Insight DIGITAL EDITION
SPRING/SUMMER 2020
Looking Forward in Hope 1
From the Principal’s Pen
Dear Friends, Within the space of a week, our world underwent a dramatic change. The rapid spread of a mysterious and deadly virus sent us to our rooms and we suddenly became aware of the hostile dimensions of personal space. Many of you will know that at the College we reacted swiftly, following the protocols set out by the provincial government and the University of Toronto. We went into lockdown. Those who could go home did so, while others, mostly international students, isolated themselves in their rooms and took their meals in boxes. We were relieved to be able to complete our courses, thanks to the resilience of our students and faculty, and to the technological support of our staff. In describing how institutions have responded to the challenges, the groovy word is “pivot.” We pivoted beautifully. But it was not ideal. We had a record number of students asking for extensions, and our graduating class of 43 had to forego the bagpipes, accolades, and parties that are part of a proper Convocation. We hope to make it up to them, but in the meantime we are in limbo about what sort of gatherings in the autumn will be allowed. “Limbo” is not a groovy word, but it is apt. For many who have lost jobs or who can’t see loved 2
ones or who must expose themselves to risk because of the essential nature of their work, we are living in one of the suburbs of hell. But the pandemic has also inspired acts of nobility and extraordinary creativity. Who could have imagined breweries producing hand sanitizer for northern communities that ban their other products? We wanted to celebrate the achievements of our graduates, so with the aid of three computers in Founders’ Chapel, Annette Brownlee and I led an online service of thanksgiving and commissioning. Nearly 100 assembled online to participate in Scripture reading, prayer, and music, and this was followed by private Zoom sessions where the faculty got to address each graduate individually before their peers. It was not sophisticated, but it was personal, meaningful, and memorable. And then there is the generosity. In response to my appeal, our compassionate Wycliffe community has contributed nearly $40,000 so far for relief funds for students in need. There is much, of course, that remains uncertain. Researchers say that there is still a lot to learn about how the virus spreads and its impact on the human body, while policy makers continue to debate degrees of risk and what
obligations are required for the public good. But what is certain at Wycliffe College is that classes will go on! While we hope that regulations will allow us to reassemble in our residence and classrooms in the Fall, every student will be able to take their courses from home. Over the summer we are enhancing our IT infrastructure and our faculty are learning about best practices in teaching remotely. In the end, I believe we will be a stronger institution and become even more effective as we pursue our calling to produce “visionary leaders with Good News for a vibrant church and a changing world.” But our certainty rests not in ourselves. We are confident and hopeful because we are under the mercy of the One who defeated the most deadly pandemic of all: the affliction of sin and death. For through him we “have come to trust in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory” (1 Peter 1.21). Yours in the way of Christ,
The Rt Rev. Dr Stephen Andrews Principal and Helliwell Professor of Biblical Interpretation
Hemorrhage, but also hope By Alex Newman Readers will be familiar with recent studies and statistics about church decline. While the research is disheartening, Christians are called to faith and hope. And there is hope. Many churches are seeing sure and steady signs of growth among young people. Especially now, as preliminary research suggests that in the midst of the pandemic, more people have been seeking answers and assurance through Christianity. An Angus Reid survey conducted with religious think tank Cardus, as reported in the BC Catholic newspaper, found that “22 per cent of Canadians are turning to prayer more often than they normally would for spiritual and emotional sustenance during these trying times … one in five Canadians report being assisted by the hand of faith groups in their communities [during the pandemic].” This finding echoes the convictions of Wycliffe’s Academic Dean Peter Robinson: “I personally don’t think people convert until they hit a wall, when they realize that the promises of this world are only going to disappoint.” Prior to the pandemic, church growth occurred in two contexts, Robinson notes. One was in a more seekerfriendly church that aimed to engage people in a culturally attuned contemporary setting and the other was small group-based churches focused on social outreach to the local community. While computer screens are prolific in a time of COVID-19, the small group model is more challenging to achieve right now and churches are wrestling with what will happen in a post-COVID world, says Bruxy Cavey, senior pastor of The Meeting House. But it’s more about content than form, he adds: “The new expressions of the kingdom we need to learn to do better [are] how to love our neighbours well in practical ways
during this season of human history so our light shines and people are drawn to glorify God (Matthew 5:16), and how we invite others to hear the good news of Jesus more directly online.” Faith groups have tended to be first on the ground in times of crisis, and now, during the pandemic, might be a good opportunity to fulfil the command to love our neighbour—and to love them right into the kingdom. When Sonia Harris started attending church in Hamilton, after moving out from her family home, it was part of a way to figure out who she was “as a person.” Growing up, she’d attended Catholic school, as well as church off and on with her family, but grew disillusioned with Christianity as a teen. One thing that bothered her was not having her questions answered about why church is important. She admits to being “the rebellious type that constantly questioned. Teachers couldn’t stand it but they’d just say ‘That’s the way it is.’ My question was always ‘Who says it has to be this way?’” What drew her back was finding both a church where the teaching seemed relevant, and a very welcoming home group. Born into a Hindu family, Nikhil Aurora was, like Harris, an unrepentant questioner. Also like Harris, he felt his questions went unanswered. After moving from India at 15 to attend university in the UK, he started calling himself an atheist. The questions didn’t stop—questions, he says, are part of the job description of an astrophysicist. But the deeper he delved into science, the less he believed there was scientific evidence for God and so concluded “it wasn’t worth my time investigating whether God existed or not.” In Canada for postgrad studies, he met another astrophysics student who encouraged those questions, then eventually invited him to church where he was warmly welcomed. Initially the effusive welcome was 3
awkward for him—scientists are awkward to begin with, he says—but he saw an intellectual willingness to honestly answer his questions as well.
approach, come about things in a loving way—and to be understanding when people aren’t prepared to listen or open their hearts. Be patient.”
