DMIN: Ministry Related Research and Writing

Ministry Related Research and Writing
by Dr Ng Han Lim

Biographical Sketch:

Dr Ng Han Lim earned his D. Min. and M. Div. degrees from Singapore Bible College and his M. Th. degree from Trinity Theological College. Prior to theological education, he studied for a B. Sc. Hons in Systems Engineering from the Loughborough University of Technology. Having served eight years in church teaching and preaching, he is an adjunct lecturer with Singapore Bible College, majoring in Biblical studies, literary criticism and he teaches Hermeneutics, the narrative books and Old Testament. He also serves in missions with Biblical Education by Extension as curriculum writer and facilitator. Prior to full-time training and ministry from 1990, Dr Ng was CEO of an American multinational corporation in the electronics and computer industry. Married to Catherine, the Ngs have three grown children, Timothy (26), Matthew (24) and Sarah (18).

Required Reading

Adler, Mortimer J. How to Read a Book: the Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading. New York: Simon and Shuster, 1967.

Booth, Wayne C., Gregory C. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. 2nd ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2003.

Noebel, David A. The Battle for Truth. Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2001.

Ryken, Leland. How to Read the Bible as Literature...and Get More Out of it. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.

Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Your Indispensable Guide to Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

Wolcott, Harry F. Writing Up Qualitative Research. London: Sage Publications, 1990.

Required reading includes a DMin and a PhD dissertation of the student's choice. If possible, choose those that are closest to the student's area of interest/ministry and to the student's own anticipated research/dissertation. For a PhD dissertation to read, choose those that are of a more practical nature, such as by Dr John Yuen and Dr Calvin Chong (in the SBC library).

Pre-Course Assignment

Summarise ONE dissertation you have read in the following subheadings in Powerpoint for class presentation:

1. An Introduction to the Dissertation (include title, author and brief description)

2. Thesis Statement (determine this and express it within a few succinct sentences)

3. Methodology Employed in the Dissertation

4. Major Arguments Advanced in the Dissertation

5. My Critique of the Dissertation (eg. flaws in form, style, structure, grammar, clarity, logic etc.)

6. Insights (what I have learned of Dissertation research writing through this exercise)

7. Conclusion

The summary should be sufficient to give an idea what the dissertation is about to those who have not read it. Students should come to the seminar prepared to discuss and present their findings for 30 min. in Powerpoint. A further 15 min. will be for questions and answers. The student should be able to give a reasonable defense on behalf of the dissertation. Presentations will be assessed.