The Feelings of a Graduating Preacher

A Step in Preaching

　　To me, August 2009 was the beginning of the final year of my seminary life. I told myself at the beginning of the school term, “Time will fly quickly. Cherish whoever is around me and whatever I do!” Since the graduating preaching is a rare opportunity, isn’t it something that I should treasure? This is easier said than done. As I recall, that day when I walked up to the Seminary pulpit, my heart was filled with fear and trembling.

A Step of Hesitation

　　I have never thought that I would be given the opportunity to stand on stage behind the pulpit and preach to teachers and students in the Seminary. Students joining this year’s graduating preaching were on a voluntary basis. Although I understand that it is a rare opportunity, I was indecisive and so did not respond to the Seminary’s invitation at once. After a while, I decided to join for I needed to treasure the preaching authority granted by God and also take the opportunity to reciprocate our teachers for their dedicated teaching.

A Step of Remembrance

　　From Dr. Sun’s book, From the Text to Sermon, I learn the following: “Every time doing preparation for preaching, the needs of the congregation are on my mind! The congregation is waiting to listen to the word of God!” I must thank this teacher for his reminder. Throughout the preparation process, my mind was constantly thinking about our teachers, staff and students of the Seminary, not to forget the wind and waves that the Seminary had faced. I prayed that through me as God’s vessel, the word of God could touch everyone’s heart so that their souls could be filled with fresh truth from God’s word.

A Shivering Step

　　When the day came for me to preach, I had never shivered so much. I still remember the first word I said on stage, “God permitting, I believe I can still have many opportunities to preach behind the pulpit. Wherever I am, I will always take my task seriously and make preparation and deliver the message with a scrupulous heart.” This was how my graduating sermon began and it also signified that my three years of seminary life, which has been overflowed with God’s grace, came to a close.

A Step of God’s and Men’s Blessing

　　In the past three years, I like to take pictures for classmates and this time of course I would not let go the precious moments of the graduating preaching. From the monitor of my camera, I captured the scenes of preaching of these would-be church ministers and also the moments of mutual embracing and hand-shaking as an expression of blessings from the Lord by the seminary congregation after a student finished his or her graduating preaching. The warm smiles of the teachers and students remind me that HKBTS is not only a seminary, but is also “old home” filled with familial affection.

　　Finally, I must thank my alma mater for giving me this unforgettable memory. I want to thank all my teachers giving me helpful comments. I want to thank Dr. Sun for being a role model and for his teaching. I also want to thank all the students who did the graduating preaching with conscientious hearts. I pray that the word of God will continue to bless my alma mater!