The King's Connection Magazine Volume 24 // Number 2 | Page 4

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed
you; I have summoned you by
name; you are mine.”
Isaiah. 43:1 NIV

M

any have advocated, advised and have lobbied on the
behalf of The King's University College. In July, their
diligence was rewarded when The King's University College
was given permission by the Government of Alberta to
change its name to The King's University.

Servant-King. Our name declares publically our allegiance
to God. Rooted in the historic Christian faith, The King’s
education is informed by the authoritative Word of God as
confessed by the early church and expressed in the Nicene
and Apostle’s creeds.

The name change could not have come at a more
appropriate time in our history as a postsecondary
institution. As we celebrate 35 years, The King's University
gives credence to our institutional identity as an institution
that is uncompromisingly Christian.

2. There is only one in a place.

So what's in a name? What in our name makes us a
rich community acting in the service of God? The King's
University. Did you know that “the definite article “the” is the
most frequently used word in English”? I turned to the British
Council for their definitive word about the definite article ‘the’.
According to the British Council, “we use the definite article
in front of a noun when we believe the hearer/reader knows
exactly what we are referring to.” This is a large assumption in
today’s world.

3. To refer to community.

There are at least four ways the definite article ‘the’ is used in
the English language that are instructive to how we use the
word “the”, in The King’s University. We use the definite article
when: there is only one, there is only one in that place, to refer
to community, and to refer to a work of art.
1. There is only one.
The King’s is uncompromisingly Christian. The definite article
in The King’s University is a reference to King Jesus, the

2 /// The King’s Connection /// Fall 2014

The King’s is about the integration of faith and learning.
The definite article in The King’s University is a reference
to our commitment to explicitly weaving faith into both our
curriculum and our practice.
The King’s is a place where all are welcome. I don’t think it
is a stretch to say that the definite article ‘the’ can be used
to refer to The King’s community. We are united here in one
common educational mission. The King’s is not a church.
Faculty and staff come from a broad range of Christian faith
communities. Our students come from an even broader
range of faith understandings. This is both invigorating and
challenging as we seek to hear, to understand, and to learn
together. Our value statements speak to our commitment
to mutual encouragement, openness, and respect
among students, staff and faculty. Like a family, this
is not always easy.
4. To refer to a work of art.
The King’s is a place of continuous renewal and
reconciliation. There are many beautiful King’s moments
in our short history. Recently I was fortunate to host one