Karen is a Senior Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Studies/Pastoral Theology, and she is the Pastoral Leadership Lead in the School of Theology at Laidlaw College and part of the School of Theology Leadership team. Karen is also a Senior Coach with the Centre for Church Leadership, and an ordained Anglican minister. She teaches leadership and spiritual formation, conflict transformation, and ministry supervision. She has served on the teaching faculty of a number of colleges in New Zealand and the UK. Karen’s research interests include restorative practices in faith communities, the formation of emerging leaders, and the role of “third culture” persons in building intercultural bridges. In addition to teaching, Karen enjoys leading retreats, resourcing ministry teams, and preaching regularly in her local Village Church. 

Summary of key research

Karen’s research focuses on integrating theological, sociological, and practical perspectives on both leadership and conflict and their transformative potential in congregations. She has a deep interest in what it takes to inspire, engender, nurture, and sustain Christian discipleship and vocation in the face of rapidly shifting paradigms in both church and society. Her doctoral research drew on the 6th Century Rule of Benedict, contemporary adaptive leadership, and ancient Polynesian wayfinders to map a training pathway for Christian leaders who are resilient and adaptive in the face of change.

Most recent publications

• Book Review: Silvia Purdie. Moving On: Grief in Ministry Transitions. Wellington: Philip Garside Publishing, 2022. Journal of Practical Theology 17.1 (2024): 98.
• "Kubernetes: A Wayfinder's Understanding of Leadership and the Implications for Ministry Training and Field Education in Oceania." In Ministry in Context: A Guide to Theological Field Education and Ministry Internships in Australia and New Zealand. Australian College of Theology Monographs. Edited by Richard Trist. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2023.
• "The Treaty, the Church, and the Reconciliation of Christ." Pages 86–99 in Pursuing Peace in Godzone: Christianity and the Peace Tradition in New Zealand. Edited by Geoffrey Troughton and Philip Fountain. Wellington, NZ: Victoria University Press, 2018.

Personal Bio

Karen is an Anglican scholar-priest who has been shaped by her experiences in nursing, community development, ministry, missions, and theological education in Australasia, Chile, Mongolia, and the UK. She grew up in Chile in a missionary family and is bilingual. Karen is passionate about resourcing and supporting those called to church ministry in all its forms, especially in the area of conflict and reconciliation. This is expressed through her teaching and training, and through leadership coaching, supervision, and mentoring. Karen shares life with husband, Hugh, and their three adult daughters, and enjoys leisurely meals with friends, gardening, reading, kayaking, and walking the family labrador on the beach.

Research areas of specialisation and supervision

• Conflict transformation
• Spiritual formation
• Leadership
• Practical theology

Qualifications & Awards

• DMin - Doctor of Ministry with Distinction in Leadership and Spiritual Formation, Portland Seminary/George Fox University, Oregon, 2019.
• MA - Master of Arts with Merit in Religious Studies/Practical Theology (research/thesis only), Victoria University of Wellington, 2011.
• BTheol - Bachelor of Theology with Honours, Australian College of Theology, Sydney, 1990.
• General Nurse, West Metropolitan Group School of Nursing, Sydney, Australia, 1983.