Wanted: Asia Regional Representative
The Society seeks a full-time Asia Regional Representative who will contribute to our local and global movement by partnering with Asian scholars to develop and implement strategies to mutually equip one another in academia for Christ’s glory. View more details here.
New Additions to Executive Committee
The Society’s Executive Committee (EC), chaired by Prof. Osam Edim Temple, is happy to announce two new additions to the committee for two-year terms, effective as of 15 August: Marlene Hines, PhD (Doctor of Transformational Leadership, Bakke Graduate University) and Omar Montero, PhD ABD (Buenos Aires University).
Dr. Hines, a Caribbean native, has expertise in educational administration, library sciences and transformational leadership. She has been a college librarian and lecturer at several teaching colleges in Jamaica. Because of her expertise as a librarian, Dr. Hines became the Society’s librarian late last year. Recently, Society members nominated her to the EC, the EC approved the nomination, and she will begin her two-year service on 15 August 2021.
Omar Montero, a Colombian native who lives in Argentina, has earned degrees in industrial design (University Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá, Colombia) and electrical engineering (University of Salle, Bogotá, Colombia), followed by a master’s degree in morphology at the University of Buenos Aires. Currently he is completing his PhD in architecture and design at the University of Buenos Aires, while also serving as an associate professor and researcher in the Architecture and Design Department and as program coordinator for the master’s program in morphology. Mr. Montero is the Society’s Latin America regional representative.
For more information on the Society’s executive committee, see our Governing Policies. Note especially the EC’s purpose (Policy 2.3), how its members are elected (Policy 2.4.3), and mandates on geographical diversity (Policy 2.4.4.1).
A Mobile Gospel: 25 (+1) Years of Global Scholars Canada
In 1995, Drs. Adrian and Wendy Helleman flew from Toronto to Moscow to teach at newly opened post–Soviet era universities. As the first professors sent out by Global Scholars Canada, they forged a path of missional academic ventures that other Canadian scholars would follow to various universities around the world.
Global Scholars Canada reached its silver anniversary last year but decided to wait a year to celebrate, expecting that 2021 would allow an in-person banquet. Instead, on 5 June we gathered online for a 25 (+1) anniversary event with more than 60 supporters and scholars to remember, give thanks and dream about the future of our mission “to bring a missional imagination to academic vocation.”
As part of our celebration, we unveiled both a new slide show and a new video of our work, along with a new book, Christian Academics Crossing Borders (pictured right). The book shares the stories of professors, board members and donors committed to sharing the blessing of a Christian worldview with students and university departments around the world. It’s available as a pdf for free here, or as a bound copy at Amazon for just $3.79.
The celebration featured our first student intern, Estela Kasaba, a Redeemer University graduate in philosophy who came to Canada as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a child. Emeritus titles were awarded to the Hellemans and posthumously to Rudy Wiebe, and Marlene Wiebe (Rudy’s widow) and long-time supporter and former board chair Fred Reinders were recognized as “Friends of GSC.” Dr. Peter Schuurman was reappointed for a five-year term as executive director.
Remembering our past achievements helped to renew our sense of identity and purpose and clarify our hopes for the coming years of service on campuses worldwide. We dream of connecting Christian academics across Canada with the missional imagination demonstrated in the Society of Christian Scholars, and we are planning a virtual conference on faith, friendship and the academic life this fall.
We thank God for his faithfulness through 26 years of carrying the gospel across borders and into the classrooms of future cultural leaders. May God’s kingdom continue to come through our labours for years to come.
Society Updates and Opportunities
Tell a Colleague!
Members have often suggested that the Society provide trial memberships––a ‘try before you buy’ option to give prospective members a risk-free opportunity to explore our Society. We have heard you, and this option is now available. Don’t let a colleague miss out on what the Society of Christian Scholars can offer them. Invite them to join today and be sure to encourage them to click ‘Free Trial Membership’ at www.SocietyofChristianScholars.org.
