National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Today marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. It's a day to honour and remember the children who died in residential schools, those who survived, their families, and communities. Growing up I didn't know anything about residential schools and their tragic history. While I don't remember learning much of anything about indigenous peoples in Canada, let along residential schools in my elementary education, I remember holding arrowheads in my hands that were found in the fields surrounding my grandparents farmhouse. I'm not sure who found them but they were a reminder of the inhabitants during a time before the land was cleared and farmed. 

I cannot imagine being forced from my home into a world where foreigners set the rules and held the power. It's the story of Canada's indigenous peoples and it's also the story of Israel's Babylonian exile. This morning I read Psalm 137 as part of my devotional reading. It was written for a people by a people who had been driven from their homeland and resettled by foreigners. I think it's a good Psalm for a day marking Truth and I pray for Reconciliation once we can come to terms with the stark conclusion in this passage: 

Psalm 137 (The Message)

137 ^1-3 Alongside Babylon’s rivers
    we sat on the banks; we cried and cried,
    remembering the good old days in Zion.
Alongside the quaking aspens
    we stacked our unplayed harps;
That’s where our captors demanded songs,
    sarcastic and mocking:
    “Sing us a happy Zion song!”

^4-6 Oh, how could we ever sing God’s song
    in this wasteland?
If I ever forget you, Jerusalem,
    let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves.
Let my tongue swell and turn black
    if I fail to remember you,
If I fail, O dear Jerusalem,
    to honor you as my greatest.

^7-9 God, remember those Edomites,
    and remember the ruin of Jerusalem,
That day they yelled out,
    “Wreck it, smash it to bits!”
And you, Babylonians—ravagers!
    A reward to whoever gets back at you
    for all you’ve done to us;
Yes, a reward to the one who grabs your babies
    and smashes their heads on the rocks!

 

 

Standards of spiritual formation and character maturity in theological education

I've been thinking about clergy formation and the role of theological schools. I've been particularly focused on thinking about standards of spiritual and character maturity. Should there be standards? If so, what would the be? How might those standards be assessed? And, should they be assessed when someone is applying to a theological school, upon graduation, at other points, or all of the above? 

According to the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), 2020 Standards of Accreditation, Standard 4.3 describes the degree for those interested in pastoral ministry [pay particular attention to (c)]:

The Master of Divinity degree is broadly and deeply attentive to the intellectual, human, spiritual, and vocational dimensions of student learning and formation in ways consistent with the school’s mission and theological commitments. The degree has clearly articulated learning outcomes that address each of the following four areas, though the school may use different terms for these areas: (a) religious heritage, including understanding of scripture, the theological traditions and history of the school’s faith community, and the broader heritage of other relevant religious traditions; (b) cultural context, including attention to cultural and social issues, to global awareness and engagement, and to the multifaith and multicultural nature of the societies in which students may serve; (c) personal and spiritual formation, including development in personal faith, professional ethics, emotional maturity, moral integrity, and spirituality; and (d) religious and public leadership, including cultivating capacities for leading in ecclesial or denominational and public contexts and reflecting on leadership practices.

The development of spiritual and moral maturity are expectations within the program. However, the ATS does not define how to assess and when to assess these areas. They do expect schools to evaluate? Standard 2 addresses evaluation:

Evaluation is a simple, systematic, and sustained process that helps schools understand how well they are achieving their missions and then helps schools use that information to better achieve their missions, especially regarding student learning and formation. 

I took a quick look at two prominent evangelical schools in Canada that confer MDiv degrees. Regent College in Vancouver and Tyndale Seminary in Toronto both require MDiv applicants to write about their personal faith and provide a pastoral reference as part of the application. This appears to show the need for some faith foundation prior to being enrolled, although there is no statement indicating what the admissions department deems "acceptable" and "unacceptable" in terms of personal faith. Much more digging is needed but, on the surface, it appears there are pre-admission minimum standards of faith for those seeking enrolment to the MDiv degree at two evangelical seminaries in Canada.

