Vancouver School of Theology
Encyclopedia
Vancouver School of Theology, located on the campus of the University of British Columbia
, is a multi-denominational graduate school known for its theological innovations while being rooted in Christian traditions. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and affiliated with UBC, VST is profoundly committed to compassionate interaction, spiritual exploration, and intellectual rigour, and its long-standing partnerships with First Nations. VST is a small, close-knit, inclusive and diverse community; the students come from all parts of the world, and its graduates are employed internationally.
Dr. Sallie McFague, Distinguished Theologian in Residence
Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum, Director of Iona Pacific and Associate Professor of Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Thought
The Rev. Dr. Sharon V. Betcher, Professor of Theology
The Rev. Dr. Glen Davis, Director of Presbyterian Denominational Formation
The Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls, Dean of Students, Professor of Hebrew Bible
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris, Professor of Homiletics and Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall
The Rev. Janet Gear, Associate Professor of Public and Pastoral Leadership and Director of United Church of Canada Denominational Formation
Dr. Harry O. Maier, Professor of New Testament Studies
The Rev. Dr. Paula Sampson, Director of Native Ministries and Assistant Professor of Ethics and First Nation Studies
The Rev. Dr. Richard Topping, St. Andrew's Hall Professor of Studies in the Reformed Tradition
Theological College (ATC) and Union College of British Columbia (UCBC), affiliated with the United Church of Canada
. The two colleges had existed side-by-side for a number of years prior to the amalgamation.
ATC, established in the early twentieth century, moved into the Chancellor Building at UBC in 1927.
Westminster Hall (formerly Presbyterian
) was the first formal theological college in Vancouver, and classes started in 1908, first at McGill University
Vancouver (1907–1915) Campus, then in their own building at 1600 Barclay Street from the fall of 1908 until 1927, when the first part of UCBC (west wing of the Iona Building at UBC) was ready for use.
Ryerson College formerly Methodist, and named after educator Egerton Ryerson
, was meeting in Westminster Hall since classes began in 1923. It was an extension of the Columbian College started in New Westminster
in 1892. There is little available data on the Congregational
College of British Columbia, as according to the United Church of Canada's First General Council's Minutes, in 1925, the College was incorporated, but never held any classes.
The tower section of the Iona Building was completed during the 1930s.
From initial discussions with Anglican and the then separate Methodist and Presbyterian groups in 1922, there has been open discussion on joint studies, and was a reason Ryerson Hall never constructed a separate building.
Throughout the 1960s, the two colleges cooperated in offering courses and access to materials, and discussions started regarding the creation of a new theological school to serve the area. The current-day Vancouver School of Theology was formed in 1971.The creation of VST occurred in a climate in which full communion
between the Anglican Church of Canada
and United Church was under serious consideration, although this union did not take place.
Saint Andrew's Hall, a residence established by the Presbyterian Church in Canada
during the 1950s, officially became affiliated with the VST. The school has also been recognized by the Presbyterian Church (USA)
and the United Methodist Church
, both of the United States
, as a good training institution for their clergy.
The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at Vancouver School of Theology.
• Research
• Contemplative Practice
Mission
Iona Pacific is the inter-religious and multi-cultural context for Vancouver School of Theology’s core work of preparing leaders for tomorrow’s world. The Centre researches and implements new ways of facing critical local and global challenges to the well-being of the next generation of our shared communities. It draws upon the world’s wisdom traditions in order to foster a common sense of purpose, respect for differences, and socially engaged learning with academic and lay leaders, elders and youth, from North America and beyond.
Focus
Iona Pacific addresses how religious traditions can illuminate and enhance productive responses to complex social problems of this era, such as trans-generational urban and rural poverty, climate change and environmental degradation, alienation and despair among youth. Iona Pacific partners with First Nations and other ethno-religious, cultural, and secular communities, leaders, scholars, and institutions keen to pursue inter-religious social action and research. Iona Pacific models dialogical, constructive, and innovative research, learning and social engagement.
Programs
• innovative research projects
• research-driven, social action partnerships
• visiting scholar programs
• inter-communal forums
• workshops, seminars, courses (including degree courses)
• curricular resources
• print and new media publications for the academy and beyond
Director, Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum
Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum is the Director of Iona Pacific: Inter-Religious Centre for Social Action, Research and Contemplative Practice. He is also the Associate Professor of Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Thought. Dr. Daum holds a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, an MA in Hebrew Literature from Hebrew Union College, and a BA magna cum laude from Tufts University. Most recently the Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics in the Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies and has been a Faculty Associate in the UBC Centre of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Daum has taught at both Vancouver School of Theology and Sonoma State University, and has also served as a Rabbi in congregations in the United States.
