New theology program goes beyond training clergy

Canadians’ declining interest in spending Sunday mornings huddled in pews has prompted a Halifax theology school to broaden its scope.

This year the Atlantic School of Theology will offer a new masters degree that breaks away from the school’s traditional role of training clergy.

The master of arts in theology and religious studies aims to offer students a broader look at religion, ethics, spirituality and morality.

The program is a response to a changing society, says Mauritz Erhard, the school’s communications officer.

“Mainline churches today, it’s no secret that it’s a declining phenomenon,” he said. “So the need for clergy is not going to be overwhelming in the years to come.”

The new program is offered in conjunction with nearby Saint Mary’s University and combines courses from both institutions.

According to the theology school’s calendar, students will take theory and methodology courses there, but will be allowed to branch off and take any senior level religious studies courses at Saint Mary’s, including those that don’t deal explicitly with Christianity.

The result is a degree that allows people to start careers outside the church.

“There’s an increasing interest in people who want to go into work with social justice and compassion but don’t want to do this in the church,” Erhard said.

“So we begin to provide career tracks for not only professional clergy, but for those who want to work for social justice in their communities and around the world.”

The Elizabeth Fry Society is one such organization. It works with women who are going through the criminal justice system and aims to improve their quality of life during and after their time in prison.

Jeanette Miller, program coordinator for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia, said the new program would provide qualified people for the social justice field.

“We do the kind of work that would fit those skills,” she said, adding that anyone moving into social justice with a strong understanding of ethics and compassion is “an asset for the community.”

The new master of arts will replace the school’s master of theological studies, the previous degree for general religious studies. The program only has four students, but has not been marketed much beyond the school’s website. Erhard said the plan is to begin advertising the program later this year and steadily increase enrolment.

But he said it won’t replace the school’s main function of training clergy.

“Instead of a single focus of just professional training, we’ll be having an evolving second focus. It certainly isn’t anywhere remotely close to dominating at this point, but there’s definitely a recognition that a lot of work needs to be done in that area.”

“So that opens up the market for AST. It’s a much bigger market now.”

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