Linden Stubbs admits her family had hankies on standby as she spoke publicly about her four-and-a-half years of study on Friday night.
Linden and her husband John received their Diploma of Biblical Studies with Honours at Moore College's External Studies graduation ceremony and spoke about the experience and rewards of study as over 250 people listened.
"It's been a long time for both of us to study," Linden says, reflecting on some of the difficulties.
"I kept failing subjects," she recalls, "and I rang Moore and said, "are you sure you really want me to continue?'
"Eventually we passed the other subjects and when I heard I was graduating I burst into tears."
Despite the sacrifice of time and effort " and cold nights out going to lectures " John says he and Linden have no regrets about taking on the study commitment.
"It was never a drudge, it was never a hardship," says John.
Ministry to brain-damaged people through Anglicare was what first prompted John and Linden to embark on the diploma.
"They were asking questions in their own way and we didn't know how to answer them," John says.
They are hopeful that their four-and-a-half years of study will bear fruit as they retire in the next 12 months and take on full-time nursing home ministry.
"I feel we can answer people's questions - John and I will be doing hostel care, leading Bible studies, and so it's been very worthwhile," says Linden.
"It's been extremely valuable in our Christian walk," adds John.
Ceremony marks a new stage
The ceremony, held in Moore College’s Knox Lecture Theatre, marks a change in structure for Moore College's Certificate in Theology course, with students now eligible to receive a Preliminary Certificate in Theology (PTC) after completing six subjects.
Students who have completed 12 subjects are now eligible for an Intermediate Certificate in Theology (ITC) , while a full quota of 18 gives students a Certificate in Theology (ThC).
The new structure made for a bumper crowd of graduands: over 400 in all, with 385 receiving their PTC, 4 receiving their ITC, 22 receiving their ThC and 13 taking home their Diploma in Biblical Studies.
Moore College's external studies director, the Rev Gary Nelson says many who graduated had shown considerable perseverance, with one student finishing her studies over a 17-year period.
"People wish to be better equipped and doing some of these courses is one way of doing that," Mr Nelson says.
"People want to have confidence about the Christian faith and answer people's questions.
"Our courses can help people to gain a more integrated view of the Bible, especially our first course " Introduction to the Bible " which helps people to see how the Bible holds together."
