Description

Professor of Theology and Director of the Centre for Spirituality and Community Wellness

Department of Theology

St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton, Alberta, wishes to appoint a Professor of Theology to establish, oversee, and direct the Centre for Spirituality and Community Wellness, including the development of a Faith and Community Leadership stream within the College’s graduate programming.  This is a part-time (0.75 FTE) three-year contract position (with possibility of renewal for an additional two years).  The position is available for on-campus or remote work.  A detailed position description (including required qualifications and experiences) is appended below. 

The successful applicant will be a team-oriented and creative individual, have organizational and problem-solving capacity, and be in essential agreement with the College’s Vision, Mission, and Values.

Application Deadline and Materials:

A complete application will consist of a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be sent in confidence to Dr. Andrew Krause, Assistant Dean.  Applications will be reviewed beginning 20 August 2026, and the position will remain open until it is filled.  The position is available for 1 October 2026 (or sooner, if possible). 

About St. Stephen’s College:

Nestled on the main campus of the University of Alberta, St. Stephen’s College is a multifaith community that offers sacred spaces for learning and transformation.  The roots of St. Stephen’s reach back to 1903; the College has been affiliated with both the University of Alberta and with the United Church of Canada since the founding of both organizations. A legislative Act to Incorporate St. Stephen’s College (April 27, 1927; amended 1968) authorizes St. Stephen’s to confer degrees in divinity.  Currently, the College offers degrees in Theological Studies, Psychotherapy and Spirituality, Art Therapy, and Spiritual Care.  St. Stephen’s is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS), with approval for Comprehensive Distance Education. The College’s Art Therapy programs meet the educational standards of the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA).

St. Stephen’s College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workspace.  We welcome and encourage applications from all interested candidates, and do not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.  Applications from historically underrepresented groups and/or early career scholars are encouraged.  In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements: all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Detailed Position Description

POSITION: Professor of Theology and Director of the Centre for Spirituality & Community Wellness 

DATE AND TERM: October 1, 2026 - September 31, 2029. This is a three year contract position with a possibility of renewal for an additional two years.  

OTHER DETAILS: 0.75 FTE. Work may be completed onsite or remotely.  Salary will be negotiated with the Dean; salary and benefits are in accordance with the Faculty Personnel Policies of the College 

Position Overview

The Professor of Theology and Director of the Centre for Spirituality & Community Wellness, together with the support of the Dean, Assistant Dean, and faculty members, will work to implement framework, program, and research innovations executed under the auspices of the Lilly-funded “Reimagining Theological Education in The United Church of Canada” project.  Chief responsibilities include establishing, overseeing, and directing the College’s new Centre for Spirituality & Community Wellness, design of a new Community Certificate framework, and development of a Faith and Community Leadership degree/certificate program.  Teaching responsibilities include supervision of two Doctor of Ministry students and teaching the equivalent of two 3-credit courses (topics TBD).  The incumbent will be a contract, non-tenured member of the College’s core faculty. Salary will be negotiated with the Dean and benefits are in accordance with the Faculty Personnel Policies of the College.

Qualifications and Skills

• Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, ThD, DMin) in theology, religious studies, and/or an area related to the College’s core disciplines; applicants with a doctoral degree in a complementary discipline (e.g., Psychotherapy/Counselling, Education, Social Sciences, etc.) with a previous graduate degree in theology (e.g., MDiv, MTS, MRE, MCS, etc.) are also encouraged to apply.
• Familiarity with a range of research approaches and methodologies, particularly qualitative research perspectives in a theological or spiritually reflective context.
• Familiarity with the United Church of Canada, especially its polity and educational ecosystem, is desirable. 
• Support for the College’s emphasis on a combination of online and face-to-face approaches to education, including skill and comfort using computers and electronically-facilitated teaching and learning
• Background in, commitment to, and skills in teaching and learning in post-secondary education, and in working with adult learners engaged in graduate education
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholder groups in the community, including (but not limited to) faith communities and groups (e.g., the United Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Edmonton Interfaith Network, etc.), relevant professional associations (e.g., Canadian Association for Spiritual Care), educational partners (e.g., Centre for Christian Studies, the University of Alberta), and examiners, supervisors, and committee members.
• Spiritually reflective and able to communicate from a stance of openness and inclusivity to a wide variety of vocations and faith traditions
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Essential agreement with the College’s Vision, Mission, and Values (available online)
• Open to life-long learning and integration of scholarship with personal life experience

