InsightSUMMER 2016 Wycliffe’s The Wycliffe College Newsletter for Alumni/ae and Friends • June 2016, No. 81 • ISSN 1192-2761 New Principal Introducing the Rt Rev’d Dr Stephen Andrews, the 10th Principal of Wycliffe College IN CONVERSATION04 WITH... CONVOCATION06 2016 ALUMNI/AE13 UPDATES “YOUR18 KINGDOM COME” SUMMER20 READING INTERIM PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE We are living in a season of great transition BY THE RT. REV. DR. PETER MASON AS THE LORD DROVE them from the about to be – ordained. Some hailed using wisdom and creativity in max- Garden of Eden, Adam declared, “Eve, from other denominations or church imizing our effectiveness. we are living in a season of great transi- traditions. A few have achieved great However our mandate far ex- tion.” And this is such a time for Wyc- distinction in advanced academic ceeds our capacity to bring the gospel liffe College as the former Principal study, while many have honed prac- into the world. Instead we are invit- has departed for other pastures and a tical ministry skills as church planters, ed to find that Christ, the subject of new Principal is waiting in the wings. evangelists, counsellors, community the good news, is already present and Transition – change – is a constant workers, and so on. Some have given at work wherever we find ourselves. dimension of existence, although cer- up “the world” in order to serve “the Our confidence in ministry must be tain transitional moments occasionally church,” although they would be the matched – even exceeded – by humility stand apart from the normal ebbing first to recognize that the world’s most and sensitivity as we listen before and flowing of everyday life. Living effective means of redemption comes speaking, receive before giving, and positively through transition requires via the gospel – the good news – of acknowledge Christ before sharing knowing what to preserve from the Jesus Christ. Each of these graduates, Him. Christlike character shaped by past and what to discard. It includes in his or her own way, would claim to prayer, worship, scripture and mutual- striking a balance between conserving have been motivated and shaped by ity, far outweighs all other dimensions and creating. Undoubtedly George their years at Wycliffe, and for those of of preparation and practice of ministry. Sumner’s principalship has left us a us ‘of a certain age’ they become signs As my term draws to a conclusion, I rich legacy of academic and profes- of hope and an incentive to invest in give thanks for the privilege of serving sional excellence; but we look ahead the college’s future. Wycliffe College, and I pray for Prin- to Bishop Stephen Andrews’ ability to One of Wycliffe’s well-known tag cipal-elect Stephen Andrews trusting discern, evaluate, and refine that leg- lines is “Visionary Leaders with Good God’s blessing upon him in the years acy, and then create a fresh vision for News for a Vibrant Church and a Chan- ahead. Wycliffe over the next decade. ging World.” At first sight it would seem As Interim Principal, I presided obvious that our mandate is to bring Yours sincerely in Christ, over our annual Convocation, celeb- the good news to the world. A college rating the achievements of some 44 such as Wycliffe is, after all, a setting graduates. I could not help but be im- in which the gospel is defined and cla- pressed with the enormous diversity rified in sophisticated and compelling Bishop Peter Mason they represented. Many were Anglic- terms. It is where the hands-on skills Interim Principal ans, including several recently – or of leadership ministry are developed, 2 Wycliffe’s New Principal We would like to introduce you to the Rt Rev’d Dr Stephen Andrews, the 10th Principal of Wycliffe College By Rick Maranta, Director of Communications STEPHEN ANDREWS HAS WORKED in and teaches as an adjunct faculty member. ability in the area of theological education ministry, theological scholarship, and Most recently he has served faithfully and church life. We look forward to higher education for over 30 years. Earlier as the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of welcoming Dr Andrews and are excited to in his career, Stephen was a Study Assistant Algoma in Ontario. He earned his Master see where he will lead Wycliffe College in to the Rev. Dr John Stott and was ordained of Divinity at Wycliffe College and holds the service of Jesus Christ and His Church. in the Diocese of Nova Scotia in 1986. He a Doctor of Philosophy from Cambridge Dr Andrews is married to Fawna, and also was President, Provost and Vice-Chan- University. and together, they have two adult children, cellor of Thorneloe College, a founding