Academic staff

The Revd Dr Andrew Emerton is Assistant Dean and the Director of SPTC. He studied in York, Oxford and Cambridge, has degrees in Maths and Theology as well as a doctorate in Theoretical Physics from Oxford University. Andrew was appointed to be Director of SPTC in 2007. He has worked for several years in a church in Guildford, trained for Anglican ministry at Ridley Hall in Cambridge, and has extensive experience in youth work. He was formerly curate at Holy Trinity Brompton, where he oversaw the work and development of over 50 pastorate groups at the heart of the church.  He is married to Liz and they have two children.  When Andrew gets some free time he is usually to be found on a golf course.

The Revd Dr David Hilborn is Assistant Dean and Director of NTMTC. He joined NTMTC as Director of Studies in September 2006. Prior to that he taught at Nottingham University, Spurgeon’s College and the London School of Theology, and from 1997 - 2006 was Head of Theology at the Evangelical Alliance. He has over 20 years experience as an ordained minister serving churches in the East Midlands and London, initially with the URC and then with the Church of England. David’s first book, 'Picking up the Pieces', explored Christianity and Postmodernity; he has since written, edited and contributed to a range of other volumes, including 'One Body in Christ', 'The Nature of Hell', ''Toronto' in Perspective', 'God and the Generations', and 'Movement for Change'. David is married to Mia and they live in Bow with their two teenage children, Matthew and Alice. In his spare time David enjoys cricket, poetry and rock music, supports Arsenal Football Club, and attempts to play the guitar.

The Revd Dr Michael Lloyd is Tutor in Theology at SPTC he did his doctoral thesis on the problem of evil in Oxford. After that, he was on the staff of St. James the Less in Pimlico, before returning to Oxford to teach doctrine at St. Stephen's House. He was also a member of Oxford University's Faculty of Theology. He is the author of Cafe Theology, which he describes as ‘a romp through the whole of Christian theology’, published by Alpha International. For many years, he has taught at HTB's Home Focus week in the summer. He is married to Abigail and loves walking, theatre, cricket, music, and keeps worms.

Dr Jane Williams teaches Christian doctrine at SPTC. She is also a visiting Lecturer in Theology at King’s College London, having previously taught at Trinity College Bristol. She is the author of several books, including ‘Approaching Easter’ and ‘Approaching Christmas’, ‘Perfect Freedom’, ‘Who Do You Say That I am?' and most recently, 'Angels'. She is married to Rowan, who is Archbishop of Canterbury, and they have two children.
 

Chris Tilling is tutor in New Testament Studies and teaches across the whole of St Mellitus College. Chris studied at St Andrew’s University and London School of Theology and is finishing off a doctorate under Max Turner in Pauline Christology. Before he moved to London to join SPTC, he was based in Germany, and was a regular contributor to the English-German Colloquium in New Testament in Tübingen. He has written several articles on aspects of New Testament studies, and has translated many others from German into English. He is the author of a very popular theology blog site entitled Chrisendom. He is married to Anja, and enjoys golf (at which he is pretty good), football and snooker.

Dr Stephen Backhouse is the Tutor for Social and Political Theology at SPTC. Stephen studied at the University of Oxford, then McGill, then Oxford again, where he completed his doctorate on Kierkegaard's critique of Christian nationalism. Besides teaching at those universities, Stephen has also written on matters of politics, national identity and Christianity. As well as magazine and journal articles, other publications include Red, White, Blue and Brown and Establishment in the Church of England (both for Theos). Upcoming books include a theological analysis of the Liberal Democrat Party, and the Concise Encyclopaedia of Christian History for Lion. He lives with his wife Clare near a river, a swan, and two apple trees.

Rachel Atkinson is tutor in missiology at St. Mellitus College, and is also engaged in doctoral research in the area of spirituality and mission. Previously, she held the position of tutor in mission and evangelism at Spurgeon’s Theological College, and continues as an associate both of Spurgeon’s College and of ‘Formation’, a Christian training and mentoring initiative. Rachel has served on the staff of St. Andrew’s, Chorleywood, and All Saints’, Peckham, and has worked as a schools worker with Scripture Union. She holds a Master’s degree in biblical studies from Sheffield University, and has published in the academic journal, ANVIL, as well as contributing regularly to Christianity magazine. She is married to Phil, and together they enjoy sharing good food and conversation with friends. 

The Revd Ann Coleman is Tutor in Theology and Mission. Ann studied theology at King's College London University and later specialised in Christian spirituality at Heythrop. She began in ministry as a parish worker before becoming a deaconess and later, with the first group of women from London diocese was ordained deacon and then priest. Areas of ministry have included, parishes, school chaplaincy, selection secretary/ vocations adviser at Church House, DDO and spirituality adviser in London and just recently, director of the York diocesan retreat house and York moderator for reader training. Ann is particularly interested in spiritual formation of clergy and is currently undertaking a professional doctorate in this area with Manchester University. She is involved in the ministry of spiritual direction both as a director and in teaching on this topic and is a trustee of the Association for Promoting Retreats. Ann is married to David who is vicar of Heston (near Heathrow). They have three grown-up children, three small grandchildren and one large spotty dog!

The Revd Philip Ritchie has been involved with NTMTC since the late 1990s and in 2006 became Director of Lay Ministry Studies as part of an exciting partnership with the Diocese of Chelmsford. Having studied theology at Durham University, Philip trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and served his title post at Chadwell St Mary in the Chelmsford Diocese. Philip has also served at St Laurence, Ninefields, and was Team Rector of Becontree West, in the deanery of Barking and Dagenham, before taking up his present diocesan post in 2001. Philip's main areas of interest are adult education and theological reflection, gospel and popular culture, as well as an unhealthy obsession with Manchester United and hitting things (which he calls drumming). His spare time is spent enjoying the company of his wife, two young children, dog and six chickens.