Lectureships
Charles H. MacDonald Memorial Lectures
Established in 1953 by the family of the late Rev. Charles H. MacDonald, D.D. to honour his legacy in service to The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Dr. MacDonald was the Moderator of The Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1947. Through the generous gift of this lectureship, Dr. MacDonald's family wished the College to host an educational opportunity on a practical aspect of the Church and its ministry facilitated by a minister of the PCC or one of its members. The first lecture was held in 1955 with The Rev. Andrew Poulain, Minister of St. Luke's Montreal speaking on the topic of French Protestantism in Canada. Knox College is honoured to celebrate the legacy of Dr. MacDonald and his significant contribution to the PCC.
2024 Lectureship: Workshop: Thinking in Jazz About Church Leadership
A provocative series of conversations, inspired and informed by the workings, wisdom and wit of live jazz, that will generate new perspectives and possibilities for the missioning of the church wherever and however you may be contributing to it.
Participants will observe the dynamics of a live jazz performance by the Tom Reynolds Trio and discern what qualities of provocative church leadership they observe in the performance. The facilitators will post the wisdom in the room on the walls and invite discussion about the insights and inspirations for church leadership found there. After a break for lunch and conversation, we’ll explore how the wisdom generated in the morning might inspire and inform our particular practices of ministry and missioning in our congregations and agencies.
Lois Stewart Klempa Memorial Lectureship
Honouring Lois’ commitment to theological education and her insightful thinking on current issues. A 1958 graduate of Ewart College, Lois fought for women’s rights and advocated for women in ministry.
2025 Lectureship: Tending Tomorrow: Canadian Women Homileticians Reflect on the Future of Preaching in Canada
Women are stepping into their calling to proclaim the Gospel, find their unique voice and embrace the future of preaching! If you’re a clergy, student, or simply passionate about the art of preaching, hearing from those who are leading the way can inspire and guide your growth.
A full-day event that brings together four leading Canadian women homileticians as they reflect on the current state of preaching in Canada and imagine bold, hope-filled directions for the future.
R. Laidlaw Memorial Lectureship
Walter C. Laidlaw and Robert Laidlaw, the two sons of Robert Laidlaw, established The Robert Laidlaw Memorial Lecture in 1953 by to honour their father by bringing distinguished scholars to Knox College. Income from the endowed funds has hosted more than 30 distinguished theologians from all over the world.
2026 Lectureship Series: Theology from the Margins with Dr. Stephan de Beer
exploring theology shaped by the voices and realities of those on the margins. Join Dr. de Beer as he shares the story of the Centre for Faith and Community at the University of Pretoria, where research, teaching, and activism converge to support urban transformation.
J. Dorcas Gordon Lectureship
The J. Dorcas Gordon Lectureship was established in June 2017 by the Knox College Board of Governors to honour Dr. Gordon's 18 years of service as Principal and her commitment to theological education. The lectureship provides a forum for exploring current trends in theological thinking and practice, fostering rigorous debate on issues vital to the church and academy.
2025 Lectureship: To See or Not to See? A Theology of the Future
What does it mean for Christians to think faithfully about the future? This lecture explores a theology of the future that looks beyond eschatology to the real human choices, responsibilities, and possibilities that shape our common life. It considers the growing value of foresight –the disciplined practice of anticipating emerging realities– and how Christians might understand imagining the future as an expression of prophetic wisdom rather than prediction or presumption. Drawing on Scripture, theology, and practice, the lecture examines how we understand the relationship between past and future, why Christians often hesitate to look ahead, and how we can avoid both fatalism and naïve optimism. It offers a thoughtful exploration of how God’s people can discern, imagine, and lean into preferred futures with courage and hope.