David Guretzki introduces himself and his work
I’ve always been impressed by the way The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has been able to bring biblical and theological perspectives to issues at hand.
This attention has allowed the EFC to speak in such a way that it both represents, and at times, leads Evangelicals on the issues facing us today.
This is the first time the EFC has employed a resident theologian, so the specific tasks I’ll be doing will emerge in the weeks and months to come. However, I will be doing three basic kinds of work:
Ensuring Theological Consistency and Coherence
Most importantly, my job will be to help us be sure we are being faithful to the teachings of the Bible and our own doctrinal statement.
But the EFC is also a fellowship of denominations, schools and ministry organizations which have self-identified as evangelical. This means that we need to be sensitive to the currents and conversations they are having so that we can speak with consistency and coherence with them as well.
I’ll be thinking of ways to better equip our staff to engage, speak, write and represent us with biblical and theological integrity – and again in a way that is theologically consistent with our affiliates and members. The big but exciting challenge for me will be to find ways of listening well to our affiliates and understanding the issues they are facing.
Theological Facilitation and Teaching
I am deeply committed to the principle that theology is the task of the whole Church, and not just individual theologians. A good theologian is not one who works in isolation from practising Christian communities (the old “ivory tower” image) but one who works together with and on behalf of confessing Christian communities.
Because the EFC is a fellowship of Evangelicals, I see part of my role as facilitating conversation between Church and organizational leaders to come to common conclusions where possible. I will also be available to serve our affiliate churches and organizations to speak and teach on theological issues they are facing.
I welcome churches and leaders to contact me about coming to spend time with them consulting, speaking or teaching. I have considerable experience working with pastors and church leaders in their own context to teach either them or their congregations on a topic they’ve requested.
I may or may not have expertise already in the issue, but I do have the training and gifting to come up to speed quickly on the issues. My hope is that I can help Christians understand the main biblical and theological issues they need to grapple with in their own ministries and communities.
Of course, I’m also available to brief churches and organizations on some of the major issues the EFC is working on, whether that be an Ottawa legal or political issue, or a theological or ethical issue churches are facing.
Ongoing Theological Research and Writing
I’m grateful that Bruce Clemenger is a scholar himself and therefore understands that speaking and writing with theological and philosophical veracity requires time to read, reflect and research on matters that may not always appear to be immediately relevant to issues at hand.
Thoughtful and faithful theological response needs time for spiritual and intellectual percolation and prayer. Here the President has mandated that at least part of my time as resident theologian includes trying to “keep up” with and contribute to broader theological scholarship.
There will also be limited opportunities to for me to teach in some of our affiliate seminaries upon invitation and as time permits.
Of course, I will also be writing articles, documents and briefings on projects the EFC is working on. You can expect to see me contribute articles in our publications such as Faith Today and Canada Watch, or in the various resources we are constantly developing.
My hope and prayer is that all I do will be a resource to our affiliate pastors, leaders and congregants.
What you can do:
- Pray for David as he enters his new role.
- Consider how David might help equip your congregation for the new challenges facing Canadians.
- Check back regularly at www.TheEFC.ca for new resources to help build up the Church in Canada, and bless Canada in the name of Jesus
David Guretzki, PhD, is the EFC’s new Executive Vice-President and Resident Theologian. Use our contact page to email him.
Also in this issue: Youth research project will answer important questions about kids and faith; EFC launches podcast to reach more Canadians; Support Christian journalism in Canada; Message from the president; Updating you on Canada’s most immediate issues; Canadians are battling pornography with new resource; Warm words from donors.