Keeping Our Eyes on the Horizon

TRANSFORMING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION & IMAGINING NEW FUTURES with the Futuring Lab

With the generous support of the Lilly Endowment Inc. Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, in early 2023 Acadia Divinity College (ADC) launched the Futuring Lab, a dynamic space to conduct research on trends and developments that will impact the future life of the church, as well as experiment with new approaches to theological education.

Two inter-related elements form the Futuring Lab:

1. The Futuring Hub for Theo-Futures Research, facilitated by Mr. Joel Murphy, will conduct, gather, and interpret research on cultural trends, enabling the College, our students, and our churches to make the most of future opportunities and respond well to emerging challenges.

2. The Sandbox for Theological Education & the Church, directed by Dr. Jodi Porter, is an action-oriented research laboratory supporting innovative educational thinking and activities.

Funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. allows ADC to expand our capacity to explore, innovate, and ultimately better support our students, our churches, and our partners as they grow and transform in their understanding and abilities to navigate a rapidly-changing culture. Located within The Andrew D. MacRae Centre for Christian Faith and Culture at ADC, the Futuring Hub will support leaders and communities as they discern, critically reflect, and earnestly consider the implications and potential actions for their people and their local contexts.

Our explorations have the potential to transform theological education in Canada and beyond. ADC will be well equipped to walk alongside individuals and congregations as we prayerfully consider, courageously reflect, and creatively explore how to prepare and engage with future possibilities. We are excited to see the Christian church thrive.