Vision for China Mission to the World { Apr.-Jun. 2020 }
Bulletin
Faculty
Take Care of My Sheep Stephen Lee President Address to be given at the Commencement Service of Chinese Theological College Australia in Lam Ko Kit Tak Professor Sydney on 19 March 2020, event cancelled because of COVID-19. (Biblical Studies)
On behalf of China Graduate School of words are synonyms, but we may observe a straight from the Bible, whereas the latter is a Theology ( CGST ), I would like to congratulate focusing from a broad to a narrow sense. Paul slogan from hymns of the Victorian era. Peter each and every one of you graduating from encouraged the elders of Ephesus to be vigilant reminded the church elders that when they CTCA today. My own divinity graduation from to “pastor the church of God,” and the key is “shepherd God's sheep,” they should not adopt New College, Edinburgh, was way back in 1982, on “God, and the word of his grace.” He also the ways of a gentile monarch, “to rule those almost 38 years in retrospect. But for you, the listed the various spiritual gifts of serving the entrusted to you.” The congregation is not the 40 years of faithful ministry, called and sent by church, and intentionally used a conjunction to stepping-stone for the pastor to succeed. “With our Lord, is still ahead of you. May the good connect “pastors” and “teachers” together. me, you win; against me, you perish!” This hand of our God guide you and keep you, as Many people think “pastoring” involves “caring, style of strong man leadership, even if it brings you seek to follow His will in your footsteps. counselling, and therapy.” I am not saying that hundred folds of increase in number, is no more And neither should you forget that 45 years these are not important, but if we go back than a temptation of “the glory of the nations.” ago, your principal, Rev Dr Dennis Law, came to New Testament theology, we must try to Be on your guard. to CGST in Hong Kong. He was among our first distinguish among the priorities. John Stott, MDiv graduating class, together with Andrew without doubt, was the most influential Church Eugene Peterson looks back in his Memoir Ng, Joshua Mak and Ronald Yu; people used to leader in the 20th century. For his whole life on his life journey during the 29 years of full- memorize this gang of four by their last names, Stott was a rector of an Anglican church in time church ministry in Maryland. There were “Ng, Law, Mak, Yu” (in Cantonese, it means “five central London. From the time he began his two years he was together with 15 other baskets of squids”). These “153 big fish” lead us pastoral internship, Stott had made up his mind pastoral colleagues every Tuesday, learning back to the shores of Tiberias, and recall Jesus' to faithfully expound the Holy Scripture on every from a practising psychiatrist from Johns last words to Simon Peter after His resurrection. Sunday. I would suggest that you read chapters Hopkins Hospital to recognise various needs 9 and 10 in the first volume of his biography.2 of psychological counselling. This valuable Chinese seminaries all consider training They may help you to set up your direction and experience expanded his horizon, but also and nurturing church ministers as their core goal when you launch out into your first year of brought an unexpected reflection. He found that responsibility, but few have included the word church ministry. he started to classify his congregation into various “pastoral” in the very name of the school. As groups of “problem cases,” and tried hard to find a matter of fact, the word “ποίμαινω” appears Many New Testament scholars have therapies and solutions, forgetting that they were in the New Testament just four times1: John pointed out that although Jesus used “my individuals created in the image of God. 21:16; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; and 1 Peter lambs” and “my sheep,” and that in ancient “They are not problems to be fixed, 5:2. We may want to trace the metaphor of manuscripts there even appear three different but mysteries to be honoured and “shepherding” as applied to church ministry words for “sheep,” these are probably to be revered. Who else in the community to this conversation between Jesus and Peter. best taken as stylistic variations without any other than the pastor has the assigned In other words, all subsequent ecclesiastical intention of making a significant distinction. task of greeting men and women and understandings of “pastoral” ministry must But what Jesus did was to repeat the welcoming them into a congregation in begin with these words of our Lord in order to “sheep” metaphor three times, and He also which they are known not by what is remain faithful and true to its original meaning. stressed that they were “My sheep.” From wrong with them, but by who they are, the perspective of pastoral ministry, the just as they are?” 3 In the three times Jesus asked Simon congregation is never the volunteer team nor Peter to “take care of my sheep”, the first the clientele of the church minister. To use Peterson did not ignore the contributions and the last time the word “feed” is used. another familiar imagery to make the same of clinical counselling in modern society, but Only in the second time the word “shepherd” point: “the Lord's sheep” are not to be trained he insisted that it was not the same as the is used. In the Greek Septuagint these two to become “Christian soldiers.” The former is duties of the pastors. “And my work is not to
