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Brice Balmer
Professor Emeritus
Before retiring from my full-time faculty position in June 2019, I taught in the Master of Arts in Theology program, in the field of Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy. I taught courses in multifaith; addictions; practicum for students in counselling; theodicy; group work; and community development. I hold a DMin in spirituality and addiction from University of St. Michael’s College; an MA in regional planning and resource development from the University of Waterloo; and an MDiv from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. I am an ordained Mennonite minister and have worked in chaplaincy for many years, especially with people who are marginalized, in Denver, Colorado, and in Kitchener, Ontario. I was a co-pastor at First Mennonite Church, in Kitchener, for 17 years.
My latest research and community work focused on multifaith collaboration in Waterloo Region as well as interfaith activities and organizations in Canada and United Kingdom.
After a significant career in chaplaincy and community ministry among marginalized urban people, I continue to reflect on my experiences and write about lessons learned as faith traditions, governments, non-profits, and community groups work toward equity, justice and peace. Of particular interest to me is social welfare and housing, especially the effects of long-term homelessness on mental health, addiction and recovery.
I have worked extensively in the field of addictions treatment and have taught courses in addiction, shame and counselling. I continue to study and write about spirituality in the area of addictions and recovery.
Research / Areas of Expertise
- Poverty in Ontario.
- Addiction, including integrated drug strategies, spirituality, shame, harm reduction, homelessness and trauma.
- Interfaith dialogue.
- Faith communities in Waterloo Region.
- Honorary Senior Fellow, Renison University College.
- Kitchener YMCA Peace Award for chairing and building the interfaith coalition known as Interfaith Grand River.
- Runner-up in the Ontario legislature’s Speaker’s Book Award for Persistent Poverty (2010).
I co-ordinated Luther's Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy program.
From 1986-2014, I worked as a supervisor of students on placement in ministry and social work at the House of Friendship, a charitable social service agency in Kitchener, Ontario.
- Our Neighbours’ Voices: Will We Listen? (Toronto, James Lorimer, 1998). I co-authored and co-ordinated the research into the Ontario Social Audit 1998 for the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC).
- Lives in the Balance (Kitchener, Pandora Press, 2004). I co-authored and co-ordinated the research for the Ontario Social Audit 2004.
- Meeting our Multifaith Neighbors (Waterloo, Herald Press, 2006).
- Persistent Poverty (Toronto, Between the Lines, 2010). I co-authored this work with Jamie Swift and Mira Dineen.
- Interfaith Grand River: Our Journey (Kitchener, Pandora Press, 2014). I contributed several chapters to this 10th-anniversary tribute to the regional interfaith coalition that I co-founded.