Partnership with First Nations Peoples and the Churches
This innovative degree program was developed in partnership with First Nations people. The primary location and context for learning is the community in which the student lives and
serves. This context is crucial for the student’s effective engagement with the social, cultural, political and religious values of First Nations communities. Denominational
authorities are also indispensable partners. They nominate candidates and provide the necessary infrastructure for the delivery of the degree program. This infrastructure includes
the identification of tutors, the allocation of suitable meeting places for course and seminar sessions and the arrangement of a suitable ministry location for the student. Certain tutor and
student costs are also borne by the sponsoring denomination. The guidelines and standards for this infrastructure are established by the School.
Throughout their enrollment in this degree program, students normally continue to exercise some congregational ministry. In this fashion, students need not leave their cultural context,
and their communities are not deprived of individuals who are already providing congregational leadership.
Native Ministries Consortium
The members of the Native Ministries Consortium are:
• Anglican First Nations Council of Caledonia
• Native MinistriesCouncil, BC Conference (United Church of Canada)
• Episcopal Church in Navajoland
• Episcopal Diocese of Alaska
• Cook School for Christian Leadership (Tempe, AZ)
• Henry Budd College for Ministry (The Pas, MB)
• Indigenous Theological Training Institute (ECUSA)
• Vancouver School of Theology
The purpose of the Consortium is to develop, under Native direction, community-based training programs for Native ministries, both lay and ordained. The Consortium appoints members to the School’s Native Ministries Program Committee, which has primary responsibility for the M.Div. by Extension program.
Continuing Education
Certificate in Theological Studies
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, is a multi-denominational graduate school known for its theological innovations while being rooted in Christian traditions. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and affiliated with UBC, VST is profoundly committed to compassionate interaction, spiritual exploration, and intellectual rigour, and its long-standing partnerships with First Nations. VST is a small, close-knit, inclusive and diverse community; the students come from all parts of the world, and its graduates are employed internationally.
Faculty
The Rev. Dr. Wendy Fletcher, Principal and Dean, Professor of Church HistoryDr. Sallie McFague, Distinguished Theologian in Residence
Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum, Director of Iona Pacific and Associate Professor of Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Thought
The Rev. Dr. Sharon V. Betcher, Professor of Theology
The Rev. Dr. Glen Davis, Director of Presbyterian Denominational Formation
The Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls, Dean of Students, Professor of Hebrew Bible
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris, Professor of Homiletics and Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall
The Rev. Janet Gear, Associate Professor of Public and Pastoral Leadership and Director of United Church of Canada Denominational Formation
Dr. Harry O. Maier, Professor of New Testament Studies
The Rev. Dr. Paula Sampson, Director of Native Ministries and Assistant Professor of Ethics and First Nation Studies
The Rev. Dr. Richard Topping, St. Andrew's Hall Professor of Studies in the Reformed Tradition
History
Vancouver School of Theology was established in 1971, as an amalgamation of the AnglicanAnglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
Theological College (ATC) and Union College of British Columbia (UCBC), affiliated with the United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
. The two colleges had existed side-by-side for a number of years prior to the amalgamation.
ATC, established in the early twentieth century, moved into the Chancellor Building at UBC in 1927.
Westminster Hall (formerly Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
) was the first formal theological college in Vancouver, and classes started in 1908, first at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
Vancouver (1907–1915) Campus, then in their own building at 1600 Barclay Street from the fall of 1908 until 1927, when the first part of UCBC (west wing of the Iona Building at UBC) was ready for use.
Ryerson College formerly Methodist, and named after educator Egerton Ryerson
Egerton Ryerson
Adolphus Egerton Ryerson was a Methodist minister, educator, politician, and public education advocate in early Ontario, Canada...
, was meeting in Westminster Hall since classes began in 1923. It was an extension of the Columbian College started in New Westminster
New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
in 1892. There is little available data on the Congregational
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
College of British Columbia, as according to the United Church of Canada's First General Council's Minutes, in 1925, the College was incorporated, but never held any classes.
The tower section of the Iona Building was completed during the 1930s.
From initial discussions with Anglican and the then separate Methodist and Presbyterian groups in 1922, there has been open discussion on joint studies, and was a reason Ryerson Hall never constructed a separate building.
Throughout the 1960s, the two colleges cooperated in offering courses and access to materials, and discussions started regarding the creation of a new theological school to serve the area. The current-day Vancouver School of Theology was formed in 1971.The creation of VST occurred in a climate in which full communion
Full communion
In Christian ecclesiology, full communion is a relationship between church organizations or groups that mutually recognize their sharing the essential doctrines....
between the Anglican Church of Canada
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
and United Church was under serious consideration, although this union did not take place.
Saint Andrew's Hall, a residence established by the Presbyterian Church in Canada
Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
during the 1950s, officially became affiliated with the VST. The school has also been recognized by the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
and the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, both of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, as a good training institution for their clergy.
