The Rev. Dr. Joni Sancken Appointed as VST Vice President
VANCOUVER, BC. January 15, 2026. The Vancouver School of Theology (VST) is pleased to announce that The Rev. Dr. Joni Sancken has been appointed Vice President, effective January 1, 2026.
The fundamental role of the Vice President is to support the vision and mission of the Vancouver School of Theology, to participate in the President’s Advisory Counsel and if called on to assume the “duties and powers of the President when he is unable to do so for any reason.” The Vice-President fulfills a crucial role in leadership collaboration. Her appointment contributes to VST’s calling to educate and form thoughtful, engaged and generous Christian leaders in collaboration with the Indigenous Church, other faith traditions and the global church. Professor Sancken’s experience in theological education, faculty leadership and the life of the church are blessings to our school.
The Rev. Dr. Joni Sancken holds the Butler Chair of Homiletics and Biblical Interpretation at the Vancouver School of Theology. Her recent work brings preaching into dialogue with trauma studies and conflict transformation.
She holds a PhD from the Toronto School of Theology and has taught preaching to seminary students for 16 years, serving at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and for a decade at United Theological Seminary before coming to VST.
An ordained pastor in Mennonite Church USA, she is committed to non-violence and supporting pastors across diverse contexts. She is the author of Stumbling Over the Cross (2016), Words that Heal (2019), All Our Griefs to Bear (2022), and co-author of Getting to God (2023).
“I am humbled to serve in this capacity. VST consistently embodies values and commitments that demonstrate integrity and bear witness to Christian hope. It is inspiring and encouraging to engage in the work of theological education and formation with such an ecumenical and diverse community. Now more than ever, our world needs the thoughtful, engaged, and generous leadership that VST is known for.”
—Joni Sancken, VST Vice-President
“I delighted by this appointment. Professor Sancken is a valued and trusted colleague whose wisdom and broad experience of the church offer essential gifts to the life of the school. Her collaborative style, energy, creativity, good humour, and lively faith are terrific.”
—Richard Topping, VST President & Vice-Chancellor