FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN EVERY NATION, TRIBE, PEOPLE, AND LANGUAGE
In many contexts in Canada, the number of those attending church continues to decline. Citing statistics published in May’s edition of The Anglican Journal, one pundit wrote an article entitled, The Collapse of the Anglican Church of Canada where “collapse” was not a reference to a future event. Many respond to such dismal news piously: “God’s Church will never disappear,” they say, “there will always be a remnant.” Such sentiments are, of course, true, but they bring little comfort to the congregational treasurer who must inform the church council that they are no longer able to afford a fulltime minister.
It is natural to try to identify the causes of decay in the things that the Church is or is not doing, usually in relation to the Gospel. But my predecessor, Principal Reg Stackhouse, ever the sociologist, used to temper the revivalist enthusiasm of students wanting to recreate the full churches of their youth by overlaying graphs of church attendance and immigration statistics. We cannot ignore the fact that in the non-Indigenous context, the most significant factor in the Church’s growth is not evangelism or discipleship. It is the arrival of Christians on Canada’s shores.
A recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center estimates that half of those migrating to North America are Christian. Immigration Canada predicts we will have welcomed half a million newcomers in 2024; many of them will appear at church doors. Indeed, quite a few already have. Many of our alumni can testify to the welcome presence of immigrant families in their congregations, and I have seen a growing number of dioceses bringing on clergy from Asia, Africa, and India. Thirty percent of our student body is made up of students who hold citizenship outside of Canada, and we expect this number to increase.
A few years ago, the faculty and Board of Wycliffe College began to ask whether our graduates were being adequately prepared to meet the challenges of ministry in a multi-ethnic, intercultural context. While offering a rigorous and deep grounding in Scripture and theology, were we giving sufficient attention to how to frame pastoral work in situations where members of the congregation have different understandings of worship, leadership, community, and dealing with crisis?
In 2023, Wycliffe appointed new faculty who will help us more effectively equip students for these realities. Last autumn we were pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr Boram Lee as our Professor of Pastoral Care and Practice. A Korean who has received much of her education in the United States and Canada, Dr Lee is skilled at understanding and interpreting cultural difference.
In January 2025 we look forward to the arrival of Dr Victor Ezigbo as our first Professor of Global Christianity and Intercultural Ministry. Dr Ezigbo’s career has been focused on the theological,
missional, and intercultural issues pertinent to Christian witness in the world, and he has taught in Africa, the United States, and the UK. We look forward to having him engage our students in discovering how the Gospel works in contexts of racial and ethnic diversity.
For one of the glories of the Christian faith is its capacity to transform peoples and cultures in every part of the globe. In the moments when all seems to be on the verge of collapse, let us be encouraged by the Seer’s vision of “all races and tribes, nations and languages, standing before the throne and the Lamb,” and let us join with them in crying: “Victory to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9).
In the following pages you will meet some of our current students and alumni, hear the invitation to hope in the future of the local church that is being issued by Wycliffe College’s Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research, and read about the visit of the Rev. Dr Michael F. Bird in September. We are thankful for all that God is doing at and through Wycliffe College, and for continued partnership with those who support us by prayer and by gift, making it possible. As you read these pages, please join us in gratitude for the privilege of seeing God at work in our midst.
Grace and peace,
The Rt Rev. Dr Stephen Andrews
Principal and Helliwell Professor of Biblical Interpretation
Fleming Rutledge Chair in Biblical Theology
We are pleased to announce plans to establish the Fleming Rutledge Chair in Biblical Theology at Wycliffe College. It has long been our deep conviction at Wycliffe that the Bible ought to be engaged theologically. Students formed in this way can faithfully interpret the Word of God and carry it throughout the Church.
The holder of this Chair will promote the theological interpretation of Scripture among faculty and within the curriculum, resource alumni, the academy, and the broader Church through publications and events, lead Wycliffe’s Centre for Scripture and Theology, and more. We will have more to say about this exciting initiative in the coming months, including words from Wycliffe’s dear friend the Rev. Mrs Fleming Rutledge herself.
If you would like to join in the effort to establish this Chair, please contact Shelley McLagan, Director of Development & Communications at shelley.mclagan@wycliffe.utoronto.ca
New Chaplain
Wycliffe alumnus, the Rev. Chris Dow, returned to Wycliffe this past August as the new Chaplain. A 2012 graduate, Chris is deeply grateful for the holistic theological training he received here and is eager to contribute to the formation of the next generation of students.
As Chaplain, Chris oversees the College’s worship life and plays an active role in the spiritual growth and development of students. His involvement includes classroom teaching, community-building, field education, leadership development, and pastoral care.
You will find Chris leading morning and evening prayers in the Chapel, attending Tuesday Community Dinners, or spending time in the Refectory, getting to know students and guests. He is also available for one-on-one pastoral care and is eager to support the wider Wycliffe community.
Why have a Reformed House of Studies at an evangelical Anglican seminary?
The Rev. Dr Lyndon Jost, (MDiv W16, PhD W22) Director of the Reformed House of Studies (RHS), believes that the Reformed theological tradition, particularly as it developed through the neo-Calvinist and Old Princeton traditions, has much to contribute to and learn from the evangelical Anglicanism of Wycliffe College. He believes that these traditions, brought together within the seminary, not only complement and challenge each other, but also refine one another, ultimately leading to mutual strengthening.
