牧者心聲
見證一個「家」成長的奇妙旅程
韓子卿牧師
2023 年 11 月 11 日 / 12 日
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有一次出席一個大專團的立團禮，見到一名熟識的團友仔，令我想起早年我和他父母一起事奉的年輕日子，之後他父母拍拖，我和太太間中亦充當他們的「戀愛顧問」，我們在他們的婚禮上參與獻詩，後來更見證他們家中四大長老一個一個信主，不知不覺，他們的孩子已經是大學生了！再仔細看看這個大專團，原來有一半以上的團友都是我從他們孩提時代已認識的。感恩多年來不斷見證多個家庭、家族的成長，有時甚至祖孫三代都成為我的朋友，那份感覺是多麼奇妙。
北宣家不乏祖孫三代（甚至四代）的家庭，但大多不會很顯眼，因為家人都散落在不同群體、崇拜之中，他們一般不會主動說我是誰的父母、誰的女兒、誰的爺爺、誰的哥哥⋯⋯但當你發現了他們的關係，就必很驚訝的說：「啊，原來你就是⋯⋯」現在我仍經常遇到這種令人驚喜的發現。
但我們亦有另一種家人。
我在北宣39年，因為一直沒有離開過，多年來認識了不少北宣的家人，他們是我信仰生活中的珍寶。
我年輕時常常抱怨這個家為甚麼總是節目多多，以這段時間為例，11月有會友大會，12月有冬令營，年復年的，總會予我一種因循的感覺，但每次參與過這些「節目」之後，我都會發現，自己是身處在一個真誠友善的群體之中，慢慢我就感受到甚麼是「北宣家」，「北宣家」原來不是一個口號，卻是真實存在的。我間中聽到有人說，崇拜時每聽見人家說「北宣家」這三個字，總覺得很假，因為「我」感受不到家的感覺。這也難怪，因為教會真的很大，若只是參與，不是投入，就很難有家的感覺；若只是投入自己的小群體，不願投身北宣這個大群體，相信也不會有家的感覺，那麼口口聲聲的「北宣家」就很假了。
為何要參與這個大群體？我不可以只守在自己的小群體裡嗎？我參與過大堂崇拜事奉，之後服事TC5青年崇拜、以及現在的SUN＋崇拜，我發覺每個崇拜都很精彩，感謝教會讓我有機會認識北宣那麼多的不同面向。我過去亦參與過多次短宣，每次都與來自不同群體的弟兄姊妹合作、交流，漸漸認識到真正的教會不應只有一種人，而是要有不同種類的人在一起才能擦出火花，這才是聖經所講的教會。
這些都是我多年來的真實體會與反省，如今我很自豪能身為北宣這個家的一分子。
The other day, I met a familiar young man at the founding ceremony of a college fellowship. This reminds me of the time when I and his parents served together when we were young. Then his parents started dating, and sometimes my wife and I became “consultants” of their relationship. We also sang in the choir for their wedding. Later on, we even witnessed the conversion to Christ of the four grandparents on both sides one by one. Time passed. And now their son is a university student! When I looked carefully at the college fellowship, I realized that I know more than half of the members from their childhood. I am so grateful that through the years, I have witnessed the growth of many families and their extended families. All three generations of some of them are friends of mine. That gives me a truly amazing feeling.
There are a number of three-generation, even four-generation families in the NPAC family, but they are not easily noticeable. It is because their family members are scattered among different ministries and worship services. They do not usually tell people they are the parents or the daughter or the grandfather or the brother of whom. But when you discover their relationships, you will be quite surprised, “O, so you are...” I still make such surprising discoveries every now and then.
And yet we have another kind of family members.
This is my 39th year at NPAC. As I have never left this church, I have got to know many in the NPAC family over the years. They are treasures in my spiritual life.
When I was young, I often grumbled why this family organized so many events. This time of the year, for example, we have the Annual Members Conference in November and the Winter Retreat in December. It is like that year after year, which makes me feel that these are sort of routine. But every time I attend these “events,” I find myself among a sincere, friendly community. And gradually, I came to realize what is meant by “the NPAC family.” “The NPAC family” is not a slogan. It really exists. Occasionally, I heard it said that use of the term “the NPAC family” in worship services does not sound sincere for “I” do not feel the presence of the family. Well, no one is to blame. It is true the church is big. If we just attend it without active participation, it will be difficult to feel that it is our home. And if we only take part in our own small community and not willing to actively participate in church-wide community, I believe it will also be difficult to feel that it is our home. In that case, it would be quite meaningless to say “the NPAC family”.
Why do we take part in the church-wide community? Can we not just take part in our own small community? I had taken part in serving in the worship services of large congregations. Then I served at TC5 youth adults worship service and the present Sun+ worship service. I have found that they are all marvelous. Thanks to the church for letting me know the many different facets of NPAC. I have also joined many short-term mission trips. Each time, I serve and share with brothers and sisters from different communities of the church. Gradually, I came to realize that a real church should not consist of just one kind of people. We need many different types of people to create sparks. That will be the church mentioned in the Bible.
All of this is my genuine experience and reflection over the years. Now I am proud to be a member of the NPAC family.
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