Dr. Mayward: Professor and Pastor
By: Honor Tamminga
Photographed by: Raeleigh Cadd
Dr. Joel Mayward’s office has bookshelves stacked nearly to the ceiling. The books on these shelves are a display of just what sort of professor Mayward is. Many of them are old religious texts. Others are centered on the topic of ministry. And several, including a couple of old French books, discuss film.
This year, Mayward began his role as assistant professor of Christian ministries, theology and the arts. He had various connections with George Fox University (GFU), including having earned his master’s degree at GFU’s Portland Seminary. With these connections and Mayward’s educational background, he was a good fit for the position. But more importantly, Mayward felt a calling to the worlds of both ministry and academia. How did he end up at GFU? Mayward said, “God did it.”
As someone who has worked in ministry, been involved in the world of academia, and is well-informed in the arts, specifically film, Mayward is an asset to the GFU Theology Department.
Though only in his second semester at GFU, Mayward has already begun to shape the culture of the school. He is currently meeting with local pastors. “I’m in a unique place, where I can hopefully be a pastor to pastors,” he said. He is in the process of making intentional and personal connections between the theology department and the local churches, thus seeking to develop the spiritual climate at GFU.
Dr. Joel Mayward photographed by Raeleigh Cadd.
Mayward is involved in the Theology 101 and 102 courses that are a part of GFU’s Cornerstone Core curriculum. Alongside Assistant Professor of Theology Dr. Lindsey Hankins, Mayward is curating a program that, as he said, teaches students how to “speak Christian.” Whether they come from a faith background or are completely new to Christianity, Mayward seeks to teach students more about the various aspects of the Christian faith.
While he develops these students academically, Mayward also puts his pastoral background into practice. “I almost view [Theology 101 and 102] like a church,” Mayward said.
This body of students that Mayward and Hankins minister to will eventually include nearly every undergraduate at GFU. In addition to teaching in the theology department, Mayward also teaches in the George Fox Honors Program.
Near the beginning of the semester, a friend and I, who had the privilege of having Dr. Mayward as a moderator in our Honors seminar, decided to make a trip to his office. It was the end of the day, and we had given Mayward no notice that we were coming. We didn’t even know if he would be in the office. But he was, and he welcomed us in to talk about how our semesters were going. He was very excited when he found out that we were both in GFU’s concert choir, and asked when our next concert was.
I nearly forgot about that part of the conversation. But Dr. Mayward did not. A few weeks after our unplanned visit, we had the concert. As I stood on the stage and looked out on the audience, I happened to see Mayward in the back, just as he had promised.
As he develops curriculum, moderates Honors seminars, and teaches hordes of GFU students, Mayward emphasizes the fact that he has been called to this role, and seeks to make an impact as a pastor, not just a professor.