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fix people. It is to lead people in the worship of God and to lead them to living a holy life.” “Holy” means “separated, belonging to God,” as they are all “the Lord's” sheep. Who Holds the Destiny of Biblical scholars also have different opinions on the use of the two distinct words for “love” in John 21:15-17, and the arguments This Tumultuous Age? keep going on. We have no intention to be drawn into this debate in these last minutes. But we still have to ask, at the end of the day, what is the connection between “pastoring my – An Interview with Chaplain Leung Kam Wah sheep” and “do you love me?” If the motivation of pastoring comes from “loving the Lord”, then whether the sheep are lovable is of no relevance. Actually, there are warnings from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah that the nature Recounting Our Journey of Faith reflect on our relationship with and our faith of the sheep is “going its own ways.” The Lord in Him. To what extent do we believe that as the supreme shepherd will use His rod and God has been accomplishing life-changing God is in control of everything? Do we believe His staff to chastise.4 Daniel Jenkins, visiting events on insignificant people. This is what our in God’s righteousness and mercy? Do we professor at Princeton Theological Seminary in Chaplain Kam Wah firmly believes. believe in His time? Do we believe that God 1982-83, half-jokingly said that we were, at the has huge plans like ravines of mountains? Do most, sheep dogs of our Master. In a BBC TV "The passing of generations is defined by we believe in God?! series, “One Man and his Dog”, one sheep dog historical events as we take the time to account following the whistle of its master, has to fetch for them in details,” Kam Wah analyzed. He said Casting All Things on God a group of four sheep from the opposite hillside when we open the Bible, we see that in the back to the pen. On the screen you can see the history of Israel, God’s turnaround power did Cast all things on God! It is easier said than dog running hard, chasing or blocking the sheep not happen to an era anytime and anywhere, done. However, it may not be too hard for Kam here and there, and barking constantly. But the but on insignificant individuals and at invisible Wah to do that. He recalled that after graduating dog would never knock over or bite any sheep, places, where He implemented major events from social work studies in college, he actually though the sheep may just turn away at the that transform lives. In this vast generation, we ran off to become a journalist-something he last moment in front of the sheep pen. From must learn to see and believe that God is also would never had imagined. After working in where does the dog get its endless energy? doing great things on every little one. Therefore, journalism for a while, when least expected, The answer is easy to be seen: it is from its no matter how unpredictable the surrounding he dedicated himself as a school social worker. loyalty and obedience to the master. In fact, this environment has become, the only correct and Then in 2000, he went to CGST, where he is the teaching going through the Old and New most promising direction is to believe in God pursued his Master of Divinity. By the time Testaments, “Love the Lord your God with all and cast everything upon Him. he graduated in 2003, when least expected, your heart and with all your soul and with all he became a pastor. After many years, he your strength.” Kam Wah can truly relate to the struggles felt deeply inadequate and started pursuing of the CGST classmates who are faced with counseling studies. But after he completed the Serving as a pastor is a life-long calling. Let the immense pressure from their pastoral study in counseling, when least expected, he us dedicate ourselves as a living sacrifice, “a ministries. He reminds them that while at realized he was not the right person for church worker who does not need to be ashamed, and the lowest point of our life, it is also the right ministry. This led to his resignation from the who correctly handles the word of truth.” The moment for us to recount our spiritual faith. church. What specific plans did he have when ultimate goal of our vocation is never success We need to detangle ourselves from the he resigned? None! However, and again when nor significance, it is sanctification. “To be holy illusory situations and our own hearts. We least expected, a week after he had handed in and separated for His ministry,” be it the first need to humble ourselves before God and the resignation from his pastoral position, he or second half of our entire lives. “Pastor my received an invitation from CGST to be their sheep” is the gracious Lord's command for chaplain. This was also not in the least part of those of us who have responded to His calling. his original plan. There is no promise of “skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through.” Three years of social work was not a May our Lord's sacrificing love revealed on the long time but proved to be very helpful to cross encourages us all to “fight the good fight, Kam Wah’s ministry later. In the past, when a finish the race, and keep the faith.” student came to his office, he was able to tell
Let us meet again on that day when Christ will award all His servants the crowns of righteousness. Take care!
