LEADERSHIP TEAM

• Ross Clifford (AM) - Principal

  

  Principal

  Bachelor of Theology (Hons); Master of Arts; Master of Theology; Diploma of Law; Doctor of Theology

  Ross Clifford has been Principal of Morling College since 1997. He joined the College faculty after twelve years of pastoral work at South Windsor and Gymea Baptist Churches. Before he entered the ministry he practised law in New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Ross’ focus areas include apologetics, ethics and Theology.

  Ross is married to Beverley and they have two (2) children. His passions include legal crime novels, cricket and all brands of football.

  How do you see the Morling values reflected in your role at Morling?

  The values of Morling are the values that I have sought to minister and live by. It is essential in everything that Morling does from teaching, discipling and mission, that Christ is central. With a gospel focus my primary aim has always been equipping students in the most biblically and relevant way. Whilst Morling is in an exciting property development stage our ministry focus is students. People matter most and for Morling, discipleship is equipping the whole person.

  Recent Publications

  The Cross Is Not Enough

  Taboo or To Do? Is Christianity complementary with yoga, martial arts, Hallowe’en, mindfulness and other alternative practices?

  Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection

• Peter McCrindle - Chief Operating Officer

  

  Chief Operating Officer 

  BEc (Accounting), MA (Christian Studies)

  Peter started as General Manager at Morling College in November 2013 after serving more than 10 years in leadership roles in an international development organization. He then became the Chief Operating Officer in 2019. Peter provides effective oversight and leadership of Morling College operations, especially in planning, implementing and overseeing the strategic initiatives, priorities and policies of the college.

  Peter is married with two teenage children. He is part of the leadership team at West Pennant Hills Community Church. This church has been his family’s church in Sydney since he was a baby. Peter enjoys playing and watching most sports.

  How do you see the Morling values reflected in your role at Morling?

  The gospel reveals God’s mission. He brings people together in transformative communities. Therefore as I join God’s work to bring diverse parts of His body together here at Morling College, I appreciate the diversity and the synergy I see. I also try to reflect His concern for development of the whole person. I appreciate working in a context where these values are owned, articulated and practiced. It is fuel for my prayer and purpose.

• David Starling - Chief Academic Officer

  

  Chief Academic Officer

  MA, Dip Ed, BTh (Hons), BMin, PhD

  David Starling joined the Morling faculty in 2005 and has lectured since then in New Testament, Greek and Theology.

  He became the Head of Morling’s Bible and Theology Department in 2014, and was appointed as the Chief Academic Officer in 2019. He exercises a senior role in ministry and leadership, overseeing learning, teaching and research across the faculties.

  David studied at the University of Sydney and worked as an English teacher in Western Sydney for three years, before completing theological studies. From 2000-2006 he was the pastor of Petersham Baptist Church. He and his wife, Nicole, along with their four children, attend Chatswood Baptist Church, where Nicole serves part-time as a member of the pastoral team.

  How do you see the Morling values reflected in your role at Morling?

  David is thankful for the way in which his work at Morling gives him an opportunity to help students put down deep, biblical roots, so that they leave College equipped with a Christ-centred wisdom that will shape their ministry wherever God takes them, and a humble desire to keep learning.

  Recent Publications

  His publications include Hermeneutics as Apprenticeship (Baker Academic, 2016), UnCorinthian Leadership (Cascade, 2014) and Not my People: Gentiles as Exiles in Pauline Hermeneutics (BZNW 184; DeGruyter, 2011).

  View Publications by David Starling here.

• Gayle Kent - Chief Community Life Officer

  

  Chief Community Life Officer
  Lecturer in Pastoral and Practical Studies

  BADipEd, GradDip Counselling, MAChrSt, MIntEd (School Leadership) 

  Gayle joined the Morling team in 2006 after working as a secondary school teacher in English Literature and History. While Gayle’s various roles involve different tasks and areas of focus; what unites them is a passion for all people to grow together in wisdom, understanding and passion about how God has shaped them and what he has gifted them to do. Gayle attends Macquarie Chapel Presbyterian Church in Marsfield and spent 9 years on staff there in various pastoral roles. 

  How do you see the Morling values reflected in your role at Morling?

  Gayle is excited to see how her work at Morling contributes to the transformative work of our holy and gracious God in the lives of women and men at College. She finds it a privilege to encourage and support those in the Morling community and to work alongside others to ensure that Morling is a place where people are equipped with a deep sense of God’s presence and purpose.