Continuing this work, Wycliffe College hosted Dr Michael Allen from Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, who taught a course on Covenant Theology and spoke at the second annual RHS conference held at Wycliffe in November.
In addition, the RHS now hosts monthly gatherings for fellowship and discussion, events to which all members of the Wycliffe community are warmly invited.
The Women’s Breakfast
Wycliffe College Women’s Breakfasts are held twice each year and hosted by Dr Marion Taylor. Many women face significant financial challenges in pursuing theological education and Marion is committed to helping them on their journey.
“Although the primary goal is to raise bursary money for our students, these breakfasts do much more than that,” Dr. Taylor explains. “They raise up a group of women who pray for these students, befriend them, and support them as they prepare for various ministries.”
Breakfasts are hybrid events: women may attend in-person, online via Zoom, or participate in livestreams to a host-church or small group. Women’s Breakfasts include testimonies of faith from remarkable Wycliffe students. Souls are nourished through shared learning about the Bible, and stories about the lives of courageous women of faith through the ages who pushed boundaries and preached with their voices and pens.
Consider hosting a Wycliffe College Women’s Breakfast at your church or small group in 2025. Email caitlyn.shevchenko@wycliffe.utoronto.ca for more information.
Imaginative possibilities
An update on the Ministry Apprenticeship Program
The Ministry Apprenticeship Program (MAP) is a year-long immersive program, run by St Paul’s Bloor Street in Toronto, for young adults discerning whether they are being called to ordained ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada. Wycliffe College has partnered with St Paul’s to offer apprentices the opportunity to take seminary classes and live in a seminary community—a potential next step on their vocational journeys.
The program’s first apprentice, Miranda Peters, is now a postulant in the Diocese of Toronto, and attends Virginia Theological Seminary. Miranda lived at Wycliffe, took courses, and jumped into various aspects of ministry at St Paul’s. “We look forward to seeing her come summer times,” says the Rev. Dr Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, MAP Director and Associate Priest at St Paul’s. “Miranda made a huge contribution to our community while gaining insight into what ministry is like and what it means to be really passionate about following Jesus, led by his Spirit, in an urban context.”
Today, apprentices come from diverse backgrounds with different contextual needs. As a result, the 2024–2025 Program introduced part-time and non-residential tracks. Grace Park and Alex Leong are the apprentices for the current program.
Grace will participate in diverse ministry experiences at St Paul’s as she discerns whether God is calling her to ordained ministry. Born in South Korea, she spent her teenage years in New Brunswick and recently graduated with her MDiv from Wycliffe. Alex is completing his undergraduate studies in Life Sciences at the University of Toronto. Alex has enjoyed a rejuvenation of his faith, was baptized at St Paul’s, and is interested in exploring what God has in store for his life. His MAP journey will see him assume some Sunday duties along with weeknight ministry.
MAP was put in place to meet the “crisis in vocation” facing churches today. For Dr Wigg-Stevenson, the crisis is still here. “In North America it seems that young people do not consider ordained ministry as a career. The numbers just aren’t there.” He affirms the important work that MAP is doing as it encourages young people to consider the “fragile vocational posts” of ordained ministry. “God does the calling, and MAP is there to give space and context for young people to think through that call and the questions that come with it, all in a space where they are supported and informed.”
As word gets out about MAP, he hopes the fact that such a program exists will create imaginative possibilities for young people, and that they will have adults in their lives who will say, “Test this program out and see if it will fit.”
Marion Taylor
First MAP graduate Miranda Peters. Photo courtesy St Paul’s Bloor Street.
CONVOCATION 2024
Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
University of St. Michael’s College
Conferred November 2023
Tiffany Christine Robinson
The Degree of Doctor of Theology
Susan Jennifer Anne Bell
Jonathan Kok Meng Wong
The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Geoffrey Roland Butler Caris Kim
Moolman
The Degree of Master of Theology
Krista Marie Dowdeswell
Andrew Mark Kaye
Ryan Paul Klassen
Samuel Gihan C. Mills
The Degree of Master of Arts
Alanzo
Samuel David Stewart
The Degree of Master of Divinity
Daniel Lee
Man Nga Mabel Leung Rajini Lyman
Grace
Robert Garth Petkau
Mackenzie Kay Wolf
Melissa Lynn Ytsma
The Degree of Master of Theological Studies in Development
Sasquia Yojana Antunez Pineda Roderick Darnell Jacob Cohen
The Degree of Master of Theological Studies
Anna Chrishanthi Anandarajan
Steven Clark Barker
Paul Arthur Baskcomb
David William Clinker
Gwen
Amira Maged Moawad Elias
Christine Huei Soong P’ng
Daniel
John
Conjoint Certificate in Theological Studies
Nicholas William Beckett
Matthew Tzan Chian Chan
Gary Cornelius Dumbrill
Hee Lee
Nancy Winifred Phillips
Certificate in Anglican Studies
Andrew Crowson
The Degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa)
The Rev. Canon Dr Barry Trevor Parker
The Degree of Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa)
Mrs. Shaila Visser
Honorary Alumnus
Mrs. Cindy Derrenbacker
It has been a privilege to journey alongside you, and we pray that God keeps your footsteps firm as you live out His purpose for your lives.
