Hong Kong, China. Often referred to as the place where East meets West, Hong Kong is a paradoxical mix of western popular culture and eastern philosophy.
This paradox exists, in part, due to the political and cultural influences of the region past and present. As part of one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, Hong Kong traces it’s beginnings to the early 19th century when it began its evolution from small fishing village to busy trading port. The influence of merchants and seamen from around the globe made Hong Kong, even in its early days, a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange. Located on the South China Sea, Hong Kong is now one of the world’s leading financial and business centers. However, the path from small village to international financial powerhouse has not been without challenges.
Occupied by Britain in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year. According to an agreement signed by China and the UK in 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China on July 1, 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs until 2047.
Hong Kong’s economy has become more service and tourism oriented since the return to Chinese rule as much of the manufacturing industry and financial services sector have moved to the mainland. However, Hong Kong still has the highest per capita Gross Domestic Product of any of the four largest Western European economies and is reaping the benefits of increasing demands for technology and communications related products.
While under British rule, Hong Kong enjoyed a great deal of independence and freedom in all matters political, religious, and economic. Today, even as a Special Administrative Region of China, residents of Hong Kong still enjoy greater freedoms than those living on the mainland. English serves as one of two official languages, immigration and customs policies are self-determined, and religious freedom is protected through its Basic Law or constitutional document.
Currently, about 90% or six million of Hong Kong’s population practices a type of folk Buddhism, 7% or 500,000 count themselves as Christian, and 3% or 200,000 follow traditional Buddhism also known as Taoism. In addition, many other religious groups count small numbers of followers including Mormons, Muslims, and Baha`is.
WELS in Hong Kong
WELS began work in Hong Kong in the 1960s while it was still under British rule. Outreach has taken on different forms in Hong Kong over the years. One method has been operating study centers in the crowded high-rise apartment buildings housing tens of thousands of people. In 2003 the WELS Board for World Missions chose to open a new WELS seminary on China’s doorstep. Asia Lutheran Seminary would serve Hong Kong and would also offer theological training to the greater Chinese world that makes up most of Southeast Asia. The first full-time resident professor was called to serve ALS in 2003. A second professor became the full-time president in the following year. Since 2005 a series of twelve visiting professors from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and WELS have taught in residence. President John Lawrenz divides his time between the classroom and the administrative duties associated with the seminary operations. Professor Robert Siirila guides the outreach and pastoral training at ALS and guides LifeNet in placing English as a Second Language teachers in mainland schools. The school formally opened on May 29, 2005, offering day and evening classes to men and women alike.
The purpose of ALS as stated in its Preamble reads “Asia Lutheran Seminary offers advanced theological education in the historic Lutheran tradition that treasures the Bible and the unconditional Gospel. ALS trains men as pastors and men and women as evangelists. ALS exists to carry out Christ’s commission to ‘make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’ and does so by faithfully ‘teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’” (Matthew 28:19-20).
President John Lawrenz notes that, “ALS is a true Lutheran seminary with a mission emphasis. Most seminaries teach the Bible, doctrine, church history, and the practical aspects of shepherding a congregation. We have set aside one-fifth of our classes to train our graduates in reaching those who do not know Christ at all— first in the neighborhood, then in the nation, and finally, world-wide.” Women are also welcome to participate in all courses offered by the seminary. “Our aim is to raise up men primarily in a course lasting four to five years. At the same time our seminary is willing to shape women who serve in the Chinese world under the lead of pastors. In WELS we have a separate school for our women teachers and staff ministers. Here in HK we have one school to serve all.”
The extent of WELS work in Hong Kong goes beyond the four walls of ALS, including a church in Taiwan. Currently there are three full-time students in Taiwan, an island that lies an hour and a half from Hong Kong by plane. Lawrenz notes that “In addition to being physically separated, there is also political separation. Taiwan is part of the Republic of China, subject to their governance and rule, while Hong Kong stands in the middle of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, each claiming to be sole flag-bearers. Distance, character sets, language, and politics all need to be bridged as we prepare men and women to serve God’s kingdom.”
Students studying for the pastoral ministry at ALS will follow core courses similar to students at our Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary located in Mequon, WI. Five areas of curriculum emphasis make up the core of study at ALS: Biblical; Historical; Systematic; Pastoral; and Outreach.
The curriculum offered by ALS leads to a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree for all students who satisfactorily complete 128 credit hours. Students may apply up to 48 credits from an approved Bible Institute as the foundation for a B.Th. program, and may also request an Associate of Arts in Theology (A.A.Th.) certificate when two-thirds of the B.Th. program has been completed. Students with a B.Th. degree also qualify for: a Master of Arts (M.A.R.) degree by completing 30 additional credits; or a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree by completing 60 additional credits that include a thesis, proficiency in English as a research tool, and a working knowledge of either biblical Greek or biblical Hebrew. Degrees are granted upon recommendation of the president, the faculty, and the ALS board of directors.
Next month
“How can one little seminary in Hong Kong dream of feeding the spiritual hunger of mega-millions in the Chinese world?" asks ALS President John Lawrenz. Join us for part two when we will share how technology and manpower come together to meet the unique challenges faced by Asia Lutheran Seminary.
References
CIA World Factbook, URL: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
Asia Lutheran Seminary, URL: http://als.org.hk
Lawrenz, J. 2006 ‘Report from the President of ALS’, Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society, URL: http://lwms.org
