Skip to content
  • AJC
  • CTP
  • MSTC
  • Alumni
  • Student
  • Contact us
MST logo white
Study with us
Browse Courses
Browse Units
Open Day
MST Online
Library
Campuses
Overseas Students
Postgraduate Studies
Timetables & Key Dates
Student Support
Fees
Audit
Apply
Life at MST
Community
Events
News
Alumni
Prayer
About us
Who Are We?
Faculty
Centres & Departments
MST Board
FAQs
Accreditation
Donate
Apply now
Study with us
  • Browse Courses
  • Browse Units
  • Postgraduate Studies
  • Open Day
  • Library
  • MST Online
  • Campuses
  • Student Support
  • Overseas Students
  • Timetables and Key Dates
  • Fees
  • Auditing
Life at MST
  • Alumni
  • Community Life
  • Events
  • News
  • Prayer
About us
  • About MST
  • Faculty
  • Centres and Departments
  • MST Board
  • FAQs
  • Accreditation
Student
  • Canvas Login
  • eCampus Login
Enquire Now →
Book a Discovery Call →
Donate →
AJC
CTP
MSTC
MST Chinese

By Wisdom a House is Built…

Ambassador
|
Author MST
|
April 15, 2019
Justin Tan teaching a class
Share
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

It has been established that the Chinese speaking Church has become one of the fastest growing churches in Australia. But as far back as the 1990s, it largely went unnoticed. It was seen as serving a limited function in helping a non-English speaking minority group find a home. But once the foundation was set in place, it grew into a formidable people movement. The Chinese Department at MST (MSTC) has played a great part in this birthing process and is humbled by the way the Lord has used it to establish His house with a Chinese distinctive in Australia.

According to Chinese ethos, a person’s worth is not measured by one’s wealth or intellect, but by one’s wisdom. The same is also true of the Christian ethos. The study of theology is the gaining of wisdom from above and percolating that wisdom into service for the Lord. MSTC has always prided itself on not forgetting that “By wisdom a house is built…”

“According to Chinese ethos, a person’s worth is not measured by one’s wealth or intellect, but by one’s wisdom.”

By the 1990’s, there were more than 200 Chinese Christian congregations established in Australia of various denominational persuasions, or with some being independent. 60 of these were based in Victoria alone. The acute problem of inadequate pastoral care emerged as the biggest challenge to these fledgling Churches. Serious thought was given to set up a uniquely Chinese Australian Theological Education to train local ministers
for the local congregations. Consequently MSTC was birthed and has established itself not only as the first but also the preeminent centre in Australia providing Chinese theological training and engaging in solid theological reflection and research. It has modelled cooperation with the support of many churches.

After the first graduation of 14 students in 1997, the Chinese Churches absorbed almost all our graduates to their pastoral teams, thus starting a firm relationship in “supply and demand”. Since then we have had more than 250 graduates, serving and establishing new evangelistic centres throughout Australia. In Melbourne alone, more than two-thirds of the Chinese Churches have our graduates in their pastoral team!

MSTC has in recent years expanded its reach into Asia. Not only are more and more overseas students enrolled yearly into our Wantirna campus, but we also partner with Hong Kong’s Christian Ministry Institute to teach a Master of Divinity program there. This has greatly widened the ministry of MSTC.

It has been nearly 25 years since the establishment of MSTC. Little did we realise then that it would grow into a uniquely Chinese legend in theological education, and all would proclaim with the Psalmist: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Share
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Recent Posts

Serving Christ In a Transforming Moment in History

14/12/2022

Bringing Together Our Alumni

14/12/2022

Empowering students to make practical change

13/12/2022

Serving God as a CEO

13/12/2022

Some upsides to lockdowns?

13/12/2022

Related Posts

Serving Christ In a Transforming Moment in History

14/12/2022

Bringing Together Our Alumni

14/12/2022

Empowering students to make practical change

13/12/2022

Serving God as a CEO

13/12/2022

Some upsides to lockdowns?

13/12/2022

Stay in the loop

Never miss out on whats happening at MST again! Keep up to date with all the latest news and upcoming events by subscribing to our mailing list.

Subscribe Now

Get in touch
with us

Our friendly Student Services Team is ready to answer any questions you may have.

You can call us, email us, or pop in for a visit or fill in the form and we will get in touch with you.

  • + 613 9881 7800​
  • info@mst.edu.au​
  • 5 Burwood Highway, Wantirna, VIC 3152, Australia
Enquire now
Book a discovery call

Apply now

Apply here

Connect with Melbourne School of Theology

Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram Youtube
MST Logo

We are an interdenominational Bible college, based in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Since 1920, MST has faithfully trained those with a heart for ministry and mission with a solid Biblical grounding in God’s Word.

  • About Us
  • Faculty
  • Courses
  • Units
  • Audit
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Alumni
  • Events
  • Apply
  • JW Searle Library
  • MST Chinese
  • Arthur Jeffery Centre
  • Centre for Theology and Psychology
  • Policies
  • 5 Burwood Highway, Wantirna, VIC 3152 Australia
  • Phone: +613 9881 7800
  • Email: info@mst.edu.au

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri People as the traditional custodians of God’s land on which MST stands, and pay our respects to their elders past and present, and extend our support for the emerging leaders of the future.

Subscribe

Receive updates of your choice.

Subscribe here

Melbourne School of Theology is an Affiliated College authorised to deliver courses for the Australian University of Theology, CRICOS Provider Code 02650E. ABN: 58 004 265 016. ACN: 004 265 016.

Enquire Now

By filling out the above form, you are agreeing to Melbourne School of Theology’s Privacy Policy, including the consent to contact for various marketing-related activities.

Subscribe

Contact information
Subscribe to receive:
Support MST
Receive more information about:

By filling out the above form, you are agreeing to Melbourne School of Theology’s Privacy Policy, including the consent to contact for various marketing-related activities.