Phillip has professional social work experience in care and protection social work, and volunteer experience in refugee resettlement and relief and development. Phillip and his wife Raewyn worked in pastoral roles in Baptist churches for 10 years; after this time Phillip completed his Master’s of Theology and then entered social work practice, and studied to complete his Master’s of Applied Social Work. He is passionate about God’s heart for righteousness and justice in the world.

Phillip’s Master of Theology was a practical theology working with a group of former refugees from Myanmar. The study examined this group’s experience of God through their refugee journey and means of pastoral care that would support this group in their resettlement.

• Enrolled in a PhD programme with the University of Divinity, Australia. The research project aims to develop an integrative theology of migration as a resource for understanding the practice of shalom.
• Phillip has recently completed a collaborative project, writing a new textbook for the foundational course “Vision and vocation.” The book explores the themes of vocation and purpose through the lens of the Bible’s grand narrative. The text takes an invitational stance towards all people to engage with the content from the perspectives of their own life experiences, worldview, and values. The book is available as a free download from this link.

Larking, P. (2022). Vision and vocation: An exploration of vocational calling in light of the Bible’s grand narrative. Christian Education Trust.

• Integrating theology with social practice.
• Developing tools for critical self-reflection.
• World Christianity.

Larking, P. (2023, November 28-30). Critical consciousness, contextual theology, and theological construction: A case study in social locatedness and research integrity [Paper presentation]. Association of Practical Theology in Oceania Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.