B. Programmes and Activities

From the very beginning, the Pastoral Programme has been adopting a multi-dimensional approach to realize her mission. The programmes and activities she organizes can be categorized into several strategies:

1. Nurturing the To-Be-Ministers

1. Upgrading the qualities of Field Education.
2. Cooperating with non-local Christian Communities in the provision of fieldwork Placements.
3. Closely cooperating with bodies providing Clinical Pastoral Education.
4. Teaching pastoral subjects.
5. Conducting researches in the area of pastoral studies.

2. Meeting the Educational Needs of Local Ministers

1. Providing tailor-made refresher courses and talks to local ministers.
2. Admitting qualified local ministers into our part-time degree programmes.
3. Organizing contextually relevant seminars for church workers.
4. Creating and exploring other educational opportunities for church ministers.

3. Organizing Retreat Camp for Local Ministers

Organizing retreat camps for local ministers every year to help them to reflect on their own ministries and life, and?encouraging them to share their experiences among themselves.

4. Implementing "Mission Enhancement Project"

This project serves Hong Kong churches by assuming the roles of a “think-tank” by developing a network of experts, scholars, and experienced pastors, pooling togetherthe most current information about the situation of Hong Kong, and integrating social analysis and theological reflection, so that church ministers and lay leaders can have a deeper grasp of these issues to do theological reflection. It thereby enhances the competence of the churches in responding to complicated social issues, so that he Hong Kong churches may carry out their mission more relevantly and effectively. The project publishes a monthly bulletin which analyzes social issues which churches are concerned with and provides various perspectives for reference. Moreover, it conducts researches on the situation of the church and society. It also offers courses and organizes seminars.

5. “Young Pastor Support Network” program

1. Case Supervision and Study Groups to help young pastors in personal and pastoral issues
2. Individual counseling for pastors and group spiritual direction
3. Spiritual renewal retreats for pastors to renew physical, psychological and spiritual strength
4. Consultation for young pastors by experienced pastors
5. Provide for pastors personality tests such as PFP and 16PF to help them assess their personality, gifts and ministries

6. Annual Pastoral Conference

In accordance with the development of pastoral ministry in Hong Kong, pastoral conferences are organized to explore of issues arising from pastoral ministry. Since 2007, this conference has been held annually, and conference papers have been published.

7. Annual Pastoral Conference

1. Co-ordinating the extramural theology programmes jointly run by the Divinity School of Chung Chi College and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
2. Organizing the Theology Training (Ministry) for Laity with Churches (The Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China and The Methodist Church) Providing pastoral workers with suitable and professional training in theology.
3. Organising the Chuen King Memorial Lectures. This lectureship funding has been donated by Mr. Bing-lai Wong, a reputable Christian businessman of Hong Kong to commemorate his father, Mr. Chuen-king Wong. The following lists the lecturers invited: In 1996, Prof. A.J. Malherbe of Yale University and Prof. C.K. Barrett of Durham University; in 1997 Prof. Kosuke Koyamam, a famous Japanese theologian of New York Union Theological Seminary. In 1998 17 local scholars, were invited to lecture on the theme "Reading, Studying and Interpreting the Bible", the focus was on the diversity in methods of Bible interpretation; in February 2000, Prof. Gerd Theissen of Heidelberg University; served as the lecturer; in January 2001, Prof. Jack M. Sasson of the Vanderbilt University; in October 2002, Prof. Morna Hooker of the Cambridge University; in March 2003, Prof. James Dunn of the Durham University; in March and September 2004, Prof. Choon Leong Seow of Princeton Theological Seminary and another world renowned Old Testament scholar, Prof. James Barr, respectively. In January 2005, Prof. Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza from Harvard Divinity School; in February 2006, Prof. Howard Marshall of University of Aberdeen and in March and September 2007, Emeritus Professor David. J. A. Clines of of University of Sheffield and Prof. David Ussishkin, Professor Emeritus of Archaeology in February 2009, Prof. Michael Stone of Professor Emeritus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and in March 2010, Prof. James. H. Charlesworth, George L. Collard Professor of New Testament Language at Princeton Seminary.
4. Organizing Pommerenke Lectures which investigate, in particular the relationship between Christianity and Chinese cultures . This lectureship is set up in memory of the Rev. Pommerenke who donated the site at Tao Fung Shan to the Chung Chi College. The site was given to him by the Rev. Dr. J. Stewart Kunkle who was a former principal of Union Theological Seminary, Ling Nam University, Canton. The following lists the lecturers invited for the Pommerenke Lectureship:in 1998 Prof. Wing-hung Lam and Prof. Wai-yiu Wan; in 2003, Prof. Xin-ping Zhuo; in 2004, Prof. Vincent Shenand in 2008, Prof. Bernard Luk.
5. Publishing the Tolo Theological Series, the Chuen King Series, the Pommerenke Series, the Good Shepherd Series and other theological monographs.
6. Collaborating with Christian organizations in the provision of Christian education

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