Introducing Dr. W Turnour
Dr Wendy Turnour is an Australian pastor and theologian whose work explores Christian discipleship and the theological interpretation of Scripture. Her research grows out of many years of ministry, theological study, and reflection on how the New Testament vision of the church relates to contemporary Christian life.
Wendy was born in Cleveland, a small seaside town in Queensland, Australia, and spent her early childhood at nearby Wellington Point before her family moved to Brisbane. She studied Social Work at the University of Queensland, where she met her husband, Matthew. After graduating, she worked with the Queensland Government Health Department in Ipswich, supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Following the birth of their four children, Wendy devoted many years to family life while remaining deeply involved in church and community ministry. During this time she began formal theological study, completing a Master of Arts through the Sydney College of Divinity (now the Australian University College of Divinity).
As her children grew older, Wendy served for more than fourteen years as Pastor of Church Community Development at a large church in Ipswich. Her ministry included pastoral care, discipleship formation, leadership development, hospitality and welcoming ministries, community engagement, mission support, worship leadership, preaching, and participation in strategic planning. Through these experiences she became increasingly interested in how churches understand and practise Christian discipleship.
This interest eventually led Wendy to doctoral research. She began with a focus on Christian discipleship but soon discovered that differing approaches to discipleship arise from differing approaches to interpreting Scripture. Her research therefore developed into a study in hermeneutics—specifically, the implications of the command to love God and neighbour (Matthew 22:34–40) for the interpretation of Scripture. Wendy completed her doctorate
through the Sydney College of Divinity in the field of Theological Interpretation. She now seeks to contribute to the life of the church through academic engagement, theological reflection, and the encouragement of thoughtful, faithful Christian discipleship. She also supports a local church plant. Wendy lives in Queensland with her husband Matthew and enjoys spending time with their children, six young grandchildren, and their much-loved
grand-dog.