Applying What I’ve Learned and Deepening My Ministry

Rev. Lai with his wife and two sons

The Challenges and Joys on the Learning Journey

　　Fellow students who have pursued further education while in ministry roles understand that doing these two things at the same time is far from easy. Balancing ministry service and theological studies is quite different from the commitment I made to studying the Master of Divinity program. Back then, even though the number of subjects and coursework was greater, my entire being revolved around being a student, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies. However, during the Master of Theology program, I was heavily involved in church affairs from Tuesday to Sunday. As for Monday, on which I could potentially rest, I had to go to the Sai O Campus for classes early in the morning. Additionally, I had to rush to complete my thesis by the end of the semester. This journey was really a test of my spirit and endurance.

　　I never considered myself adept at academic research, but the depth and academic rigor of the Master of Theology program were formidable. I still remember studying the first course, “Biblical Theology,” in which we delved into how various scholars defined biblical theology and the different schools of thought on the subject. The differences among the various schools do not exist in absolute right or wrong. They simply originate from different perspectives. This kind of academic discussion was much deeper than anything I had encountered before, and it was eye-opening for me. Another memorable experience was during a semester when I took “Advanced Hebrew.” We were required to memorize nearly two hundred Hebrew words, with a vocabulary quiz every week. I remember one Sunday evening while helping my elementary school-aged son study English vocabulary, I was simultaneously memorizing Hebrew words. My son wondered why his dad, at his age, needed to memorize new words. These moments left a lasting impression on me.

Steadfastness through Prayer

　　Throughout the six-year journey as a student, there were times when I considered giving up. In 2019, the unstable political situation and social unrest in Hong Kong affected churches and their members. As a pastor, I had also questioned whether continuing my theological studies would actually benefit my ministry. Could the Hebrew words I memorized bless my fellow believers? Would my knowledge of biblical theology give them more confidence in God during these challenging times? But I prayed and sought God’s guidance. God’s calling was that I had to do my best to get myself prepared so that I might be used by the Lord anytime in this dark age and shine and speak for Him. My role was not only to teach my fellow believers biblical knowledge but to nurture them into workers for God. It was this calling that made me persevere and complete the remaining courses.

Applying Knowledge in Church Ministry

　　In the years that followed, God gradually taught me how to apply the knowledge gained from the theological courses to my church ministry. After completing a course each semester, I would organize training courses in my church on the same topics, enabling fellow believers to learn together. This, on the one hand, not only allowed me to apply what I had learned and transform the academic content into something my fellow believers could understand and digest but also gave me an opportunity to explore topics in greater depth, learning how to simplify complex concepts. On the other hand, it exposed church members to subjects they rarely encountered. For example, during one season, I offered a course on extracanonical literature, helping fellow believers understand the origins of the Bible and the differences between canon, apocrypha, and pseudepigrapha, broadening their horizons. Recently, I have taught a course on spiritual formation. Over two hundred church members attended it. In the first lesson, I spent the entire time explaining Deuteronomy 6:4-5 from the perspectives of theology, history, and the original text, emphasizing how we should love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might. The church members were deeply engaged and impressed. Little did they know that the entire content of that lesson was derived from my studies in the last course, “Deuteronomy.” I’m grateful to the Lord for allowing me to gradually integrate my academic studies into my pastoral work and teaching within my church.

　　Reflecting on my six years of academic pursuit, although it was not easy, I see grace everywhere! I’m thankful for my wife’s care and support, which enabled me to complete this formidable mission. Many thanks to my colleagues, and brothers and sisters in my church for their care and prayers! And, of course, heartfelt gratitude to the teachers for their dedicated teaching and the classmates for walking with me! May we never forget the Lord’s call to each of us. Regardless of the challenges we face, may we remain faithful servants of the Lord, wholeheartedly serving throughout our lives.