Publications
Professor Emerita of Evangelism, the Rev. Dr Judy Paulsen wrote A New and Ancient Evangelism: Rediscovering the Ways God Calls and Sends (Baker Academic Press, 2024). Launched at Wycliffe on October 10, 2024, this book recovers the ancient tradition of the Church’s evangelism, rooted in the conversion stories of the Bible, to offer a truly biblical understanding of evangelism.
Professor Emerita, New Testament, the Rev. Dr L. Ann Jervis’ book Paul and Time: Life in the Temporality of Christ, investigates Paul’s conception of the exalted Christ’s time; and of the time lived by those joined to Christ. She offers a new understanding of Paul’s eschatology and of the meaning of suffering, sinning, and death in the Christian life. This book challenges the prevalent already/not yet presentation of Paul’s Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology (Baker Academic Press 2023).
FACULTY
Professor Emeritus, Historical
Theology, the Rev. Dr Ephraim Radner’s book Mortal Goods: Reimagining Christian Political Duty examines how Christians might more faithfully and realistically imagine their political vocation (Baker Academic Press 2024).
Podcasts
DR JOSEPH MANGINA
The Living Church podcast E131 Figural Graffiti with Joe Mangina —The Living Church
Figural Graffiti discusses the ancient method of figural reading of Scripture, what we lose without it, and the freedom it gives to disciples and Christian leaders.
THE REV. DR LISSA WRAY BEAL
Alabaster Jar podcast S4 E31 The Alabaster Jar Podcast—Lynn Cohick, PhD
This panel discussion explores personal stories and research findings on women in ministry, biblical texts that have been misused against women, experiences of gender discrimination, and glimpses of hope in education and leadership opportunities for women in the Church.
DR MARION TAYLOR
Common Ground: Conversations about God S2 E2
Dr Marion Taylor and Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman Lee discuss
women interpreters of the Bible, their own spiritual questions, and what they are doing to find answers.
News
Professor Emeritus the Rev. Dr Ephraim Radner and Professor Emerita the Rev. Dr Annette Brownlee
Over the past few months, the Rev. Dr Ephraim Radner and the Rev. Dr Annette Brownlee, both now fully retired from Wycliffe, have been actively engaged in various initiatives within the broader Anglican Church.
In November, they led sessions in the clergy formation program in the Diocese of the Arctic, meeting with deacons and clergy-in-training in Iqaluit to address topics of suffering and pastoral care.
In December 2023, they participated in an ongoing catechism-writing project in Cairo, Egypt, alongside representatives from around the world. Then, in February 2024, they spent time with the Maori Anglican Church in New Zealand, studying its history and current ministry practices.
The Rt Rev. Mwita Akiri retires
Bishop Mwita Akiri will retire as Bishop of Tarime, Tanzania, in March 2025 after 43 years of combined lay and ordained ministry. Wycliffe College is grateful Bishop Akiri will maintain his role as Adjunct Professor of African Christianity at the College. Bishop Akiri will continue to serve as External Examiner for Uganda Christian University.
The Rev. Dr Ephraim Radner
The Rev. Dr L. Ann Jervis
The Rev. Dr Judy Paulsen
MEET DR VICTOR EZIGBO
By Karen Stiller
“I’m really excited,” says Dr Victor Ezigbo, Wycliffe College’s first Professor of Global Christianity and Intercultural Ministry.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of what Wycliffe is doing, and contributing to [Wycliffe’s] vision and commitment to creating a place where Christian leaders, thinkers, and scholars can come, study, and take their Christian faith seriously, but also do high quality scholarship.”
Ezigbo, who takes up his role in January, joins Wycliffe from Bethel University in Minnesota, where he has served as Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies since 2008. The husband and father of two is author of four books, with his most recent title: The Art of Contextual Theology: Doing Theology in the Era of World Christianity (Cascade Books, 2021), offering a hint to one of his greatest theological loves.
“One of the things that distinguishes the Christian faith from others is that it is inherently translatable,” he says. “People encounter the Christian Gospel from within their own stories, experiences, and cultures. This is a very important principle in the Christian faith. New theological questions always arise whenever the Gospel encounters a new cultural context, because people are going to address their questions to the faith and to Christ, as people who are part of their own culture.”
Wycliffe students are encouraged to bring the questions of their own communities into their studies. “I’m hoping to do a few things as I come alongside the students. I do really hope, and this is very important to me, that I can help them to discover their own voices as Christian leaders, as Christian scholars, and thinkers,” says Ezigbo.
“I will do that by nudging them to be attentive to the kinds of questions the communities they are hoping to serve are asking about the Christian faith. In nudging them, they will discover their own voices and sharpen their theological skills.”
As a student, Ezigbo completed his MTh and PhD in Theology and World Christianity at the University of Edinburgh. He did his MA in Systematic Theology at Wheaton College. Before that, Ezigbo studied for his BA in Theology at ECWA Theological Seminary in Nigeria.
He recalls the stark contrast he experienced with the multitude of resources at Wheaton, compared to what he knew to be the experience of many African theological students: “On my first day in classes, I went to the bookstore and bought all my books. It struck me that I had all my books. When I was leaving Wheaton, I returned to the little bookshelf where those 10 books were. I prayed in front of my bookshelf. I asked God to help me bring these resources to the doorsteps of those who might not have the opportunity I have.”