What finally made sense to Arora was “not trying to scientifically prove God exists, but how to treat the person next to you.”
It was the love of Beatrice that led Dante Alighieri to make his arduous journey through hell, purgatory and on into Paradise.
The skeptic’s journey is familiar to Cavey. Although he grew up in a Christian home, he had a “young adult season of questioning everything and deconstructing everything.” The church, he adds, needs “to allow people to voice their disappointment with religion. I like bringing up the disappointments about faith in conversation in a repentant attitude—since repentance is modelling what I will eventually ask them to do.”
Asked if falling in love is a key to conversion, Robinson, also Professor of Proclamation, Worship and Ministry, says “well that’s what the Incarnation is, isn’t it? God becoming present isn’t intellectualized but flesh and blood. Getting to know God in that full embodied way, the Incarnation, shows us that this is how God has chosen to make us know him because that’s the way he’s designed us to come to know him.”
Attempting to answer the tough questions—like the problem of evil—is important. And churches don’t do it enough, says Christian apologist Mary Jo Sharp in an interview with Wycliffe adjunct professor Andy Bannister. And yet, the church has “a ton of historical materials and writings on this and [has] been talking about it since the beginning of time. We need to educate congregations and young people about this,” she says.
But he cautions against believing that conversions rest entirely on our shoulders. “That indicates a narrow understanding of the individual before God … and tends to be focused on my own individual faith rather than having a really strong understanding of church.”
The church also tends to skirt the tough issues in the area of sexuality and identity, Sharp adds, which ultimately puts the church in the position of being reactive instead of proactive. Given the resources at its fingertips—on what it means to be human, and celebrating the beauty of God— Sharp thinks the church hasn’t done a great job.
Patience is important, too—rapid growth as seen in many megachurches resulted in spiritually immature Christians who tended to eventually fall away. Robinson suggests that we look at “the way people have learned from God before, and pay attention to the voice of the wider church.” More important, he adds, is to look at people coming to faith as a sign that “fundamentally, God is doing something, so let’s pay attention.”
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by natural beauty, Sharp witnessed God’s beauty, and laments it is something evangelicals don’t talk much about: “Truth and God’s goodness yes, but not the beauty of God. And this beauty is part of human flourishing.” Gratitude for everything God has given, including or especially beauty, is an attractive quality. The lack of it nearly sent Sharp away after becoming a Christian. She had noticed the things that drew her to faith were “not well reflected in his [Jesus’s] people.” Experiencing judgmental behaviour and hypocrisy, she started asking “Where are the people I expected to find when reading the New Testament?” That was not the experience of either Arora or Harris, who encountered Christians with open arms and open minds. Not surprisingly, Harris’s recommendation for the church and its evangelizing efforts is to “be more gentle with your 4
Alex Newman is a Toronto writer and editor.
A Conversation with Carol Boettcher Board Chair, Wycliffe College SDH: Obviously there are theological differences, but there is that desire to reach across the aisle.
By Sharon Dewey Hetke SDH: As we have this conversation, we have experienced the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Can you comment on Wycliffe’s response thus far? It’s been great to see Principal Andrews livestreaming Morning & Evening Prayer from the chapel!
CB: Literally, across the street! SDH: You have a strong background in arbitration and negotiation as well as human resources. How do you see those skills fitting into your role as Board Chair?
CB: Wycliffe has been following the model of the University of Toronto and Toronto School of Theology so there are no in-person classes. Anything taught is online. We have also emptied our residence, although we still have some international students for whom going back to their countries is just not an option. Bishop Andrews wanted to be sure that people were able to social distance, be safe, but also have a connection, and the livestream is one way to do that. Our church and others have gone through so many challenges. I’ve really been taken with the response of the College. One effect of all of this is that it diminishes, in some ways, differences among churches to the extent that we all can rest in the peace of the Lord. I find that inspiring and quite comforting. SDH: Even before the pandemic, Christian institutions in our culture faced obstacles and difficulties— including numerical decline. But there’s a real sense in Wycliffe’s strategic goals that they are moving forward with boldness, confident in their foundation, yet still open and adaptable. CB: As you know, the Mission Statement is “to educate people for practical ministry and theological scholarship in Christ’s global church and the world.” The thing that inspires me about the College is that unlike many organizations, religious and otherwise, this Statement is not just words. My experience is that there is a deep commitment on the part of everyone associated with the College to fulfilling that mission. It’s not a mission statement for a T-shirt or the top of a letterhead; it’s right at the core of everything that’s done.
SDH: At Wycliffe there are more than 30 different denominations, and maybe we could see this as sort of a petri dish. How do you see Wycliffe’s role in all of this? CB: I think that it’s probably around the kinds of things that we have in common. It’s through the equipping of those that come to us to study and learn and grow. Because all that we say and do is based on Scripture, and the theological interpretation of Scripture is what defines the College, and how it does everything. Something else I have found inspirational at Wycliffe is that we have exceptional faculty and leadership. I was thinking of General Synod in Vancouver. Dr. Andrews and Dr. Christopher Brittain (Dean of Divinity at Trinity College) shared a promotional booth, sat at the same table, side by side. That made a profound statement … so when I talk about exceptional leadership, one of the things I have in my head is that image.
