeships at St Jude's Carlton — a church right across the road from Melbourne University — for a deep and practical conversation about raising up the next generation of gospel workers. As Sam puts it, when it comes to church planting, "it's never money, it's never location, it's never having enough people — it's always about having the leaders to do it." Sam shares his own quiet, unremarkable journey into ministry (and why that's actually the story we need more of), before unpacking how he's built a thriving two-year ministry traineeship program at St Jude's almost from scratch. They explore the "trellis and vine" framework for thinking about ministry structure, what it takes to recruit and form Gen Z leaders, why the responsibility for raising up new workers lies with the previous generation, and how any church — regardless of size or location — can begin to cultivate a culture of ministry training. Honest, practical, and deeply encouraging for anyone who cares about the future of gospel ministry in Australia.

Got Questions?
Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S4 E3 Inside Ridley: Books, Graduation & the AI Question
with Hannah Craven & Mike Bird
 
Episode Description

In this episode of our Inside Ridley sub-series, faculty members Hannah Craven and Michael Bird sit down for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about what's been happening at Ridley. Mike shares highlights from his OSP — including finishing a new book on the Roman Empire and the early church, visiting the city of his birth in Germany, and lecturing across India, the US and UK. Hannah reflects on the landmark new intensive, Women in the New Testament, and her new role supporting the Anglican Institute. They celebrate Ridley's biggest ever graduation cohort, before diving into one of the most pressing conversations in theological education right now — artificial intelligence. Mike's an enthusiastic early adopter; Hannah's a self-described "friction-maxxer." Together they make for a genuinely fun and thought-provoking conversation about what AI means for learning, character formation, and the future of theological education.

Got Questions?
Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S4 E2 — Tools for a Lifetime of Ministry
with Tim Johnson

In this episode, our Principal, Rhys Bezzant, sits down with newly appointed faculty member Tim Johnson for a rich conversation about life, ministry, and what it means to be well-equipped for the long haul. 

Tim shares his journey from growing up in a minister's home in Sydney's western suburbs — with no intention of ever becoming a pastor himself — to over 12 years as vicar of St John's Diamond Creek, and now joining Ridley's faculty to teach preaching and pastoral care. Along the way, they discuss the moment Tim's understanding of justification changed everything, how a local church can prune back activity to focus on what matters most, and why theological education remains vital in a world of cheap alternatives. Tim also opens up about his approach to personal spiritual growth, intentional reading plans, and what it means to keep filling the tank for a lifetime of ministry. A warm, honest, and deeply encouraging conversation for anyone in or considering vocational ministry.

Got Questions?
Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S4 E1 — Confident in the Lord
with Rhys Bezzant & Bec Muir

Episode Description
In the inaugural episode of the Ridley College Podcast, Principal Rhys sits down with New Testament faculty member Bec for a warm and wide-ranging conversation about life at Ridley. They dive into Bec's PhD research on suffering in the book of Hebrews, the new off-campus evening classes running at Glen Waverley Anglican Church, and what it really means to help students grow in confidence — not just academically, but for a lifetime of ministry. Rhys also shares the college's theme for the year drawn from Philippians 1:14, his upcoming Reformation tour through Germany and Switzerland, and a book on mentoring years in the making. Whether you're a prospective student, a Ridley friend, or simply curious about theological education, this episode offers a genuine glimpse into the people and ideas shaping Ridley College today.

Got Questions?
Got questions about Ridley College? We'd love to hear from you! Whether you're thinking about studying with us or just want to know what life at Ridley is really like. No question is too big or too small. Drop your questions in the comments below or email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to answer every single one. 👇

Open Day
Explore studying Theology and Ministry at Ridley College and meet our faculty and other prospective students.
On Campus and Online – 22 Apr 2026
RSVP: https://www.ridley.edu.au/openday

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Chapters
00:00 Welcome & introducing the Ridley College Podcast

02:42 Bec's PhD on suffering in the book of Hebrews

05:15 Teaching New Testament Foundations off-campus at Glen Waverley

7:39 Highlights from the year so far

8:15 Semester intensives: Hebrew, Intergenerational Ministry & Women in the NT

10:52 Open Day: April 22nd (in-person & online at 7:30pm)

12:03 This year's theme: "Confident in the Lord" (Philippians 1:14)

13:56 What student confidence looks like in practice

18:09 Conferences & research: Bec's PhD focus vs. conference papers

18:33 Rhys's Reformation tour to Germany & Switzerland (June)

19:51 Rhys's research paper: Jonathan Edwards & white Christian nationalism

22:01 Rhys's upcoming books: mentoring & Parables in the Kingdom of God

24:03 The value of mentoring in ministry formation

25:55 Who has mentored Rhys?

