Pens down, exams are done and the last assignments submitted. So where to now for our graduates? We caught up with Dale Buchanan who recently finished his Bachelor of Ministry. He shares some highlights and reflects on his time at BST over the last three years…
How does it feel to be finished?
Woohoo! I’m finally finished. After three hard years of study I will have a Bachelor of Ministry under my belt. Although it is exciting and gratifying to be finished, it is also with some sadness that I bid farewell to college days. I’ll definitely miss the fantastic lecturers and of course Friday community days – chapel, fellowship groups and the delicious community lunches! I’ll also miss the people I’ve come to call my friends: staff, faculty, fellow students and the families who live on campus. With that in mind, I have every intention of coming back for the odd visit on a Friday.
Where to now after studies?
From the very outset of deciding to come to BST I felt God calling me into pastoral ministry. This has been realised throughout my degree, particularly with my Field Education placement at Moore Park Baptist Church. This turned into paid employment, which began at one day per week and then increased to two days. I will continue with Moore Park in the associate role and spend a few years training under our new Senior Pastor (who will commence in a few weeks). My long term goal is to venture out and serve as a Pastor in a regional area. My wife and I have lived in regional and rural areas, and have grown passionate about serving in that context. I am in the process of registering with the Queensland Baptist Union and will have to do further studies to fulfil their requirements.
Do you feel equipped for ministry?
To be honest I don’t feel completely equipped for ministry, because I still feel that I have a lot to learn. But when I look back over the past three years, I have noticed big changes: I have changed in the way I deal and interact with my family, becoming more patient with my children and loving my wife in a godlier manner (there is still plenty of room for improvement though!); and my knowledge of the Bible and theology has increased tenfold. These character changes have been a great starting point in equipping me for ministry. It is God who has done this work in my life and I will continue to remain in Him to bear much fruit, because apart from God, I can do nothing (John 15:1-5).
What are some of your favourite memories?
Where do I even start! There are so many of them. I have met many great people over my time at BST and I will try to keep in touch (Facebook is a great ministry tool). One of my favourite memories would probably be the Tamworth mission trip in 2013. There were many opportunities for church-based ministry and outreach, but the one day that stuck in my mind was visiting one of the elderly ladies from church. She had numerous church friends and neighbours join us for afternoon tea. It’s not exactly one of my strengths to talk to large groups of elderly people (my wife Jodie who was with me on this trip loves talking to the elderly, so she’s a natural). I was not enjoying myself and quietly prayed a small prayer to ask God to take this cup away from me, but that His will be done. I began talking with an elderly gentlemen, who I had met at the church, and asked him how long he had been a Christian. He said he did not know whether he was a Christian or not. This allowed me to share the gospel with him and we chatted for a while. The experience really showed me that in my time of weakness God shines through to show His strength (1 Cor 1:27).
Any tips for those who are about to start studying or thinking of studying?
Work hard and be good to your mother! In all seriousness, treat college just like you would a full-time job: working nine to five, and trying to make a living. The lecturers say that you should devote about seven or eight hours per week outside of class-time for each subject. That works out to be about ten to eleven hours per subject every week, times that by four subjects and you have around 40 hours which is equivalent to a full-time job. The purpose of coming to Bible college is to be equipped to minister to God’s people and share the gospel to others. God also desires for us to be transformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29). If we approach this kind of training with a lackadaisical attitude, it will filter through to our subsequent ministry and post-college life. The study and ministry preparation needs to be taken with seriousness because it is about people’s eternal salvation that we are concerned with in ministry.
I would recommend studying at Bible college as I have enjoyed my time immensely.
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