Responding to Changes in Church and Society – Knox College, Toronto
In May, Knox graduated 25 students—men and women who have begun their ministries in congregations, public life, seminary education and mission appointments. In September we welcomed 28 new students who have begun their preparation for service wherever God calls them. This is the rhythm of life at a theological college. At Knox, it is a tradition that has existed for more than 165 years—to prepare creative and dynamic leaders for ordination and lay positions who, through their work in communities of faith locally, nationally, and internationally, are improving the quality of religious and public life wherever they are.
Offering eight degree programs, Knox’s educational experience is rooted in history but focused on the current context of ministry. Students may complete a degree that will prepare them for a ministry of word and sacrament or Christian education, but they also have the option to further their studies at a doctoral level, thereby creating the next generation of theological scholars for our denomination.
Students learn in a building that is almost 100 years old, but they are face – to – face with the diversity and technology of the future. Through a partnership with the Toronto School of Theology and a relationship with the University of Toronto, Knox offers its students access to academic resources and a diverse faculty that provide a depth and breadth to learning that is found in only a few other places in the world.
Christian education was a focus of the Ewart legacy and this continues through the programs of the Ewart Centre for Lay Education. Offering non – degree certificates to laity, the Centre marks an important milestone this year as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. With the role of laity ever – changing and increasing in many areas of church life, the preparation and resources available to them through this program has become so much more important. Through specialized training, special lectures and resources, the Centre continues to equip lay leaders to serve in their communities and congregations.
Knox’s commitment to lifelong learning drives the Centre for Continuing Education. By combining the Ada Adams and Charles H. MacDonald Memorial Lectureships this year, attendees will reflect on case studies of change that three congregations have undertaken in their vision to build and maintain healthy communities of faith. We know this is a topic of great importance to many in ministry and one that we will continue to explore not only at this event but annually over the next few years.
It is becoming more and more evident to us at Knox that there is a new appetite for theological study and with it a questioning as to whether the values of a secular culture can sustain the type of living that has ultimate value. What an opportunity this is for Knox College in light of our mission to prepare students who can respond effectively to the possibilities and challenges of this changing religious landscape, graduates who not only have the knowledge and skills but also the heart needed to reshape the world in which we live.
utoronto.ca/knox
Preparing Missional Leaders – Presbyterian College, Montreal
For many years, the hot question in theological education was figuring out what kind of seminaries we needed. Then we began to ask what kind of graduates we needed. We have only recently realized that if our mission is impacting an increasingly secular culture with the gospel, our mandate can only be fulfilled by cutting – edge missional churches working effectively in the trenches in transformative ways. Once we have an idea of what those churches will need to look like, then we can think about what seminaries need to do to prepare the people who can effectively lead these new kinds of churches.
While Presbyterian College, Montreal offers all the required programs and components to satisfy the Presbyterian Church’s requirements for ordination, teaching the academic portions to the highest standards, that’s not where it ends for us.
We work in collaboration with one of the best Canadian universities, where ministry candidates interact with some of the leading theological faculty and scholars. Additional seminars, workshops and conferences expose students to visiting humanities scholars who are leaders in their fields. The network of libraries and resources made available to our students through McGill University is second to none.
The practical components of preparation for service in the church happen in one of the most vibrant, diverse and secular cities in North America where all the challenges and opportunities of urban ministry are open to our students. At the same time, dozens of congregations and ministries in the perimeter communities around Montreal allow students to experience and prepare for the realities of rural and suburban ministry.
Since they graduated from Presbyterian College in the spring of 2011, half a dozen men and women who benefited from this process have already been ordained and begun active ministry in Canadian Presbyterian congregations, joining more than 100 of our alumni already in active service across Canada. Statistics suggest that like previous Presbyterian College graduates, they will be among the most enduring in their ministry.
But that’s not where it ends, either.
In their first couple of years in a congregation, new ministers are confronted with some of the most difficult challenges of their lives. A new program recently initiated at Presbyterian College offers graduates a chance to come back, a few years into their ministry, to compare notes, be encouraged and readjust their skills. Graduates who have been through the program tell us that one of the best parts of this follow – up support are the ongoing mentoring and accountability relationships that are formed with other ministers who know the struggles and isolation of congregational ministry.
And for those alumni who’ve been at it for a while, there’s nothing like coming home for continuing education week to catch up with former classmates and reflect together on the changing landscape of church ministry in the Canadian context. (The 2012 program will be held Feb. 13 to 17 and will feature some of our faculty members. Watch the Record and the college’s website for details.)
Realizing that a church’s chances of thriving depend on a whole team of key leaders who “get” the mission, rather than just on a single, well – qualified minister, Presbyterian College also offers workshops and training sessions for elders, as well as a growing lay education program.
Exciting Opportunities – St. Andrew’s Hall and VST
St. Andrew’s Hall is the Presbyterian College on the campus of the University of British Columbia which exercises its charter to teach theology through its association with the Vancouver School of Theology. It is a particular delight that the entering class of Presbyterians at VST is the largest in many years, almost certainly in the history of the school. We also welcome Dr. Hans Kouwenberg to the faculty as Presbyterian Director of Denominational Formation. Dr. Kouwenberg will have a key role in shaping future ministers of the Presbyterian Church. He has had a notable and varied ministry in the church, culminating in his service as moderator of the 133rd General Assembly. He replaces the recently retired Dr. Glen Davis who is also a former moderator of the General Assembly. Dr. Kouwenberg joins Patricia Dutcher – Walls, Richard Topping, Roberta Clare and Stephen Farris as Presbyterian teachers at VST. Principal Wendy Fletcher will go on a well deserved sabbatical leave in 2012. During that time Stephen Farris will serve as Acting Principal of VST in addition to his duties as Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall.
Another new face on campus is that of Ms. Leah Yoo, a recent graduate of VST, appointed Director of Campus Ministry, a newly created position at St. Andrew’s Hall. The largest religious self – identification in B.C. at 36 per cent of the population is “no religion.” In a very secular setting such as Vancouver, a theological college must be more than an educational institution; it must also be a centre of mission. We pray God’s blessing on Leah as she reaches out gently and respectfully with the gospel of Jesus Christ to residents of St. Andrew’s Hall and to the university community.
The Elders’ Institute, directed by Dr. Roberta Clare, continues its work of equipping the elders of the church for effective ministry through online courses, workshops and conferences and the provision of online resources. A particularly delightful event is the annual Pre – Assembly Workshops, held this year at Oakridge Church in London, Ont. Next year, “PAW” will be held in St. Andrew’s Church, Scarborough, Ont., on the theme “Basics for a Changing World.”
St. Andrew’s Hall has come to an agreement with Concert Properties, a prominent development company, which will build and administer a 15 – storey tower on the site for rental housing for faculty, staff, students and other members of the university community. The project was recently approved by the Development Permit Board of UBC. As a result of this agreement, St. Andrew’s Hall plans to construct a two – storey addition that will house a chapel/community space, meeting rooms and staff offices. The proceeds of the agreement will also help fund campus ministry. As of the time of writing this article, there still remain several permissions to be obtained. We are hopeful that this will happen shortly.
The Board of St. Andrew’s is deeply thankful for the opportunities for service that await us.
standrews.edu
