Biblical Justice for the Common Good

New Academic Chair of Community Leadership and Social Justice Established

DESPITE THE EMPHASIS on multiculturalism and social equality as public policy, people living in Canada are not always treated equally.1 Closer to home in Atlantic Canada, people of African, Black, and Caribbean descent have experienced segregation, discrimination, and systemic anti-black racism for nearly four centuries, and they continue to experience barriers in employment, education, and housing every day.

“The concept of justice is not a new or progressive dialogue. Justice originated with the God of justice,” said Rev. Dr. Lennett Anderson, Lecturer in Leadership and Racial Justice at Acadia Divinity College (ADC). “If our churches are weak in justice, they are weak in doctrine. Biblical justice is the heartbeat of God – it discerns what is wrong and cares enough to do something about making it right.” https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2022001/article/00005-eng.htm

As part of the five-year Strategic Vision Change with Purpose, Acadia Divinity College is committed to equipping their graduates, and the congregations they serve, to become advocates for justice and reconciliation in their communities. ADC understands the central importance of the flow of leadership between the pulpit and the community.

“Rev. Dr. William and Dr. Pearleen Oliver recognized that they were not alone in the fight for racial justice and equality. They had allies in the work they did, and we continue to need allies today. I invite you to support the work of the Oliver Chair as we work together for change.”

Education As The Pathway

The vision for The Reverend Dr. William and Dr. Pearleen Oliver Chair of Community Leadership and Social Justice took shape under a leadership team of African Nova Scotians. This chair was officially announced by ADC President Dr. Anna Robbins, on August 20, 2022, during the 169 th Annual Sessions of the African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia (AUBA).

To the delegates gathered at Saint Thomas Baptist Church in North Preston, Nova Scotia, Anna said, “The creation of this Academic Chair embodies our commitment to the teaching, learning, and practice of racial justice. Rev. Dr. William and Dr. Pearleen Oliver, two Christian activists and visionary community leaders, exemplify the actions and attitudes that Acadia Divinity College seeks to instill in future Christian leaders. The Olivers championed education as the pathway to an enlightened future.”

Through the Oliver Chair, ADC affirms that education makes a difference. The Chair will honour the legacy of William and Pearleen Oliver, ensure representation of the AUBA on the ADC faculty, and teach a new generation of church leaders to engage in community transformation.

Become Advocates For Justice

With your help, ADC will raise $3 million to fully endow The Reverend Dr. William and Dr. Pearleen Oliver Chair of Community Leadership and Social Justice by the end of 2024.

“Having an endowed academic chair is important to ensure the work that needs to be done continues over the long term,” says Dr. Leslie Oliver, son of William and Pearleen Oliver, and Acadia University Professor Emeritus. “It provides the funding for the faculty position indefinitely, ensuring the principles of equality and justice are embedded in the work of our seminary.”

Former member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly the Hon. Dr. Wayne Adams agrees. “This distinguished Chair will continue on with the great work of social justice and community leadership as modeled by William and Pearleen Oliver. By participating in the endowment of this new Chair, you will contribute, by extension, to a major transformation of our churches and society.”

Celebrating The Chair

On October 28, 2022, the Board of Trustees, Faculty and Staff of ADC gathered with special guests to celebrate the Reverend Dr. William and Dr. Pearleen Oliver Chair of Community Leadership and Social Justice. Three of those special guests –Dr. Wayne Adams, Rev. Grace Skeir, and Dr. Leslie Oliver –shared personal stories about the Olivers and the impact of their ministry, as well as the need to continue this vital work.

Rev. Grace Skeir, the Associate Pastor of New Horizons Baptist Church in Halifax, NS spoke about the impact the Olivers had on her and others. “Rev. Dr. William and Dr. Pearleen Oliver recognized that they were not alone in the fight for racial justice and equality,” said Grace, a graduate of ADC and now a member of the ADC Board of Trustees. “They had allies in the work they did, and we continue to need allies today.”

