REV’D. DR. JOHN OAKES
VANCOUVER, BC
Tel: 604-204-2356 | Email: oakes.js@gmail.com l Website: http://livingwordlive.com
CURRENT POSITIONS
Harvard Divinity School
Postdoctoral Fellow
2013
All Saints Episcopal Church, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
Honorary Associate Priest (licensed in the Diocese of Massachusetts)
2013
Diocese of New Westminster
Canonically resident; on leave with permission to officiate
2013
NATIONALITY
Canadian and British
FAMILY
Married to Kirsten Oakes (née Mikkelsen) since 1982, with two adult daughters and one
granddaughter
BAPTISM
July 7, at St. Paul, Addlestone, Surrey, UK
CONFIRMATION
1957
1994
April 27, at St. John Anglican Church, Shaughnessy, by Bishop Michael Ingham
ORDINATIONS
St. Cuthbert Anglican Church, North Delta
Deacon
September 14, by Bishop Michael Ingham
1997
Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver
Priest
December 14, by Bishop Michael Ingham
1997
EDUCATION
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
PhD. in History
"'Conservative Revolutionaries' - A Study of the Religious and Political Thought of John Wise,
Jonathan Mayhew, Andrew Eliot and Charles Chauncy" (http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/handle/1892/10225)
Vancouver School of Theology
Programme in Anglican Studies as postulant for ordination
2008
1995 - 1997
Regent College, Vancouver
Master of Divinity
First Class
1996
University of British Columbia
Doctoral Studies in History
First Class in PhD. course work; Comprehensive Exams passed; dissertation proposal approved
1994 - 1998
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
M.A. in History
"Augustine's War Thought - A Critical Reinterpretation."
First Class
1994
REV’D. DR. JOHN OAKES
Regent College, Vancouver
Master of Christian Studies
Concentration: Church History
First Class
PAGE 2
1992
Regent College, Vancouver
Diploma of Christian Studies
First Class
1991
Magdalen College, Oxford University
B.A. and M.A. in Classics
Second Class Honours
1981 & 1989
ACADEMIC PRIZES, AWARDS AND GRANTS
Sabbatical Grant, Anglican Church of Canada
Prize for Proficiency in Master of Divinity, Regent College, Vancouver
Prize for Theology, Regent College, Vancouver
Izaac Walton Killam Memorial Predoctoral Fellowship
Non-resident Membership, Green College, University of British Columbia
R. Howard Webster Foundation Fellowship
St. John's Scholarship, University of British Columbia
Prize for History, Regent College, Vancouver
Demyship, Magdalen College, Oxford
Nettles Leaving Exhibition, Royal Grammar School, Guildford
2007, 2012
1996
1996
1995 – 1997
1995 – 1997
1995 – 1996
1994 – 1995
1991, 1992
1975 – 1977
1975 – 1980
CHURCH APPOINTMENTS
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Vancouver
Priest in Charge (-2004) and Rector
In addition to regular pastoral responsibilities in this significant urban parish, the incumbency
involved: a) leading parishioners through two extended dialogue, consultation and discernment
processes that resulted in overwhelming support for remaining within the Anglican Church of
Canada, despite majority opposition to diocesan policy on same-sex blessings; b, maintaining
congregational strength and unity through a difficult period for theological traditionalists; and c)
exercising overall administrative leadership of a large building with three long-term tenants and a
multitude of different user groups. Significant new Initiatives begun as Rector included: launching a
successful monthly and then biweekly Sunday evening service for youth and young adults, the
“Vibe” (2003-2012), in cooperation with Camp Artaban; starting a continuing Wednesday evening
Communion service and Bible Study; overseeing a major upgrade and redecoration programme for
the building, including expansion of the organ.
St. Mark Anglican Church, Ocean Park
Associate Priest
Primary areas of responsibility: Evangelism, pastoral care, young people’s ministries. Major new
initiatives: “Friday Nite Live!” evening service for youth and young adults; College and Careers
Group; Bible Study leadership training programme; collaborative reorganization of Junior Church,
Area Links visitation ministry and Front Room outreach project.
St. John Anglican Church, Shaughnessy
Honorary Assistant Priest
Major responsibilities: leadership of 7.30 A.M. service of Holy Communion; pastoral care.
St. Cuthbert Anglican Church, North Delta
Deacon and Priest Assistant, Sunday @ 7 Coordinator
Primary areas of responsibility as Assistant: Christian education, evangelism and outreach, Music
Committee, young people’s ministries. Shared responsibilities: leadership and administration,
worship. Major new initiatives: Sunday @ 7 evening service for youth and young adults (begun in
March 1998 with growth to an average weekly attendance of 60+ by 2000); College and Careers
Group (begun in October 1999). From October 1999 to January 2000, effective Priest in Charge
during Rector’s absence on medical leave.
2002 – 2012
2001 – 2002
2000 - 2001
1997 – 2000
REV’D. DR. JOHN OAKES
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St. John Anglican Church, Shaughnessy
Summer Intern
Ministry: worship leadership.
