The Rev. Dr. Richard Topping Reappointed as VST President
VANCOUVER, BC. November 24, 2025. The Vancouver School of Theology is pleased to announce that The Rev. Dr. Richard Topping has been reappointed to a five-year term as President by the VST Board of Governors. Dr. Topping has been President of VST for over 12 years, and the St. Andrew’s Hall Professor of Reformed Studies for over 16 years. Following a recent meeting of the Board of Governors, the Right Reverend David Lehmann, Bishop, Diocese of Caledonia and Chair of the VST Board is pleased to make the announcement:
“It is with great joy and pride that the Board of Governors of the Vancouver School of Theology reappoint the Reverend Dr. Richard Topping as President. Dr. Topping is an incredible academic, an innovative entrepreneur, gifted teacher, a kind and thoughtful pastor. His leadership at VST has enabled the school to form Thoughtful, Engaged, Generous Christian Leaders. Dr. Topping exemplifies the values that the VST community holds dear. Plus, he has built new partnerships, programs, and VST has strong presence in the global academy. We are most thankful for the work of this faithful servant of Christ and his love of the school and all its members.”
In acknowledging the reappointment, Dr. Topping says, “I consider it a privilege to work with the outstanding team of the board, faculty and staff whose hard work and commitment make VST thrive in the service of the Gospel. I look forward to us making the most of the challenges and opportunities for theological education with such outstanding students in this time that requires transformative and imaginative change in the service of God’s reconciling work.”
During Topping’s presidency, the VST team has led a time of renewal with new thresholds set in student enrollment, donor commitment, innovative programming, strategic partnerships and recruitment of outstanding faculty and staff. Recent grants from the Fellowship of the Maple Leaf, the New England Company, the United Church of Canada Foundation, the Anglican Foundation, and the Lilly Foundation support initiatives in preparing Indigenous leaders for the Indigenous church, congregational vitality, strengthening theological field education and ecumenical partnerships.
To further its reach, influence, and capacity to innovate and respond to how leaders are prepared for the church in our changing world, VST has expanded its theological partnerships with institutions around the world including Durham University in the U.K., and the University of Pretoria in the Republic of South Africa for Ph.D. programs, the Sauder School of Business at UBC – through the Bob & Judy Hager Scholarships for Leadership Excellence -St Mark’s College for an undergraduate program, Huron College at the University of Western Ontario, St. Andrew’s Theological Seminary in Quezon City, Philippines, and Jakarta Theological Seminary in Indonesia. VST attracts growing numbers of students across the span of ecumenical traditions. VST is affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada, the United Church of Canada, and the Presbyterian Church in Canada, representing over 5000 churches nation-wide.
Dr. Topping’s reappointment is welcomed by VST denominational partners, students and faculty:
“We welcome the reappointment of Richard to the role of President. Richard has a deep commitment to contributing to the theological formation of leadership for the church. His energy, vision and enthusiasm are gifts.”
—The Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary, United Church of Canada and the Rev Dr Jennifer Janzen-Ball, Executive Minister, Theology and Ministry Leadership
“I am thrilled to hear that the Rev. Dr. Richard Topping has been reappointed as President of the Vancouver School of Theology. As a theology student, Dr. Topping has enlivened my faith, graciously challenging me into new perspectives. As a student minister, Dr. Topping has inspired my hope that today’s thoughtful, engaged, and generous cohort might just have some unique role to play in the evolving church, that we might just be called to tend—boldly, faithfully, and inspired by the Spirit’s urging—to the aching and joy-filled needs of the world our Triune God so deeply loves.”
—Kate Keilty, VST Student, M.Div.
“Vancouver School of Theology continues to model what it means to be an ally with Indigenous people in Canada by making room for people to grow and develop into who they were created to be. This would not have been possible without the leadership of President Richard Topping. Richard has been and will continue to be a leader who responds to the calls from Indigenous people to make room for Indigenous goals and values by making them the goals and values of the Vancouver School of Theology. Not to merely help us in the Indigenous Studies program but to be a true partner on the journey to making Canada and world a more humane place, as Creator has always intended.”
—The Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of the Indigenous Studies Program and Professor of Indigenous Theology
For additional remarks of support from faculty, denominational leaders, and friends of VST, please follow the link below.