21 Nov Meet Our Newest Canon Theologian
Brothers and Sisters, I have the joy of introducing you to Deacon John Clark, our newest Canon Theologian.
John was installed as the Upper Midwest’s second Canon Theologian at Revive last month. Together with Canon Stephen Gauthier, Deacon John will be helping us advance a revival of word and sacrament infused by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In this interview, you’ll learn about John’s role as Canon Theologian, his journey of faith, and how he and his family found their church home in our diocese. His combination of academic expertise and pastoral heart makes him a valuable addition to our diocesan leadership team.
+Stewart
Bishop Stewart E. Ruch III
Interview by Clare VanderWeele, Communications Assistant
Let’s start with the basics: What does your role as Canon Theologian look like?
The work of a canon theologian is to assist and advise the bishop on theological matters as he shepherds the church into ever greater fullness of life in Jesus Christ.
My role will focus on helping rebuild and oversee the curriculum of Gregory House, our diocesan theological training center. I’ll also assist with the ordination of clergy and with connecting theologians and Bible scholars across the diocese to strengthen our shared gospel ministry.
Tell us a little bit about what you do when you’re not serving the Diocese.
I serve as Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. There, I teach courses in systematic theology, apologetics, and upper-level electives on the incarnation and the theology of the Reformation. Moody has been a superb place for me to do ministry because it allows me to do theology for the church, and to be a professor who pastors and mentors students.
Several of those students—past and present—are in churches throughout our diocese, and in other dioceses throughout the province. That’s immensely gratifying to me.
I am also Chair of the Theology Department at Moody. Yes, that means lots of administrative work. But much better, and far more fun, that means building culture and order, and shaping the character of the department together with my colleagues. I never set out to be a theologian and professor, but only to follow the call of God on my life, and to walk through the doors he opened.
I went to seminary knowing only that I wanted to love God, know Scripture, and serve the church. I took a course on the Church Fathers and I was undone. I took another on the Reformers and I was smitten. I’ve not yet recovered, and trust that I never will. Along the way I’ve been blessed with timely counsel from wise teachers and mentors, and by the Spirit’s leading, my life has taken shape in some surprising ways. The version of myself that entered seminary in 1998 would never have dreamed that I’d be doing what I’m now doing in 2024. But I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
I never set out to be a theologian and professor, but only to follow the call of God on my life, and to walk through the doors he opened.
What do you find most challenging in your work? Most enjoyable?
Life is full. It moves fast and shifts often. So, like many of you, I find it challenging to maintain the margins and holy habits that bring us further up and further into the peace and joy of Christ. I’m committed to just that, but it’s not easy.
What’s most enjoyable? That is easy. I get to do what I love, with people I love, for people I love.
How did you and your wife, Kate, end up in the Upper Midwest Diocese?
We moved from our home state of Michigan to Wheaton, Illinois when I accepted the call to be a professor at Moody. At that time, our two children—William and Gwyneth—were quite young, eight and five, respectively. Amid all the new things that a big move entails, we were looking for stability in a church. We didn’t know Church of the Resurrection at that time, but there was a church in Wheaton we did know through trusted friends. We decided to make that church a constant in our family’s vastly changing life, at least until we got our bearings.
Three years later, I discovered Church of the Resurrection and knew I just had to learn more. Our first Sunday visit was in Spring 2013, and it didn’t take long for us to discern that this was the Lord’s doing. Coming to Resurrection and the Upper Midwest Diocese was our coming home at last, making our move to Wheaton complete.
What do you and your family enjoy doing in your free time?
Our son William is now 23. He graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston this past June, and is doing grad work in Paris, France.
The Clark family, from left: Kate, Gwyneth, William, and John
And our daughter Gwyneth is now 20, in her sophomore year at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. That makes Kate and me sophomores in the school of empty nesting. Kate now works at Moody Publishers, using her formidable literary skills as a copywriter. We love to travel and explore as we have opportunity. We’re book and music enthusiasts, so there’s always plenty of both in our home. We’re often up for quality period films, or a clever British whodunnit. And, ah yes, we love our longstanding tradition of homemade chili, freshly baked bread, and Michigan Wolverine football on Saturdays in the Fall.