Primary Functions and Responsibilities

Program and Centre Framework Innovation 

• Working closely with the Dean and faculty colleagues, establish, oversee, and direct the Centre for Spirituality & Community Wellness (CSCW)
• Under the direction of the Dean and Assistant Dean, create a new program framework for granting Community Certificates. These will stand alongside—though independent from—our current Graduate Degree and Graduate Certificate programs.  This framework will include registration and curricular structures that enrol communities-of-faith in collective, joint study. 
• Work with the Dean, Assistant Dean, and other Theological Studies faculty members  to establish a Faith and Community Leadership (FCL) program, which will be available in three different formats: (i) Community Certificate in Faith and Community Leadership, (ii) Graduate Certificate in Faith and Community Leadership, and (iii) Master of Theological Studies in Faith and Community Leadership. 

Program Implementation 

• Lead the creation of community-based cohorts. Over the timeframe of the project, the incumbent will consult, pilot, and deliver the program with an estimated 15 communities of faith in Alberta and across Western Canada.
• Oversee the planning, development, and faculty support of the various learning requirements in the FCL program (e.g., integrative seminars, courses, collegia, etc.).  This includes working with the Chairs of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin)  and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) programs to implement curricular and co-curricular planning, and to ensure broad integration of the FCL in broader college programming.
• Teaching assignment will be the equivalent of two courses per year in areas related to the FCL program and/or CSCW offerings; subject matter to be negotiated with the Dean.
• Advise individuals within these cohorts in order to discern their own unique callings and transition from the Community Certificate program to either a graduate degree or individual certificate program, wherever possible. 
• With the Dean, manage and coordinate our relationships with United Church of Canada regions and congregations for the planning and execution of community-based courses.
• Work closely with the Dean’s and Registrar's offices in matters relating to approvals, student progress, and instructional procedures
• Work together with the Director of Enrolment on matters of recruitment, and advise potential applicants throughout the admissions process. 

Research and Knowledge Translation

• Identify and oversee various research activities to drive and bolster the proposed community-based program development and the CSCW.
• Advise and mentor two DMin students in research related to the chief aims of the Lilly-funded “Reimagining Theological Education" project.
• Coordinate various knowledge translation events (e.g., a podcast series, online public talks, or annual workshops) and events aimed at establishing a network of faith communities that will establish the CSCW, under which we will utilize Lilly funding to coordinate.  One of the chief aims of the CSCW will be to provide ongoing connection, enrichment, education, and support for faith communities with no (or limited) ministry personnel.  
• Recruit and supervise two Doctor of Ministry students to conduct applied research related to the project’s activities in order to support the program development and to explore research areas related to leadership needs and faith-community identity within the United Church.    

General Responsibilities

• Working closely with the Dean and representatives from other schools in the collaborative grant, the incumbent will administer and report on the progress of all aspects of the College’s portion of the “Reimagining Theological Education” project.
• Attend all meetings of the Doctor of Ministry and Theological Studies Program Committees
• Continue to develop connections between Department programming and wider multifaith and university communities
  Work together with (and as a member of) the Faculty Council to coordinate academic programming at the College, and to develop academic and institutional policies for the College.  
• Share with other members of the faculty and staff in the collegial life and planning of the College, which might occasionally include serving on committees in the wider community
• Attend to one’s need for ongoing professional development through reading, research, publication, and attendance at meetings of appropriate professional societies or associations
• Carry out other responsibilities and duties as assigned

Working Relationships

The incumbent will be a member of the Faculty of the College, and as such:

• is a full member of the core faculty of the College, and is expected to attend regular meetings of Faculty Council, Academic Senate, monthly staff meetings, as well as emergent meetings as possible
• is accountable to Faculty colleagues in matters of Faculty responsibility
• is a full voting member, ex officio, of the Theological Studies and Doctor of Ministry program committees and works with these committees to help set program direction, policy, and promotion.
• may be asked to represent the College on other committees or working groups, internal or external, in rotation with other Staff and Faculty and in consultation with the Dean
• works closely with the Dean’s Office, the Assistant Dean, and faculty colleagues.

Accountability

The incumbent:

• Reports to the College Principal and Dean regarding pedagogical duties, academic regulations, and staffing concerns, as outlined in the Faculty Personnel Policies
• Engages in scheduled performance evaluations with the Principal and Dean in accordance with institutional Faculty Personnel Policies.
• Collaborates with the College’s staff and utilizes provided technological and media assets to fulfill position requirements.

Requirements

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