Centre for the Study of Ministry

The Centre for the Study of Ministry is as an interdisciplinary academic unit resident in the Toronto School of Theology. Its two major purposes are: (1) to administer the Doctor of Ministry program, and (2) to support and promote interdisciplinary conversation, professional development, research, and publication in the study of ministry. It was created in June 2009 by the TST Board with the support of the TST Advanced Degree Council.

At present, the regular faculty members of the Centre are professors with advanced degree teaching status at TST’s member or affiliate colleges. In addition, associate faculty members are those not yet appointed to advanced degree teaching. We are recruiting several faculty members from other divisions of the University to serve as Partners in Conversation.

The students in the Doctor of Ministry program are an extremely varied lot geographically, denominationally, and vocationally, as well as in their intended specializations within the study of ministry. A few of them are listed here.

Rationale

The principal rationale for an interdisciplinary centre for the study of ministry is that ministry is a complex socioreligious reality which cannot be understood from the resources and research methods of a single discipline alone.  Ministry covers a wide variety of human realities, including congregational leadership and pastoral care, religious education, sacred music, social advocacy, prison and health chaplaincies, evangelism, and international development.  Accordingly, students and researchers will benefit from the guidance of a wide variety of specialists in such areas as health research, social work, education, management, psychology, sociology, family studies, cultural studies, history, information science, law, and music, as well as theology and pastoral studies. Although the D.Min. program has always had an interdisciplinary dimension, the creation of the Centre for the Study of Ministry reflects a fresh commitment to promoting conversation about religious ministry among faculty members and students across the University of Toronto.

Conversation, professional development, research, publication

Through its supervision of students and academic administration, through collaborative policy-making, and through colloquia and other educational events, the Centre fosters interdisciplinary conversation among scholars in faith-based studies, humanities, health sciences, and professional faculties. It develops the skills and understanding of religious scholars in methods of qualitative research. Through benefactions and grants, the Center will support individual and team research.

The administrative structure of the Centre

The Director of the Centre (Dr. Andrew Irvine) is supported by a Steering Committee of five faculty members, and by an Advisory Council representing the University community, the wider Church, and the general public.  Two part-time administrators deal with routine operations.  The constitution of the Centre for the Study of Ministry, as found in the proposal approved by the TST Board, is linked here.

Graduates of the Centre

134 persons have graduated from the Doctor of Ministry program since 1978.  Most serve congregational or other church ministries; many are theological educators. A fairly representative sample is linked here.

Faculty members of the Centre

Regular
John R.T. Berkman, B.A. (Toronto), M.A., Ph.D. (Duke), Associate Professor of Moral Theology, Regis College: medical ethics, environmental/animal ethics, care at the end of life 

John Bowen, M.A., Cert.Ed. (Oxford), Dip.Th. (London), D.Min. (McMaster), Associate Professor of Evangelism, Wycliffe College: evangelism, culture, preaching, church planting, C.S. Lewis

Charles J. Fensham, B.Th., B.Th. Honours, M.Th., D.Th. (South Africa), M.Th. Pastoral Counselling (Waterloo Lutheran), Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Knox College: theology of mission, ecclesiology, faith and contemporary culture, intercultural theology, Reformed theology, Reformed spirituality.

J. Dorcas Gordon, B.A. (Toronto), M.Div. (Knox), Th.M. (Newman), Th.D. (Knox), Associate Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Preaching, Knox College: preaching, social science method, feminist method; formerly director of the TST Doctor of Ministry program

Alan L. Hayes, B.A. (Pomona), B.D., Ph.D. (McGill), Bishops Frederick and Heber Wilkinson Professor of the History of Christianity, Wycliffe College: Canadian Christianity, theological education, faith and culture

Andrew Irvine, B.A. (Dalhousie), M.Div. (Acadia), Ph.D. (St. Andrew’s), Lecturer in Pastoral Theology, Knox College, and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Toronto School of Theology: practice of ministry, congregational studies, clergy care

