And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane
by those who could not hear the music.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
by those who could not hear the music.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
Graduation, 2014
Doctor of Ministry, Regis College
Toronto School of Theology
University of Toronto
Thesis title: The Ministry of Art
Doctor of Ministry, Regis College
Toronto School of Theology
University of Toronto
Thesis title: The Ministry of Art
D.MIN PROGRESS...
SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
My written thesis was successfully defended in an oral exam.
NOVEMBER, 2013
My thesis proposal was accepted by my committee.
OCTOBER, 2012
I passed the oral exam for my D.Min. Comprehensive Paper on the Theology of Ministry! To give a better idea of where my interest is (right now...). I've posted the Introduction to my paper below.
THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY: AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill;
one will be taken and the other left.
-- Matthew 24: 41
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to provide an important transitional element in the Doctor of Ministry program – a bridge that joins together formal study from core and elective courses and my thesis proposal that will eventually follow. It is an important bridge; it must be strong enough to support the traffic back and forth between theory and praxis, and high enough to provide a clear view of how a specific theological approach, embedded within a particular ministry, is located within the broader Christian agenda. Unlike many academic programs, the Doctor of Ministry degree blends formal academic study with practical application. My theology of ministry is informed by my practice of art. It is in this context that the required Theology of Ministry paper is written and will be best understood.
Taking direction for this paper from the Doctor of Ministry Handbook, I begin by recounting some early experiences that have influenced my understanding of God – and consequently my concept of ministry. This section provides the reader with some context helpful for understanding the development of my perspective on religion in general. As an artist, my experience of ministry often takes me beyond the borders of individual denominations providing opportunities to witness and embrace a broad ecumenical viewpoint. This is illustrated by a more recent example of ministry: the creation and implementation of arts programing within the context of a formal, ecumenical, and educational setting (the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia).
The image I have adopted to describe my ministry is that of ‘religious outlier.’ While this idea will be developed more fully in my thesis, for purposes of this paper, it can be explained, in part, as a stance – a decision to position myself at the periphery of mainstream religion. This, I believe, contributes to the uniqueness of my ministry. Even so, it will be important for my theology of ministry to be grounded in the historical traditions of Christianity. I seek to accomplish this by reflecting on my ministry in the context of four traditional theological sources: scripture, tradition, culture, and experience. I will then develop my theology of ministry within the theoretical frameworks of three dialogue partners – phenomenology of mystical and aesthetic experience, neuroscience, and narrative. This exploration will result in a perspective of the relationship between theology and ministry from the standpoint of a practicing artist.
Finally, from the vantage point of my theological bridge, I will be in a position to see better the location of my ministry within the larger context of academic discourse connecting art, religion, theology, and ministry– always with an eye to practical application.
My written thesis was successfully defended in an oral exam.
NOVEMBER, 2013
My thesis proposal was accepted by my committee.
OCTOBER, 2012
I passed the oral exam for my D.Min. Comprehensive Paper on the Theology of Ministry! To give a better idea of where my interest is (right now...). I've posted the Introduction to my paper below.
THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY: AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill;
one will be taken and the other left.
-- Matthew 24: 41
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to provide an important transitional element in the Doctor of Ministry program – a bridge that joins together formal study from core and elective courses and my thesis proposal that will eventually follow. It is an important bridge; it must be strong enough to support the traffic back and forth between theory and praxis, and high enough to provide a clear view of how a specific theological approach, embedded within a particular ministry, is located within the broader Christian agenda. Unlike many academic programs, the Doctor of Ministry degree blends formal academic study with practical application. My theology of ministry is informed by my practice of art. It is in this context that the required Theology of Ministry paper is written and will be best understood.
Taking direction for this paper from the Doctor of Ministry Handbook, I begin by recounting some early experiences that have influenced my understanding of God – and consequently my concept of ministry. This section provides the reader with some context helpful for understanding the development of my perspective on religion in general. As an artist, my experience of ministry often takes me beyond the borders of individual denominations providing opportunities to witness and embrace a broad ecumenical viewpoint. This is illustrated by a more recent example of ministry: the creation and implementation of arts programing within the context of a formal, ecumenical, and educational setting (the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia).
The image I have adopted to describe my ministry is that of ‘religious outlier.’ While this idea will be developed more fully in my thesis, for purposes of this paper, it can be explained, in part, as a stance – a decision to position myself at the periphery of mainstream religion. This, I believe, contributes to the uniqueness of my ministry. Even so, it will be important for my theology of ministry to be grounded in the historical traditions of Christianity. I seek to accomplish this by reflecting on my ministry in the context of four traditional theological sources: scripture, tradition, culture, and experience. I will then develop my theology of ministry within the theoretical frameworks of three dialogue partners – phenomenology of mystical and aesthetic experience, neuroscience, and narrative. This exploration will result in a perspective of the relationship between theology and ministry from the standpoint of a practicing artist.
Finally, from the vantage point of my theological bridge, I will be in a position to see better the location of my ministry within the larger context of academic discourse connecting art, religion, theology, and ministry– always with an eye to practical application.
JUNE RESIDENCY, 2012
Regina, Jacob, Jen, Joe, Maureen (missing: Lucinda)
This photo was taken during the final residency of our Doctor of Ministry degree. We began the journey with 13 and are now at 5! (Joe is a professor for our final class together).
We are a motley crew from various backgrounds (chaplaincy, art, ordered ministry and church planter), bringing a wealth of diverse expertise to our cohort learning experience!
We are a motley crew from various backgrounds (chaplaincy, art, ordered ministry and church planter), bringing a wealth of diverse expertise to our cohort learning experience!
UPDATE: AUGUST, 2012
I'm about two-thirds through my program, looking to complete my dissertation and defence by Fall, 2013 or Spring 2014.
This journey has taken me in directions I never expected as I chiselled away at my research project. But in many ways it feels as though I've come full circle. I began with an interest in art and theology, art and spirituality, art and ministry. After completing my course work, which included studies in neuro-cognition, mysticism, homiletics, and 'the artist as a channel of grace' - not to mention the multiple courses, classes, papers, and discussions on research methods! - I have simultaneously broadened and narrowed my perspective as an artist involved in spirituality-based ecumenical ministry.
I am presently preparing my Comprehensive paper and its oral defence.
I plan to post some of that material as I move forward to my thesis proposal. I welcome and and all comments on this process as it unfolds. Simply drop me a note (using the contact form or the blog page accessed on the menu at the left) and join the discussion I hope will be created! And don't be shy about including an image!
For more information about the Arts and Theology Symposium held at the Atlantic School of Theology in June 2011, click here.
This journey has taken me in directions I never expected as I chiselled away at my research project. But in many ways it feels as though I've come full circle. I began with an interest in art and theology, art and spirituality, art and ministry. After completing my course work, which included studies in neuro-cognition, mysticism, homiletics, and 'the artist as a channel of grace' - not to mention the multiple courses, classes, papers, and discussions on research methods! - I have simultaneously broadened and narrowed my perspective as an artist involved in spirituality-based ecumenical ministry.
I am presently preparing my Comprehensive paper and its oral defence.
I plan to post some of that material as I move forward to my thesis proposal. I welcome and and all comments on this process as it unfolds. Simply drop me a note (using the contact form or the blog page accessed on the menu at the left) and join the discussion I hope will be created! And don't be shy about including an image!
For more information about the Arts and Theology Symposium held at the Atlantic School of Theology in June 2011, click here.
| final_paper.pdf |