Ezigbo founded the Centre for Research in Global Christianity (CRGC), a nonprofit dedicated to helping provide “topnotch education for African leaders who are committed to present Jesus Christ as God’s good news in their communities.” (www.crgc-us.org).
Among other activities, CRGC operates a library filled with books (with new volumes regularly added) and academic journals relevant to African Christianity and African theologies, and the questions that the students who enter will bring from their own communities and contexts.
The excitement is clear in Ezigbo’s voice when he talks about this project, and when he discusses his life as a teacher. “As a scholar I’ve learned so much from my students. I always enjoy engaging them, as we watch them develop and sharpen their own way of thinking. I love to mentor. It’s really part of what I hope to do when I’m at Wycliffe. I love learning. I love discovering. I love teaching.”
STUDENT FOCUS
Obeying God’s call
Bancha (Joe) Karonsontawong began his MTSD at Wycliffe in the winter of 2023. He grew up in a Buddhist family in Bangkok, Thailand. While taking his MBA at Louisiana Tech University he heard the Gospel and accepted Christ. Upon his return to Bangkok, he worked for 23 years in finance and business while serving his church as the English language translator for visiting preachers during services and events. Bancha shadowed dozens of preachers over those years.
His life changed after hearing a sermon on Matthew 25:35–40. “I was full of pride. I was enjoying my life being a big boss with a team, making money,” he remembers. Yet God’s calling from those verses was clear: “I was to leave that life. God wanted me to use my professional experience for His kingdom.”
God answered one prayer after another as Bancha chose to obey, making the decision to pursue theological studies at Wycliffe College. Most importantly, Wycliffe staff affirmed his desire to enrol. “I had thought that Wycliffe had made a mistake in accepting me because I didn’t have theological training or background. I was afraid I wouldn’t make it.” His experience has been the complete opposite: “My professors invite me to drop by so we can review theological terms and talk through what I don’t understand.”
Bancha now pastors Ontario’s only registered Thai-speaking congregation. As part of the church’s outreach, he visits Harriston where hundreds of migrant Thai workers labour on the farms. “They don’t understand English,” he says. “They are lonely and vulnerable.” Once every two months, he visits the farms, leads Bible studies, and shares the gospel. “Wycliffe is giving me confidence and the tools to teach, preach, and offer pastoral care,” Bancha affirms.
Going Deeper
Sam Stewart is one of four Wycliffe Advanced Degree Students who recently received a 2024 Ontario Graduate Scholarship. This program provides merit-based scholarships to Ontario’s best graduate students in all disciplines of academic study.
Sam grew up in a Christian home in Stratford, Ontario. He discovered his passion for theological studies as he taught the Bible to children and peers. “I began to ask deeper questions about what I was learning and that process pushed me,” he recalls. “My personal passion became an academic one.”
After completing an MDiv online at Carolina University, Piedmont Divinity School, and an MA at Wycliffe in 2024, Sam began his PhD in Theological Studies. Being onsite gave him a taste of community at Wycliffe. From Theology Pub Nights to ball hockey games and dinner events, Wycliffe’s intentional fostering of community has impacted him as much as the quality of faculty scholarship, teaching, and care he has received.
Sam experienced that faculty care as his interest in academics deepened. “My supervisor Dr Stephen Chester is phenomenal,” he says. “He’s been instrumental in developing my academic and biblical scholarship.”
Living in Toronto, Sam couldn’t help but learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its findings. Wanting to stay in academics and teach in the field of theological education after his studies, he soon realized that wherever God called him, he would want to pay attention and give voice to marginalized peoples, “listening with ears wide open” to their stories.
He has shifted his PhD research focus to explore decolonization. Through his research, he wants to offer a way forward for future ministry workers to think about language and the unacknowledged dynamics of power in their respective contexts.
God can do everything
Now a second year PhD student in Old Testament, Hiu Yan Mak began her journey with Wycliffe College right after receiving her MA from the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto and becoming a first-time mother.
Already armed with a BA in Religious Studies and an MDiv from universities and seminaries in Hong Kong, Hiu Yan found it fruitful to enter a graduate school of theology like Wycliffe that offers students chances, in and out of class, to encounter diversity in background and denominational traditions. “I’m eager to have conversations with different disciplines and traditions,” she says. “At Wycliffe, we can support each other and respond to God’s call together. Our aim is not only to achieve excellence in theology; we contribute and share our experiences and traditions to see how God has guided us. God can do everything in everyone’s journey. He works in our diversity.”
Hiu Yan feels God is calling her to work in theological education when she returns to Hong Kong, perhaps Old Testament studies at a seminary. And even though she has only been at Wycliffe for a year, her professors have become her role models: “I want to be a person who introduces a bigger world to my students while also being pastoral in the classroom and seminary setting.”
Roots and wings
By the time she enrolled in Wycliffe’s MDiv program, Kathleen Krynski had already responded to God’s call to ministry in concrete ways while studying at Queen’s University in Kingston: she had cancelled her final year at teacher’s college and interned for a year with Power To Change at the university.
Arriving at Wycliffe, she found a diverse student community, a world-class faculty, and a commitment to evangelical Anglicanism that enriched her spiritual formation in ways she had not expected.
