RIP Terry Anderson — From Christian belief to moral decision

I did not attend the Vancouver School of Theology so never studied with the late, Dr. Terry Anderson. I did meet him however in the early 2000s as he travelled to Summerland for a weekend event with local ecumenical clergy and our congregations.

Summerland Christian community leaders were a diverse lot in those days, ranging in interest and experience from conservative to liberal expressions of Christianity. Despite our (at times serious)  differences on ethical issues, we functioned well together; it was the best ecumenical experience I have ever enjoyed.

At the time we each experienced to varying degrees ethical challenges in relation to members of our congregations — end of life issues; complications arising before or shortly after birth; long term care assignments and expectations. The United Church minister at the time knew Terry Anderson and suggested we bring him up to help us surface and reflect on our experiences and those of our congregants. Once introduced to Terry all agreed he was a good fit us, and for our congregations.

I cannot recall the content of his presentations. I simply remember that everyone felt supported in their various situations and needs  and that the time was well spent. Reading the obituary shared below, we were obviously not alone in appreciating the scholarship and human understanding germane to Terry’s life and teaching. Rest in peace Terry; it’s over to us now.

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We are sad to report the death of VST Professor Emeritus, The Rev. Dr. Terry R. Anderson, on September 9, 2025.

We offer our sympathy and prayers to his family – his children, Wes Anderson, Sue Hills, Dan (Carolyn) Anderson and Rebecca (David Walker); his grandchildren, Luke, Jake, Landra (Zac), Cala, Catherine, Will, Lynne and Christopher and his greatgrandchildren, Addison, Evan and Briggs.

Terry Anderson arrived at the Vancouver School of Theology in 1972 from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond Virginia. At Union he served as tutor assistant to Reinhold Niebuhr and was recipient of Rockefeller Doctoral Fellowships for two years. He also taught ethics at Union. Terry followed his colleague, Jim Martin who also came from Union to become VST’s second Principal. At VST Terry became Professor of Christian Social Ethics. He was a much-loved professor who never sat lightly on the adjective Christian in his teaching of ethics. Terry published widely in Christian Ethics, bioethics, Christian Discipleship, and Indigenous Rights. He is fondly remembered by his students for his Walking the Way: Christian Ethics as a Guide – the basis for his Christian ethics course at Vancouver School of Theology.

A recipient of the McGeachy Senior Scholarship in 1988-89, Terry’s project was to prepare an extension course to enable people to relate Christian beliefs to moral decisions, both personal and corporate, so that they might act more faithfully to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1992, Terry presented on BC’s Knowledge Network and Vision TV, leading an eight-week series on Ethical Questions and Faithful responses, taking his teaching beyond the walls of the school of theology. He served as Vice-Principal (1993) and Acting Principal (1986).

He also participated gladly in the year end parties when students were about to graduate, singing lustily, “Final year, get out of here” with faculty colleagues – Gerald Hobbs, Richard Leggett and Nancy Cocks. Terry was honored Emeritus Professor of Christian Social Ethics at VST upon his retirement.

Terry was honoured in multiple ways for his service to the church, the academy of Theological and Biblical Scholars, and for years of effective, challenging and inspirational teaching that has benefited hundreds of students, colleagues, clergy and lay leaders in Canada and beyond. He gave his time to public consultations and lectures and served on the Ethics Committee of both the Children’s and Grace hospitals in Vancouver, where difficult ethical issues were carefully considered and made, in his case prayerfully.

The United Church of Canada, the denomination of his ordination, valued his thoughtful and gospel informed consideration of major social and ethical issues. He advised the socio-economic working unit of the B.C. conference. The larger church recognized the importance of his scholarship and leadership. The Anglican Diocese of Caledonia named him Honorary Canon of the Diocese. The honour recognized “Terry’s ministry to the native people, and his advice and guidance to the bishop on social justice issues.” Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, engaged him for a planning day on moral criteria for budgeting and programing.

Terry mentored the UBC medical faculty and students, teaching an Introduction to Medical Ethics at the University and consulting with faculty on “Ethical Dilemmas in the University.” His colleagues in the field of ethics chose him to be Executive Secretary to the North American Society of Ethics for a three-year term (1984-1987), when he conducted Lilly Funded research on socially responsible ministry, and presented the findings in Washington, DC.

Terry described himself in this book as “an advocate of Native’s peoples’ rights, thoughtful prober of deeper currents in moral decision making, and on occasion, as a strong independent thinker.”

Terry was instrumental in bringing VST to a conviction about the importance of solidarity with Indigenous people. He was among VST faculty who advocated for the first distance M.Div. program in North America for Indigenous students, served on the Native Ministries Consortium, was Advisor to the Indigenous Studies program and instrumental in the beginnings of the Indigenous Studies Summer School program. Terry and the late Ian McKenzie were strong advocates for the Native Ministries program at VST with the consequence that it not only survived but thrived in the 1990s. Terry supported Canadian First Nations’ struggles for fair “land claim settlement, self governance, and in general shared in a search for a way for his people and Indigenous peoples to live in a just and harmonious relationship.” Terry was board member Emeritus for the Center for Indian Scholars.

Terry, and his beloved his wife Daphne, made “journeys to various Native communities and sacred sites, and when appropriate, took part in native ceremonies.” Terry wrote his most recent book (The Chosen of the Land, 2017), with long-time friend, Robert K. Thomas. Terry said that the aim of the book was “to better inform those steeped in dominant North American culture, my culture, about native peoples and religions.” He called himself a respectful stranger, and thanked his friend, Robert, for educating him in North American Indian Religions and Indigenous Church Leadership.

We give thanks to God for the life of Terry R. Anderson.

“Lord let not what has been taken from us cause us to forget what we have received.”

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

A memorial service for Terry R. Anderson will be held at White Rock Baptist Church on October 3 at 2 p.m.

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