Clergy Reslience and Podcasting

I just finished recording an upcoming Faith Trends podcast episode. The co-host, Rick Hiemstra, ploughed through my thesis and asked insightful questions about what he discovered. I'm so impressed! Outside of my PhD defence committee, no one has posed such direct questions about my 200 page research project. I'm hoping to have more opportunities to talk about my research into online theological education and pastoral formation. I would love to work with pastors, denominational leaders, and educators to discern how we equip future Christian leaders and ministers in a world increasingly saturated by Internet technology and digital devices.

After the recording I had a chance to listen to the episode where Rick and Lindsay (the other co-host) talked with Briercrest Seminary professor, Dr. Margret Clarke. Margaret is an expert on clergy resilience in Canada and her podcast interview provides a window into her research. I had the privilege of working with Margaret as part of a round table discussion on educating clergy for wholeness at Briercrest's online conference last month. I highly recommend getting in touch with her and asking her for a copy of her dissertation executive summary. It's interesting, accessible, and packed full of helpful findings. In the meantime, feel free to listen to her Faith Trends interview here: https://soundcloud.com/faithtrends/clergy-resilience

 

St. Michael's Faculty of Theology Convocation 2021

My convocation took place last Saturday. Being conferred a degree "in absentia" is a strange experience. I watched as the kneeling registrar was hooded in my place. Watching it happen to someone on my behalf is not the same as experiencing it for myself. So, while I know I have officially crossed the graduation threshold, it's only starting to sink in. 

At the virtual convocation I received more than a degree. At around the 9 minute and 48 second mark an announcement was made and my name popped up on the screen. I was surprised, overwhelmed, and humbled. I laughed out loud. Growing up I didn't feel smart and I was certainly not academically inclined. My high school transcript shows grades in the 60's and 80's with most marks in the 70's. During my Masters degree, I became a better student. I started to learn how to write and research more effectively, thanks to my brother-in-law. Even then, I was nowhere near the top of my class. 

Last Saturday reminded me that "God chooses the foolish and weak things of the world to bring down the wise and strong" (1 Cor. 1:27).  If only my dad could have watched the ceremony. He was no academic. He actually decided to call school quits after grade 10 to work as an Oldsmobile and Chevrolet dent repairman. He tapped out of high school early and that seemed to be okay with him. That's probably why he seemed okay with me being okay with my average grades in high school. He never told me I could or should do better. Yet in time, I wanted to become a better student. If last Saturday is any indication, I guess that happened. Thanks again to everyone who helped, supported, and encouraged me along the way. 

The Convocation video is below and if you want to read the program just click here.

You can now find me on LinkedIn

I now have a LinkedIn account. Click here to see my profile. Feel free to add me to connect. 

Academic Opportunities to Teach

Now that my PhD work is behind me I am looking for opportunities to teach. I would love to find work in the field of pastoral theology--focusing on pastoral formation, congregational systems, and technology & ministry--I also know, "beggars can't be choosers".

I am grateful for the opportunity to teach two undergraduate courses for Tyndale University this past spring and summer. The head of the Christian Ministries department asked me to teach the same two courses again in 2022 and I agreed. While the courses are focused on qualitative research methods, and are therefore not exactly related to my primary field of research, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the students and helping them develop their pastoral research skills. I am looking forward to getting to know a whole new group of learners next spring and teaching the students how to become better researchers.