Grant for Chinese Members
The Grant Evaluation Committee of the Society of Christian Scholars invites grant applications for the Sowers Grant from Society members who reside in China. This grant, given on behalf of a Chinese donor, is not in any way affiliated with a Western organization, is not recorded anywhere publicly, and can be dispersed in cash from China in RMB. Applications are confidential. For more information, write to dkeithcampbell@yahoo.com.
Society EBSCO Databases for 2021
Remember: NEW EBSCO databases for 2021 are now available: Humanities Source, PHIL Index, Religion and Philosophy, SOC Index, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences.
Many thanks to all who participated in the database survey, helping us decide which databases to offer that fit within our budget, interest and usage. In the future, we hope to expand our offerings further. In the meantime, be sure to take advantage of these crucial resources to enhance your teaching, research, and service to the university and society!
Editorial Services Seeking Content Reviewers
Our Editorial Services Department has now handled more than 75 requests from members. As its work continues to grow, the department is seeking additional, English-speaking volunteers willing to review documents in their area of expertise. You would be only a content reviewer––no editing experience is required. If you might be interested in this way, contact Bruce Barron at bbarron@societyofchristianscholars.org for more details.
Bakke Graduate University: Executive MBA Panel Discussion on Economics of Mutuality–Saturday, July 17, 2021
The world of business is shifting from a company-centric to a purpose-centric strategy where leaders are being asked to align multiple capitals and consider and collaborate with multiple stakeholders. Businesses that miss this shift risk becoming irrelevant. Leaders who refuse to make the leap may be left behind in their opportunities for career growth.
The Mars Corporation, in collaboration with Saïd Business School at Oxford, has introduced a new business approach, now referred to as Economics of Mutuality (EOM), that is changing how we think about business but also how the relationship between business and non-profits is changing.
Join us on Saturday, July 17, 2021 – 10pm Singapore, 5pm East Africa Time, 3pm West Africa Time, 10am Eastern, 7am Pacific for an introductory panel discussion on what EOM is, how it is changing the way we do business, and how it will impact the field of leadership development. This will be a series of 4 discussions over the next few months so please register to stay connected and receive all future updates.
Bakke Graduate University offers an Executive Masters in Business Administration based on Economics of Mutuality. If you are interested in finding out more here:
The Gift of Scientia, the Body of Christ, and the Common Good: Scientists and Theologians Working Together
The American Scientific Association (ASA) extends a special invitation to members of the Society of Christian Scholars to their annual, virtual meeting from 24 July to 1 August: “The Gift of Scientia, the Body of Christ, and the Common Good: Scientists and Theologians Working Together.” All Society members can participate at the discounted, guest rate. This invitation comes from the desk of ASA’s Interim Executive Director, Prof. John R. Wood. When registering, simply enter his name as the ASA contact to receive the guest rate of $99 USD.
To register, click here.
Upcoming Webinars
One of the biggest struggles Christian scholars face is how to relate their faith to their research, especially in scientific fields. How can we live out our faith in a demanding, competitive research environment? How do our distinctive commitments as Christians affect our research practice? And can a dedication to scientific research actually strengthen our Christian faith?
On Thursday, 19 August 2021 at 1400 GMT/UTC, Dr. Kumiko ‘Jean’ Takeuchi, Japanese native, will share her life experiences as a scientific researcher for Eli Lilly and how her Christian commitments interfaced with her vocation, including her pursuit of two PhDs–one in chemistry in the USA and the other in theology and religion in the UK. Be sure to read her personal story, ‘An American Dream from God’s Perspective‘, published in Engaging Our World: Christian Worldview from the Ivory Tower to Global Impact (W&S Academic Press, 2008) for more details about her spiritual journey.
This will be an exciting opportunity to reflect on our own spiritual journeys and how God exercises our faith as we seek to grow in ‘the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (2 Pet 3:18). Register below to reserve your place.
