牧者心聲
重新啟動的佈道，從未間斷的使命！
鄧頌翹牧師
2023 年 2 月 25 日 / 26 日
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在三年疫情的影響下，我們的教會生活轉移到網路上維持著，然而很多較難在網上進行的活動卻不得不暫停，當中尤以佈道事工為甚。網上的形式雖然可以傳遞福音信息，但卻無法取代我們與慕道親友、福音對象的交談和關懷。終於，防疫措施放寬了，聚會的規模和人數也恢復了，信徒群體是時候要重啟佈道服事，重拾向人佈道、領人信主的大使命。
過去幾年我不時聽到有人親述或轉述一些故事，都是關於未信朋友面對失業轉行、減工時減薪酬、親人移民、染疫生病等生活挑戰，但他們卻偶然想起曾幾何時聽聞過的耶穌，內心受到觸動，很想知道耶穌可如何幫助自己在混亂中整理人生。他們有的瀏覽教會網站收聽崇拜講道或參加網上佈道會，有的則去找相熟的基督徒問個究竟。這幾年間你和我身邊總會有一些這樣的人，當看見他們在疑惑、在找尋，我們又豈能不主動回應？現在正是良機，要向尋道者講述自己與耶穌相遇的生命故事，又或是邀約他們進入屬靈的家，親身體會耶穌的幫助。
教會開始復常的時候，我常遇到弟兄姊妹談及恢復佈道服事。有小組召集原班人馬，再次定期到懲教所探訪；亦有弟兄姊妹在重返辦公室上班的時候，邀請同事茶聚談天，也談自己的信仰；又有學校團契的老師向教會查詢不同類型的青少年聚會，推介學生參加合適的活動 ⋯⋯ 從這些一點一滴的心意和行動中，我看見聖靈仍然揀選北宣成為傳揚福音、見證救恩的群體。其實，能夠承傳和承擔佈道的使命，本身就是耶穌對我們的眷顧和恩典的證明！
從海旁開始向人傳福音，直到如今 70 年有起有落但從不間斷的崇拜、服事、傳道，無論近在春秧街，遠至要過隧道去黃竹坑，甚至要度船去馬灣，傳揚永生之道始終是北宣從上領受的恩典，靠著這恩，我們成長、掙扎，學習信靠基督，遵行誡命，並履行使命。重啟佈道之際，若說我們還需要甚麼動力、甚麼勸勉，那就是聖經的話：「我在神面前，並在將來審判活人死人的基督耶穌面前，憑著他的顯現和他的國度囑咐你：務要傳道，無論得時不得時，總要專心，並用百般的忍耐、各樣的教訓責備人，警戒人，勸勉人。因為時候要到，人必厭煩純正的道理，耳朵發癢，就隨從自己的情慾增添好些師傅，並且掩耳不聽真道，偏向荒謬的言語。你卻要凡事謹慎，忍受苦難，做傳道的工夫，盡你的職分。」（提後四 1-5）
Under the influence of the pandemic in the past three years, our church life has continued by switching online. Nevertheless, some activities that are relatively more difficult to be conducted online had to be suspended, with evangelism ministry among the most affected. While online platforms can convey gospel messages, they cannot replace our in-person communication and expression of care for truth-seeking relatives and friends and for those we intend to share the gospel with. Finally, anti-pandemic measures are now relaxed and the scale and number of permitted participants for meetings have been restored. It is time for the community of believers to relaunch evangelism ministry and re-commit ourselves to the Great Commission of sharing the gospel and leading people to Christ.
Over the past few years, I have time and again heard directly or indirectly stories about unbelieving friends who are faced with life challenges such as joblessness or job change, reduction of working hours and wages, emigration of relatives, and COVID infection and getting sick. Somehow, they remembered hearing about Jesus some time ago. Their hearts were moved and wanted very much to know how Jesus could help them reorient their lives in the midst of chaos. Some of them clicked onto the church website to listen to sermons or attended online evangelistic meetings. Others asked Christians they knew about the faith. You and I must have met some of these people during the past few years. When we see them doubting or seeking, how can we not take the initiative to respond? Now is a good opportunity to tell truth seekers the life stories of our encounters with God or invite them to step into the spiritual family to experience the help from Jesus firsthand.
When the church begins to return to normal, I often hear brothers and sisters talk about resuming evangelism ministry. One group has summoned their original team to resume regular visits to correctional institutions. Other brothers and sisters take the opportunity of resuming office work to invite colleagues to chats over tea during which they also talk about their faith. Some others who are teachers in school fellowships have asked the church about forthcoming youth meetings that they can recommend to their students. In all of this, I can see that the Holy Spirit is still using NPAC as a community to share the gospel and testify for salvation. Indeed, to be able to receive, shoulder and pass on the mission of evangelism is itself proof of Jesus' keeping and grace for us!
From waterfront evangelistic efforts to the present, with 70 years of uninterrupted worship services, ministries and evangelism despite all ups and downs, from as near as Chun Yeung Street to as far as Wong Chuk Hang at the other end of a tunnel and even Ma Wan which is a ferry ride away, spreading the truth of eternal life has always been the grace that NPAC has received from above. By this grace, we grow, struggle, learn to trust in God, obey His commandments and fulfill the mission. As we relaunch evangelism, if we still need any motivation or exhortation, it will be what the Bible says: "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction… But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
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