PELITA - The Methodist Church Newsletter
Listed below are articles abstracted from past issues of PELITA
October 2009 - STM Celebrates 30 Years of Theological Education!
1979 - 2009
From very humble beginnings Seminari Theoloji Malaysia can truly celebrate its 30 years of existence with the knowledge that it has grown in all aspects of its ministry in theological education.
It began life with the amalgamation of the Church Workers’ Training Centre (CTC), a joint effort of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore (ELCMS) and the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia (DWM) and the Kolej Theoloji Malaysia (KTM) started by DWM to train candidates for the priesthood. It started with a first batch of 18 students.
Changing Locations / A Permanent Home
STM’s first base was the premise of CTC at Zion Cathedral in Brickfields. In 1983 it moved to its second campus in Sentul. This provided much needed additional space for classrooms, hostel facilities, library space and playing fields. The library expanded to three times its size from the days at Brickfields.
From Sentul STM relocated to Xavier Hall Petaling Jaya in 1992. This move to a smaller place gave the impetus to accelerate the search for a permanent home for STM. In 1993 a piece of land of 5.6 acres in Seremban was purchased from the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus. Construction began in 1995 and completed in 1997. STM moved into its permanent home in 1998.
Sponsoring Church Dnominations
STM began with three member churches of the Council of Churches Malaysia as sponsoring denominations – ELCMS, DWM and the Methodist Church in Malaysia. The Anglican Diocese of Sabah officially joined in 1997; and then Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia (GPM) in 2004 and the Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore (LCMS) in 2005.
Growth in Student Population
Student enrolment has also grown from the first 18 in 1979, not only in numbers but also in the church denominations represented, in married students with families and since 1999 some international students. In recent years STM has sought to provide accommodation to married students. The student population in 2008 was 118 full-time in-campus students with another 215 doing part-time studies in the various TEE programmes.
An Evolving Theological Programme of Studies
STM has also developed its academic programmes through the years. Beginning with the basic BTh and BD it included the MDiv degree all of which were accredited by the Association of Theological Education of South East Asia (ATESEA). It soon added the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) to equip lay people for ministry. Today TEE offers undergraduate and graduate level of studies and has also a Tamil and Chinese programme.
As the scope of its theological education and equipping expanded STM did not forget its alumni and sought to provide a continuing education for them. To this end, with its move to the new campus in Seremban, STM also launched the MMin programme for pastors who have been in ministry and needed refresher courses, spiritual refreshment and theological reflection. In 2008 the DMin programme was started.
Still on the academic front, STM was accepted as a participating school of the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology (SEAGST) in 1994. And in 1996 it began to offer the Master of Theology (MTheol) degree. Today STM is the administrative regional office for SEAGST Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand-Lanka region (SEAGST MSTL), with the Principal Rev Dr Ezra Kok as the Area Dean.
Investment in Perpetuity – STM Endowment and Trust Fund
Indeed the seminary has developed in various other ways, in particular the Faculty and the library, to become an institution with an established presence and name in theological education. In order to grow further it needs the continued financial support and resources to enable it to achieve its vision.
With its 30th Anniversary STM launched the first step towards an Endowment and Trust Fund. This will promote excellence, quality and sustainability for its programmes while enabling it to become a regional centre for theological education, thought and research. The Fund will be used to support Chairs or Professorships, provide scholarships, to develop library and resource facilities for a higher level of research and training.
Indeed, after 30 years the Seminary can take note of its achievements in gratitude to the Lord. And look forward to greater heights for its contribution to theological education, research, thought, training and equipping the Church for its life and mission.