Jesus walks here through Mi'kma'ki and Africville, on the waters of the Bay of Fundy and in the mountains of Gros Morne. We follow him with the scent of salt on our clothes and earth on our fingers; through the pine forests of Miramichi and the bustling streets of Halifax. Jesus walks here. We follow him here. The Bible speaks to our experiences and nurtures our faith.

Today we recognise that there is an Atlantic Canadian voice that can engage the important issues here, where sea meets land and sky.

What is East Coast Theology?

INATLANTIC CANADA, so much of our thinking, our theology, our education, and our preaching has relied on resources developed outside our region. The result is that there has often been a disconnect between our theological reflection and our lived reality.

But the East Coast of Canada is unique. We engage the world in particular and nuanced ways in light of our life in this place of natural beauty, relational warmth, and conflicted history.

That’s why we created East Coast Theology.

East Coast Theology is a THEOLOGICAL EXPRESSION

Through the sharing of ideas, engaging with churches, and deepening our scholarship in this place we call home, we will write theology for this place and this time. This theological expression will discover what is unique about this place, allowing God to speak through His Word to where we are and what we’re doing here today.

East Coast Theology is a SUMMER SCHOOL

Events, seminars, and continuing education opportunities will engage issues that are important to Atlantic Canadians as we develop accessible theological reflection on what matters to us here. The Summer School will take a localized approach in training church leaders to express a Christian voice that is engaged with the world as we see it.

East Coast Theology is a PUBLISHING PROJECT

Volume One is called Pandemic, Public Health, and the People of God and will be a timely resource for anyone interested in how the church can be involved in public health. This volume arose in part out of the desire of Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia, to partner with the church and his heart for Christians to serve their own communities. Our professors will write the chapters, and Dr. Strang will write the foreword and afterword.

East Coast Theology is about what God’s Word is saying through our voice, our heartbeat, for our time.

FEATURED SUMMER SCHOOL EVENTS – ON CAMPUS!

May – June: Summer Courses

• Leading Healthy & Effective Churches with Dr. Lennett J. Anderson

• Personal and Professional Ethics with Dr. Glen Berry

• Revelation with Dr. Danny Zacharias

• And more!

June 13–15: Special Events

• June 13: Seminars on Pastoral Psychology

• June 13–15: Simpson Lectures

• June 14: East Coast Kitchen Party

• June 15: Launch of East Coast Theology

Volume One with Dr. Robert Strang

• And more!

For the full schedule of events and registration details, visit EASTCOASTTHEOLOGY.CA

Approaching the Future of the Church Through Collaboration and Curiosity

Acadia Divinity College (ADC) is beginning something new – a dynamic project called the Futuring Lab. This innovative space will research trends and developments that will impact the future life of the Church, and experiment with new approaches to theological education. The Lab has two inter-related elements: a Hub of Trend Research and Analysis that will conduct, gather, and interpret research on cultural trends, and a Sandbox for Theological Education and the Church to experiment with new methods and pedagogies.

During 2022, the lower level of the College building was renovated to be fully accessible with two offices and a room for engagement. ADC is excited that the Futuring Lab is taking the next step forward in 2023 with two staff appointments. As the project prepares to unfold over the next four years, Dr. Jodi L. Porter, Director of Education for Ministry Innovation, and Joel Murphy, Facilitator of Trend Research & Analysis, were asked what they hope to accomplish through their work and how it will directly impact our churches in Atlantic Canada and beyond. Here’s what they had to say:

Jodi: I look forward to joining the ADC community and learning from students, faculty, staff, churches, and all ADC constituents about the current needs and hopes for educational ministries and theological education in Atlantic Canada. Community insights and evidence-based research will help guide our imaginations for the future of our churches and their essential formational work.

Joel: We live in a period in which the pace of change is accelerating rapidly. Foundational to the Futuring Hub for Trend Research & Analysis (The ‘Hub’) is collaboration and curiosity. I am so excited to work with, and learn from, individuals, churches, and organizations about how we can prayerfully consider, courageously imagine, and creatively action ways to approach, prepare for, and engage future possibilities to be the Church in our communities.

To learn more about Jodi and Joel visit: ACADIADIV.CA/FUTURING-LAB-APPOINTMENTS