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Adam Ch’ng is studying at Ridley College in Melbourne (MDiv/GradDipDiv), graduating in 2018. He is an Anglican ordination candidate and moving slowly but surely towards planting a church in Melbourne’s south-east.    

TGCA: Can you tell us about your life before studying theology, and how you ended up at college?

Before studying at Ridley, I worked as a lawyer and then an adviser to Senator Eric Abetz, the Minister for Employment. I loved my work. Whether it was writing speeches or helping run Question Time, I had my ‘dream job’. So I didn’t leave for theology because of my job but in spite of it (I left before the unexpected change of Prime Minister).

I often get asked why I left politics for theology. On my final day, my former boss told me, ‘What we do here (in Parliament) changes people’s behaviours. What you are going to do will change people’s hearts.’ That’s as good a reason as any.

TGCA: Were there any life experiences before college that you think were particularly beneficial?

 

There’s really no substitute for full-time work. Sure, I learnt the important life skills of waking up on time, being accountable to authority, meeting deadlines, etc. But it’s the evangelism that’s the best part of work—waking up every morning wondering how I can commend Christ to someone.

Evangelistic opportunities are much harder to come by at college. So bedding down a healthy lifestyle of evangelism before coming is really important—I wish I did a better job at that.

TGCA: What were the high-points and low-points of studying theology?

 

I may be the only student to say this but I love chapel. The daily 50 minutes of corporate worship is a reminder that we are not a research university or a for-profit business—we are a theological community. We study God’s word with his servants for his church to his glory.

That means relationships matter—not just for the sake of friendship but also maturity. I’ve met brothers and sisters with whom I will, Lord-willing, serve alongside for a lifetime. They have refined my theology and modelled Christlikeness that adorns the doctrine we study. The highest point has been realising and experiencing that God’s word is not just for me—it’s for us, his church.

TGCA: Do you have any particular lessons from (or regrets about) your years at college?

 

It’s so easy to be in a rush—to speed through college, launch out, and conquer the nations for Christ. But we risk underdoing our theological formation. Sometimes we just need to slow down. The deep truths of God take time to get into our hearts as well as our heads.

For those of us training for vocational ministry, the ideal is 3-4 years’ full-time on-campus study. Sure, it’s a big sacrifice but it’s necessary—and it’s worth it.

I’m wary of too much ‘flexibility’ in theological education. At its best, flexibility can maximise our formation. But at its worst, it risks undermining our formation, allowing us to reduce our study load, skip the original languages, or even graduate before we should. In fact, JI Packer votes with both hands for an extra year of study!

In my extensive athletic experience (not really), the path to Olympic success is long, slow and doesn’t involve shortcuts. It’s probably a good rule for theological maturity as well.

TGCA: Were there any surprises?

Studying Hebrew and Greek isn’t as hard as it seems and it’s worth it!

Reading the Scriptures in the original languages is like gazing upon a stained glass window with the floodlights shining through. Before I saw the image with clarity and confidence, and now I see it in fuller colour and glory.

TGCA: How has studying helped you live and serve Jesus?

Studying theology has showed me where to place my trust and confidence. In every subject and on every page of Scripture, the character of God continually shines through—promise-keeping, faithful and everlasting.

TGCA: What factors went into your decision to study where you did?

I was deciding between two colleges: one in Melbourne and the other interstate. Both colleges are theologically Reformed and evangelical with a strong commitment to the Scriptures. I decided to stay in Melbourne because this is where I want to devote the best years of my life and ministry.

Studying at Ridley has allowed me to train in Melbourne for Melbourne, to understand its particular needs, and to commit to it for a lifetime of service.

TGCA: Do you have any advice for people who want to go into ministry but aren’t sure whether they need to study theology?

I’m often reminded by some that the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon never studied at theological college. Though my guess is they ain’t no Spurgeon, and neither am I.

If our core task is to ‘preach the word’, we must know the word which we preach.

TGCA: Are there principles you would suggest for those working out where to study?

Theology and context. Find a college that keeps the gospel at its core and the Scripture as its foundation. Ridley’s old motto was: ‘Proclaiming Christ Crucified’—that’s a good sign!

Preferably, study in the context in which you want to minister. Context shapes the task of theology: the questions we ask, the issues we confront, and the people whom we serve.


Photo: unsplash.com

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