1997
St. Anne Anglican Church, Steveston
Student Pastoral Intern
Major ministries: preaching, small group leadership, visitation.
1996 - 1997
St. Matthias Anglican Church, Vancouver
Student Pastoral Intern; Lay Pastoral Assistant
Primary ministries: preaching, worship leadership, Bible Study, pastoral care.
1993 - 1996
DIOCESAN AND WIDER CHURCH MINISTRIES
Dialogue and Outreach
General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
Alternate Clergy Delegate for the Diocese of New Westminster
General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
Clergy Delegate for the Diocese of New Westminster
Major initiatives at Synod: “New Vision Blog,” offering daily news updates; mover of Resolution
C003, which committed the Anglican Church of Canada to major processes of further study of issues
surrounding human sexuality ahead of General Synod 2010.
Anglican Communion Alliance
Board Member
Representative of Holy Trinity, Vancouver, which became a charter member after a majority vote at
a Special Vestry Meeting in 2005, on the board of this organization of theologically traditionalist
Anglicans committed to remaining within the Anglican Church of Canada. I stepped down from the
position soon after my resignation from the parish.
Diocese of New Westminster
Co-author of diocesan responses to the Windsor Report and the St. Michael Report
Working with Rev’d. Dr. Richard Leggett and other Synod delegates to respond to official documents
that were sometimes critical of the diocese and to find a common way forward.
2010
2007 - 2010
2006 - 2010, 2011- 2013
2005-2006
Mission and Evangelism
Diocesan Evangelism Unit
Member and Chair (1998-2012)
Major initiatives: parish grants and workshops programmes; “Evangelism 2000” training
programme; “Celebration 2000” mission with Canon Harold Percy at the Vogue Theatre; “Good
News for the Poor” (2001) conference and mission on evangelism and social justice with Dr. Tony
Campolo; “A Heart for the World” (2002) conference on world missions with Linda Tripp of World
Vision; “A Time to Heal” conference on evangelism and healing with Dr. Bob Roxburgh of Southside
Community Church; “Word Up!”(2004) youth weekend; “Faith @ Work” (2006) conference with Dr.
Paul Stevens, co-sponsored by City in Focus; “Parish Alive!” (2006) conference on parish renewal and
outreach with Canon Harold Percy; “All God’s Children” (2007) conference on children’s ministry
with Carolyn Burge; "Reaching Up! Reaching Out!" (2010) with Judy Paulsen of All Saints, Oshawa
and Wycliffe College Institute of Evangelism; “The Missional Church - Moving from Maintenance to
Mission” (2011), a “Road to 2018” conference with Anthony Brown of Regent College and Cam
Roxburgh of Southside Community Church.
South Granville Seniors’ Centre
Director
Representing Holy Trinity on the board of this major long-term building tenant.
St. Cuthbert, North Delta and St. Mark, Ocean Park
Keynote Speaker/Chaplain at Parish Weekends
1997 – 2012
2006 - 2007
2005 & 2011
REV’D. DR. JOHN OAKES
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Supply and Occasional Ministry
St. Augustine, Marpole; Christ the Redeemer, Surrey; Holy Trinity, Vancouver; Holy Trinity Cathedral,
New Westminster (scheduled); St. Alban, Burnaby; St. Andrew, Langley; St. Anselm, Vancouver; St.
Catherine, North Vancouver; St. Chad, Vancouver; St. Clement, North Vancouver; St. Cuthbert, North
Delta; St. David, Delta; St. Edward, Richmond; St. Faith, Vancouver; St. Helen, Surrey; St. Helen, Point
Grey; St. James, Vancouver; St. John, Maple Ridge; St. John, North Vancouver; St. John,
Shaughnessy; St. Laurence, Coquitlam; St, Mark, Ocean Park; St. Martin, North Vancouver; St.
Matthew, Abbotsford; St. Matthias and St. Luke, Vancouver; St. Oswald, Port Kells; St. Simon, Deep
Cove; St. Stephen, West Vancouver.
Supply and Occasional Priest/ Guest Preacher/Workshop Leader
Providing Sunday and other supply and occasional ministry; guest preaching; leading workshops for
“Church Depot,” WAYNet and the Evangelism Unit
2000 - 2013
Pastoral Care and Administration
Granville-Point Grey Deanery
Regional Dean
New initiatives: formation of Deanery Council of lay and clerical representatives from each Deanery
parish; two Deanery Conferences on outreach to the poor and youth ministry.
2009 - 2012
Diocesan Council
Member (representing Deanery of Granville-Point Grey)
2009 – 2010
Board of Discipline
Clergy Member
2009 – 2011
Diocesan Strategic Planning Steering Group
Member
2009
Camp Artaban
Director
2006 - 2007
Stewards in Action Management Committee
Member
2002 - 2003
Topic Advisory Group
Member
1998 - 2003
Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Diocesan Youth Movement
Member of Leadership Team
WAYNet
Member of Leadership Team
Helped found and lead this new organization for diocesan youth leaders; ministered at different
events.
