Raised Southern Baptist and currently in a New Zealand Baptist context, I have a heart for the local church to bear witness to the fullness of Christ. I am passionate about equipping Spirit-gifted saints to understand their calling and live into the reconciliation of all things—humanity to God, humans to one another, and humanity to creation.

I have always loved asking questions, and my research often revolves around inquiries such as: What does it mean to be human? How does Jesus inform our understanding of humanness? What is the role of the Spirit in our maturity as the family of God? What understandings of power and authority facilitate our intended flourishing? How do we foster agency-supportive church structures for the benefit of all?

These questions arise from my understanding of God as one who desires a flourishing creation and calls humanity to participate in sharing power toward this end.

Christa L. McKirland (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is Dean of Faculty and a Lecturer in systematic theology at Carey Baptist College in Auckland, New Zealand. She is the founder and executive director of Logia International.