Though Kathleen grew up and continues to flourish in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, having Anglican grandparents meant she was already familiar with the rhythm of Wycliffe College’s chapel services. “Allowing liturgy and Scripture—whether spoken, sung, or read from The Book of Common Prayer—to permeate every aspect of collective worship is a beautiful thing,” she says. She realised how being grounded in Scripture enhances the call to experience the presence of God emphasized by her Pentecostal upbringing. “God is showing me the value of staying open to how He can use different traditions to reveal Himself to people.”
This broadening of Kathleen’s spiritual formation hasn’t stopped there. “My biggest take away from Wycliffe will be what faculty and peers from all denominational streams have taught me—to not allow anything to eclipse Jesus Christ and my devotion to Him.”
Katheen’s calling has shifted during her time at Wycliffe. With her love of learning and academics affirmed by others at the College, she wants to do further studies and possibly teach. But her immediate next step after finishing this program will be to continue to serve in a church.
FEATURE
TIMELESS TRUTHS
The Rev. Dr Michael F. Bird visits Wycliffe College
By Renee James
“What do we do when power listens and asks us to step up?”
From September 22 through 24, Wycliffe College hosted the Rev. Dr Michael F. Bird for a series of speaking engagements. From a rousing public lecture on Sunday night and an equally engaging address at the Principal’s Dinner on Monday, to the sharing of his testimony at a pastors’ breakfast Tuesday morning, Dr Bird challenged and encouraged his listeners to reconsider the call to discipleship and mission at the heart of the Gospel.
Bird is one of today’s most celebrated contemporary Christian authors. An Anglican priest, biblical scholar, theologian, and Deputy Principal of Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia, he has published over 30 books. His most recent book, Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness In An Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies (co-written with N.T. Wright) formed the basis for his talks at Wycliffe.
Lifting themes from this book, he spoke on the kingdom of God, Christian political witness, and the relationship between Church and State. No surprise then that Christian nationalism, the Christian roots of procedural secularism and liberalism, divine providence, useful forms of political engagement, colonization, empire, globalization, disability theology, liberal democracy, and discernment emerged as talking points both in his speeches and in the questions posed during the public lecture.
Bird drew on a mix of Church history, the history of empire-building, examples from Australian, British and American politics, global current affairs, and anecdotes to illustrate his points and
answer questions. While sharing at the public lecture about some of the jokes he would play on his graduate students, he broke into song, altering the lyrics of Mary, Did You Know?” to highlight the political witness and power of the Magnificat. “Sadly, that one song is all most people will remember from this lecture,” he laughed.
Humour aside, Bird addressed the weight of the “interesting, dangerous, dire, and terrible times” in which we live with an earnest call to bear witness to Jesus Christ by loving the Lord our God and loving our neighbour. Acknowledging that Church/State relationships will only become more complex, he named the tension within which most churches live. Understanding that Jesus is Lord and King, and that we are called to build for the kingdom of God, do we “withdraw from political engagement” and “stick to spiritual things and live under the radar,”
(Romans 13) or do we “speak truth to power (Revelation 13)?”
For Bird, the more pointed question is one of discipleship and witness: “What do we do when power listens and invites us to step up?” How are we to live?
We must find something that inspires us, that moves us, and then commit to it, he says. “The single greatest threat to the Church today isn’t liberal secularism. It’s the apathy and indifference of … people who are committed to Christ [only] up to the point where it’s convenient. Christ tells us to do hard, crazy, impossible things … and we do them because He’s asked us to do so!”
Bird acknowledged that what each church and Christian will do in obedience to this call to build for the kingdom will be different. His response has been to become Ridley College’s Deputy
Principal, “gospelize” his students, become a priest, and do what he can to help shut down the gambling cartels in Australia. We may be called to email our MPs, pray Psalm 31 with a group for ongoing wars, mentor a university student far from home, or pray for our pastors, to name a few possibilities. Those in power may ask us to sit on a committee. “Don’t fall into the trail of skepticism that says we can’t change the system, and we can’t make a difference,” he declared.
“Put your faith where your fear is!”
Perhaps Bird’s biggest impact on Wycliffe College will be the contextualized hope he articulated. He encouraged us to remember that God builds the kingdom, Jesus Christ is the risen King and therefore Lord of Church and State, and we are each called, by God, to anticipate
and participate in the kingdom’s consummation through our faithful acts of service and mission.
The Rev. Dr Michael F. Bird loves God and that was never so clear as in his charge to listeners: “Live out your discipleship. Because He is risen, we can commit ourselves to building for the kingdom, to the redemption, to the liberation of all things up until the day when all creation is healed. What we do in the here and now will echo into eternity. What we do in Christ and by the Spirit in the present is not abandoned or discarded. It will carry forward.”
Timely truths for Wycliffe College and for us all today.
You may enjoy more of Dr Bird’s writings and insights on his Substack account Word From the Bird.
“The single greatest threat to the Church today isn’t liberal secularism. It’s the apathy and indifference of … people who are committed to Christ [only] up to the point where it’s convenient. Christ tells us to do hard, crazy, impossible things … and we do them because He’s asked us to do so!”
