I am pleased to be joined by Professor Richard Topping for this on-going series of conversations on the Ekklesia. He is President of the Vancouver School of Theology, a federated faculty bringing together students and professors from a variety of churches. He has worked to ground theological education in the gift of Christian scripture, its revelation and call to faithfulness. He sees, clearer than most, the challenges facing churches in the twenty-first century and what Christian understanding offers for the life of the world. Professor Topping is unusual, combining superb scholarly gifts, the heart of a pastor, a fine teacher and excellent administrator. It is a rare combination.