CB: My background in HR and organizational development has taught me the critical importance of supporting and equipping people to fulfill a strategic vision. We’ve talked about Wycliffe’s strategic plan—and it’s an exciting one— but ultimately our strategy will be realized by our people. As for my background in arbitration and negotiation, if it’s taught me anything, it’s the importance of being collaborative and respectful, and seeing that people with good intentions often see things in different ways. It’s about finding ways forward that respect our differences, and making sure that everyone can be heard. An important part of what I can bring to the Board is trying to act out of that knowledge in the kind of leadership I provide. Another part of my background: I worked in community colleges where I developed a strong belief in the power of education, just watching how it can transform an individual and a whole family’s life, and then a whole community. I watch what a college like Wycliffe, with that strong Scriptural foundation, can do to transform individuals and how that transforms the various communities they go back to, most obviously their spiritual communities. The effects are powerful and far-reaching. Carol Boettcher has served on the Board of Wycliffe College for six years, and became Chair—the first woman to hold the position—at last November’s Annual General Meeting.
5
STUDENT FOCUS “God’s invitation” By Ruby Lee As I read the Bible, it continues to fascinate me that the perfect and Holy God chooses to reveal eternal truths about Himself through its stories of unrefined people and their meeting with Him. To me, that is God’s gentle invitation to meet with Him wherever I am in life. In some ways, coming to North America from Taiwan for theological education was just a part of that personal journey.
Ecclesiastes was God’s invitation to me to keep wrestling with Him when I struggled with life in my youth. Though it was a difficult book to understand, God’s voice was the only one that fully reckoned with the vanity of life, and I believed it was because He was the only one who had an answer for it.
What started as a quest soon became an urgent beckoning when I witnessed God’s invitation being proclaimed in the streets of the world. More particularly, I saw the works of Bible translators and the need for theological resources to support preachers in China and Thailand. So it was finally the desire to serve in these areas that brought me to Wycliffe. Studying at Wycliffe has been a
unique and challenging experience as it helps me not only to attend to God’s Word, but also to attend to people with God’s Word in faith and love. I am now (still) studying Ecclesiastes and the meaning of wisdom as it transitions throughout the book, interacting with its surrounding literature. My husband, Daniel, and I also serve at Mississauga Christ Life Community Church. Ruby Lee is a second year PhD student in Old Testament at Wycliffe College. She is drawn to the wisdom literature by the realistic faith it depicts. Besides working on a degree, she currently teaches biblical languages online and takes part in the translation of the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament into Chinese.
Contributing to the Conversation By Jeremy McClung
As someone who has been involved in various church plants for almost two decades, I have seen first-hand the changing landscape of North American culture—and the ways the church must rethink its strategies to reach it. There is a rich, interdenominational conversation taking place regarding the role of the church and the shape of ministry in post-Christendom. However, I have had a growing sense that ministry needs to be about more than just “what works.” New approaches must be grounded in Scripture, theologically sound, and informed by solid research (as much as possible). It was my desire to contribute to the conversation that led me to Wycliffe to pursue a PhD in Pastoral Theology. I was attracted by its broadly evangelical approach, combined with the variety of theological perspectives and opportunities afforded by the Toronto School of Theology. Although I come from an Anabaptist tradition, with little 6
previous experience with Anglicanism, I felt completely at home and have enjoyed the more liturgical style of worship. The wide variety of denominational backgrounds represented among the student body makes Wycliffe a fantastic environment for conversation, questioning, and study. I have enjoyed the shared meals, street hockey on Monday nights, my interactions with the Institute of Evangelism, and the constant opportunities to stretch my mind in different directions. My dissertation work is in Homiletics (with a strong dose of Spiritual Formation), exploring the role of gratitude as an important connection between grace and obedience. My experiences in ministry have led me to question what motivates some people to grow, while others stagnate. My research will explore how preachers can harness thankfulness as a call to greater discipleship. As someone who is equal parts intellectual and pragmatist, my plan
after graduation is to continue to have a foot in both the academy and the local church, whatever shape that may take. Jeremy McClung is founding pastor of Muskoka Community Church, an 11-year old church in Port Sydney, Ontario. He lives in Huntsville, is married with three children and a dog, and is in his second year of PhD studies in Pastoral Theology.
