Pastor started on the Master of Theology program in TTC during my Sabbatical year in 2005. My interest during the break was to look deeper into the issue of stress among pastors and how one can continue serving the Lord to finish one’s calling. In the ten years that I had served, I was constantly stressed out and observed the same in my colleagues. Many quietly checked themselves into hospital for various stress-related conditions while others collapse at the workplace. Is exhaustion unavoidable?

In that year, I only managed to complete my course work as I needed time to recuperate from exhaustion and also to re-connect with my girls. I had the privilege of studying under Dr Simon Chan, Dr Daniel Koh, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon and Mr Anthony Yeo. However, by the end of that year, the required thesis was left undone as there simply wasn’t time. I submitted my proposal the following year but the thesis committee did not find it acceptable. I laid it off for quite a while as I had started ministry again and was rather discouraged after my first attempt at the proposal. It was with the continual encouragement of the leaders in Charis MC that I continued to pursue the writing project. Bishop helped me to narrow the context of the study so that I could explore the topic in greater depth. Last year between January and April, I worked on my thesis with the blessings of the PPRSC. The PPRSC gave me a lot of flexibility with my work arrangements so that I could write and complete it. My Companions in Christ class kept me going with their encouragement too. I just know that I couldn’t have done it without all of you and God’s guidance.

The title of my thesis reads, “How two church fathers viewed the challenges in their pastoral ministries and the strategies that kept them to their calling.” The two church fathers that I made reference to in the thesis were both Eastern church fathers from the fourth century: Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom. They gave me perspective about a lot of the situations that pastors find themselves in every now and then and the ways they coped and dealt with them.

If one wishes to survive the rigors of ministry, we need the following:
• A robust eschatological perspective of the purpose of our ministry and the rewards promised to us.
• A healthy fear of God
• Conferencing with the Lord frequently
• Deep spiritual friendships
• Growing one’s core identity as beloved son or daughter of God. 

Thank you all for being part of my journey in completing my studies. You are most welcome to attend my graduation at St Andrew’s Cathedral at 3.00pm on the 15th May. My only regret is that the venue may prove too small for all the guests. All glory be to God!

~ Rev Tan-Yeo Lay Suan