Rev Dr Mark Riessen
Doctor of Ministry Program Manager - ACOM
Advanced Diploma in Ministry (Adv. Dip. Min.) (Melbourne College of Divinity); Bachelor of Theology (BTh) (Melbourne College of Divinity 2003); Master of Theology (MTh) (coursework) (University of Divinity 2017); Graduate Diploma in Divinity (Grad. Dip. Div.) (University of Divinity 2023); Doctor of Ministry (DMin) (Abilene Christian University 2023).
Mark was awarded a Doctor of Ministry through Abilene Christian University in 2023 and commenced as the Doctor of Ministry Program Manager with ACOM in the same year. His research was in the area of theological foundations that stimulate missional participation for Churches of Christ congregations in South Australia. He has a passion for practicing theology, leadership formation, and missional engagement in Australian contexts.
Following undergraduate studies Mark spent 15 years in congregational ministry, serving as the minister of the Knoxfield Church of Christ in Victoria and Blackwood Church of Christ in South Australia. Since 2013 Mark has worked for the Churches of Christ SA & NT state office as the Mission & Ministry Director. As part of that role, he has been the Director of the Tabor Churches of Christ Study Centre and lecturer in the Faculty of Ministry Practice with Tabor College. Mark’s work has centred around formation of people for ministry, coordinating the ministry accreditation and ordination program, consulting with church on missional innovation, and teaching in the field of pastoral and missional theology & practice.Mark currently serves as a director of the board for Global Mission Partners and chairs the International Church Partnerships advisory group. He also serves as a member of the editorial board for a journal titled Discernment: Theology and the practice of Ministry.