ALC Staff
AA BSEd MEdSt EdD
Emeritus Lecturer
Dr Kenneth Albinger taught at ALC from 2000 to 2007 in the area of Education, serving as campus coordinator in Queensland. He retired from full-time teaching in December 2007.
BA, MA, GrDipPsych, MScMarrFamTherapy, MATh, CertIVTAA, MTh(Hons), PhD
Casual Academic (Counselling)
John is a psychologist and marriage & family therapist with over 25 years of clinical practice, an experienced educator, and the Director of Mount Evelyn Counselling Centre. Therefore John is well placed to lead both Human Development, Personality, And Identity as well as What Is Abnormal?: The Individual, Diagnostics, And Society. In addition to his clinical experience John brings with him both cross-culture knowledge and an ability to integrate faith and practice. This he brought to the fore in his PhD which was about identity and shame within a theological framework. His understanding of shame is timely as this is a growing topic in both the literature and in clinical practice. Finally, John has served as the President of the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia, the Chair of the Board of Careline Connections, and on the Board of the Asia Christian Counselling Association.
BA DipEd MA(Th&Ed) EdD
Emeritus Lecturer
Dr Malcolm Bartsch began teaching at the tertiary level in 1983 in the area of theological education, serving in a number of the church’s tertiary education institutions before retiring from full-time teaching in early 2011. On his retirement the August 2011 edition of the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ 45/2) contained an editorial tribute and articles written in his honour.
BA(Hons) Law, MPP, MEd
Casual Academic (Counselling)
Prior to emigrating to Australia, Diana was a barrister (UK) with both a criminal and civil practice. In Australia Diana then practiced as a solicitor. Across the last two decades Diana has taught in a variety of higher education courses covering a wide range of topics aligned to wellbeing, mental health, and professional ethics. Given her legal background a particular passion of Diana’s is rational thinking and what happens when it goes wrong, for this reason she contributes to the unit Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, And Decision-Making. Diana is also currently completing a PhD at the University of Divinity focused on Domestic Violence and perpetrator/victim-survivor identity. For this reason she also teaches in the unit Human Development, Personality, And Identity.
BSc, GradDip Ed, MCounselling
Casual Academic (Counselling)
Peggy is a counsellor at Crossway Lifecare and counsels clients in English, Cantonese and in Mandarin! Being a former teacher Peggy is passionate about the wellbeing of children and adolescents, having experience working with children who have special needs and learning difficulties. Peggy also works with families to improve parental attachment and teaches positive parenting.
AMusA DipT GradDipTh(Ed) GradDipEd(RE) MEd(RE)
Emerita Lecturer
Mrs Marlene Cooper taught at ALC from 1990 to 1999 in the area of Education as part of Lutheran Teachers College (LTC). On retirement from full-time teaching in July 1999, the August 1999 edition of the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ 33/2) contained an editorial tribute and articles written in her honour. Marlene was the first female lecturer to serve at LTC.
Marketing and Communications Project Officer
CertIIBus CertIIIBusAdmin CertIVAlliedHealthAssist
Executive Assistant to the Academic Dean, Registrar
Rosslyn provides administrative support to the Academic Dean and manages the Dean’s Office. She is also the Registrar and has the responsibility for student records.
Rosslyn is a member of the team which takes enquiries and receives visitors.
BTheol(Hons) BA (Hons) MA DLit PhD
Honorary Research Fellow
Research areas: New Testament, Apocrypha, Early Christianity, Late Antiquity
BComm MBA FCPA GAICD
Business Manager
Michelle is a member of ALC’s Leadership Team which oversees the strategic operations and plans for the college on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Michelle’s primary responsibility is ensuring organisational effectiveness by providing leadership for ALC’s financial, administrative, and human resources functions.
BA GradDipEd(Sec) MEd MA(Theol) PhD
Director of Research
In her role as Director of Research, Michelle is responsible for supporting higher degrees by research at ALC and working with LCANZ agencies to develop and carry out specific research projects.
Research areas: Gender and Sexuality, Psalms, Shame, Feminist Theologies
BSc(Hons), MCounselling, PhD, Grad Cert Higher Ed
Director of Counselling Programs, Lecturer in Counselling
Beginning his career in embryology and then receiving a PhD in behavioural neuroscience, all before training as a counsellor, allows Tom to bring a wide breadth of knowledge to both course design and to his teaching. Seeking to work alongside students as colleagues-in-training Tom is passionate about helping junior students to case conceptualise well, treatment plan appropriately, and evaluate clinical outcomes accurately. When working with senior students Tom enjoys extending their knowledge into area of counselling which may be considered state-of-the-art.
BCouns
Casual Academic (Counselling)
Originally trained as a counsellor, Jen has since expanded her remit to include school chaplaincy and now hospital chaplaincy. Jen has a deep and abiding interest in how to integrate faith-based practices into mental health work. Extensive experience sitting at the bedside of people of all faiths and none has given Jen the ability to share deeply with students about how faith, religion, and spirituality influence one’s wellbeing.
