Reverend Dr Kenneth Jeffrey

Biography

Born in Northern Ireland and brought up in Holywood, where he attended Sullivan Upper School, Ken Jeffrey went to Stirling University in 1988 to study History.

After graduating, he travelled to Malawi and taught English and Bible Knowledge for two years at Livingstonia Secondary School.

In 1994, he returned to Aberdeen University and gained a first class honours BD. Ken undertook post graduate research with Prof David Bebbington at Stirling University and studied the 1859 Revival in the north east of Scotland. He was awarded his PhD in 2000, while his thesis was published by Paternoster under the title When the Lord walked the land.

Between 2000 and 2002, he served as a Probationary Minister at Rubislaw Parish Church in Aberdeen, before being ordained and inducted as minister of The Parish Church of Cupar Old and St Michael of Tarvit in Fife where he served for almost twelve years. During this time, he undertook further studies at Aberdeen University and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and was awarded a DMin degree.

In January 2014 he was appointed as the new Director of the Centre for Ministry Studies at Aberdeen University. The CMS has nurtured an innovative working relationship between the academy and the church, providing education and training for people involved in Christian ministry at home and abroad through undergraduate and postgraduate courses and a calendar of annual activities and events.

Ken also created a collaborative partnership between Aberdeen University and Zomba Theological College in Malawi where he delivered the MTh Ministry Studies programme to ministers of the Central Church Africa Presbyterian.

More recently, Ken has transitioned within the Divinity department towards Modern Church History. His current research interests include Billy Graham and the All Scotland Crusade of 1955. In 2019 he was promoted to Senior Lecturer, while in 2021 he became Padre of 7SCOTS, 51st Highland, 7th Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Research Overview

I am interested in the history of Evangelicalism, religious revivals and Christian missions. I  have undertaken research in modern Scottish revivals, the nineteenth century missionary movement in Malawi and the 1955 All Scotland Crusade. More broadly, my interests extend to Scottish church history from the eighteenth century and the intersection between modern church history and practical theology.

Current Research

My current research project is concerned with the American evangelist Billy Graham and his participation in the All Scotland Crusade of 1955.

Past Research

• The 1859 Revival in the north east of Scotland
• The industrial mission of Robert Laws of Livingstonia
• The All Scotland Crusade of 1955

Knowledge Exchange

As coordinator of the Centre for Ministry Studies, I have facilitated, since 2014, more than sixty events including courses, day conferences, lectures, Retreats, seminars and Summer Schools that have given the Divinity Department, and our friends, an opportunity to engage publicly with church leaders from around the world.

Our current engagements include:

• Aberdeen Academy of Theology
• Annual conference for the  north east Presbyteries of the Church of Scotland
• Worship Leading and Preaching courses for the north east Presbyteries of the Church of Scotland

Teaching Responsibilities

1. Undergraduate:

• A History of Christian Missions
• A History of Evangelicalism
• An Introduction to Pastoral Care
• An Introduction to Christian Spirituality
• Scottish Church History and Theology
• Scottish Revivals
• Theology and Practice of Preaching

2. PGT: MTh Ministry Studies: (At Aberdeen University and Zomba Theological College, Malawi)

• Spiritual Formation
• Leadership
• Preaching
• Christian Practices

3. PGT: MTh

• A History of Spiritual Formation Literature and Practices

4. PGT: MLitt Scottish Heritage

• Scottish Church History: From Columba to Graham and Beyond

Non-course Teaching Responsibilities

I have provided courses for the Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles of the Church of Scotland in:

• Preaching
• Worship Leading