Programs
Theological education combines the love of scholarship, courage to take up the issues of our time and readiness to collaborate with our local and global neighbours for the good of God’s world.
Overview
VST’s Theological, Educational, Curricular and Communal Commitments
VST’s Theological Foundations
- God calls a people from the world to be a blessing for all creation.
- The God revealed in the history of Israel and in Jesus Christ calls us to think together with tradition for the sake of the present and the future.
- We meet God’s image in our neighbour and in all creation.
VST’s Educational Objective:
We are called to educate and form thoughtful, engaged and generous Christian leaders together with friends of other faith and cultural traditions.
VST’s Curricular Goals:
- Faithful discernment of the demands of Christian service.
- Rigorous engagement with Christian tradition and contemporary learning.
- Hospitable and respectful collaboration with Indigenous spiritualities and other cultural and faith traditions for the good of all creation.
VST’s Educational Community Commits to:
- Theological education and formation (theological, biblical, pastoral, ethical, liturgical, historical, indigenous and inter-religious) for the flourishing of God’s people.
- Inspiring discerning Christian discipleship within and outside this community.
- Respect for the dignity of every person.
- Learning and scholarship undertaken with diligence and openness.
- Encouraging prophetic speech and just action for the love and welfare of creation.
Indigenous Studies Program
For the past 30 years, Vancouver School of Theology has worked in partnership with First Nations people to provide theological education in a culturally relevant and appropriate context.
Inter-religious Studies Program
We help prepare VST’s student clergy, spiritual care providers, and scholars for work in a multi-faith world. We help VST connect with groups representing various religious traditions in our region’s diverse environment. We support student spiritual formation, inter-religious learning, academic research, graduate studies, and community outreach.
UBC Sauder Program
Certificate in Leadership Excellence
The Vancouver School of Theology educates and forms Christian leaders for the 21st century. Leadership in the contemporary church requires administrative and managerial excellence.
Continuing Education
Continuing Education
Vancouver School of Theology has actively supported and promoted continuing education for almost three decades.
Summer School
Two companion summer schools are held at VST each summer: the VST Summer School and the Indigenous Studies Program Summer School.
VST Academy
VST’s mandate propels us to provide offsite continuing educational opportunities to our wider community, and courses are currently offered annually at various locations in BC, and on occasion in locations wider afield such as Alberta, Washington State, and Hawaii.