Allen G. Jorgenson, B.Sc. (Alberta), M.Div., S.T.M. (Lutheran, Saskatoon), Ph.D. (St. Michael’s), Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, Wilfrid Laurier University: word and sacrament; contemporary theology

Abrahim H. Khan, B.S. (Howard), B.D. (Yale), M.A., Ph.D. (McGill), Professor of Divinity, University of Trinity College: ethics, cross-cultural studies in religion, religious pluralism, religion and mental health, church in the public sphere

Kristine Lund, B.Sc. (Calgary), M.Div. (Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon), Ph.D. (Alberta). Assistant Principal and Director Of Contextual Ministry and Spiritual Care and Counselling, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, Wilfred Laurier University: pastoral counselling, professional ethics, leadership in ministry 

Stuart Macdonald, B.A., M.A. (Guelph), M.Div. (Knox), Ph.D. (Guelph), Professor of Church and Society: ministry, quantitative analysis, congregational development

David Pfrimmer, B.A. (Waterloo Lutheran University), M.Div. (Waterloo Lutheran Seminary), M.A. (Wilfrid Laurier), D.Min. (Princeton), Principal Dean, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, Wilfrid Laurier University: applied Christian ethics, public theology, social justice

Thomas Power, B.A. (Dublin), M.L.S. (Toronto), Ph.D. (Dublin), Adjunct Professor of Church History, Wycliffe College, and Theological Library, The John W. Graham Library of Trinity and Wycliffe Colleges: History of theological education, research methods, theological bibliography

Ephraim Radner, A.B. (Dartmouth), Ph.D. (Yale), Professor of Historical Theology, Wycliffe College: theology of Church, ministry, and sacraments

Joseph Schner, S.J., A.B. (Fordham), M.A. (Windsor), M.Div. (Regis - St. Mary's, Halifax), S.T.L. (Regis), Ph.D. (Toronto), Professor of Psychology and Psychology of Religion, Regis College: developmental and child clinical psychology, psychology of religion

Nam Soon Song, B.A. (Presbyterian College of Korea), M.A., Ed.D. (Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, Virginia), Ewart Professor of Christian Education and Youth Ministry, Knox College, and Director of the Canadian Asian Centre for Theology and Ministry: religious education, youth and children's ministry, curriculum

Michael Stoeber, B.A., M.A. (Calgary), Ph.D. (Toronto), S.T.L. (Regis), Professor of Spirituality, Regis College: philosophy of comparative spirituality (especially Christian and Hindu), religious experience, evil, suffering, eschatology, theological anthropology, ethics and spirituality. 

J. Glen Taylor, B.A. (Calgary), Th.M. (Dallas), M.Phil., Ph.D. (Yale), Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Proclamation, Wycliffe College: preaching and proclamation

Emeritus/a
Roger C. Hutchinson, B.Sc. (Alberta), B.D. (Queen’s), M.A. (Chicago), Th.D. (Victoria), Professor Emeritus, Emmanuel College, Victoria University: comparative ethics, faith and public policy, church and society

David Reed, B.A. (Barrington), M.A. (Andover Newton), Ph.D. (Boston), Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology, Wycliffe College: congregational life, family and sexuality, spiritual trends

Mary Ellen Sheehan, B.A. (Marygrove), M.A. (St. Louis), S.T.B., S.T.L., S.T.D. (Louvain), Professor Emerita, University of St. Michael’s College: theology of ministry, feminist theory and theology, method and theory-practice correlation; formerly director of the TST Doctor of Ministry program  

Associate
Maureen F. McDonnell, B.Sc.N. (Toronto), M.Div., S.T.B., D.Min. (Regis), Assistant Professor in Pastoral Theology, Regis College: ministry of spiritual direction, formation for ministry, prayer