Congratulations We congratulate and give thanks for the following men and women who faithfully fulfilled all requirements to receive their degrees and certificates this academic year. Due to COVID-19, all Spring 2020 degrees were conferred in absentia on Monday, May 11, 2020. DOCTOR OF MINISTRY Grayhame Robert Bowcott DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY Raymond Clifford Aldred MASTER OF THEOLOGY Christine Cos James Wesley Knight Maureen Ugochi Ononiwu Jeremiah Edwin Overland Terrance Andrew Spratt David Garth Tiessen Robert Sai-Keung Tsui MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY Calvin Alastair Pais Pavani Thirumani Paul MASTER OF DIVINITY HONOURS Cole Joseph Forrest Miller MASTER OF DIVINITY Zachary John Bartkus Sydney Amelia Caron (Pioneer Track) Nancy Germano Cunha Max Vincent Dionisio Michael John Garner (Pioneer Track)
Michael Logan Hurst Cageian Coldon Inniss Donald Craig Love Michael James Christopher Lyons Bridget Anne Poole Robb Leonard Sykes Muriel Che Yue Tse Matthew Benson Waterman Sara Williamson-Bynoe
CERTIFICATE IN ANGLICAN STUDIES Robert Trent Pettit DIPLOMA IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES Gary Lawrence Gannon DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (University of St. Michael’s College Conferred November 2019)
Geoffrey Boyle MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES Kai-Hsuan Chang IN URBAN & INTERNATIONAL Gayle Elizabeth Doornbos DEVELOPMENT Charles Meeks Jessica Ruth Bartlett Aaron Mix-Ross Laura Ruth VanderVelden MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES Jason Deroche HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD Mimi Hiu Mei Kam Ajit John Kit Man Lai Scott M. Mark ARCHDEACON HARRY ST. CLAIR Paulina Evelyn Roberts HILCHEY ALUMNI AWARD Elaine Marie Rowe Virginia Leach Kerry Mae Tucker William Weiland
7
WHAT’S NEXT? By Gary Gannon
In early 2020, I learned not only that I had successfully completed my course work at Wycliffe College, but also satisfied all discernment requirements set by the Anglican Diocese of Toronto to proceed with ordination as a vocational deacon later this year. My diaconal work will include community-based ministry, teaching, and assisting in liturgical worship.
In 2019, Gary completed the Diploma in Christian Studies program at Wycliffe College following a fifteen-year career in post-secondary teaching and an eighteen-year career in health care administration. Gary and his wife Deborah are members of All Saints’ Church in Whitby, Ontario. They have two grown children and five grandchildren.
I am presently engaged in efforts to identify and address the needs of the marginalized in our community. Working with regional government, seeking to establish a network of faith-based organizations and with the support of motivated parish members, we will address identified needs associated with social isolation, poverty, and the plight of new Canadians settling in our town. I also belong to a team offering introductory and developmental learning opportunities to parish members. My involvement in current and new forms of worship services will expand an awareness of God’s welcoming presence in our community.
DONOR PROFILE By Patricia Paddey Helen McGill went through a phase of thinking organized religion was bad, “but now I’m back in the fold and glad of it,” she laughs. A self-described “cradle Anglican,” and long-time member of St. Paul’s Bloor Street church in Toronto, Helen was introduced to Wycliffe directly when a friend invited her to the “Principal’s Dinner” a few years ago. But she had also had previous contact with Wycliffe students, and the calibre of clergy who had studied at the College was, she says, “impressive.” “I was smitten by what I saw going on there,” she says, “and really encouraged to see young people studying and preparing for ministry.” She decided to put her money where her heart was, joining the ranks of those who give to the College because they believe in what is being accomplished here. 88
“I love it that Wycliffe has a very high standard for theological academics. I love it that not everyone there is an Anglican. I love that there are different study tracks, that people are being equipped not just for church ministry but to be out in the world proclaiming the gospel.” So when Wycliffe’s spring appeal landed in Helen’s inbox in the early days of the pandemic, she responded generously. Asked why she did so, she is frank. “I guess the simple answer is because I was asked, and I could. I hadn’t even known there was a Principal’s Discretionary Fund to help students. But I think we’re all called to minister in some way, and I just wanted to minister to students who might be struggling financially by offering some encouragement and affirmation.” She believes the pandemic is providing “an opportunity for the church … a time when people are going to reflect on what’s grounding them. And I think that presents a great opportunity for all Christians, but particularly for those who are being called to ministry. “So I say, ‘Let’s juice it up!’ Let’s give them the resources that are needed and let’s not waste this opportunity.”
Beauty from Ashes By Dane Neufeld (M.Div. 2012 & Th.D. 2016)
Dane Neufeld is pictured with his wife Juanita, eldest son Anton, eldest daughter Clara, and twins Leo and Maggie. The Neufeld family will be relocating to Calgary in August 2020 as Dane takes up a new post as Incumbent of St. James’ Church.
The 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray caught us all by surprise and, for a period of time, turned our world into chaos. I will never forget the confusion and fear we experienced as we evacuated and the gradual reports that emerged about the damage that had been done in the community. At least 12 families in our parish lost their houses and many more suffered serious damage to their homes. The ensuing months were consumed with insurance claims, medical complications, relocations, clean-up and the tiring effort of reassembling our lives. As a parish priest I struggled to know what my role would be in such a circumstance. There were days I felt pretty useless, but there were also powerful moments of grace when I saw clearly the importance of the church in times of disaster and upheaval. Just days after the evacuation we assembled in Edmonton on Sunday morning at St. Augustine’s, where members of both the Fort McMurray parishes were warmly welcomed. We worshipped and prayed together, shared a meal, and did what we could to help one another. It was easily the most
powerful Sunday morning worship experience I have been a part of, and the Spirit touched us in our pain and confusion. Months later we returned to Fort McMurray and the rebuilding effort began. Thanks to the generosity of many across the country we had funds that allowed us to assist people in need, and to build programs to help in the recovery. This came with some anxiety, however, as we were constantly asking ourselves what our role as church should be, what is the best way to help? While we did some really good things with the money, I am convinced today that the best thing churches can do in these scenarios, over the long term, is to simply live out our vocations as the body of Christ. Time and again, people said that regular worship, gathering, prayer—things we did anyway—were essential for them during some pretty dark days. There were new people who came as well, not necessarily looking for recovery programs or financial assistance, but for God, and for a community of people to love them and pray with them.
