Expansive Formation for a Welcoming Church

Developing a new intentional “introduction to Christianity” curriculum

This initiative will:

Support students who arrive without significant church background/familiarity
Provide a developed pre-seminary reading list with guided questions for all new students
Facilitate the development of new or revised introductory courses on the basics of Christianity (‘Christianity 101’), delivered ecumenically, but with attention to some denominational basics (Anglican and Orthodox)

Find out more

What is the contemporary challenge to overcome?

In addition to hearing in student surveys of the difficulty some students have in adapting to the early phase of their theological studies, the Trinity College Faculty of Divinity has also witnessed church governing bodies lament the lack of church background among many who present themselves for leadership roles.

Through its membership on the Postulancy Committee of the Diocese of Toronto, and on the Ontario Provincial Committee for Theological Education (OPCOTE), the Faculty is regularly asked how it can help the church address this growing challenge.

Will this initiative involve a new course offered at the Toronto School of Theology?

In the first year, a series of workshops will be organized to support students who arrive to do their graduate theological studies without significant church background or familiarity.

There are plans to develop this initiative into an introductory course in the coming years.