牧者心聲
能事奉主是最尊貴
張穎新牧師
2023 年 9 月 23 日 / 24 日
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在教會，認識一位領袖，他多年來在同一崗位忠心服事，無論外圍環境是順或逆，他都默默耕耘，陪伴信徒靈命成長；另有一位領袖，他雖然在職場上身居要職，但對人仍是謙遜有禮，在崇拜中擔當不起眼的支援式服事；最近，我又認識了一些「再培訓」的領袖，他們本身已是經驗豐富，但仍然願意付出時間溫故知新，學習新的事奉技巧，見到他們既開明又受教，真的為北宣家感恩。
我發覺，無論是哪個事奉範疇的領袖，他們都有一個共通點，就是事奉心態貼近主的心懷，滿有合乎信仰的屬靈氣質——忠心、良善、謙恭、恩慈⋯⋯而在事奉的歷練中，他們因清楚知道上帝給他們的召命，所以能夠甘心樂意地做到榮耀神、造就人。他們因深明上帝的心意，所以他們所擺上的事奉，不是為了換取道旁的掌聲，更非要在鎂光燈下炫耀自己，而是實實在在愛護教會，共建基督的身體，讓整個信徒群體得著最大的益處。
疫情緩和之際，各地的復常工作方興未艾，充裕的人才和資源是取勝的關鍵所在。各地政府均各施其技吸引人才——有挽留、搶奪、培訓、保育、優惠等等，可見人才是一個城市得以發展的致勝之道。套用在教會的處境，後疫症時期，我們又需要怎樣的事奉資源和配套呢？
本季講道主題是透過思考以斯拉記和尼希米記，察驗如何在復常路上經歷神的帶領和恩典。誠然，所羅巴伯、以斯拉和尼希米是回歸時期的領軍人物，但要各項企劃得以順利展開，就需要各階層的領袖和子民上下同心，如此才能眾志成城，在不同時期完成上帝的託付——重建聖殿、重修城牆、重塑聖民。這兩卷舊約書卷重複強調的，是上帝施恩的手幫助他們，印證上帝既與祂的子民同工同行，亦堅立和喜悅他們手上所作的工。
曾在事奉領袖的課堂上，提到三個S的原則：Servant（僕人）、Shepherd（牧者）、Steward（管家）。無論環境如何變遷，事奉生態如何與現實存有落差，信徒仍需謙遜服事主、造就人。還有，若是我們力有所逮，就應盡力關心他人，彼此牧養，在不理想的狀況下，秉持人性化的關顧與守望。最後，每一個事奉者都是主的管家，既知道日後要向主交帳，就要忠於所託，莊敬自強。
畢竟，能夠事奉恩主，是何等尊貴的福分！
At church, I know a leader who has faithfully served in the same role for many years. Whether the environment is good or bad, he works steadfastly to walk with believers in their spiritual growth. Another leader holds an important position in the workplace and yet he is still very humble and polite. At worship services, he serves in an inconspicuous, supportive role. And recently, I have got to know some “retrained” leaders. Very experienced people, they are nevertheless willing to spend time to review what they already know and learn new ministry skills. They have an open and receptive approach to learning. I am grateful to God for the NPAC family.
I have found that all these ministry leaders, whichever area they serve in, have one thing in common. They cherish an attitude to serve that is close to the heart of God. They show spiritual qualities in line with our faith – faithful, good, humble, kind… And amid the ups and downs of serving, they know clearly God’s calling for them, which is why they can willingly glorify God and build others up. They well understand the will of God. Their service is not for applause nor for show-off in the limelight. Rather, they really love the church and they serve to build up the body of Christ for the greatest benefit of the whole congregation.
As the pandemic eases and things gradually return to normal, a good supply of manpower and resources is the key to success. Governments across the world deploy various means to attract talents. Some try to stem the outflow, some get talents from others, some train up, others preserve or bring in bonuses. No doubt about it, if you want the city to develop, you need the talent. In the post-pandemic church, what sort of ministry resources and packages do we need?
Through studying the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the theme of the sermons of this quarter focuses on how we can experience the guidance and grace of God on the road to resuming normalcy. Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah were key leaders in the period of return from exile. To enable smooth implementation of various plans, they needed unity of the people including leaders at various levels so that, together as one, they could fulfill what God entrusted to them in different periods: to rebuild the temple, to rebuild the walls, and to remold the holy people. What these two books of the Old Testament emphasize time and again is that the graceful hand of God is among them, a testimony to the fact that God walks and works with His people, and that He establishes and is pleased with the work of their hands.
I mentioned a 3S-principle in my ministry leader classes: Servant, Shepherd and Steward. Whatever the change in our circumstances, whatever the discrepancy between our serving environment and the reality, believers must still humbly serve the Lord and build others up. If we are lacking in certain areas, we should do our best to care for others and shepherd one another. Even in unfavorable situations, we should insist on caring and keeping watch over others in a people-oriented manner. Finally, everyone who serves is the Lord’s steward. Knowing that we have to bring our books before the Lord one day, we must faithfully do what we are entrusted with seriously, respectfully, and with continuous self-improvement.
After all, what an honor and blessing it is to serve the Lord of grace!
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