TWO YEARS IN
An update from Wycliffe College’s Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research
By Dr Stephen Hewko
In a small, once-thriving community, the local church stood as a beacon of hope, a place where generations gathered for worship, fellowship, and service. But over the past few decades, the pews that were once filled with energetic congregants have gradually emptied. The Sunday School classes that buzzed with children’s laughter are now eerily quiet. The congregation, once vibrant, now struggles to maintain its numbers.
This decline isn’t isolated to one church or community; it’s a trend that has been echoing across denominations, causing widespread concern among church leaders and members alike.
The challenges posed by declining attendance and shifting cultural attitudes have forced church leaders to rethink how Church is done. With fewer people
in the pews and an increasing number questioning the relevance of traditional church structures, the need for a deeper understanding of these changes has never been more urgent.
Church leaders are increasingly turning to data as a vital tool for navigating this complex landscape. This datainformed approach hopes to provide a clearer picture of underlying issues and opportunities. Whether it’s experimenting with new forms of worship, engaging with digital platforms, or addressing the specific concerns of younger generations, the insights gained from data are proving essential. Understanding these changes isn’t just about preserving institutions; it’s about finding new ways to fulfil the Church’s mission in a rapidly changing world. In the last two years, we have embarked
How often do you feel the following characteristics are present in great churches?
(RANGE 0-10, N = 128-133, +/- 2%) POWER BI DESKTOP
Loves God/Jesus
Welcome new people
Modelled after Jesus (i.e. Christ-centred)
Act in a spirit of service, hospitality, and generosity
Loving and warm toward each other
Strong sense of community/spiritual family
Have a clear sense of purpose and mission
Live authentically and truthfully
Rooted in the Bible (i.e. as “Word of God”)
Connection and belonging among members
Are filled and led by the Holy Spirit
Feature healthy and graceful relationships
Care for and supports spiritual community
Feature impactful sermons, particularly Bible focused
Support ongoing spiritual growth
Create opportunities for impactful, collective worship
Engage and serve their wider community
Filled with active, passionate, vibrant members
Engage in and share “The Gospel”
Have fun and joyful environments
Foster an accepting and inclusive environment
Promote intergenerational participation/relationships
Meet the needs of children, youth, and families
Are open to change and new ideas
Promote social justice
Promote diverse engagement/perspectives
Value traditions/orthodoxy
Run a variety of impactful programs
Are growing numerically
on a journey to better understand the dynamics of the Canadian Church.
Through studies like The Pandemic Turn: Loss and Transformation in the Post-Pandemic Church, we are analyzing patterns of attendance, giving, and leadership to identify the varied trajectories churches have taken as they navigate the post-pandemic landscape. Complementing this study, our Birth Plan initiative, led by Dr James Watson, delves into the challenges and opportunities of church planting in Canada, providing critical insights into the factors driving both growth and decline in new congregations. Dr Wing Wong’s The Failure Curve investigates the phenomenon of terminal decline in churches and highlights how some congregations have successfully revitalized against the odds. Meanwhile, Bending
the Curve, under Dr Elizabeth Millar, examines the characteristics of churches that have transitioned from mere survival to significant growth, offering valuable lessons for others.
Adding a cutting-edge dimension to our work, we are utilizing Artificial Intelligence analysis to sift through vast amounts of church trend data, enabling us to uncover patterns and correlations that might otherwise remain hidden. This innovative approach not only enhances the depth of our research but also equips church leaders and denominations with actionable insights for the future.
So, what is the data from 35,000 churches, gathered from 35 years of Canadian Revenue Agency filings, telling us? Preliminary results show that the narrative of decline does not tell the entire
story. While it is true that pockets of the Church are feeling the immense pressures of contraction, other areas are showing surprising resilience and growth.
For example, Quebec, often considered a secular wasteland, has a greater than expected number of churches in strong decline. Conversely, Quebec also seems to have more churches than expected growing at incredible rates. While other provinces seem to have more stable clusters of churches, Quebec seems to have churches experiencing polarized trajectories.
Uncovering the stories of these churches and understanding the contexts in which they develop could provide valuable insights to ministry in a post-Christian secular context. With machine learning, we can analyze thousands of different permutations and trends and uncover many interesting anomalies. Although not replacing traditional mixed-methods research or theological reflection, machine learning offers a starting point for new and critical conversations.
While data offers invaluable insights into the trends and challenges facing the Church, it is essential to remember that the true life of the Church is a work of Jesus and is guided by the Holy Spirit. Numbers and analyses can tell us much about where we’ve been and where we might be headed, but they do not dictate the future. The Spirit moves in ways that transcend human understanding, often leading us onto unexpected and transformative paths.
As church leaders and members, our task is not to rely solely on data, but to use it as a tool for deeper discernment. The patterns and trends we observe through careful analysis are opportunities for us to listen more closely to what God might be saying in this moment. They invite us to be attentive to the ways the Spirit is at work in our congregations, communities, and beyond. By engaging with data in a posture of humility and openness, we can better align our actions with God’s ongoing work, ensuring that the Church remains a living, dynamic witness to the Gospel in an everchanging world. Information about the Centre and our studies can be found at ciecr.wycliffecollege.ca.
ALUMNI FOCUS
Passion for peace: Courtney Reeve MTSD W18
Courtney has been living in Palestine for two years and is in her final year of a professional doctorate at Durham University, England. Titled Divine Encounters Amidst Occupation and Genocide, her research is an immersive theological ethnography with Musalaha, a faith-based organization that works to foster reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis.
