Perspectives
Published bi-annually by the Vancouver School of Theology, Perspectives magazine explores contemporary issues in theological education, and challenges the frontiers of new thought.
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Winter 2024
Summer 2024
Winter 2023
Spring 2023
President’s Message: Called to Loving Service
Perspectives Magazine
President’s Message: Called to Loving Service
Come Together, Right Now: How art can save the world from itself
Why did I call this talk Come Together, Right Now: How art can save the world from itself? Because I believe with all my being that it is critically u ...
Trust in God’s Timing
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life is the need to discern God’s timing rather than rely on my own ability or human decision to ...
Love’s Unfolding Call
“For the sake of the world, God calls all followers of Jesus to Christian ministry. To embody God’s love in the world, the work of the church requ ...
Classroom Ministry
I first felt a call to ministry when I was 15. I had made a bargain with my German parents that I would go through the rite of confirmation so long as ...
By Faith
In trying to find a common high-risk factor for heart disease, Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick writes:
The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart ...
A Journey of Unlayering
I was just beginning to plan how to write this story when I realized that for me, it is no longer about the mind but letting the heart lead.
I open ...
Indigenous Studies Program Update
Gratitude & Encouragement
I am thankful for your continued wisdom and support as we continue the journey of Indigenous Studies at the Vancouver Sc ...
To the Community of VST
It was a great privilege to visit VST again many years after I had graduated. I went with my wife Grace on the 21st of March 2024. Thank you to Princi ...
Epiphany Enlightenment
January is a time of new beginnings and hopeful resolutions—a time for new opportunities to explore bright ideas. In the theological world, it is a ...
Creativity Keeps the Crises at Bay
During my time at VST, my growing edge often came through my desire to have one foot in the classroom and the other rooted in congregational life. The ...
Open Minds, by the Grace of God
My education at VST prepared me for life in a congregational setting by giving me a sense of confidence in scripture, the Christian tradition, and the ...
Coffee & the Holy Spirit
Could you tell me a little bit about the congregational setting that you’re in?
I work at St. James’ in the Downtown East Side. I know peopl ...
All Who are Thirsty
As a student minister doing my first VST Field Education project, I served a church in rural England with the intention of “learning how to be a spi ...
Learning & Growing for Ministry
I have been blessed to be called to minister in two unique Presbyterian Church settings in two different places in Canada. After leaving VST I receive ...
Beauty & the Birds
I live on a river delta, where the Fraser River meets the Georgia Strait and the Pacific Ocean in Richmond, British Columbia. The confluence of ocean ...
Finding My Way
When I arrived at VST as a lost, young 20-something, I was without any vision or sense of vocation for my life. I loved God, but I didn’t know how t ...
Jesus the Good Gardener
When Jesus considered the lives of the people around him, he observed that many of them exist as seeds that never achieve their full potential. Althou ...
Partnerships—the Key to a Resilient Community
The two most important determinants of a truly happy, fulfilled life are social purpose and connection with others. Period. Studies everywhere—from ...
Reconciling Identity Tensions
Ross Lockhart, Vancouver School of Theology Professor of Mission Studies, along with colleagues Albert Chu (Tapestry Church and Director of the Centre ...
Gracia Prank
Moving to Canada was a long-awaited dream that became a reality on July 19, 2023, when I arrived in Vancouver. The day was a mix of excitement and anx ...
VST—a Big Small School
This fall, President Richard Topping reached out to VST’s collaborators in future-looking, contextually-grounded faith and theological education ...
Reflection & Practice
During my time at VST I’ve come to appreciate that one of our main tasks as student theologians is to bring our learnings heart to heart with the lo ...
Thoughtful for Engagement
Chancellor Evans, VST Board of Governors, Graduates, Faculty, VST staff, distinguished guests, families of our graduates, friends of VST both here in ...
Christian Formation
Loneliness, existential questioning, inadequate budget – this is what many of us experienced in our diocese during Covid-19. Basic questions about l ...
Fellowship at Auschwitz
I found out in March that I was accepted into the 2023 Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics Program (faspe-ethics.org) for th ...
The Church of the Future: Going Deeper
Someone asked me just the other day how I would advise the declining congregation of which he is part. I said, “people need to come out of church fe ...
Liberating the Imagination
Chancellor Evans, Principal Topping, members of the faculty, Board of Governors, graduands, honoured guests. I am deeply grateful for this honour that ...