The Faculty Position in Pastoral Theology and Contextual Education at AST is a full-time, tenure-track role centred on preparing pastoral leaders for the emerging needs of the church. AST is pleased to announce that Rev. Dr. Miriam Spies will be appointed to this role, officially beginning her work with the faculty in January. This appointment involves overseeing AST’s innovative contextual education program, which blends distance and residential learning by coordinating student placements across various parish, congregational, and ministerial sites. 

“I’m delighted that Dr. Spies will be joining the faculty at AST, bringing her experience in congregational ministry and ecumenical work and her deep theological insights,” shared AST President Rev. Dr. Heather McCance.

“AST’s students will truly benefit from studying with Miriam, and we will all be enriched by her presence in our community.”

In this brief interview, Miriam shares how her passion for ecumenism, her deep ‘church nerd’ roots, and her perspective on disability theology shape her vision for mentoring future ministry leaders. 

What drew you to Atlantic School of Theology and this specific role bridging pastoral theology and contextual education? 

I have spent my life worshipping weekly in United Church congregations, being the kid of two pastors. When I was discerning a call to ministry, my church experience grew and deepened through global partnerships and ecumenical relationships. I am privileged that both the World Council of Churches and the World Communion of Reformed Churches continue to shape how I live out ministry and discipleship.

AST’s deep history and commitment to ecumenical witness and training makes my ecumenical heart sing! I am excited to work with leaders shaping the church today as we seek to witness to God’s love in the world. Reflecting on questions of ministry, contexts, communities, and theologies really sparks my imagination, and I am looking forward to these conversations with students and the wider AST community. 

How has your past experience shaped your approach to mentoring future ministry leaders? 

I have lived with cerebral palsy, a physical disability, throughout my life. This shapes how I move in the world, my relationships, my ministry, and how others experience me. I have had times of deep love for the church as well as deep frustration with the church when I have experienced ableism/sexism/homophobia or witnessed or been a participant in racism, classism, transphobia, and other sins that separate us from God and one another. These experiences continue to shape how I teach and explore questions of theology, ecclesiology, homiletics, liturgy, and other ways pastoral theology shapes the church.

I am also a big church nerd, so these experiences in relating to governance and polity shape how I want leaders to be supported and prepared to serve faithfully. 

What is an area of research or a major question in ministry that you are currently most excited about exploring? 

I am currently turning my doctoral dissertation into my first book! In it, I explore how bodies lay reshape the Christ community (and how we are reshaped in community). I have a dialogue between disability and crip studies and practices of ministry (specifically Word, sacrament, and pastoral care) to imagine how crip clergy practice and shape these functions. I am thrilled to get my work into the world and have conversations together reimagining ministry in and through bodies that have not always been centred or welcomed in ministry and leadership. 

AST is deeply committed to both hybrid learning and our unique ecumenical identity. What excites you most about teaching in this kind of environment? 

I have had the opportunity to teach a hybrid class and know how possible it is to have deep and meaningful conversations across technology, and building a foundation of trust and imagination together energizes me. As I said previously, partnering with sibling denominations in witness and ministry is crucial, I believe, for the life of the church, and I already sense a home in this ecumenical community. 

On a personal note, what is a favourite book, hobby, or local spot you love that gives people a sense of who you are outside of your academic work? 

I am a big Jays fan, starting as a child when I watched with both sets of grandparents. I also love reading fiction when there’s time! The last novel I read was A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers, and I absolutely loved it. Movies and television series, including all shows with detectives, are a favourite way to unwind. I love spending time with family in Ontario and Alberta ... and I am grateful for the opportunities to travel and encounter different peoples and places.