After the October 7, 2023, attack, Courtney made the decision to stay in Palestine/Israel. She felt it was crucial to remain in the field to build trust, and to consider the role of coloniality in her research. Being a white, English-speaking, educated person, she found it essential to maintain relationships with those with whom she worked, and to allow the process to inform her work.
Courtney graduated from Wycliffe’s MTSD program, which bridged her understanding of Christ’s presence in the world and her passion for justice. Bringing these elements together was profoundly formative for her current work. The MTSD prepared her to see how theological principles take shape and find meaning in people’s daily lives—her primary concern.
Courtney is committed to freeing people from oppression by following in the footsteps of Jesus. For her, it’s not just about personal confession of faith but also about the Church’s responsibility to be the hands and feet of Christ—feeding the hungry, comforting the imprisoned, and responding with faith and justice. Acting in this way is a vital expression of her theology.
Courtney’s time at Wycliffe helped her make meaningful connections between studies and real life, igniting passion, belief, and a deeper connection to the world. As she completes her PhD dissertation in Palestine, she hopes her writing will illuminate the complexity and possibility of building peace justly.
When your “second act” fulfils a lifelong calling: the Rev. Paul Baskcomb MTS W24
Paul retired from a successful professional career as an urban planner and manager and, after taking time for himself in prayer and reflection during the COVID-19 pandemic, he embraced the call into ministry he had felt for years. With the support of his wife, Paul began his discernment at Wycliffe in the fall of 2020.
Paul graduated this past May, was ordained a Transitional Deacon in June, and appointed to the Deanery of Sudbury/ Manitoulin. Since early in the summer he has officiated in various parishes, providing assistance where required. “The calling I’ve felt in my heart has always been ministry—to work in a parish providing leadership and pastoral care.”
Initially Paul spoke of coming to his calling almost apologetically, concerned about pursuing this path so late in life. However, he quickly realized that this perception was his alone. With his extensive life experience, strong professional skills and the blessing of good health, Paul plans to use his energy in a sustainable and generous way, God willing. “This is a journey I’m excited about. I’m embracing the learning and curious to see where God leads me in the future.”
Though much of his coursework was online, Paul valued the sense of community at Wycliffe and cherished his final two semesters on campus. Participating in daily prayers set a rhythm that has stayed with him. Wycliffe’s well-rounded theological education provided the foundation Paul needed to move forward in his new vocation.
I give glory to God as an instrument of His purpose: the Rev. Wilson Akinwale MDiv W21
As a young boy raised in Nigeria, Wilson was deeply influenced by his father, an Anglican priest. Having witnessed the many injustices his father confronted within the Church and community, Wilson initially aspired to become a lawyer, driven by a desire to advocate for people. “My father’s faithful calling, devotion, and Christlike character inspired me. His genuine faith, expressed through speaking the truth and standing up for the oppressed, motivated me to follow a similar path.”
Following in his father’s footsteps, Wilson has served as the Rector and Priest Incumbent of two parishes in Winnipeg, and has also taken on leadership roles on various boards that address racism and inequality. Notably, he serves as the National President and Board Chair of the Black Anglicans of Canada. Through these platforms, Wilson advocates for justice, equality, and equity, particularly for those marginalized within the Church.
With humility and hope for a better future, Wilson feels he is fulfilling his calling. He consistently shares stories of God’s transformative goodness in the world, promoting meaningful Christian values, and fresh expressions of faith. Wilson seeks to “disrupt, heal and lead” by confronting ongoing racial prejudices and injustices in society, believing that God has called us to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)
A spirit of unity: the Rt Rev. Dr Jenny Andison MDiv W97, Hon17
When asked about her views on Global Christianity, Bishop Jenny Andison doesn’t need to look any further than the pews and congregation of St Paul’s Bloor Street in Toronto where she serves as Rector. “We are incredibly diverse— socioeconomically, ethnically, across all ages—basically any kind of diverse you can think of! Theologically, we have people from all backgrounds, including many who are spiritually searching and not Christian. I think God really must take great pleasure in this.”
Ministering in such a context is challenging, compelling her to remain clear on the Church’s mission: to stay united on the Gospel and Jesus Christ. “By God’s grace, we strive to be united in the Gospel, the creeds, and following the Holy Spirit, regardless of our differences,” she says.
This focus on essentials, keeping the Gospel at the centre— keeping the main thing the main thing—was something she learned at Wycliffe. Secondary issues like music or liturgical style were important but not central.
Bishop Andison’s time at Wycliffe also introduced her to Harold Percy, inaugural Director of the Institute of Evangelism. It was then that she first felt the call to evangelism within the Anglican context and thought, “God, I would love to be able to do that.” She clearly remembers going to her parish placement after second year, walking up Yonge Street as she prayed earnestly for the gift of evangelism.
PAUL GILSON MTS W06
An enriched life and a deepened faith
By Karen Stiller
Twenty-two years ago, Paul Gilson sat down and flipped through his latest copy of The Presbyterian Record when an advertisement for Wycliffe College caught his eye and his interest. That day in 2002 began a journey for Paul, of first becoming a student, and then becoming a donor to the College that he says has enriched his life and deepened his faith.