It certainly seems now that our world has been riven by a far greater and more expansive crisis, and none of us can really imagine how it will end. As church leaders we are anxious about the role we have to play in all of this. As many clergy have done and are doing, the best thing we can do is to stay in touch with people, find ways to pray together and serve needs where possible. As Christians we should remain confident in the power of the gospel and the traditional practices of the church. This is a conviction that was nurtured within me from my time at Wycliffe, and was deepened after the wildfire and as I witnessed people sorting through their experiences with the Scriptures, liturgy and fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. The effects of the fire are still with us, but I thank God for his provision and care through it all. Likewise, the present moment will pass and our churches will once again become places of healing and renewal, where people bring their burdens, thanksgivings and praise to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 9
Lessons of Hope By Judy Paulsen
My job often requires me to live in two different worlds: the world of established churches and the world of church planters. I’ve found that these worlds differ wildly in one characteristic: hope. So when I was asked to offer some reasons to be hopeful in an age of reported church decline, I began to reflect more deeply on these two worlds. Then COVID-19 hit. The worldwide pandemic has rocked everything from global economics to the way two friends greet each other. With the majority of human beings around the globe having to learn some form of social distancing, if not social isolation, established churches and church plants have also had to learn new ways. I’ve been surprised and encouraged by some of what I’ve seen happening. But first, let’s take a look at these two worlds as they existed before COVID-19. The first world is that of established churches. I have worked with a wide swath of them in my role as Director of the Institute of Evangelism, as many of them find themselves seriously shrinking. Plenty of these churches are depressed and/or defensive, and they often express little hope for the future. The reaction to this decline varies somewhat from church to church. Some wellheeled churches simply deny the problem, relying on their endowments to keep the doors open, the lights on, and the clergy paid. Other churches seek a scapegoat 10
(e.g. “We need a better preacher!” or “We need a pastor who visits more!”). Some churches look to solutions from the past, like reducing administrative support, applying for denominational grants, or relying more on volunteers. Others externalize the problem, blaming their denomination or society at large (e.g. “The bishop has been trying to close us for years!” or “Our society has just become too secular!”). All of these responses are enticing for one reason: they require no real change on the part of the congregation itself. And while some short-term relief may arise from these solutions, we need to be clear that none of these responses actually addresses the real problem at the heart of church decline. Simply put, churches have failed to live out their apostolic calling. They have failed to be disciples making disciples. The second world I live in is the world of church planters. Through my work at Wycliffe I’m often working with the church planters that we invite in to either help teach our students or who serve as supervisors in their student placements. Despite the significant challenges involved in building a church from nothing (e.g. no building, scarce funds, and few volunteers) church planters are a surprisingly hopeful lot, and that hope tends to be infectious. There seem to be two primary reasons that church planters are so hopeful.
The first is that without the distractions attached to many established churches (long-held local traditions and relational hierarchies, much loved but needy buildings, significant denominational requirements) church planters are often free to focus very intentionally on the main thing that the church is to be about: disciple-making. This is not one thing they do. It is at the heart of all they do. They begin by discipling a core group who are then encouraged to do likewise, either through one-on-one mentoring or small group teaching. And as they prioritize this work of disciples-making-disciples they begin to see God transforming people’s lives. This gives them hope. A lot of hope. The second reason church planters are hopeful is that they are necessarily focused on the strengths and needs of the particular neighbourhoods into which they are planting. As with intentional discipleship, this intentional focus on those outside the church tends to build into the core DNA of the church engagement with the neighbourhood and every-member ministry. This too provides ready opportunities to see God at work. As partnerships are grown for the purposes of realizing God’s shalom for their particular context, church planters begin to see God bringing about positive changes through community gardens, park clean-ups, 12-step groups, book clubs, street parties, and parenting courses. These growing relational connections also give these church planters hope, as they see God transforming neighbourhoods and cultivating relationships that are natural places in which the gospel can be shared.
about what online baptism preparation might look like. Who knows what God can do when established churches combine ancient Christian practices with new technology in order to step out of their comfort zone for the sake of the gospel! So, what is my prescription for established churches experiencing decline? In short, be like church planters. Focus on the core mandate of the church—to be disciples making disciples. Try some experiments. Make wise use of some of the new tools available to us. Don’t be afraid to innovate for the sake of the gospel. Do whatever it takes to build new relationships. Listen. Serve. And most importantly, get outside of the box. As we have been reminded in this pandemic, the church is not the building. The church is the people of God, whose key purpose is to offer our lives to God in worship and to do so by sharing the good news of what He has done in Jesus Christ. God doesn’t just want new church plants to thrive. He wants established churches to thrive too. The good news is that a significant number now are, and even those suffering decline have been prodded into new and fruitful ways by something as surprising and terrible as a worldwide pandemic.
Interestingly, the pandemic seems to be prodding established churches to move out of their well-worn tracks and into some new paths that are helping them reach new people. Churches that once balked at offering anything online are realizing that they can maintain contact with church members and reach new people through tools like recorded daily reflections, downloadable prayers for families to use together, live-streamed worship services, Zoom coffee hours and prayer gatherings, and online small group Bible studies. Recently I heard from Susan Spicer, an Anglican priest at St. George’s, Pickering Village, located on the edge of the greater Toronto area. Susan started offering an online video recording of a daily scripture reading and time of prayer. She told me that this simple tool has drawn members of her congregation together in prayer in a way she’s never seen before. Additionally, and much to her delight, her folks have also been sharing the video link with people outside the church. One of those people sent her an email a few days ago asking if, once public worship resumes, she could be baptized. Now Susan is thinking
Judy Paulsen is a Professor of Evangelism and Director of the Institute of Evangelism at Wycliffe College.