The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at Vancouver School of Theology.
Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre
• Social Action• Research
• Contemplative Practice
Mission
Iona Pacific is the inter-religious and multi-cultural context for Vancouver School of Theology’s core work of preparing leaders for tomorrow’s world. The Centre researches and implements new ways of facing critical local and global challenges to the well-being of the next generation of our shared communities. It draws upon the world’s wisdom traditions in order to foster a common sense of purpose, respect for differences, and socially engaged learning with academic and lay leaders, elders and youth, from North America and beyond.
Focus
Iona Pacific addresses how religious traditions can illuminate and enhance productive responses to complex social problems of this era, such as trans-generational urban and rural poverty, climate change and environmental degradation, alienation and despair among youth. Iona Pacific partners with First Nations and other ethno-religious, cultural, and secular communities, leaders, scholars, and institutions keen to pursue inter-religious social action and research. Iona Pacific models dialogical, constructive, and innovative research, learning and social engagement.
Programs
• innovative research projects
• research-driven, social action partnerships
• visiting scholar programs
• inter-communal forums
• workshops, seminars, courses (including degree courses)
• curricular resources
• print and new media publications for the academy and beyond
Director, Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum
Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum is the Director of Iona Pacific: Inter-Religious Centre for Social Action, Research and Contemplative Practice. He is also the Associate Professor of Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Thought. Dr. Daum holds a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, an MA in Hebrew Literature from Hebrew Union College, and a BA magna cum laude from Tufts University. Most recently the Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics in the Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies and has been a Faculty Associate in the UBC Centre of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Daum has taught at both Vancouver School of Theology and Sonoma State University, and has also served as a Rabbi in congregations in the United States.
Native Ministries
The Native Ministries M.Div. by Extension Program is the only degree program in North America for persons engaged in ministry in First Nations communities that is accredited by The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. At the present time, the program includes students from the Anglican, Presbyterian and United churches in Canada and from several denominations in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.Partnership with First Nations Peoples and the Churches
This innovative degree program was developed in partnership with First Nations people. The primary location and context for learning is the community in which the student lives and
serves. This context is crucial for the student’s effective engagement with the social, cultural, political and religious values of First Nations communities. Denominational
authorities are also indispensable partners. They nominate candidates and provide the necessary infrastructure for the delivery of the degree program. This infrastructure includes
the identification of tutors, the allocation of suitable meeting places for course and seminar sessions and the arrangement of a suitable ministry location for the student. Certain tutor and
student costs are also borne by the sponsoring denomination. The guidelines and standards for this infrastructure are established by the School.
Throughout their enrollment in this degree program, students normally continue to exercise some congregational ministry. In this fashion, students need not leave their cultural context,
and their communities are not deprived of individuals who are already providing congregational leadership.
Native Ministries Consortium
The members of the Native Ministries Consortium are:
• Anglican First Nations Council of Caledonia
• Native MinistriesCouncil, BC Conference (United Church of Canada)
• Episcopal Church in Navajoland
• Episcopal Diocese of Alaska
• Cook School for Christian Leadership (Tempe, AZ)
• Henry Budd College for Ministry (The Pas, MB)
• Indigenous Theological Training Institute (ECUSA)
• Vancouver School of Theology
The purpose of the Consortium is to develop, under Native direction, community-based training programs for Native ministries, both lay and ordained. The Consortium appoints members to the School’s Native Ministries Program Committee, which has primary responsibility for the M.Div. by Extension program.
Degrees Awarded
Vancouver School of Theology currently offers the following degrees and certifications:- Diploma in Theological Studies
- Diploma in DenominationalReligious denominationA religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity.The term describes various Christian denominations...
Studies - Master of DivinityMaster of DivinityIn the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
- Master of DivinityMaster of DivinityIn the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
by Extension through the Native Ministry Program - Master of ArtsMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Theological Studies - Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies
- Master of Arts in Indigenous and Inter-Religious Studies
- Master of Theology in Indigenous and Inter-Religious Studies
- Master of TheologyMaster of TheologyA Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...
- Doctor of PhilosophyDoctor of PhilosophyDoctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in conjunction with the University of Wales, Lampeter
Continuing Education
Certificate in Theological Studies
History
- William S. Taylor 'Step by Step by Step: An Anecdotal History of the Growth of Union College, 1948-1971 Vancouver School of Theology and University Hill United Church' (Vancouver: 1993)
- Ralph C. Pybus, 'The Story of Union College' (Vancouver: Board of Governors, Union College of British Columbia, 1971 Pamphlet)
See also
- University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
- University Endowment LandsUniversity Endowment LandsThe University Endowment Lands is an unincorporated area that lies to the west of the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada surrounding the University of British Columbia...
- List of evangelical seminaries and theological colleges