Stephen is a long-time friend of Wycliffe Clare and Ellen. member of Laurentian University in College with impeccable credentials and Turn the page to eavesdrop on my Sudbury, where he still serves on the Board tremendous demonstrated leadership conversation with Dr Andrews 3 IN CONVERSATION WITH Dr Stephen Andrews By Rick Maranta, Director of Communications a graduate of Wycliffe (’84) I have a long colleges, and I am grateful for the chance association with the College and remain an to work with such an outstanding board, enthusiastic supporter, having served on its faculty and staff in a mission to serve the Board for the past five years. Church by preparing leaders who are godly, learned and able. RICK: What in your past experience has prepared you for this new role? RICK: How can Wycliffe College best STEPHEN: Looking back, there are many serve Christ and the Church in the things that relate to the College’s mission coming years? and I marvel at the way that this oppor- STEPHEN: Wycliffe must continue to tunity has brought them together. I hope cultivate the minds and spirits of its that my path through a variety of church students, and produce clergy, lay lead- traditions in the States will help me connect ers and academics who are theologically with non-Anglicans at the College, while literate, mission focussed, and who model my experience of Anglican evangelicalism their lives upon the scriptures. This means in working with John Stott will benefit me that the College must continue to give in understanding the College’s mission in priority to the teaching and preaching its global context. My past life as a schol- of the Word and listen attentively to the ar and an academic administrator will be wisdom of the past that has shaped our useful in supporting the needs of students tradition in the Church’s formation and and faculty, as well as promoting the College’s re-formation. We must be intentional in interests in TST and U of T. And my pos- our attempt to fashion a community that itive relationship with my episcopal col- fosters spiritual health and growth for leagues, both in Canada and in the Global individuals and families. I believe that it South, will hopefully open doors for the is only in the cultivation of a deeper College and give us the chance for a robust discipleship rooted in a love for Jesus, his engagement in the question of how best to Word, and his mission, that future leaders prepare leaders in the Church of today. will be effective in renewing the Church, and that the Church will be an effective RICK: What do you hope to achieve as instrument in transforming the world. you take on this new role? What is your hope for the College as we transition RICK: What motivated you to take the into this new period? What is your hope RICK: Is there something you would like role as Principal of Wycliffe College and for the College as we move into this to say to the community you will be why are you a good fit?” new period of transition and change? leaving as you move into this new time of your life? STEPHEN: I must say, I very much en- STEPHEN: I have a heart for theologi- joyed my role as a diocesan bishop, but, as cal education and a deep desire to see the STEPHEN: I have written to my diocese an episcopal colleague recently reminded Church grow in Godly discipleship. My to inform them of my decision to accept me, there are many who may be qualified ambition is to see Wycliffe play a vital role the position at Wycliffe and Fawna and I for the office of bishop, but fewer who have in promoting and resourcing these things will look forward to the next few months the prerequisites to lead a theological col- at a time when, both locally and globally, when we can speak to them in person. lege. I see this position as a unique place the Church needs leaders capable of mak- Algoma is a beautiful diocese whose people that brings together my gifts, passions and ing Christ real to a spiritually hungry and exhibit a warm and genuine faith. Being a experiences of leadership in the Church. confused world. Under my watch, I pray bishop here has been a fun and rewarding My experiences as both a teacher and that the College will live up to its calling experience. We shall tell them how grate- administrator at Thorneloe University, to be a ‘seminary’ – a place of planting, ful we are for the privilege of serving along with my work in the Anglican Church nurture, growth, rootedness, and forma- Christ’s mission with them, and we hope to of Canada at both parochial and national tion – as it undertakes the work of schol- encourage them as they look to the Good levels, and my unapologetic identity as an arship both within and for the Church.