Background Photos by: Kristopher Roller on Unsplash 11
Alumni News
Friends in Christ,
This digital-only issue of Insight is shorter than usual but I'm glad that we can continue to keep one another updated on the changes in our lives. A good deal has changed with the onset of COVID-19 and social-distancing. We are living through unprecedented times. Some of us have been harder hit than others. Some have picked up new skills (sourdough anyone?). Either way, there are joys and sorrows. Perhaps like me, you have taken comfort in the familiar rhythms of prayer, the unchanging words of Scripture, or the sound of a friendly voice (thanks, Zoom!). One thing that has made an impression on me are the lengths to which many of our alumni who are pastors have gone to serve God's people online during this crisis. For this and for all things we give thanks. In Christ, The Rev. Jonathan Turtle (MDiv, 2012)
FROM THE 1960s
Dr. Sean O’Leary (W03) was professor of worship studies Peter Niblock (W58 & W61) has had one and chapel director at two of his hymns included in the upcoming Bible colleges for 12 years and Anglican Hymn Supplement. Its title, has since served primarily “Living Water,” is drawn from John 4. His in worship ministry. Last 2004 hymn “Called by Name,” based on year he and his wife, Lisa, returned to Isaiah 43:1, was sung at General Synod. Vancouver where he is worship director at Mountainview Christian Fellowship. FROM THE 1980s The Rev. Canon George The Rev. Eves (W76 & W83) Canon Beth retired in 2015 and Benson has since become a (W04) published author. His pictured on main publication is In the the left with Bosom of Abraham: How Bishop Jenny Three Ancient Promises Andison (W97, W17) and The Rev. Mark Embrace the Biblical Story, Part One: Regis (W09) retired from her position as From Creation to the Morning Star of New Creation (Wipf and Stock, 2015). He priest at The Church of St. Mary and St. has a blog entitled “Lection Connection” Martha in Toronto. Her last Sunday at St. Mary and St. Martha was February 29th, accessible through his website: https:// 2020. georgereves.com The Rev. Michael Caines (W08) and his spouse Anna are pleased to announced the The Rev. Shaun arrival of their second child. They are also O’Connor (W01) was pleased to share that they have completed installed in August, 2018, a four-year community project to build an as priest-in-charge of indoor play park ministry in their church All Saints Bonavista, a building. new church plant of the Anglican Network in The Rev. Mark Regis (W09) was Canada (ANiC). Their motto is “Living appointed priest at The Church of St. Mary to share the light of Christ.” (Photo left and St. Martha in Toronto in February to right: Shaun, Rory, Sandra, Aidan and 2020, succeeding the Rev. Canon Beth Bonnie, the dog) Benson. Mark has served in a variety of ministry settings, most recently as interim Maj. Rev. Dr. Shaun Turner CD (W02) priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Bloor Street. graduated in 2019 from Tyndale College with a DMin in Spiritual Formation. FROM THE He studied spirituality and resilience, 2010s focusing on pastoral training. His The Rev. Joshua Siu published portfolio was “Towards a (W10) recently took Reformed Evangelical Program of Spiritual a 3-month sabbatical Formation at Ryle Seminary, Ottawa.” He after 9 years of serving in BC at Richmond has since been named professor of pastoral Emmanuel Church. During that time, ministry at Ryle Seminary. he and his wife Rachel welcomed their fifth child, Jakin, into the world, to join Tabitha, Madelyn, Chloe, and Matthew!
FROM THE 2000s
12
The Rev. Chris Dow (W12) was named incumbent of St. James, Caledon East in January 2020. His wife, Amy Dow (W13), is serving St. James as children and family minister. They are the proud parents of Clara, Abigail, and Hannah. The Rev. Phil Gearing (W15) was ordained as priest at the Church of the Ascension in Port Perry, ON in February, 2020. He has been serving as curate at the Church of the Ascension since May 2019. Bosco Tung (W15) transitioned from being director of mobilization at SIM (Serving in Mission) to ministry relations regional manager for the Greater Toronto Area at Compassion Canada, continuing to mobilize the church to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. He and his wife, June Hur, welcomed daughter Johanna Tung to the family in April 2019. Dr. Sean Otto (W03 & W13) was elected registrar of the Diocese of Quebec, a post to which he had been appointed by Bishop Bruce Myers in July 2019. The election was held at the 85th meeting of the Synod of the Diocese of Quebec. Sean is also registrar at Institut national de la recherche scientifique. Dr. Manhee Yoon (W16) published his book, The Fate of the Man of God from Judah: A Literary and Theological Reading of 1 Kings 13, with Wipf & Stock. This book reveals the narrator’s perspective on the way God intervened in the history of Israel.
The Rev. Orvin Lao (W17) was ordained a priest at Little Trinity Anglican Church in February, 2020 by Bishop Andrew Asbil. Principal Stephen Andrews and many friends from the Wycliffe College community were in attendance. The preacher was The Rev. John Sundara (W16).
Dr. Andrew Barron (W18) was due to be in Ethiopia this summer, teaching Rabbinic Backgrounds of the Gospels as part of his ministry with Global Scholars Canada. He is also proud to announce that his eldest daughter, Ketzia, graduates from Victoria College at UofT this spring.
