Publications
Here are some publications by BTS faculty and alumni. If you are keen to have a copy, please feel free to contact us at 6472 0091 or [email protected].
Mission: A Lifelong Calling
Editors: Fong Choon Sam & Scott N Callaham
Publication Year: 2019
Synopsis
This essay collection is compiled in celebration and commemoration of Baptist Theological Seminary’s thirtieth anniversary.
In this collection, four BTS faculty members and one former faculty member reflect upon consequential missional issues. Writing from their fields of research and teaching, they share their findings on the Bible, Baptist identity, theological reflection, preaching, and the Christian engagement with contemporary culture. As the reader will discover useful contextual and universal applications accompany their examination of these topics.
Bloom Where You Are Planted: Making the Marketplace Your Holy Ground
Author: Richard Loh
Publication Year: 2020
Synopsis
God placed you in the marketplace, so bloom where you are planted!
You cannot separate the theology of God from the theology of work. If God has ordained and commissioned you to be “in the world” of the marketplace, then you are to make it a holy ground for his purposes.
God’s people are his ambassadors and messengers in the marketplace. They are on mission with him. They will be scrutinized and tested. If the church on Sundays is the showroom for Christianity, the marketplace is the test-drive. It is where unbelieving co-workers get to see if they really want what Christians have.
This book declares: Christians have immense transformational potential in the marketplace! It explains the theology of work; addresses the Sunday-Monday and Clergy-Laity gaps; discusses the challenges faced by Christians in the marketplace and the influence they can have; and offers ways to maintain a holistic work-life balance.
This book will also enable the clergy/pastors and lay leaders to help Christians in the marketplace make sense of their work and recognize how they can influence those around them.
World Mission: Theology, Strategy, and Current Issues
Editors: Scott N Callaham & Will Brooks
Publication Year: 2019
Synopsis
World mission needs a fully biblical ethos.
This is the contention of the editors of and contributors to World Mission, a series of essays aimed at reforming popular approaches to missions.
In the first set of essays, contributors develop a biblical theology of world mission from both the Old and New Testaments, arguing that the theology of each must stand in the foreground of missions, not recede into the background. In the second, they unfold the Great Commission in sequence, detailing how it determines the biblical strategy of all mission enterprises. Finally, they treat current issues in world mission from the perspective of the sufficiency of Scripture.
Altogether, this book aims to reform missions to be thoroughly-not just foundationally-biblical, a needed correction even among the sincerest missionaries.
Appreciating & Nurturing Small Churches
Author: Richard Loh
Publication Year: 2019
Synopsis
Does size matter?
Certainly, large churches are generally regarded as more successful. This book challenges the assumption that size equates to success, and reminds readers that what counts is faithfulness to God’s mission. A small church can be as effective as a large one.
The majority of churches in the world are small, defined as under 250 worshipers. This book discusses the unique strengths that small churches possess despite, or even because of, their size. Pastors and leaders of small churches are encouraged to make the most of these advantages.
There are downsides of being small, and the book suggests how pastors and leaders of small churches can work around the limitations of size and resources to disciple members and reach out to the community. Large churches are also invited to recognize the synergy of working alongside small churches. Therefore, this book is relevant to constituents of churches both large and small.
Richard writes with a passion and keenness to correct the misconceptions and misgivings about small churches. This book fills a gap on the subject, especially in an Asian context. He shares his experiences to bless others called to lead small churches. Good things do come in small packages!
Focused Boards
Author: Peter Lin
Publication Year: 2011
Synopsis
Strategies and partnerships are today’s leadership concepts whereas shepherding, stewardship, and servanthood are eternal leadership mandates from the Bible. Focused Boards explores 21st century church leadership by marrying the Bible’s notions of leadership with modern concepts. This book is a much-needed compass for biblical and effective church governance with a strong spiritual emphasis.
Key areas discussed:
• The board’s stewardship responsibility towards the church’s future;
• The board as a shepherd in a fast-changing age;
• Relating to the pastorate through servanthood.
“This book is a must for leaders who serve on church and parachurch boards. It goes beyond John Carver’s model of governance by highlighting a spiritual emphasis that boards must have. I highly recommend this book for any leader who has to work on or with a board.”
Dr J Robert Clinton
Senior Professor of Leadership,
Fuller Theological Seminary
Counter-Cultural Paradigmatic Leadership Ethical Use of Power in Confucian Societies
Author: Gary K G Choong
Publication Year: 2011
Synopsis
In Counter-Cultural Paradigmatic Leadership Gary Choong challenges the reader to consider the mind-set, motive, and manner of leadership in any Asian setting that is suffused with contemporary practices of paternalistic authority. It provides a counter-cultural paradigm shift for the Christian leader who desires to honor God with mind and heart based on a biblical, moral foundation and to lead with character, biblical core values, and a commitment to further the cause of Christ.
The counter-cultural paradigms and practices of integrity, humility, and empowerment address the ills of contemporary paternalistic authority such as didactic leadership, guarding and building of reputation, protection of dominance, autocratic control, nepotism, cronyism, ambivalence, lack of accountability, overstaying one’s effectiveness, and underestimating one’s subordinates.
This counter-cultural paradigmatic Christian leadership deals first with the Christian leader’s character and spiritual formation over a lifetime; second, it seeks to influence and impact team members toward biblical coherence and congruence in discipleship, team ministry, and leadership development; third, it encourages the leader to consider ways to address organizational behavioral dysfunctions, and hence organizational coherence, congruence, and effectiveness, particularly with a view toward leadership succession and organizational significance.