26:51 Praying for the right people in your life

27:01 Wrap-up & how to submit listener questions

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Study at Ridley: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S3E14 — The Alf Stanway Lecture in Mission 2025
Australian Churches and Intercultural Communities: At Arms-length or Embraced?
Guest Speaker: Dr Enqi Weng & Revd Associate Professor Darrell Jackson 

Episode Description
Are Australian churches part of, set apart from, or a form of resistance to their cultural context? What does multiculturalism mean in Australian churches today, given global polarisation and rising ethno-nationalism? This public lecture engages with these pressing questions as contemporary churches face multiple challenges, including building disciples and communities amidst cultural diversity.

Dr Enqi Weng will draw on her postdoctoral research findings to present key findings on the state of multiculturalism in Australia today to consider some of these opportunities and challenges. These findings are based on two Australian Research Council projects on which she worked as a Research Fellow, that examined social service provision to multicultural communities and how religiously and culturally diverse communities thrive across differences. Rev. Associate Professor Darrell Jackson will offer a missiological response, exploring how churches might reimagine their theological framing of, and pastoral engagement with, increasing cultural diversity.

We aim for this lecture to be dialogical, so that we may collectively propose ways to live well together across differences.

Speaker
Dr Enqi Weng

Dr Enqi Weng is a Teaching Fellow at the School of Communication and Creative Arts, and a Research Fellow at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University; and an Honorary Research Associate at Whitley College, University of Divinity. She has 12 years of research experience working on government- and industry-funded projects. Her research interest lies in intercultural relationships and communications, especially how discourses and narratives shape the way we perceive and relate to each other. Born in Singapore and prior to academia, she was a communications practitioner with experience in marketing communications, branding and stakeholder relations. She is the Managing Editor of the Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culture, and was Vice President of the Australian Academic Association for the Study of Religion. More: www.enqiweng.com

Revd Associate Professor Darrell Jackson 

Darrell has been the Principal of Whitley College, University of Divinity, since August 2024. 

Darrell grew up in the Isle of Man, came to faith there in 1972, and was baptised in 1979. He gained a BA at London School of Theology, was ordained as a Baptist pastor in 1989, and graduated with a Th.D. from the University of Birmingham in 2009. A former pastor, denominational leader, and missionary, he has been a full-time missiological educator since 2007, moving to Australia in 2012 to take up a role at Morling College. 

He has served on the Boards of various mission-related organisations including the Lausanne movement, the World Evangelical Alliance, and Missions Interlink. He is currently chair of the Baptist Doctrine and Christian Unity Commission of the Baptist World Alliance, and vice-chair of European Christian Mission International. 

His most recent publications include chapters on ‘Theology’ in Edinburgh University Press’s Companions to Global Christianity Series, Christianity in Oceania, and ‘Diaspora and the Redefinition of European Christianity in the Twenty-First Century’ in Entangling Web: The Fractious Story of Christianity in Europe (2024).

📥 Download the PowerPoint slides
You can access the presentation slides here:
[Download Slides]

Ridley College x CMS Victoria

The Alf Stanway Lecture in Mission is presented in partnership between Ridley College and CMS Victoria. Recognising long historical links and common gospel vision, Ridley College and CMS Victoria are committed to sharing resources and to working together to see a world that knows Jesus.

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollegeRidley
Enquire to Study: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S3E13—  Paul, Papyri, and Prayer: A Conversation with Dr Gillian Asquith

Episode Description
In this episode of the Ridley College Podcast, Dr Gillian Asquith, Academic Dean at Melbourne School of Theology, joins Revd Dr Mike Bird, Deputy Principal, to explore the fascinating intersection of archaeology, ancient letters, and biblical language. Drawing from her recent Leon Morris Lecture and upcoming book Paul’s Letter Openings: An Analysis of High Register Language (Cambridge University Press), Gillian reveals how everyday papyri from Oxyrhynchus shed light on Paul’s pastoral heart and linguistic creativity. From solemn oaths to surprising word choices, this episode uncovers how Paul’s greetings were anything but routine—and why biblical languages still matter today.

Dr Gillian Asquith
Gillian Asquith grew up in England and studied Oriental Studies at the University of Oxford. She taught in schools in England and Australia before moving into theological studies. She has tutored at Ridley College, taught at the Presbyterian Theological College and lectured in Early Christianity at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Gillian is now Academic Dean at Melbourne School of Theology (MST), lecturing in Greek and New Testament. Gillian developed MST’s archaeology study tour program and is at her happiest when hot and dirty with a trowel in her hand. Gillian’s doctoral thesis won the ACU Vice Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence in Doctoral Training and will be published later this year by Cambridge University Press.

Listen to The Leon Morris Lecture in New Testament Studies 2025: Paul and Papyri

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollegeRidley
Enquire to Study: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S3E12— Unveiling the Song: Kamina Wüst on Love, Desire, and Divine Jealousy

Episode Description
In this compelling episode of the Ridley College Podcast, faculty member Hannah Craven sits down with biblical scholar Kamina Wüst to explore the Song of Songs—one of Scripture’s most enigmatic and provocative books. Drawing from her PhD research and recent teaching at the Ridley Preachers Conference, Kamina unpacks the poetic, theological, and cultural layers of the text, challenging long-held assumptions about Solomon, sexuality, and spiritual fidelity. With insights into Hebrew language, ancient Near Eastern poetry, and the powerful voice of the female protagonist, this episode offers a fresh and faithful reading of a book often misunderstood—and rarely preached.