The Rev. Dr. Kathleen Buligan (W07 & 19) is the vocational deacon at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Agincourt. She has received a four-year appointment to the International Executive Board of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators focusing on excellence in education, world understanding and altruism.
The Rev. Alexandra Pohlod (W18) was ordained a priest and made assistant curate at St. Olave’s Anglican Church, Swansea in January, 2020. She serves with Daniel Bach (W19) and wife Christine The Rev. Robert Mitchell (W02). welcomed baby Oliver on Saturday May Photo credit: Michael Hudson. 2nd, 2020.
FROM THE 2020s
The Rev. Michael Logan Hurst (W20) was ordained deacon at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Dallas, Texas in January, 2020. He was ordained by former Wycliffe College Principal and current Bishop of Dallas, the Rt. Rev. Dr. George Summer. Bishop Stephen Andrews was the preacher.
The Rev. Shelly-Ann Pollard (W18) was appointed incumbent of St. Martin, Bay Ridges beginning in March, 2020. Shelly-Ann was ordained priest at St. John’s Anglican Church, York Mills in 2019.
Dr. Andrew Witt (W18) was appointed as assistant professor, Old Testament at Tyndale University in 2019. His area of specialty is Old Testament.
Nominations Open Nominations are now open for the Archdeacon Harry St. Clair Hilchey Award! This award is presented annually to one alumnus of Wycliffe College who has distinguished themselves in service to the Alumni Association, Wycliffe College, and/or the church. All nominations are to be submitted by January 5 of each year. Congratulations to this year’s recipient, Mrs. Virginia Leach. For more information please visit the Wycliffe College website: wycliffecollege.ca/alumni/awards.
Calling All Alumni The Wycliffe College Alumni Association now has a group on Facebook! To access it: 1. “Like” the Wycliffe College Facebook page 2. Click “Groups” in the left column 3. Request to join the “Wycliffe College Alumni Association” group 4. Wait to be approved by one of our admins. Invite your fellow graduates, engage with one another, and post any interesting updates, articles, and news that you think would be of interest to your fellow alumni.
IN MEMORIAM We Remember Those in the Wycliffe Community who were “Called Home” in 2019 - 20 Mr. Hugh Bessell Former Trustee
Mrs. Valerie Hume-Oliver Friend of Wycliffe College
Mrs. Leona Stewart Friend of Wycliffe College
Mr. Sam Demerell Friend of Wycliffe College
Ms. Andrée Martinson Friend of Wycliffe College
The Rev. Dorothy Thorpe Class of ‘82
Miss Shirley M. Drummond Friend of Wycliffe College
Mrs. Melissa McLennan Friend of Wycliffe College
The Rev. Katherine Treganowan Class of '97
The Rev. Canon Gerry Fairhead Class of '57
The Rev. Harold Miller Class of '92
The Rev. David Wainwright Class of '78
The Ven. Gordon Finney Class of '78
The Rev. Douglas Patstone Class of '76
The Rev. Earl Gerber Class of '53 & ‘65
Mr. Michael Peter Class of ‘04
Mrs. Sarah Williams Friend of Wycliffe College Dr. Arthur Worrall Friend of Wycliffe College
Dr. Donald Gibson Fellow & Former Trustee
Mr. Alan Peters Friend of Wycliffe College
Mrs. Sandra Ypelaar Class of ‘97
Dr. Robert Haslam Former Chair, Board of Trustees, Hon. D.S.L
Mr. Bruce Raymond Former Trustee 13
End Times: Faith, Trust, and Obedience By Thomas Power
In our broader culture speculation about the end of time causes people to gravitate to either of two extremes. On the one hand, there are those who think obsessively that the end is imminent. Given predictions of climate disaster, international terrorism, mistrust of technological innovation, and global pandemics, it is understandable that people would feel this way. The other extreme concerns those who live according to the adage “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” with no care for the future or sense of the eternal. This attitude has also seeped into our culture as seen in hedonism, rampant individualism, and the sense of living in an eternal present with its short-term stimuli and instant gratification. Just as obsession with the end is pervasive, so also is its denial. Christians, in their own way, are not immune from adopting opposite views about the end or of Jesus' second coming. Jesus warns against aligning with either of these perspectives no matter how compelling the evidence. What, then, are followers of Jesus to think? Several passages (Acts 2, Mark 13, and 1 Thess. 4, for instance) could be chosen in response. In Matthew 24: 36-44 Jesus gives a clear answer: 14
“Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (v. 36). And elsewhere he says: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1: 7). Although Jesus is certain of his return, he does not claim to know the exact time when it will happen. Such knowledge is the Father’s alone. Nevertheless, Jesus does not leave us without guidance in the matter. Instead, he provides analogies that help us understand the attitude we ought to have towards the end and his return. He tells us three things. First, the return of Jesus will be sudden and unexpected. We are told (Matt. 24: 37-39) that the people of Noah’s time were living their normal lives, too busy to think of anything beyond the immediate present. Then the flood came and swept them away. It was sudden, there was no warning and they were unprepared. They had no idea of what was to come until it was too late. In citing Noah, Jesus wants us to know that his return will be as sudden and unexpected as the flood was. It will come just as people are doing their ordinary activities. It will come suddenly and unexpectedly. Second, the return of Jesus will bring separation. Verses 40-41 inform again
that people will be engaged in normal activities, like working, when the day suddenly arrives. Two men in the field and two women grinding meal are busy with their daily tasks when Jesus arrives unexpectedly and then it is too late to prepare for his coming. What these verses emphasize is that the return of Jesus will bring division and separation, whether in families or among fellow workers. In each case, one of the pair will be taken and the other will be left. There will be a division of humanity: some will be taken, some left behind. Third, the return of Jesus requires us to watch and be ready. In verses 42-43, we have a picture of the householder who represents any believer, while Jesus is the thief who comes during the night. We know Jesus will come, but how can we plan for it? What do you do if you don’t know the exact time? We should be alert and ready, for no one knows when Jesus will come. To be ready should be the norm for believers, because the time of Christ’s coming is unknown.
