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Canadian Chinese School of Theology Vancouver (CCST Vancouver)

About CCST Vancouver

Canadian Chinese School of Theology Vancouver (CCST Vancouver) is an evangelical theological institution committed to forming Christ-centered leaders for the church and the world. Rooted in the Chinese diaspora church and located in Metro Vancouver—one of the most diverse Chinese communities in the world—the seminary serves Cantonese-, Mandarin-, and English-speaking contexts. The landscape of theological education is changing rapidly, and churches are seeking new ways to form faithful leaders in a complex and multicultural society. For Chinese churches in Canada, these challenges are especially significant as congregations navigate generational transitions, cultural shifts, and new opportunities for ministry. At this important moment, CCST Vancouver is committed to strengthening its core theological programs while exploring innovative forms of theological education that serve pastors, lay leaders, and emerging generations of believers. The Academic Dean will play a key role in helping the seminary discern and develop creative, mission-aligned approaches to theological education that faithfully serve the church today and into the future.  

Position Summary

CCST Vancouver invites applications for the position of Academic Dean, with an anticipated start date on January 1, 2027. Reporting to the Principal and serving on the leadership team, the Academic Dean provides vision, leadership, and oversight for educational initiatives of the institution, including both degree and non-degree program delivery and innovation, curriculum planning, educational quality assessment, educational resource and faculty development. We seek a scholar, educator, and strategic leader who is excited to shape a collaborative and mission-driven faculty community committed to serving the Chinese church in Canada and beyond. The Academic Dean will help guide the seminary’s educational offerings and research while working with colleagues, board members and ministry partners to reimagine theological education for a new generation of church leaders in a multicultural and rapidly changing context rooted in the evangelical Chinese Christian heritage. Working closely with faculty, students, and ministry partners, the Academic Dean will foster academic excellence, encourage creative approaches to theological formation, and strengthen partnerships with churches and Christian organizations. The successful candidate will help lead CCST Vancouver into its next chapter of mission-aligned, innovative theological education, equipping both pastors and lay leaders to serve faithfully in today’s world.  

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

• Provide overall leadership for the degree programs of the seminary, ensuring theological depth, academic rigor, and missional relevance.
• Oversee curriculum development, program review, accreditation, and academic policies.
• Ensure that academic programs align with the mission and strategic direction of the institution.
• Maintain high academic standards in teaching, scholarship, ministry service, and student formation.

Educational Innovation

• Lead strategic thinking on innovative models of theological education, including flexible delivery formats, hybrid learning, certificate programs, and continuing education initiatives.
• Develop programs that serve wider audiences such as lay leaders, young adults, and professionals seeking theological formation.
• Encourage creative pedagogy that integrates theology, ministry practice, spiritual formation, and contextual engagement.
• Explore partnerships with churches and ministries to expand the reach and impact of theological education.

Faculty Leadership and Development

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a strong faculty community committed to theological scholarship, effective teaching, and service to the church.
• Coordinate faculty teaching assignments and oversee course and syllabus approval.
• Conduct annual faculty reviews and support ongoing professional development.
• Foster collaboration among faculty in curriculum development, interdisciplinary teaching, and educational innovation.

Academic Administration

• Oversee academic planning, course scheduling, and program implementation.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and institutional policies.
• Work closely with administrative staff to maintain effective academic operations.
• Support the development of academic resources, including library collections and educational infrastructure.

Institutional and Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to institutional strategic planning and leadership discussions.
• Help the seminary respond thoughtfully to changes in theological education, church life, and demographic realities.
• Collaborate with leadership in stewarding limited institutional resources in ways that strengthen mission and sustainability.
• Participate in building partnerships that support the seminary’s academic mission.

Church and Community Engagement

• Maintain strong relationships with Chinese churches, ministry organizations, and Christian leaders.
• Represent the seminary in academic, ecclesial, and community settings.
• Encourage programs that address real pastoral, cultural, and spiritual challenges facing Chinese churches in Canada and beyond.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to evangelical Christian faith and the mission of CCST Vancouver.
• Ability to lead innovation in theological education in a rapidly changing landscape in church ministry and theological education.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, ministry service, and scholarship.
• A proven track record of building and maintaining strong networks with churches, denominations, and Christian organizations, with the ability to cultivate partnerships that expand the seminary’s educational impact, strengthen student recruitment, and support leadership formation in the Chinese Canadian context.
• Proven experience in management and organizational administration; experience in theological education and academic leadership is an asset.
• Experience in curriculum design or program development is highly desirable.
• Ability to work in a multilingual and multicultural environment; Mandarin and English language proficiency are required, Cantonese is highly desirable.
• Earned doctoral degree (PhD preferred) in Bible, theology, church history or practical theology discipline.

Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Vision for the future of theological education, specifically serving the Chinese immigrant churches.
• Creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in developing new initiatives, developing networks and partnership with churches and Christian organizations.
• Collaborative leadership and faculty team building.
• Pastoral sensitivity to the needs of churches and ministry leaders.
• Faithful commitment to the church and the formation of Christian leaders.

First Three-Year Priorities

The Academic Dean will be expected to help advance several key priorities in the first three years of service:

• Strengthen the seminary’s core master’s-level programs and ensure their continued academic and ministerial relevance.
• Develop innovative educational initiatives that expand theological learning beyond traditional degree programs.
• Engage Canadian Chinese churches in deeper partnerships for leadership formation and ministry development.
• Foster a collaborative faculty culture that supports both academic excellence and educational creativity.
• Contribute to building sustainable structures and resources for the seminary’s long-term academic and institutional vitality.

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a benefits package in accordance with the Staff and Faculty Handbooks of CCST Vancouver.  

Application Process

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following materials to [email protected]:

• Curriculum vitae
• A cover letter
• A statement of faith, your testimony, your call and philosophy of ministry (500 words)
• An essay (1,000 words or less) analyzing the changing landscape of theological education and your vision for theological education in the Chinese Canadian context
• Names and contact information of three references.

  Anticipated start date for the position is January 1, 2027. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.