The third year of the Reimagining Contemporary Ministries for a Renewing Church project at the Trinity College Faculty of Divinity marked a period of significant progress and impact. The project, funded by the Lilly Foundation’s Pathways for Tomorrow Phase II initiative, aims to equip future church leaders with the skills, spiritual depth, and diverse perspectives necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of contemporary ministry. Year 3 (2024) saw major strides in four key initiatives: Models and Mentors for Creative Mission, Spiritual Direction for Flexible Ministry, Advisors and Partners for a Diverse Body, and Expansive Formation for a Welcoming Church.
One of the project’s core objectives is to cultivate a network of experienced mentors and innovative ministry models to train students in adaptive and mission-driven leadership. This year, the Field Education Fridays program became a central feature of this effort, offering six sessions focusing on the challenges and opportunities of ministry in today’s world. These gatherings connected Master of Divinity (MDiv) students with seasoned practitioners in missional ministry, helping them reflect on real-world challenges in urban, rural, and multi-faith settings. Key events in this initiative included a workshop on ministering in diverse urban environments, led by Randy Williams, addressing issues of racism and economic disparity in inner-city churches. A session on New Monasticism, featuring insights from Ian Mobsby, explored how ancient spiritual disciplines can shape modern expressions of church. Another saw Alison Milbank highlight the ongoing value of the parish in Christian ministry, focusing on its inclusivity, rootedness, and capacity to embody local identity while serving as a cornerstone for community spirituality and mission.
Beyond field education, the project launched a new course on Canadian Churches and Immigration, equipping students with a historical and theological understanding of immigration’s impact on Canadian church life. Clergy from diverse congregations provided firsthand insights, making this a highly interactive and well-received course. Another highlight of the year was a keynote lecture and workshop by Rev Dr Sam Wells, who spoke on the significance of relational theology in contemporary ministry. His public lecture drew wide interest, engaging participants in discussions on the role of the church in today’s society. The following day, Wells led an intensive workshop with students and faculty, exploring practical applications of his theological insights and fostering rich dialogue on mission and ministry in a rapidly changing world.
Recognizing the need for church leaders to cultivate deep spiritual resilience, the project continued to expand its spiritual direction program. All MDiv students preparing for ordination were required to engage with spiritual directors, ensuring they received personal and pastoral guidance as they discerned their ministerial vocations. In 2024, the program made key adjustments by granting students more flexible access to spiritual direction sessions, allowing additional meetings as needed. Efforts were made to offset rising session costs, ensuring affordability. The emphasis on structured yet adaptable spiritual formation has proven effective, with students reporting enhanced clarity in their call to ministry and an increased ability to integrate spiritual wisdom into their pastoral work.
To foster a theological education that is responsive to Canada’s multiethnic and multicultural Christian landscape, the Faculty of Divinity maintained its engagement with four part-time BIPOC advisors from Indigenous, African Canadian, Chinese Canadian, and Asian Canadian backgrounds. These advisors served as mentors in residence, leading worship, facilitating retreats, and contributing to curriculum development. Their impact was particularly evident in student mentorship, offering guidance to minority students navigating seminary life and ministerial formation, guest lectures in courses like Living Tradition: Reading the New Testament, which explored Scripture through Indigenous and postcolonial perspectives, and workshops on racial justice and church leadership, helping future clergy address systemic injustices within ecclesial structures.
Recognizing that many incoming students lacked a formal theological background, Year 3 saw the launch of new introductory programs designed to make theological education more accessible. We introduced “Being With,” a 10-week formation program emphasizing relational theology and practical discipleship. The course focused on Christian formation as an experiential journey rather than a purely academic pursuit. It explored theology through relationships, encouraging students to view salvation and faith as deeply relational realities. An inclusive pedagogical approach ensured that students from all backgrounds could engage meaningfully with theological concepts. Nine students participated in the fall 2024 Being With sessions, and plans are underway to expand the course in the coming year.
Additionally, plans are in place to enhance continuing education offerings, with new courses in preaching, public speaking, and intercultural ministry. As the Reimagining Contemporary Ministries project enters its fourth year, its influence extends beyond Trinity College. Through innovative training, deep spiritual formation, and intentional inclusivity, it is shaping the next generation of pastoral leaders for an ever-changing church and world.
– Fr. Geoffrey Ready, Director, Reimagining Contemporary Ministries Initiative, Trinity College Faculty of Divinity
