Responses

　　In recent years, quite a number of theological seminaries in Hong Kong have offered the PhD Program or the DMin Program. I have asked myself: Why is HKBTS behind the trend to offer a doctoral degree program? I believe this is also the mindset of many of our students, alumni and church pastors.

　　Recently, when I learn from our teachers that the Seminary will offer the Th.D. Program early next year, I feel truly thankful for the Seminary and for our students. I also thank God for our churches and for us, the ministers. As for HKBTS, the launching of this Program indicates to me that the Seminary has turned over a new leaf in its important mission of passing on to the new generation the baton of church ministry. I am confident that the new program will continue to uphold the Seminary’s principles to integrate the training in teaching, research and pastoral care. It will also seek to equip those who are gifted teachers to become theological educators and to enhance the quality of pastoral staff and leaders in teaching and pastoral care ministry.

　　I thank God for this Th.D. Program and pray for God’s guidance in this new venture. I pray that the new program will train up more servant leaders to serve faithfully in the seminaries or in churches for the sharing of the gospel from one generation to the next.

Wong Mui-ling
M.Div. (2008)
Presently studying in the Th.M. Program

　　A church pastor told me that in the past, owing to a lack of enough qualified teachers, those who wanted to engage in theological studies had to go to western countries for advanced training. Fortunately in recent years a generation of students who have completed graduate study abroad have returned to be teachers in the Hong Kong seminaries. Our local seminaries are not as insufficient in human resources as they once were and can provide better academic training. Today, those who would want to pursue theological studies can choose to further their studies here. This can allow them to develop the theologies that respond to Hong Kong problems.

　　Although going abroad to study may provide another kind of experience, not everyone can afford the high cost of such study. Other brothers or sisters may not choose to study abroad for various reasons. To learn of a local seminary being able to offer a doctoral degree program is truly good news to those who need to stay and study in Hong Kong, given quality lectureship. HKBTS is one such example. I am thrilled to know that my alma mater will soon offer the Th.D. Program. I pray that God will use this new program to provide training opportunities to those who devote themselves to academic studies, and who are willing to serve God at the intellectual level and to serve brothers and sisters in our churches.

Alumna Lam Lok-yan
Senior Editor of Logos Publishing House
M.Div. (2006), Th.M. (2009)