CertIVTAE DipMan DipTheol GCCFM
Director of Applied Learning
Emma is the Discover program coordinator, lecturer in the Diploma in Ministry and oversees both Vocational Education Training and non-award training at ALC.
BTheol BA(Hons) PhD GradDipEd CertIVTAE DD(hon)
Emeritus Lecturer
In 2007 Stephen commenced at ALC as Lecturer in New Testament and Pastoral Studies. From 2008 to 2021 he held a senior leadership position as Dean. From 2010 to 2024 he served as Vice Principal and senior lecturer.
BA MDiv PhD
Senior Lecturer in New Testament, Coordinator of Biblical Studies
Stephen is Senior Lecturer in New Testament at ALC and teaches across the New Testament field and koine Greek. His research and scholarly writings focus on the formation of the gospel tradition (especially narrativity and memory in the gospels), ancient Judaism (especially the Dead Sea Scrolls), and Pauline theology. He also has interests in hermeneutics, biblical theology, and the doctrine of Scripture.
Research areas: New Testament, Biblical Theology
BTh BEdSt GradCertTESOL MEd GradCertHE
Emeritus Lecturer
Pastor Andrew Jaensch began teaching with ALC in 2009 as the Lutheran Strand Coordinator at the ACU campus in Brisbane and retired in 2020.
BTh MTh
Emeritus Lecturer
Pastor Bob Kempe was a lecturer at Australian Lutheran College from 2001 to 2008. Bob has continued to serve the LCA by administering in-service professional development of pastors and remains an accredited supervisor for Clinical Pastoral Education.
BA(Hons) MPhil Cantab PhD Cantab DD
Emeritus Lecturer
Dr John Kleinig served as a lecturer at the Australian Lutheran College from 1982 until his retirement from full-time teaching at the end of 2009.
BMA BCIS MIT(Net&Sec)
Online Development Officer
Karl provides operational support in the education programs at ALC, assisting staff in the development and resources of units for online delivery.
BA MDiv STM ThD MA(EdAdmin)
Emeritus Lecturer
Dr John Koch taught at ALC from 1977 to 2000 in the area of Pastoral Theology. On his retirement from full-time teaching, the November 2000 edition of the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ 34/3) contained an editorial tribute and articles written in his honour. John served as principal from 1998 to 2000 and was a lecturer at Lutheran Teachers College from 1970 to 1976.
CertIVBus
Executive Assistant to the Principal
Alice contributes to the smooth running of the college by providing administrative support to the Principal, the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team. Her duties include coordinating public events throughout the academic year, such as the Opening Conversation, Valedictory Service and Graduation Ceremony. She also assists in the production and distribution of promotional materials for the college, including Saints Alive. Alice is a member of the team which takes enquiries and receives visitors.
BA BEd STM ThD
Emeritus Lecturer
Dr Greg Lockwood became a lecturer in New Testament studies at ALC in 2005 and retired from full-time church service in February 2011.
BA DipEd BTh ThD
Emeritus Lecturer
Dr Peter Lockwood lectured in Old Testament, retiring in December 2016.
BA BA(Hons) PhD
Emeritus Professor, University of Divinity
Wendy is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and known internationally for her research on early Christian preaching and the life and works of the eastern church father and preacher John Chrysostom. Her research currently embraces two additional strands: the reception of Greek medicine in Christian thought in Late Antiquity; and the root causes of religious conflict and radicalisation in both past and present.
Research areas: Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Homiletics, Liturgy, Sociology/Psychology of Religion, Church History
BEng BInfoTech PhD BTh/BMin MMissionalLeadership
Casual Academic
Rev Dr Dan Mueller is currently serving as Lead Pastor with Immanuel Lutheran Church on the Sunshine Coast (QLD).
DipT(Primary) BEd GDThEd BSpEd MEd CertIV TAE EdD GradCertDiv
Casual Academic
Tania Nelson is the Manager of Lutheran Media. Lutheran Media reaches out to people through radio, social media and print to bring them hope.
DipT BEd GradDipRE GradDipArts (Children’s Lit) MEd EdD
Sessional lecturer
Dr Meg Noack joined ALC as a sessional lecturer in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience from her working career, where she held a number of Education positions, including senior teacher, deputy principal, education advisor, director of learning and teaching, and university lecturer.
BA+MA [equiv.] PhD
Director of Research, Research Supervisor, Lecturer in Biblical Studies
Anna is Director of Research at ALC, responsible for ensuring the excellence and quality of research at the College. She is also Lutheran Theological Journal Co-Editor and serves as Lecturer in Biblical Studies.
Research areas: Early Judaism, New Testament, Early Christianity, Biblical Theology, Educational Theology
BTh
Library Assistant
Tim regularly works on the circulation desk where he assists students, faculty and other borrowers.