1. Derek J. Tidball Builders & Fools: Leadership the Bible way (Leicester: IVP 1999) p.133. 2. Timothy Dudley-Smith John Stott, the Making of a Leader: A Biography: The Early Years Downers Grove: IVP 1999. 3. Eugene H. Peterson The Pastor: A Memoir (New York: HarperCollins 2011) p.137. 3 4. Jonathan Magonet A Rabbi Reads the Psalms 2 (London: SCM 1994, 2004 ) p.59 / p.53. 4 Good Reads
Written by Felice Cheng ThM 2016 MDiv 2009 Paul’s Viewpoint on God, Israel, – An Interview with Chaplain Leung Kam Wah and the Gentiles in Romans 9–11 1 Xiaxia E. Xue Assistant Professor (Biblical Studies) Langham Monographs, Carlisle, Cumbria UK, 2015. the kind of systems affecting the student’s life: the relationship among the students; the relationship between the teachers and students, among the teachers, and between Xiaxia Xue has written an important and the teachers and the school; the school system 2 challenging book on intertextuality in Romans and its operations; and the family relationship 9-11... she fully embraces both the dialogical of the student. Looking into all these intricate nature of intertexts and the role that a robust relationships allowed him to get a good grasp to the brink of desperation, you start to see a theory of linguistics can play in engaging such of the source of the issues. Today, when he glimpse of hope as you turn the corner. This interactive voices. I warmly recommend this sees a CGST student, he also sees several often makes him think of the growth of life, the book as providing a major step forward both systems behind him: the student himself; various situations of spiritual pastoring, and the in method and in understanding how Paul his relationship with his family and church ultimate value and significance of life. It is very creates his argument in this important part of members; the operations of the church… Many similar to the job of the accompanying walker. his letter to the Romans. This is a book to be interactions between parties are involved when He does everything possible to make sure the read and contemplated. he deals with various student cases, whether it trailwalker does not get lost, lose his footing or Stanley E. Porter is the social welfare sector, the medical sector, simply quit. Kam Wah has expressed that the President, or even the police, etc. The job of the social faculty members at CGST have the gift of being Dean and Professor of New Testament, worker is to assist the student with getting the accompanying walker, just as how he is Roy A. Hope Chair in Christian Worldview, through his immediate hardships, for example, determined to uphold this tradition by walking McMaster Divinity College to cope with an exam. This way when the side by side with his students. student prepares for another exam in the future, he will be capable of doing so because of his What is his plan or expectation for the previous experience. chaplain ministry? There is none! Didn't he already say that? Everything will work out for Listening Is More Important the best in God’s hands! General Fund Financial Report Jan. to Dec., 2019 However, CGST students are very mature Yes, God has been doing life-changing in handling issues and dealing with people. things on every little one, and that is what we General Fund US$ Their problems also seem more complicated firmly believe. Donations 3,719,725 than those of high school students. In many Tuition & other income 3,455,018 cases, he must suppress his own anxiety and 7,174,743 stop himself from jumping to conclusions solely Expenditure (6,557,903) based on past experiences. After all, listening is Photo captions: Surplus 616,840 more important than giving advice! 1. Kam Wah (2nd from left in front row) and the Spiritual Depreciation (884,955) Formation group in the first year as the Chaplain of Deficit for 2019 (268,115) Kam Wah is widely known as a passionate CGST. trailwalker. The perseverance of climbing 2. Spiritual Formation group during the first year of MDiv Outstanding mortgage loan as at Feb 2020: US$ 970,141 study. over mountains and wading out of water is 3,4. The classmates of CGST have been participating in exhausting and tiring. Just when it pushes you Trailwalker activities since 2001. Save Trees Subscribe to electronic version of CGST Bulletin
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From next issue onwards, you will receive an email notification to view the electronic version of the Bulletin. Thank you for making an effort to save the earth! • TEE also offered a series of four online Sunday • “When Pandemic Becomes Part of Daily Life” News Update school classes in the month of April for Chinese was the title of another online live seminar on churches to keep on learning God’s word in this marketplace ministry. The event was held on Graduate School trying time. President Stephen Lee, Dr Kelvin Yu, April 17 and Dr Jean Lee, Dean and Abundant Assistant Professor (Biblical Studies), Dr Simon Grace Associate Professor (Theological Studies), • This year’s Dedication Camp on March 14 was Cheung, Associate Dean and Henry Co See Cho marketplace alumni Dr Jeffrey Yau, together transformed into an online event. Dr Kelvin Yu, Associate Professor (Biblical Studies), and Dr with our two Faculty-in-Preparation, Mr Alex Assistant Professor (Biblical Studies), shared his Johnson Yip, Director of TEE, taught the Sunday Yeung and Ms Fanny Ko, were the speakers. message, with dialogue among other faculty