Monday 13 October 2008

How Does A Biblical Scholar Spend His Long Vacation? Second Book Writing Project at TTC - Part 1

Barring unforeseen circumstances, it looks like I will be heading down south to Trinity Theological College (TTC) for 4 weeks (from Nov 10 - Dec 5, 2008) to work on my second book project on Paul's correspondence to the Corinthians. I wish I could stay longer, but that's all the time I could afford. Being a junior and new lecturer at STM, I do not have the luxury of an extended sabbatical where I could spend concentrated time in my writing project. As such, the best I could spare is to squeeze 4 weeks out of the year end long vacation to go away to work on this book, and do the best I could out of these 4 weeks.

TTC is very kind to allocate an apartment on-campus for my 4-week stay where I could have access to the excellent library resources and facilities.

19 comments:

Tony Siew said...

Hi Kar Yong, I do hope you can raise sufficient funds for your trip to TTC. Will be great to have you around for a month.

Kar Yong said...

Thanks, Tony, for the wishes.

Alex Tang said...

why do those who serve the Lord in the academia have sabbatical while those of us in the pastorate and marketplace do not have any?

Tony Siew said...

Hi Alex, you are right. When I was pastor there was no sabbatical for me until I resigned and went for my own sabbatical at my own expense. At least at Trinity I can look forward to a real sabbatical after 6 years of service. I think pastors should be given sabbatical as well if not the whole year at least 6 months or 3 months with full pay. Those in the marketplace should save up so that they can take 3 to 6 months' unpaid leave to refresh themselves in the Lord.

blogpastor said...

May I have the pleasure of having lunch with you when you are here.

Steven Sim said...

If I managed to squeeze a day or two of leave over a long weekends, we all can sama-sama do lunch together, in Sg(!)...then we'll pit the Malaysians against the Singaporeans (or those who are working/staying in Singapore).

Dr. Alex can hope in from Johor.. :D

Ah, wishes wishes...

Btw, no sabatical for me. :(

Steven Sim

Paul Long said...

Why no sabbatical?

Pastors are "indispensible" ... Bible scholars ... not that important! LOL!! Just kidding! Just kidding! Just kidding! :-)

Kar Yong said...

Hi Alex,

I would agree with Tony that all of us need sabbatical as well, not those in the ministry. In STM, I will be given a 6-month sabbatical after 6 years (even then, it is a privilege, not a right!), so for my TTC trip, it's not really a sabbatical - more like a research + annual leave.

I used to work in a para church organisation and there was no sabbatical as well. I took a one-month no pay leave to recuperate and recharge. While I was in the markeptlace, I too had to stop working and go withoout pay, just to have a little sabbatical.

Kar Yong said...

Hi Blogpastor,

Thanks, and that would be great! Looking forward to meeting you. We will be in touch when I arrive in Singapore.

Kar Yong said...

Steven,

Come la....come la....Bring girl friend also...

Kar Yong said...

Hi Paul,
hahaah...well, in that sense I would agree with you that pastors are indispensable, and sabbatical should be given for them....as for biblical scholars, well, if people are not willing to be trained for ministry because of low salary and no sabbatical, I will be out of job. :-)

SATheologies said...

Great, we can go for dinner on the weekend!

Alex, Steven, Kar Yong, Tony, Blogpastor, and myself can have a small gathering.

If interested, I can organize a BBQ or potluck :)

Tony Siew said...

Sze Zeng, I am all for your wonderful idea of getting together. Do try to organize something and I will be there.

Paul Long said...

KY

Problem of a different interpretation. "Indispensable": means cannot be given time off. LOL

Kar Yong said...

Hi Sze Zeng,
Yes, that would be really great! Do organise one.

Steven, no excuse for you not to come down to Singapore.

Steven Sim said...

I was thinking IF i travel, i'll travel 5th to 7th Dec. over the weekends.

You okie KY?

Steven Sim

Kar Yong said...

Hi Steven,
I will be done by Dec 5...haha

blogpastor said...

Keep me in the loop. Can use my house also boleh. Malaysia boleh, Singapore also boleh!

Kar Yong said...

Dear Blogpastor,
Thanks for the offer!! Singapore and Malaysia semua mesti boleh...