Wanda M. Malcolm, B.A. (York), M.A. (O.I.S.E), Ph.D. (York), Professor of Pastoral Psychology, Wycliffe College: care of self for care of others, the ethics of pastoral care, forgiveness and reconciliation, an emotion focused approach to wellness and resilience

Partners in Conversation

From the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto

Lori-Anne Doloff, Mus.Bac., Mus.M., B.Ed. (Toronto), L.T.C.L. (Trinity, London), Ph.D. (OISE/Toronto), Associate Professor of Music Education: choral music; artistic development of children; narrative research methodology; reflective practice; world musics, intercultural education

From the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

Jennifer A. Nedelsky, B.A. (Rochester), M.A., Ph.D. (Chicago), Professor of Law and Political Science: feminist theory; human rights; faith and public policy; theories of judgment; history of law

From the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto

Ramona Alaggia, B.A., B.S.W. (McMaster), M.S.W., Ph.D. (Toronto), Associate Professor in the Factor-Inwentash Chair in Children's Mental Health: child and adolescent mental health issues, family violence, sexual abuse, theory and values in social work, qualitative research

From the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

Joan M. Eakin, Ph.D. (McGill), Professor, Social and Behavioural Sciences Division; Director of the Centre for Critical Qualitative Health Research; Adjunct Senior Scientist, Institute for Work & Health: qualitative research methodology; social theory; health and the social relations of work.

From the Centre for Technology and Social Development, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto

Bill Vanderburg, B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D. (Waterloo), P.Eng., F.C.A.E., Associate Professor of Civil Engineering; cross-appointed professor, Department of Sociology; Full Member, Centre for Environment; Director, Centre for Science, Technology, and Society: science, technology, and culture; environmental issues; religion and technology in the thought of Jacques Ellul

From the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Elizabeth Smyth, B.A. (McMaster), B.Ed. (Toronto), M.A. (McMaster), Ed.D. (Toronto), Professor, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning, OISE; Vice-Dean, School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto: religion and Canadian history, the rise of the professions, women religious and Canadian history, technology and learning

From the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Hazel Markwell, B.A., M.A. (Montréal), L.Th., D.Th., Ph.D. (Ottawa), Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine; Director of the Centre for Clinical Ethics, a Joint Venture of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph's Health Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto: Member, Joint Centre for Bioethics: bioethical reasoning, faith and sickness, theology of Bernard Lonergan, informed consent, organizational ethics

Giles Scofield, A.B. (Princeton), J.D. (New York University School of Law), M.A. (Yale Divinity School), Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine; Clinical ethicist, Centre for Clinical Ethics: bioethical reasoning, theology of Paul Tillich, informed consent, organizational ethics, postmodern ethics

From the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto

Vincent Shen, B.A., M.A. (Fu-Jen), M.A., M.A. (Soc. Sci. Louvain), Ph.D. (Louvain), Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Chair in Chinese Thought and Culture: Chinese philosophy and religion, phenomenology, comparative philosophy and religion, Christian thoughts and Chinese culture

From Ryerson University

Klaas Kraay, B.A., Ph.D. (Toronto), Associate Professor of Philosophy: philosophy of religion (contemporary analyses of models of God, arguments for and against theism, conceptual issues of religious diversity), metaphysics, epistemology

Governance of the Centre

Dr. Andrew Irvine, Director

Members of the Steering Committee

• Dr. Terry Donaldson, TST
• Dr. David Pfrimmer, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
• Dr. Andrew Irvine, Director
• Dr. Abrahim Khan, Trinity College
• Dr. Thomas Power, Trinity and Wycliffe Colleges
• Dr. Joseph Schner, Regis College

Members of the Academic Committee

• Dr. Alan L. Hayes, Wycliffe College
• Dr. Andrew Irvine, Director
• Dr. Abrahim Khan, Trinity College
• Dr. Kristine Lund, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary

Thank you for visiting our website. To inquire further about the information on this page, or to report an error, please contact Mike Wood Daly, the Doctor of Ministry Program Administrator.