Rev. Mary Nichol is a Minister and Christian Educator with close to 20 years of experience supporting young leaders and congregations. She served in congregational leadership for 12 years and then as Regional Minister for First Third Ministry with the Pacific Mountain Regional Council of The United Church of Canada for 6 years before joining VST in 2024 as Director of Theological Field Education. A pastoral and practical theologian, Mary is passionate about faith and spiritual formation, leadership, intergenerational faith community and learning, and committed to supporting sacred and brave spaces for curiosity, reflection, and growth.
A Message From Our Director
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Whether you are a student on your Theological Field Education journey or a supervisor guiding and mentoring others, we are thrilled to have you join this collaborative program grounded in mutual learning.
At the Vancouver School of Theology, there are many ways we prepare thoughtful, engaged and generous Christian leaders who are ready to serve at this time and in a variety of contexts. Our approach embraces dialogue with other faith traditions and the Indigenous church, and TFE is a component of this preparation. Within the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and the Master of Arts in Public and Pastoral Leadership (MA-PPL) degree programs, TFE offers students a unique opportunity to reflect on the practice of ministry.
In TFE, students collaborate closely with leaders and supervisors in various ministry and community sites. The hands-on experience combined with the insights gained from others in these settings enriches the learning journey. These vital relationships are an invaluable resource for the student’s learning and form the heart of our field education program. Students will engage with faculty in practical theology, learn alongside their peers, and find moments of reflection in the quiet spaces of life, all contributing to a rich and holistic learning experience.
A distinctive feature of TFE at VST is The Studio – the creative yet messy environment where the arts of leadership are explored. The Studio draws on the ‘case-in-point’ experiential learning method pioneered by Ronald Heifetz and colleagues in leadership education at the Harvard Kennedy School of Business. Time in The Studio seminar prepares students to develop stamina, resilience, and a creative engagement with what Otto Sharmer calls “the future that is seeking to emerge.” Running parallel with TFE-P: Leadership in Practice, the Studio is a space where students intentionally integrate ministry, leadership theory, and practice.
On our TFE site, you will find essential information about field education at VST, including program descriptions, student responsibilities, key expectations and requests of supervisors and sites. We believe in transparency and shared understanding so everyone knows their role within the ecology of learning.
In every aspect of our program, we uphold the value that adult learners do best when they take responsibility for their learning process. From choosing their sites and mentors (in consultation) to planning, integrating, and evaluating their learning experiences, students are actively involved in shaping their education journey. Field education at VST fosters dynamic, self-directed learning which is initiated, developed, and evaluated by each person who is part of the learning context.
I am excited to welcome you to the learning and partnership of Theological Field Education at VST.
About our Director
Resources to learn more about TFE
Whether you are a student navigating your Theological Field Education journey, a supervisor guiding and mentoring, or a community of faith or agency supporting a VST student, you will find resources here.
Learn more about being a TFE student, mentor or learning community
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Students
Discover how Theological Field Education at the Vancouver School of Theology empowers students to grow as thoughtful, engaged, and impactful ministry leaders.
LEARN MOREMentors
Learn how TFE mentors and supervisors at the Vancouver School of Theology empower students to explore ministry with guidance, insight, and real-world experience.
LEARN MORELearning Communities
See how organizations in Theological Field Education at VST empower students to grow into innovative and compassionate leaders for today’s faith communities.
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