Jason Mills, PhD

Assistant Professor of Spiritual Theology

Dean of the Seminary

Teaching Philosophy

Having been shaped by Paulo Freire's pedagogy, I see teaching as a form of liberation. Good teaching releases students to think freely and differently about their world. I want my students to see themselves as educators of educators and students of students.

Background

I am an educator researching ministry and technology, online theological education, pastoral formation and spiritual theology. My wife and I are both ordained Free Methodist chaplains/pastors and parents to two amazing children. I enjoy making pizza, swimming, and prairie tailwinds when biking. You can find my blog at www.jasonmills.ca.

Education

PhD Theological Studies - University of St. Michael's College (2021)
MA Christian Studies - McMaster Divinity College (2006)
BTh - Emmanuel Bible College (2000)

Research

New Testament and historical approaches to paid pastoral work
The Future of Theological Education
Technology and Online Education
Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy (Military and Health Care)
Pastoral Formation and Virtue Development

Publications

Books:

• Glassroom Learning: Virtual Culture and Online Pastoral Education. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2023.

Journal articles:

• “Is Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE) ‘Substantially Equivalent’ to a Recognized Psychotherapy Program?”  Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling 76, no. 4 (2022): 114-128.

Book reviews:

• “Anderson, Kenton C. and Gregory Henson, Theological Education: Principles and Practices of a Competency-Based Approach.” (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2024). Faith Today. (Jul – Aug 2024). https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/Jul-Aug/Theological-Education-Principles-and-Practices-of
• “Wendy Cadge and Shelly Rambo, eds. Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care in the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction.” (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 2022). Religious Studies Review. Vol 49, No. 2 (June 2023): 211-212.
• “James W. Watson and Narry F. Santos, eds., Tentmakers: Multivocational Ministry in Western Society.” (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2022). Faith Today. (May-Jun 2023). https://www.faithtoday.ca/Magazines/2023-May-Jun/Tentmakers-Multivocational-Ministry-in-Western-So 
• “Aleshire, Daniel O., Beyond Profession: The Next Future of Theological Education.” (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2021). Toronto Journal of Theology. Vol. 38, No. 1 (Spring 2022): 115-117.
• “Wheeler, Barbara G., ed., Disruption and Hope: Religious Traditions and the Future of Theological Education.” (Waco, TX: Baylor, 2019). Toronto Journal of Theology. Vol 38, No. 1 (Spring 2022): 117-118.
• “Hughes, Aaron W., From Seminary to University: An Institutional History of Religion in Canada.” (Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press, 2020). Toronto Journal of Theology. Vol. 37, No. 2 (Fall 2021): 231-232.
• “Benjamín Valentín, ed., Looking Forward with Hope: Reflections on the Present State and Future of Theological Education.” (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2019). Toronto Journal of Theology. Vol. 37, No. 1 (Spring 2021): 123-124.