 

  

 

Pre-Pandemic Library Books

I'm staring at a stack of 49 books, stacked and ready to go back to the various University of Toronto libraries where they belong. It's the longest loan I've ever had without a renewal. According to a paper slip I found tucked into the pages of one book, I checked them out on March 11, 2020.

I'm not sure exactly when the U of T libraries first closed but it was fairly soon after I gathered them and brought them to my house. They, along with digitized articles and monographs, formed the foundation of my dissertation research. They have been my companions on this long and challenging journey. This week, I say goodbye.

I'm heading back to the U of T campus for the first time since COVID-19 took hold in our province. My renewal date has been extended, once again, but this time is the last. They need to be back to the library by the end of September. The timing works out perfectly since my dissertation defence is over and their purpose has been served. Thank you books. 

PhD Dissertation Defence Success!

On Wednesday evening this week I successfully defended my PhD dissertation. It was one of the more unusual experiences of my life, mainly because of how it happened: I finished eating supper in our dining room, walked to my closet, picked a nice shirt, sat down at my computer, clicked the Zoom link and "Voila!" I was instantly transported into a Zoom room with five examining professors and a sixth who chaired the meeting. Half the group were people I had either never met or met only once and the other half were committee members I had chosen three years ago. After being peppered with questions for close to two hours it came to an end and I passed!

I've been thinking about the people that helped me along the way. I doubt anyone finishes a PhD without an enormous investment from others. Here's a small selection of my supporters:

My wife and two kids. This degree should be awarded to them too. Their unwavering faith, patience, and profound kindness toward me while I was in the dark days of writing still astonishes me. 

Mom and Dad: My longest tenured fans. I had to say goodbye to my Dad at the halfway point of this venture. Mom is still cheering. When I was young they set me free to do whatever I wanted and believed in me. What a gift.

Doug: My brilliant Aussie supervisor. He knows more about everything than anyone I've met. Even though every one of his emails has at least one word I have to look up, he never made me feel dumb for my limited vocabulary and knowledge. He was exactly what I needed in a doctoral mentor.

Sam and Aleks. Two St. Mike's friends that are part of my PhD cohort. In person or on Zoom, their curiosity and jesting filled me with hope and laughter.

BMCC. The church my wife and I co-pastored throughout much of my program. What a gracious, warm, fun, and godly community. From Betty's cookies to conversations with Xavier, this community brought life and love to my family.

Bob. My chaplain supervisor. What an exceptional human. His kindness, understanding, compassion, and care gave me the space I needed to finish the research and writing. I could not have finished without him.

Friends. Too many to list. Friends from Owen Sound, the church in Hanover, and others along the way. Their words of encouragement and prayers carried me to the finish line.

Thank you to all who provided support and care along the way. We did it!

Quality Time in the Backcountry

My children's birthdays are seven days apart. At the end of August our family marks the occasions with balloons, cake, and fun. This year our celebrations differed from the norm. My daughter's birthday arrived while her brother was away at camp. Two days later we loaded up our car and drove her to university, the start of her third year. The next day our son returned from camp and before celebrating his special day, the two of us headed to the back-country of Algonquin park to spend a few days paddling, portaging, and camping. 

Our interior Algonquin adventure happened to be the longest time we've been alone together without digital distractions. It also happened to be one of my most meaningful father-son experiences. Other than thunder, lightning, and rain on our first night, our trip was relatively obstacle free. We navigated our way across lakes and along trails with relative ease. Finding our campsites was also a breeze, including one that made it into my "top five all time back-country sites" list. 

We spent a lot of time setting up, cooking, planning, and paddling. We also made time for swimming and conversations about school, friends, faith, and the afterlife. I felt more relaxed and rested than I have in months. It's amazing what being outside, disconnected from news, cell reception, and concerns of life did for our souls. I'm so grateful to God for those few days away with one of my favourite people.