M Psych (Ed & Dev), PhD, PsyBA Endorsed
Casual Academic (Counselling)
Jennifer is an Education & Developmental Psychologist in private practice with a special interest in spectrum-based disorders (e.g., ASD, ADHD, and learning disorders). She has published research in individual differences and community mental health and is a research supervisor with Monash University. Jennifer’s clinical experience and expertise is invaluable to our 3rd year students as they go beyond common client presentations and manualised counselling to engage “the real world”.
BA BTh STM PhD
Emeritus lecturer
Dr Andrew Pfeiffer taught at ALC from 1992 to 2024 mainly in the areas of pastoral theology, missiology and catechesis.
BA DTh
Emeritus Lecturer
Dr Victor Pfitzner taught at ALC from 1968 to 2004 in the area of New Testament, and served as principal from 1989 to 1997. Following his retirement from full-time teaching the December 2005 edition of the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ 39/2 & 3) contained an editorial tribute and articles written in his honour.
BE (Chem) Hons
Information & Records Manager
Julianne manages ALC's document management system, custom SharePoint and copyright compliance systems. She also coordinates the Festival of Learning and other project activities. Julianne is a member of the team which takes enquiries and receives visitors.
BCouns, Certified AutPlay Therapist
Casual Academic (Counselling)
Kate brings to the Bachelor of Counselling tremendous cross-cultural experience growing up in both Canada and Russia before moving to Australia. Kate is a registered clinical counsellor in private practice (i.e., Doongalla Counselling) with a particular interest in trauma recovery and also neurodiversity. She is also pursuing post-graduate studies focusing on faith deconstruction and reconstruction. Given her professional specialisation Kate leads the unit Trauma-Informed Counselling In The Context Of Loss and Grief.
BA GradDipEd(Sec) GradDipTh(Ed) GradDipBus(Acc) MEdSt EdD GradCertEd(HighEd) CertIVTAE
Dean, Lecturer in Education, Coordinator of Education Studies
Merryn teaches units in the programs for pre-service and in-service teachers and is the Dean of the College.
Research areas: Education, Educational Theology (Minor Thesis only)
BA DTh
Emeritus Lecturer
Dr Maurice Schild taught at ALC from 1970 to 2000 in the area of Church history, retiring from full-time teaching in December 2000. The November 2000 edition of the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ 34, no. 3) contained an editorial tribute and articles written in his honour.
Casual Academic (Counselling)
Jim comes to teaching with a significant background in both counselling practice and scholarly pursuits. Having been a counsellor at QPASTT Jim has counselled people who have faced persecution, torture, and war-related trauma. Jim is also a lecturer at the University of Queensland where he is completing his PhD in how certain personal strengths (i.e., virtues) improve psychotherapy outcomes. Given his interest in virtues, and a background in philosophy more generally, Jim also teaches within The Human Condition, specifically highlighting to students the historical and social roots of a number of counselling modalities. Jim also has strong family ties to Australian Lutheran College and to Lutheranism in general.
BA BTh STM ThD
Emeritus Lecturer
Jeff served as a lecturer in Lutheran theology and ethics from 1996 until his retirement at the end of 2016. After retirement he continued to serve the Lutheran Church of Australia as the chair of the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations (CTICR) until the end of 2018 at which time he also retired as co-chair of the Lutheran–Uniting Church Dialogue. He remains a member of the Lutheran–Orthodox International Joint Commission.
BTh/BMin DMin
Principal
BA MDiv MTheol MPhil PhD
Honorary Research Associate
Research areas: Systematic Theology, Philosophical Theology, Cross-cultural theology
BA DipT(Sec) MEdSt
Emeritus Lecturer
Mr Mal Wegener taught at ALC from 2002 to 2007 in the areas of Education, retiring from full-time teaching in April 2008. The December 2007 edition of the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ 41/3) contained an editorial tribute to him and other retirees.
BMus BTh SMASACPEV
Casual Academic
Sue is an experienced pastoral and spiritual care practitioner, CPE supervisor/educator and musician. She has just taken up a call as Pastoral Associate – Child, Youth and Family Ministry at St Paul’s Box Hill.
BTh GradDipMin GradDipHR CertIVTAE GCRM MEd
Casual academic
James has served as an LCA pastor since 1991. He has also served as the chair of the National Safe Place Committee, the chair of Finke River Mission and as an assistant bishop in the SA/NT district of the LCA. James was Principal at ALC from 2014 to 2023.
BA MDiv STM DrPhil DrTheol
Honorary Research Fellow
Research areas: Systematic Theology, Reformation History, Theology and Science, Cultural Studies
DipT GradDipEd GradDipTh(Ed) PgCertEdLead MEdSt
Emerita Lecturer
Ruth lectured in education at ALC from 2009 until 2016, specialising in the area of theology and education, and retired from full-time teaching in July 2016.
BA GradDipEd STM ThD
Emeritus Lecturer
Dean taught at ALC from 2001 to 2016 in a field that covers 2000 years of Christian history, retiring from full-time teaching in June 2016. The May 2016 edition of the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ 50/1) contained an editorial tribute to him.
