Life in seminary: Milton Lam

For the January/February issue of The Canadian Lutheran, we’ve been discussing how God calls men to be pastors to serve in the Church. To that end, we asked four current seminarians for their take on life in seminary. Before reading the interview below, you might want to see the introduction here.

Milton Lam

School: Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario)
Studies: First year
Interests: Video games, electronic gadgets, photography
Favourite movie: Braveheart
Claim to fame: Considers Quebec to be home despite having been born in Hong Kong

CL: How did you end up at seminary studying to be a pastor?
ML:I’ve wanted to be a pastor since I was eighteen years old. Prior to that, I had expected to study Electrical Engineering in order to design computer hardware. I entered seminary seven years later, after first acquiring a bachelor’s degree in the Faculty of Arts and Science at McGill University.

CL: What are the challenges of seminary life? The rewards?
ML:The close interaction between professors and students is the biggest reward! Learning goes beyond the classroom. It is also rare to have a gathering of people from all walks of life who share the common desire to proclaim God’s Word to the nations. I did not know anyone when I came to seminary, but since our goal is the same, it became very easy to soon regard them as true brothers and sisters.

CL: Who encouraged you to become a pastor?
ML: I would not be where I am today without the support of my family. Most of all, it is God’s Gospel that gives me drive everyday. It gives me energy to focus and do my best. I want everyone to hear God’s proclamation of the forgiveness of sins. Those sweet words were spoken to me when I was in despair.

I want everyone to hear God’s proclamation of the forgiveness of sins. Those sweet words were spoken to me when I was in despair.

CL: Why should our readers consider going to seminary?
ML:Seminary is a safe place to discern God’s call for the Office of the Ministry. The professors meet you where you are in life. Certainly, there will be days of distress, but there is also great comfort and joy to see God’s work in each other. He shapes us into faithful servants of His Word. You may not feel ready, but God is faithful. His Word works in us—just as it will work through us.

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This is one of four interviews with current seminary students which appeared in the January/February issue of The Canadian Lutheran. Be sure to read the others here.

If you’re considering pastoral ministry, contact one of Lutheran Church–Canada’s two seminaries: Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) or Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario). They can help you discern whether seminary is right for you.

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