Dr Kamina Wüst
Kamina is an Old Testament scholar and teacher with a special interest in the Song of Songs and ‘Solomonic’ literature. After writing a college essay on the topic ‘What is the Song of Songs about?’ she couldn't stop thinking about it, so she completed a PhD (at Moore College). An accessible version of her findings has been published as a Matthias Bible Guide (for which she is also the OT series editor) and as a set of Bible studies, both available through Matthias Media.

Outside of academia, she works as a writer and as a business mentor to freelancers in the creative industries. She is married to another writer and they live in Brisbane with their little boy. She can be contacted through www.kaminawust.com

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollegeRidley
Enquire to Study: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S3E11— Translating the Word: A Conversation with Dr Andrew Abernethy

Episode Description
In this episode of the Ridley College Podcast, former principal, Dr Brian Rosner welcomes Dr Andrew Abernethy, Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and former Ridley faculty member, for a deep dive into the art and challenge of Bible translation. From revising the Christian Standard Bible to shaping the New Living Translation, Andrew and Brian share behind-the-scenes stories, theological insights, and the challenge of maintaining the delicate balance between faithfulness and readability when translating the Bible. Whether you're a scholar, student, or curious listener, this episode offers a rich and thoughtful look at how Scripture is brought to life in modern language.

Dr Andrew Abernethy, Ph.D.
Dr Abernethy's primary research areas are Isaiah, Psalms, the Latter Prophets, hermeneutics, and biblical theology. He is the President of the Institute for Biblical Research, a member of the New Living Translation translation committee, and a fellow of Every Voice Kingdom Diversity. He has written numerous articles and is also the author of several books: Eating in Isaiah (Brill, 2014), The Book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom (IVP, 2016), God’s Messiah in the Old Testament (Baker, 2020), Discovering Isaiah (Eerdmans/SPCK, 2021), and Savoring Scripture: A Six-Step Guide to Studying the Bible (IVP Academic, 2022). His book The Prophets in the Baker Handbook on the Old Testament will be published in 2026. Up next for Dr. Abernethy will be an exegetical commentary on the Psalms. Dr. Abernethy is accepting applications for Ph.D. students in the area of Old Testament.

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollegeRidley
Enquire to Study: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S3E10— The Leon Morris Lecture in New Testament Studies 2025
Theme: Paul and Papyri

Guest Speaker: Dr Gillian Asquith

Episode Description
Archaeological excavations in Egypt have unearthed thousands of ancient everyday papyrus documents written in the same kind of Greek as the New Testament. This lecture will demonstrate how these “voices from the sand” shed exciting new light on Paul’s letters.

Speaker
Dr Gillian Asquith grew up in England and studied Oriental Studies at the University of Oxford. She taught in schools in England and Australia before moving into theological studies. She has tutored at Ridley College, taught at the Presbyterian Theological College and lectured in Early Christianity at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Gillian is now Academic Dean at Melbourne School of Theology (MST), lecturing in Greek and New Testament. Gillian developed MST’s archaeology study tour program and is at her happiest when hot and dirty with a trowel in her hand. Gillian’s doctoral thesis won the ACU Vice Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence in Doctoral Training and will be published later this year by Cambridge University Press.

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollegeRidley
Enquire to Study: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

🎙️ S3E9— The Peter Corney Lecture in Youth Ministry 2025
Theme: Can I Buy Myself Flowers? Speaking grace and truth to girls growing up in a complex and conflicting world.

Guest Speaker: Dr Fiona Isaacs

Episode Description
In as much as girls are told they are full of girl power, the experience of being a girl is often one of powerlessness, fraught with conflicting pressures and expectations placed upon them from home, the church, school, and social media. God loves girls far too much to let them be anything less than powerful agents in his plan for the redemption of all things. This lecture will explore the experience of being a young woman in Australia today, the pressing needs facing our girls, and practical ways in which those who want to help girls (in school or church) can assist them to confidently find and own a coherent story, grounded in the gospel, of who they are and are called to be.

Speaker
Fiona is the School Chaplain at Tara Anglican School for Girls in Parramatta. Her Doctor of Ministry thesis explored tensions between the formation of virtue and developing agency in teenage girls in Anglican Schools. In addition, she holds degrees in Theology, Education & Physics. She is the lead writer and editor for the School Ministry newsletter “Hope for the Hopeless” and a lay preacher at St Marks Darling Point, in Sydney.

Study With Ridley
If you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/

Ridley Chapel Podcast
Be sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/

Donate
This podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/

Connect with Ridley College
Website: https://www.ridley.edu.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollegeRidley
Enquire to Study: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/