About this Course

Disruptions have been a key concern for business leaders in the last two decades, as noted in Clayton Christensen’s Innovator’s Dilemma (1997). Since then, we have seen not only traditional businesses disrupted but also the pace of disruption accelerating due to the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). As the recent COVID19 pandemic has shown, the Church is also not immune to disruptions. Christian leaders now find themselves grappling with how to disciple Christians in a rapidly changing world, up against challenges as wide ranging as the stress of remote work, economic recessions, shifts in geopolitics and economic structures, and the unfamiliarity of ministering in a digital world.

The aim of this course is to survey the above challenges and to introduce the theological, spiritual, and interdisciplinary resources that can enable the Church to disciple Christians and to further God’s kingdom in this new normal. Students will also have opportunities to dialogue with industry experts and practitioners on the challenges of digital disruptions and consolidate their learning through a group project.

Instructors

Dr Lai Pak Wah

Principal and Lecturer in Church History and Historical Theology

Dr Lai Pak Wah is BGST’s Principal and Lecturer of Church History and Historical Theology. He also serves as an elder at Mt Carmel Bible Presbyterian Church where he worships and oversees the church’s Hybrid Church Initiative. His interest is the very heart of BGST’s mission: which is to help Christians make sense of their faith at work, church and society. Previously, Pak Wah engaged in investment promotion work with the Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB) and was a full-time lecturer at the School of Business, Singapore Polytechnic. He is the author of The Dao of Healing: Christian Perspective of Chinese Medicine, and a certified Belbin coach. Pak-Wah holds a PhD from Durham University, UK. He enjoys engaging in Chinese culture and playing the cello.

Dr Tan Seng Kong

Lecturer in Systematic and Spiritual Theology

Dr Tan Seng Kong is Head, Technology and Resources at BGST and Lecturer in Systematic and Spiritual Theology. A graduate from Regent College, Vancouver (MA, Spiritual Theology). Seng Kong completed his PhD in Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he focused his research on Jonathan Edwards' Doctrine of Salvation. Seng Kong was formerly an architect. He currently serves at Bethel Assembly of God. When he isn’t preoccupied with theological materials, he dabbles with indoor gardening, watches Korean media with his wife and eats Indian food with his son.
  • Location

    Online via Zoom
    (with Blended Learning)

  • Dates

    Monday
    Jan 16, 30
    Feb 13
    Mar 6, 27
    Apr 10, 17

    Closing Date for Registration:
    Jan 11, 2023

  • Time

    7:15–10.00PM

Course curriculum

  • 1

    General

  • 2

    1) Christians in a Disruptive World

    • Lecture notes

    • Lecture 1 Zoom recording

  • 3

    2) Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) & the Future of Work

    • note

    • Links

    • Lecture notes

    • Lecture 2-Fourth Industrial Revolution (2022)

  • 4

    3) Theological & Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Digital Technologies

    • note + video links

    • Lecture 3 slides

    • Class lecture video links

    • Lecture notes

    • Jacques Ellul

    • Lecture 3 - Zoom Recording

  • 5

    4) Responding to Digital Technologies Ethics and Spiritual Perspectives on the Digital World

    • note

    • Lecture notes

    • Lecture 4 slides

    • Lecture 4 (2022)

  • 6

    5) The Hybrid Church: Worship & Ministry in a Digital Age

    • note

    • Video links

    • Lecture 5 Slides

    • Change Mgmt and Hybrid Church

  • 7

    Project Presentation Session

    • Class Presentation 1 (May 10)

    • Project Presentation 2 (May 24)

  • 8

    Assignments Submission

    • Assignments Overview

    • Reading Journals & Project Essay