"Leadership for such a time as this", a sermon by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay

"Leadership for such a time as this", a sermon by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay

msc

Fri, 09/18/2026 - 16:13

Sermon delivered on 17 September 2026 at the Vancouver School of Theology on the occasion of the opening of the academic semester and opening of the in person meeting of the WCC Reference Group for the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace.

Esther 4:14 | Romans 12: 1-2 | Micah 6:8

Dear President Richard Topping, sisters and brothers, students, faculty, staff and friends,

It is a privilege to stand with you at the beginning of another academic year. There is something special about beginnings. At the beginning of a year, we carry expectations.

Some of you are excited. Some are nervous. Some are wondering whether you made the right decision. Some of you may already be asking: “What have I got myself into?”

And perhaps there are others who have come here carrying questions about God, about the Church, about your vocation—and even about yourself. I want to begin by saying something very simple: You are here for a reason.

You may think you came here because you chose a programme. Perhaps you applied. Perhaps someone encouraged…