Readiness: Attitude
We know that the return of Jesus will be sudden and unexpected, that it will bring separation, and we need to be alert and ready. But this teaching is not just a prediction of the future.
It is meant to impact attitudes in the present. What attitude of heart and mind should we have considering Jesus’s return? Jesus calls us to be faithful, trusting, and obedient. Faithfulness. The purpose of this passage is not to lead to speculation about working out the details of how and when the end is to happen. Its first purpose is to promote faith. If we had a specific outline of the future, that would impede—not help—faith. It is true that Scripture provides certain signs, but not for the purpose of making detailed predictions. The lesson to be learned from this passage is the absurdity of human speculation about the timing of the end. Efforts invested into figuring out specific details of the Lord’s return would not be an expression of faith, but rather, the opposite. Trust. We know that God brought about the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies with the coming of Jesus. From this fact we are called to trust the Word of God that the coming of Jesus again will happen. God fulfilled one prophecy with the sending of his Son. We trust and wait for his second return. Obedience. Jesus’s teaching is clear that his return is certain, and it will come, but he does not offer specifics as to its timing. The matter is settled
and final. Our response should be obedience. It follows that attempts to devise an apocalyptic timetable (of which there have been many throughout history), or attempts to read the mind of God, are acts of disobedience. To accept what Jesus says about his return is an act of obedience.
says: “Now brothers and sisters, about times and dates, we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night … So, then, let us be alert and self-controlled … putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thess. 5: 1-8).
Readiness: Practice
While we wait in readiness for the Lord’s return and despite all the predictions of the end of the church and of doom generated by the obsessions and denials of our culture, our duty is to proclaim the gospel to all humanity.
Being ready and alert through faithfulness, trust, and obedience might seem too passive. How do we live day to day while we watch, ready for His return? Readiness shown by faith, trust, and obedience means being fully committed to God, to Jesus, his kingdom, his good news, his worship, and his mission in the world. It means bringing God’s transforming love into every part of our lives— home, school, work, politics—and serving God’s purpose in the world and serving the needs of people. In the words of 1 Peter 4: “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (7-10). Paul writing to the Thessalonians
Thomas Power is the Theological Librarian, Graduate Studies Coordinator, and Adjunct Professor of Church History. He teaches courses focusing on 18th- and early 19thcentury church history and Irish Christianity.
15
Upheaval
Calling All Former Residents!
We continue to see the financial upheaval COVID-19 is having on our students. If you are in a position to give, would you consider making a donation to the Principal’s Discretionary Fund today? Your gift will go toward alleviating some of the urgent needs facing our students: food, rent, travel, costs associated with counselling, and more. If you feel so led, please visit our website and give online at www.wycliffecollege.ca. Your prayers and financial support are greatly needed, and so appreciated. Thank you!
We know that community is a hallmark of the Wycliffe experience—and not just for students. Are you a former resident of Wycliffe College who would like to reconnect with your fellow residents? We are building a community of former residents and would love to include you. Please email your current contact information to Peter Herriman at pherriman@wycliffe.utoronto.ca and we will be in touch. Please also help us get the word out by forwarding this copy of Insight to any former residents you know and encouraging them to connect with us. Thank you!
Alumni Prayer Team We are building a team of alumni who are willing to spend some time calling fellow alumni on the phone to check in, listen, and to pray. Is that something you would like to do? Timing is flexible and the number of calls you make is completely up to you. If you are interested, please email Peter Herriman at pherriman@wycliffe.utoronto.ca. Thank you!
EDITORIAL BOARD Connie Chan Rob Henderson
The Wycliffe College Newsletter for Alumni and Friends Spring/Summer 2020, No. 88 ISSN 1192-2761(Print) ISSN 2563-2892 (Online) INSIGHT is published twice yearly by Wycliffe College Communications Connect with us:
DESIGN: Peter Herriman 16
Barbara Jenkins Shelley McLagan
Patricia Paddey Thomas Power
CONTRIBUTORS Stephen Andrews Gary Gannon Peter Herriman Sharon Dewey Hetke
Ruby Lee Jeremy McClung Alex Newman Dane Neufeld
UPDATE YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS: Development Office give@wycliffe.utoronto.ca (416) 946 – 3549
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: Patricia Paddey Communications Director ppaddey@wycliffe.utoronto.ca 416-946-3535 X 3548
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD
Marion Taylor
Patricia Paddey Judy Paulsen Thomas Power
Wycliffe College 5 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto, ON M5S 1H7 www.wycliffecollege.ca
Would you help our family grow? We are always looking to expand the reach of the College and share the exciting things God is doing through Wycliffe College with others. Would you consider forwarding this e-magazine to friends who are unfamiliar with Wycliffe College? Thank you!