Ministry and Church Leadership

Ministry is a calling that requires more than just passion—it demands wisdom, integrity, and skill. Become a safe, faithful, and effective leader who can rightly handle Scripture, navigate complex pastoral challenges, and serve with both conviction and compassion.

At Laidlaw College, we equip ministry leaders with a strong biblical and theological foundation, pastoral and social-scientific insights, and practical skills to lead with confidence and care. Don’t just step into ministry—be prepared for it.

Through hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and a holistic approach to faith and leadership, you’ll gain the wisdom, character, and practical tools needed to serve and lead with confidence. Whether you’re called to pastoral ministry, community engagement, or mission work, this is your opportunity to be shaped for a lifetime of faithful service.

Study Options

There are a range of ways to develop your Ministry and Pastoral Leadership skills at Laidlaw College. We offer a range of pathways, including internships, degree level study, and professional development opportunities for those already in the field. 

"I truly believe it's the pre-eminent theological institution in New Zealand. It's breadth of study, of knowledge, the way the staff require you to think. They don't spoon feed you. They want you to think critically, thoughtfully, prayerfully. You're given options and required to construct a frame for yourself."

Stephen Mataia - Theology Graduate

Theology staff

Our staff are excellent practitioners and scholars, who lead by example.

Rev. Dr Maja Whitaker

Academic Dean | Lecturer (Theology)

Maja is the Academic Dean at Laidlaw College; she oversees all programme development and delivery and contributes to the development and outworking of College strategy. She is also a lecturer in the School of Theology, and has served as Practical Theology Lead and with the School of Theology Leadership team. Read more about Maja Whitaker here.

Rev. Joey Millington

Professional Teaching Fellow | Internship Coordinator (Theology)

Joey is a Professional Teaching Fellow in the School of Theology focusing on practical and biblical theology. He teaches into courses on biblical theology, Christian leadership, and pastoral ministry. Read more about Joey here.

Zara Maslin

Professional Teaching Fellow (Theology)

Zara teaches Laidlaw’s youth and young adult Practical Theology papers. She is also overseeing the development of Laidlaw’s new Level 5 Youth Work qualification. She is passionate about equipping any and all who work frontline with young people: specifically how classroom concepts, models and theories play out in ministry practice. Read more about Zara here.

Rev. Dr Graeme Flett

School of Theology Lecturer | Senior Coach (Centre for Church Leadership)

Graeme specialises in ministry formation and pastoral/practical theology. He teaches courses on reflective practice, leadership and pastoral ministry alongside coaching around 8-9 senior church leaders. He previously developed and co-led Laidlaw’s internship program from 2011-2020 with his spouse Linda Flett. Graeme is an Elim paster of 34 years. Read more about Graeme here.

Rev. Matthew Maslin

Professional Teaching Fellow

Matt, together with his wife Zara, teaches Laidlaw’s youth-focussed Practical Theology papers in an adjunct position. His master's research on the French philosopher Blaise Pascal stems from his interest in embodied cognition and how what we do with our bodies creates a certain kind of knowledge. Read more about Matthew here.

Rev. Amy Page-Whiting

Centre for Church Leadership Senior Leadership Fellow

Amy is the Senior Pastor at The River Ōpāwaho and has had the privilege of leading this community in Christchurch for the last 18 years. She is also the National Director for Arrow Leadership NZ and these two roles capture the key areas of leadership she feels called to and passionate about – mission, discipleship, and leadership formation. Read more about Amy here.

Dr Ryan Lang

Professional Teaching Fellow - School of Theology

Ryan Lang teaches in theology at Laidlaw College and is based at our campuses in Auckland. He was born in Pakistan, where his parents served as relief workers, and he grew up between there and Aotearoa. Read more about Ryan Lang here.


Rev. Dr Myk Habets

Senior Lecturer (Theology)

Myk is Senior Lecturer in Theology at Laidlaw College and has Senior Researcher status with AUT and ACT. He is also a Baptist pastor. Myk lectures in Systematic Theology and Ethics and has lectured at a number of universities and colleges in New Zealand and abroad. Read more about Myk Habets here.

Dr Gregory J. Liston

Senior Lecturer (Theology)

Greg is a Senior Lecturer in Theology, and is the lead academic for the undergraduate programs within the School of Theology. He teaches primarily in systematic theology, with a particular focus on ecclesiology and gospel witness in contemporary culture. Read more about Gregory Liston here.

Rev. Dr Karen Kemp

Senior Lecturer (Theology) | Senior Coach (Centre for Church Leadership)

Karen is a Senior Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Studies/Pastoral Theology and teaches leadership and spiritual formation, conflict transformation, and ministry supervision. Karen is also the Pastoral Leadership Lead at Laidlaw, part of the Theology leadership team, a senior coach for Centre for Church Leadership and an ordained Anglican minister. Read more about Karen here.


Rev. Dr David Crawley

Professional Teaching Fellow (Theology)

Until 2020, David was a Senior Lecturer in the School of Theology at Laidlaw, specialising in Christian Spirituality. From time to time, he continues to lecture in the areas of spiritual care and professional supervision for people in the ministry. Read more about David here.