The Lutheran Theological Seminary maintains an international forum, not only in concern over the need of talents in theological education, both local and overseas,  the Seminary also extends exchange activities as efforts to participate in the theological education in Mainland China in the wake of China’s open door policy.  Since 1994, the Seminary has commenced co-operation with the Church of the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and the China Christian Council (CCC) in developing the theological education ministry in Mainland China.  To envisage enormous evangelical ministry in the 21st century, the Seminary is required to shoulder more key tasks in multiple facets and in multiple lines of development in forging theological education ministry in Mainland China.  The following is an overview of the onus and the ministry of the Seminary in the fields of theological education in Mainland China and the relevant financial budgets.  We wish that brothers and sisters who share the same yoke with us will pray and make offerings for us.

From 1996 onwards, the Church of the TSPM and the CCC has been arranging teachers of theological seminaries, church pastors and ministers in Mainland China to undertake full time advanced level theological courses at the Seminary.  In the past decade, there are more than 20 graduates with many of them returning to Mainland China to take up key positions as the presidents of theological seminaries, deans and professors on their successful completion of studies.

In 2011, the total sum of the composition fees, accommodation charges and meal costs is calculated to be in the region of $100,000HK for a full time doctorate student.  As such the total budget for a full time doctorate student for a three year curriculum will reach $300,000HK.  Currently, the Seminary is financing four pastors and ministers from Mainland China in pursuing studies in the doctorate curriculum and two in the curriculum of Master of Theology.

The Seminary is now discussing with the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary in organizing “joint” doctorate curriculum courses for the purpose of developing theological talents effectively in Mainland China.  In November 2010, the President of the Lutheran Theological Seminary taught on an intensive bible course and had so discussed with Dr. CHEN Jilu, President of the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary about the joint scheme.  In April and June this year, the Seminary will be sending professors to run courses on Librarianship and Old Testament Theology courses at the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.  In addition, the  plan of joint writings and publications of theological textbooks by the Seminary and the Nanjing Seminary is in the pipeline.

The Seminary will be running a new one-year curriculum course of Master of Arts in Diakonia.  The total sum of the composition fees, accommodation charges and meal costs is calculated to be in the region of $80,000HK for a full time student.  The total cost for a part time two-year student will be in the region of $120,000.  The Church of the TSPM and the CCC are now arranging four workers to undertake the course in Fall 2011.  It is intended that on their completion of the course, they will be much benefited in knowledge, spirituality and in practice so that they will be able to develop Diakonia services run by the Church in Christ’s spirit.

As some of the courses for the curriculum of Diakonia will be held intensively over a two-week period, the Seminary is therefore planning to increase the number of courses to be taught on an intensive basis so that more students can join.  It is anticipated that two or three intensive courses will be run annually, accommodating around 30 to 35 students each time.  On top of the travelling courses, the total sum of the composition fees, accommodation charges and meal costs will be $5000 per head.  The total costs will be in the region of $150,000 to $170,000 for 30 to 35 students.

Commencing in 2007, the Seminary has been offering a one-week exchange and intensive forum course for teachers of theological seminaries in Mainland China.  The contents of the course is about the design, organization, delivery methods and teaching plans of theological seminary courses, together with discussions and forum.  There were more than 50 co-workers undertaking the summer training course.  Last year, the Church of the TSPM and the CCC arranged 14 participants who were teachers of five different theological seminaries in Henan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Sichuan and Shandong.  They all indicated that they had benefited a lot from the course.  This year, the Church of the TSPM and the CCC will further arrange 20 participants who are staff of ten different theological seminaries and biblical schools in Hubei, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shanxi, Huadong, Anhui, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Inner Mongol, and Huabei.

Commencing in last year’s summer, the Seminary, as a joint effort with Mainland seminaries, and the Church of TSPM and CCC, has been arranging students to pay cross-cultural exchange visits for a period of three to four weeks.  Last year, two professors led ten students to visit Guangzhou, Jieyang, Zhongshan and Chiuchow areas in order to experience the local lifestyle and cultural.  They also visited the Guangdong Union Theological Seminary and the local churches and they joined the Sunday service of the local churches, experiencing the ministry in the rural areas and in towns.  Not only that the professors and the students gained a lot, the churches they visited were also given much encouragement.  This ministry will continue.

From 2002 onwards, the Seminary has entered into close partnership with 18 Mainland universities, under the auspices of the Institute for Sino & Christian Studies.  These universities include the Beijing University, Tsinghua University, Zhongshan University, Beijing Normal University, etc.  During each semester, four Mainland Master or Doctorate students are financed to pursue further studies in that particular semester.  Through these further studies, direct dialogue with professors and involvement in religious activities, the students gain the opportunities to learn of the Christian faith.  In the past, a total of 84 exchange students joined this scheme, with an average of 8 students on an annual basis.  In 2010, the total cost of the expenses is $220,000.

From 2001 onwards, the Seminary has been sending a professor during each semester to teach at the Religious Centre of the Zhongshan University in Guanzhou, lasting one day per week.  The subjects taught include Introduction to the Bible, Christian Ethics, Christian Education, Christian Philosophy and Introduction to Major Christian Thinkers.  In order to extend this service for the benefits of more students, the Seminary will be adjusting the one-day session per week, if possible to a one-week intensive course so that the scheme can be extended to more universities.  The cost for a professor to teach at Mainland universities for one week is estimated to be around $5000.

To ensure smooth development of ministry in Mainland China, there are pressing needs for vision, prayer, human resources and offerings with love.  It is incumbent upon each and every Chinese Christian to support theological education in China so that the gospel of Jesus Christ can be broadly proclaimed and the church ministry will produce prosperous results in China.  In this connection, I sincerely appeal for your support and prayer in sustaining the theological education ministry of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mainland China.  This will make every items of ministry and plans be accomplished.  Your love and offerings will be accepted by the Heavenly Father with joy and I would like to express sincere gratitude first.  May all the glory and praise be with Jesus Christ who loves us completely and sacrificed for us on the cross.