Charles Brammall
Many years ago, my family and I had 15 weeks of long service leave, and Rev Dr Richard “Gibbo” Gibson, who had taught me at Moore Theological College, locumed for me at Artarmon Community Church. The congregation adored him, and when I returned, Gibbo chose to stay on as a member of our church.
He would have a new joke for me each week, eg:
“Did you hear about the minister who dreamt he was standing at the lectern preaching a sermon?”
Me: “No”
Gibbo: “He woke up, and he was”
Gibbo went to be with His beloved Lord last week, suddenly and unexpectedly. Please give thanks to the Lord for him, and pray for his grieving children, friends, colleagues, and students, as well as his church.
Some people’s service leaves footprints in the sand, and with others, their lives carve deep paths through the landscape of our relationship with God itself. Gibbo is the latter. His work, preaching, educating, and character combined to form not only competent theologians, but resilient disciples— men and women whose lives bear the mark of his scholarly and pastoral love.
From the earliest days of his service, Gibbo’s vocation saw a rare integration of intellect and warmth. Ordained in 1990 in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, he pursued theological study with delight and rigour. His academic formation includes a PhD, an MTh on 1 Timothy, a BTh, a DipA (Theol), and a Bachelor of Social Work.
He served Jesus in parish ministry in western Sydney (where few went willingly at that stage) for several years before joining the faculty of Moore Theological College. For two decades, there he taught NT Grk, NT studies, Early Church History, and Reformation History. He moved to Brisbane School of Theology in 2014, bringing a depth of teaching experience and pastoral maturity.
In July 2014, Gibbo became the 11th Principal of Brisbane School of Theology (BST). His appointment was widely welcomed by the college community and Australian theological circles, noting his 20 years’ teaching experience at Moore.
Under his leadership:
*The Centre for Asian Christianity was founded, strengthening BST’s deep connections with the Asia-Pacific church and affirming its commitment to cross-cultural theological training.
*Strategic partnerships were developed with ministries such as Living Wholeness and Scripture Union Australia, extending BST’s influence into discipleship, pastoral care, youth mission, and chaplaincy.
*He guided the college through COVID-19, preserving community and formation through online and hybrid teaching, while still keeping the vision of face-to-face life intact.
*In 2024 he opened the Safeguarding Children Conference with a challenging address titled “Dear Church, We Need to Talk… About Correctly Handling the Word of God for the Sake of Our Children.”…
He emphasised that theology and preaching must not be separate from Christian care of the vulnerable. The address was well received— with many attendees requesting copies of his notes to share in their congregations.
*The Safeguarding work continued: in 2025 BST held a similar conference in Toowoomba, in which Richard was among the lead speakers.
*He remained engaged in capacity-building and outreach, and he was due to lead BST’s 2025 “Searches for the Early Churches” study tour through Greece & Turkey, helping students embody the settings of early Christian history.
*Throughout, Richard emphasised that BST was not merely an academic institution but a formation community, shaping character, spiritual resilience, and gospel readiness— not just intellectual growth.
If you knew Gibbo you will tell first of his steadiness: a scholar-pastor who never confuses volume with conviction. His lectures and sermons carry that rare blend of intellectual discipline and quiet awe. ..
Whether explaining Pauline theology or guiding a student through grief, he exuded the same posture of attentiveness— an unhurried listening that makes room for the Spirit’s work.
He is widely described as a mentor and shepherd, as an honest encourager, and as a faithful friendto pastors and students alike. His service as Chairman of the College of Preachers in Sydney Diocese (2003–9) underscores his enduring commitment to faithful, impactful preaching.
*Gibbo said, in his Principal’s Welcome to new students:
“At BST, we never cease calling on God to raise up people for His service. And we ask to be used in the lives of people as they are shaped by His word, so they can serve His world. Will you join us?”
He described BST:
“We want to develop eyes that see the universe God’s way; hearts that echo His love for the world; feet ready to spread the good news about Jesus.”
Those within the BST community say that Richard’s greatest personal passions were his family, teaching the Bible, and caring for students. He was also a keen golfer and tennis player.
Gibbo’s humour was dry and droll. Laconic and witty- well-timed understatement that diffused tension or made you smile unexpectedly in the midst of a serious moment.
He was once allegedly asked to parse a difficult Greek phrase, and he paused and said with deadpan clarity,
“You could read it five ways. I prefer the simplest way.”
The story goes that a heated debate about interpretation took place in a faculty meeting. After a while, Gibbo leaned back, sipped his coffee, and murmured,
“Yes … but does it matter for mission?”
The room fell quiet, and then a humbler, more Godly conversation began.
To measure Richard’s impact under God’s grace by enrolments or buildings would be to misunderstand him. Gibbo’s legacy lies in the many alumni now serving across Australia, Asia, and beyond— men and women shaped by his example of integrity, humility, and devotion to Christ.
He has reminded a generation that to teach theology is to teach the church to breathe: that Scripture must live not merely in the mind but in communities, not just in essays but in acts of mercy, courage, and proclamation.
When the history of BST is written, it will speak of a season marked by gospel clarity, institutional faithfulness, and pastoral depth. Rev Dr Richard Gibson’s voice will echo there: steady, gracious, and peacefully insistent that all things- academic, spiritual, and institutional- converge upon the glory of Christ.
Prayers:
Our gracious God and loving Heavenly Father,
Praise you that Gibbo has gone to be with You His beloved Lord this week. Thank You for his life and the joy and stimulation he brought so many. We beg You to comfort his kids, friends, colleagues and students, and his church.
That Gibbo’s life might adorn Jesus’ holiness,
Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Praise You that many of our ministries leave footprints in the sand; and that Gibbo’s life and service will continue to carve deep paths through the landscape of our relationship with God itself.
For the glory of Jesus’ deep-carving name,
Amen.
Dear Shepherd God,
Praise You for Richard’s service, preaching, educating, and character. And that they combined to form not only competent theologians, but resilient disciples— men and women whose lives bear the mark of his, and Your, scholarly and pastoral love.
That Jesus’ name, given to Him by You, might be exalted,
Amen
Image: Richard Gibson. Image Credit: Brisbane School of Theology
He was a man of character and humour that’s for sure. And he was able to critique his own tribe (especially in Sydney) and call out the bad behaviour that he frequently saw among its leadership.
With Gibbo, there was no glossing over the sins of other clergy. No excuses or cheap grace for their sins.
Unfortunately MTC moved him on due to their stance on remarriage, which was a huge mistake, and the college appears to have progressively lost its moral compass as a result.
College stance on remarriage or diocesan stance on remarriage?
Chiming in here. It was certainly Moore College’s stance rather than the wider diocesan position. The decision was ultimately Mark Thompson’s to make; Mark even wrote a lengthy paper against remarriage just prior to telling Richard that he needed to move on. All of this was hidden from the wider student body at the time.
I take it that Mark T had a different view to Broughton Knox, or am I remebering wrong
Nicely done Charlie
He was much loved at Milperra Anglican church I think fresh out of Moore College. Gone to the Lord too soon.