“They had just started the MTS program and it was open to all denominations,” Paul says, “So I jumped on it.” Going back to school at age 50 to study theology was daunting at first. Paul worked as a civil servant in the Ministry of The Solicitor General with Corrections Canada, along with a sideline of substitute teaching. The world of biblical and theological studies was new for him. He quickly found his way in this new world.
“It was like another universe. A better universe. It was fantastic. It was so wonderful to go there,” says Paul. “There were so many wonderful people and teachers. It was just ‘Wow.’ To go back to school at that age and have this wonderful experience, words can’t really do it justice.”
Paul finished his degree in 2006. Since then, he’s continued to take courses, auditing 12 classes so far that have continued to nourish his life as a Presbyterian lay leader. “Presbyterians call them leading elders,” he says. “I preach sometimes. I’m engaged in various committees. I’ve taught adult Bible studies and Sunday schools.” He remembers a course called Preaching Beyond Predictability that helped form him as an occasional preacher. Paul still recalls the professor advising students that listeners had a 12-minute attention span. “I learned so much from that course.” And a class on Christianity and Politics was “a useful, relevant course.”
The transition from student to donor did not take much work for Paul. “You have to give back. I certainly got so much at Wycliffe. I think that would be true of most Wycliffe graduates. I found it such a wonderful experience in every respect. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.”
One of the most recent classes Paul took was a summer course where he witnessed a more diverse student body compared to when he first began studying at Wycliffe. “You had people from every part of the globe. It’s a global Church. Growing up, it wasn’t as multicultural as it is now, and it wasn’t as global. People didn’t know as much about other parts of the world. That’s a great thing that is changing,” he says. “I can see it at Wycliffe.”
As an alumnus and a friend of Wycliffe, Paul is encouraged. “Wycliffe has a great mission. All I can say is ‘Wow!’”
“To go back to school at that age and have this wonderful experience, words can’t really do it justice.”
Create A Legacy That Reflects The Life You’ve Lived
Through Wycliffe’s partnership with Advisors with Purpose (AwP), we offer Wycliffe alumni, students, staff, donors, and faculty a free, personalized plan for your Will. AwP helps you explore the connection between faith and finances, offering support for everything from simple to complex plans. They ensure your Will aligns with your life, faith, and values.
AwP also offers free webinars throughout the year, covering all aspects of estate planning with expertise and sensitivity. These sessions address special circumstances such as talking to your family about your Will, incapacity planning strategies, and harmonizing your legacy within complex family situations like blended families, addiction, or estrangement. Additional planning services are available for newcomers to Canada, parents of children with exceptionalities, and those caring for aging parents.
Your conversation with AwP will be completely confidential, with no cost, obligation, or sales pressure. Whether your estate is large or small, you can benefit from these services.
Don’t wait. Create a plan that ensures a legacy that reflects the life you lived. Contact plan@advisorswithpurpose.ca or call 1-866-336-3315 for more information about this free service today.
Nominate a Wycliffe alumnus for the Harry St. Clair Hilchey Award
The Archdeacon Harry St. Clair Hilchey Alumni Award for Distinguished Service is an honor bestowed annually upon a Wycliffe College alumnus who has made significant contributions to the Alumni Association, Wycliffe College, and/or the Church.
The 2023–2024 recipient of this prestigious award is the Rev. Canon Clifford Dee, MDiv W84. Clifford has played a crucial role in training at the Moosonee School of Ministry and has long represented the School on the Ontario Provincial Commission on Theological Education. Since graduating, Clifford has dedicated nearly his entire career to serving in the North, where he also learned the Cree language. Now retired, he resides in Waswanipi, a Cree community in the Eeyou Istchee territory of Central Quebec.
Nominations are now open and will be accepted until January 10, 2025. To learn more and submit your nomination visit www.wycliffecollege.ca/alumni/awards
Thank you for your generous support of Wycliffe College
In a world filled with uncertainty and unknown challenges, what drives someone to pursue ministry? It is Christ’s call that leads and sustains those who step forward to serve. This call also motivates us, as we prepare the Church’s current and future leaders. As we reflect on the past year, evaluating our efforts and seeking ways to grow, we are deeply grateful for your generosity. Your support makes it possible for us to provide accessible, rigorous theological education to those called by Christ, especially now when it is most needed in our churches and in the world. To make a year-end donation, please visit www.wycliffecollege.ca Thank you!
Shelley D. McLagan Director of Development and Communications
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The Wycliffe College Newsletter for Alumni and Friends October 2024, No. 95
ISSN 1192-2761 (Print)
ISSN 2563-2892 (Online)
CONNECT WITH US:
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:
The Rev. Aidan Armstrong
Jeffrey Hocking
Renee James
Shelley McLagan
Patricia Smyth
Dr Marion Taylor
The Rev. Dr Lissa Wray Beal
The Rev. Dr Lyndon Jost
Patricia Paddey
Patricia Smyth
Karen Stiller
DESIGN: Wishart by Banko Creative Studio
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
Shelley D. McLagan | Director of Development and Communications Wycliffe College | 5 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto, ON M5S 1H7 shelley.mclagan@wycliffe.utoronto.ca | 416-946-3524 | wycliffecollege.ca
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Wycliffe College Development Office
alumni@wycliffe.utoronto.ca 416-946–3549