Tyndale Seminary welcomes Rev. Dr. Marilyn Draper to the faculty effective July 1, 2018, as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. Dr. Draper brings to the position a combination of theological expertise along with years of frontline ministry experience as a church planter, pastor and campus ministry worker.
As an alumna of Tyndale with a Master of Divinity degree, Dr. Draper has a deep understanding of the mission and ethos of the seminary. She currently serves as advisor for the Spiritual Formation track of Tyndale’s Doctor of Ministry program. Committed to an interdisciplinary approach to equipping leaders in frontline ministry, her hope is to integrate a solid theological foundation with practical spiritual formation at the individual and community level. “My vision is to see the Canadian church revitalized for mission. Theological reflection provides an essential component for renewal as Christian leaders wrestle with challenging questions about the nature of the church and what it means to participate in God’s mission in the world. Tyndale Seminary is key to this process,” she notes.
An excellent communicator and well-regarded teacher with a passion for mentoring students, Dr. Draper comes to Tyndale with an extensive background in pastoral ministry as well as teaching. Most recently, she has been teaching part-time at Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto as professor of Pastoral Theology. In 2016, she earned her Ph.D. in Christian Theology from McMaster Divinity College with a focus on Practical Theology. Along with several published works, she is an experienced lecturer, preacher and speaker.
“Dr. Draper is deeply committed to cultivating theologically reflective, contextually engaged Christian leaders,” says Dr. Janet Clark, Senior Vice President Academic & Dean of the Seminary. “She will make a valuable and needed contribution to our shared task of preparing women and men for established and emerging ministries, in Canada and beyond.”