school classes respectively. members and participants. May God use the • A public lecture on the “Integration of Faith and message and sharings to bless the participants Word of Life Bible Study Ministry (WOL) Counselling” was held online on April 20, with and lead them in searching for their path in speakers including Dr Raymond Au, Carson and theological education. • A series of online learning in the format of 5-week Virginia Mok Professor (Counselling Studies), Ms webinars were relaunched with different time Ellie Chan, retired Faculty, and our alumni Mrs Liu • The new Programs of Postgraduate Diploma for zones in South Pacific, Europe, and North America Wong Po Shan, Ms May Lai, and Mr Patrick Kung. Pastors in Counselling (PgDip(C)) and Master between April 7 and May 8, with 4 sessions each of Christian Marriage and Family Counselling week. More than 8,000 brothers and sisters have • Dr Pan Yi-Jung, Assistant Professor (Practical (MCMFC) will be launched this September. registered to the first week webinar. Studies) shared 5 sessions of Lent Devotion Series amist pandemic situation via the Facebook CGST • We pray for the applicants who are being • The new Putonghua edition of online learning Page from March 17 to April 10. May God use considered for the upcoming new school year. in the same format of 5-week webinars was Dr Pan’s message to bless brothers and sisters May God direct the selection process and give launched globally between April 21 and May 20, globally via the internet during this difficult time. wisdom to the Admission Committee members. with 2 sessions each week. Faculty-in-Preparation Library • The second series of 5-week online learning webinars will be launched from May 12 to June • Ms Li Wing-Ting (MDiv 13) passed her oral • From April to June, CGST library increases 12, with 6 sessions each week. examination on her doctroal thesis on March the number of eBook acquisition to fulfill our 16. “The Significance of ‘Strophic Structure’ • May the word of God strengthen the faith of users' online education needs. 360 titles of in Hebrew Poetry with Specific Reference to brothers and sisters. ebooks were purchased, including 2 new ebook the Book of Lamentations” is her thesis’ title. collections (T&T Clark Jesus Library and T&T Alumni Online Gathering Clark Theology Library), which are provided via • Ms Celine Yeung (MCS 10) passed her the platform of Theology and Religion Online. • An alumni sharing on “From Social Movement oral examination on her doctroal thesis at to Pandemic-Listen to The Lord for What He Princeton Theological Seminary on April 24. • In addition, different publishers offered free “Received by Christ: A Reworking of the electronic resources for CGST students, faculty Reveals to Christians Today” hosted by Rev Timothy Au, Assistant Professor (Practical Reformed Theology of the Lord’s Supper” is and staff to have full access, including: 1. the the title of her thesis. entire ebooks of Bloomsbury Collection until Studies) was held on April 27. May 31, 2020; 2. Theology and Religion Online Online Public Events Publications until May 31, 2020; 3. Cambridge University Press Free Online Access Ebooks until May 31, • Four public events were held online between • Dr Pan Yi-Jung’s new book in Chinese 2020; 4. Academic Search Ultimate e-journal March 30 and April 20 to address the challenges entitled Spiritual Companionship in Life database (free trial), published by EBSCO until of our current situation today. Journey was published by Christian June 30, 2020; and 5. De Gruyter over 75,000 Communications Ltd in March 2020. • The public lecture on the “New Normal Under DRM-free ebooks (without Digital Rights the Epidemic-Rethinking the Mission of the • Dr Pan Yi-Jung published an article “The Management) until June 30, 2020, to support Church” was held via Facebook Live on March Feminine Spirituality of St. Teresa: Ascending CGST online research, learning and teaching 30. Dr Harry Hui, Honorary Associate Professor, to God by Descending in Humility” in the during the COVID-19 outbreak. Department of Psychology, The University of Asia Pacific Mission Studies (APMS) Vol. 2, Theological Education by Extension (TEE) Hong Kong, Dr Charles Ka-Yui Leung, Associate No. 1 (2020): 78-100. Professor, Department of Economics and Finance, Finance Update • In the Apr-Jun term there were 1,360 enrollments City University of Hong Kong, Rev Dr Michael to our TEE courses. Due to the pandemic, all Chu, CGST Vice President and Assistant Professor • We thank God for providing the School's classes were conducted online. (Practical Studies), and Dr Bernard Wong, financial needs in the past year. Facing the • TEE offered an online course on Isaiah 28-39 CGST Associate Dean and Assistant Professor uncertainties ahead, CGST has adopted taught by Rev Dr Stephen Lee, President and (Theological Studies) were the speakers. rigorous and prudent measures to manage Lam Ko Kit Tak Professor (Biblical Studies), • An online public lecture on “Data Analysis of our budget in the coming months. And we free of charge between April 6 and May 3 for Church Dropouts-Interpreting Church Data Survey” continue to trust in the good hand of our God Chinese Christians worldwide in this time of was held on April 6, speakers including Dr Harry for His guidance and faithfulness. uncertainty and lockdown. Hui, Rev Dr Michael Chu, and Dr Bernard Wong.
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