Camp Artaban
Theme Leader/Speaker
Ministered and taught at Fine Arts Camp (1999-2008), “Survivor Artaban” (2009), Family Camp
(2010), “Apocalypse Wow!” (2011), and Senior Co-Ed 1 (2011).
Teens Encounter Christ
Spiritual Team Member/Director
Ministered and taught at about a dozen weekends and several reunions for TEC, a junior version of
Cursillo.
2007 - 2012
2004 - 2007
1999 - 2011
1998 - 2007
REV’D. DR. JOHN OAKES
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OTHER EMPLOYMENT/OCCUPATIONS
Seminary and Academic
Yale Divinity School
Visiting Fellow
Postdoctoral studies in American colonial religious history.
2012
Vancouver School of Theology
Occasional Lecturer in Anglican Studies
Gave occasional lectures on Anglican evangelicalism and the “Essentials” movement.
2004 - 2007
Regent College, Vancouver
Part-time Lecturer/ Assistant Chaplain in Anglican Studies Programme & Course Marker
Established and taught graduate-level courses in "Anglican History" (HIST 615) and "Anglican
Spirituality" (SPIR 652); provided pastoral care and served as mentor to Anglican students; marked
Church History 2 survey course (HIST 502).
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Course Marker
Marked papers and exams for American History survey courses, HIST 327 and HIST 328, taught by
Dr. Alan Tully.
Regent College, Vancouver
Teaching and Research Assistant
1998 - 2005
1996 - 1998
1992
Other
Elm House Christian Communications, New Malden, U.K.
Assistant Editor (-1988), Editor, Member of Management Executive Board
Worked as journalist and editor, successfully relaunching Leadership Today as Today, an
interdenominational magazine intended for Christian leaders; participated in overall management of
Christian media company that published three magazines and organized major national conferences.
Seatrade Publications, Colchester, U.K.
Staff Writer, Assistant Editor, Deputy Editor, Contributing Editor and Editor
Staff Writer, Seatrade magazine (10/82-2/83); Associate Editor, Seatrade (2/83-11/83); Deputy
Editor, Seatrade (11/83-4/86); Editor, Seatrade Week (9/85-10/87); Contributing Editor, Seatrade
Business Review (4/86-10/87). As Editor of Seatrade Week, oversaw production and significantly
boosted circulation of a weekly, international newsletter employing some 25 staff and
correspondents worldwide.
Tilney & Co., Liverpool, U.K.
Investment Analyst
Worked as trainee stockbroker, researching shipping sector; passed Stock Exchange examination in
“Interpretation of Company Reports and Accounts.”
1987 – 1989
1982 – 1987
1980 - 1982
PUBLICATIONS AND WORK IN PROGRESS
Conservative Revolutionaries: The Religious and Political Thought of Jonathan Mayhew and Charles Chauncy
Book in progress
2013/14
Reluctant Revolutionary: The Life and Legacy of Andrew Eliot
Book in progress
2013/15
“Living Word Live!” website (http://www.livingwordlive.com)
Editor and author
“An online forum of mainstream Anglican conviction”
2013
"Democrat or Conservative? The Question of John Wise"
Article in revision for peer-reviewed journal
2013
“New Vision” website (http://www.churchinfoweb.com/newvision)
Co-Editor, editor and co-author
2002 - 2011
REV’D. DR. JOHN OAKES
PAGE 6
”An alternative voice’ for and/or from people of ‘traditionalist conscience’ in the Diocese of New
Westminster.”
Articles for “Topic” newspaper
Various pieces published often without attribution
1999 - 2011
“Transforming Conservatism: The Cultural Vision of F. D. Maurice,”
Crux 33:2 (June 1997), 18-26
1997
Articles in “Christian Week” and “Incourage”
Freelance contributions
1996
Six articles in Donald M. Lewis, ed., The Blackwell Dictionary of Evangelical Biography: 1730-1860
(Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd., 1996)
1996
"Canada - Back on Track,"
Seatrade Review (October 1994), 41-5
1994
Articles in Accountancy, Financial Times Energy Economist, and Reactions
Freelance contributions
1983 - 1987
Articles in Seatrade, Seatrade Business Review, Seatrade Week, Leadership Today and Today
Regular contributions as staff journalist and editor
1982 - 1989
LANGUAGES
French, Danish, Ancient Greek, Latin
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Religion
American Historical Association
American Society of Church History
Harvard Faculty Club
Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture
OTHER INTERESTS
Sports – especially running and skiing, and as a spectator, tennis and most team sports; music – all kinds, but particularly classical and classic
rock; current affairs, with a strong interest in North American and European politics; literature – both ancient and modern; family history – aided
and abetted by ancestry.com; travel – particularly in southern Europe.