牧者心聲
Deeper Life Through Mission 藉著差傳 靈命進深
周曉暉牧師
2024 年 9 月 7 日 / 8 日
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「靈命進深」不只是靈修和靜修。是的！退隱和避靜固然有益，但「靈命進深」不單止注重「內在」安靜的操練，也要重視「外在」行動的實踐。我們要在內室安靜禱告、主前獨處；也要走進世界實踐使命、傳揚福音。
滕近輝牧師對「靈命進深」的講解更具洞見，他道出進深的靈命所展現的九種特質：1. Deeper Life is a supernatural life；2. Deeper Life is an outreaching life；3. Deeper Life is a dedicated life；4. Deeper Life is a self-neglecting life；5. Deeper Life is a fuller life；6. Deeper Life is a healing life；7. Deeper Life is a vitalizing life；8. Deeper Life is a fruitful life；9. Deeper Life is a uniting life. 1
偶爾會有其他教會的牧者或弟兄姊妹對我說，他們觀察到北宣弟兄姊妹有一獨特氣質，謙卑虔敬和重視差傳。細想下來，一個以基督為中心的人生，就會看別人比自己強。同時，生命被基督活水江河帶動，就成為有活力、能以匯聚合群、願意往外付出、時常多結果子的人。
為宣教士禱告、以金錢奉獻支持差傳、參與短宣、訪宣、服事隊、探訪隊，表面上好像是一系列的活動和聚會，真正的核心，應在路途上銳意仰望差傳的主、體貼天父的心懷，並讓自己被聖靈帶動，體會與上主同工的精彩。
對於我們個人而言，各人都要真正成為耶穌的門徒，跟祂腳蹤傳佈喜訊。每個弟兄姊妹都可以成為一名小宣教士（不論遠至天涯或近在咫尺），在此時此地，不論何境況都傳揚耶穌。
雖說關心差傳、學習宣教，往外服事，好像是成全別人，實際上也在造就自己。我在帶領短宣隊行程時，必定編排一早一晚有團隊時間。清晨在早餐前，隊員先一起靈修默想、唱詩、讀經、祈禱。當隊員的身心靈被喚醒，就會留心一整天的服事中，神是如何同在和同行。完成當天的日程後，在睡前隊員又齊聚分享感想、感受、感動。藉著再次的靈修、讀經、祈禱，將當天每個具有生命轉化的經歷，回顧和存記，最後以感恩的心向神禱告回應。
隊員往往驚訝地發現，上主竟為自己預備豐富的宴席，使生命得以成長和突破。去完一趟的短宣，熱烈參與過差傳，靈命就真的得以進深。Deeper Life Through Mission，不但為了別人，也為了自己。深願藉著差傳，你和我都能更深刻更廣闊地經歷神！
（本文撮錄自今年差傳特刊的「主題文萃」。）
1 K. Y. Cheung Teng and Josephine L. Teng, eds., The Deeper Life: An Anthology of Sermons, Studies, and Poems by Philip Teng, (Seoul, East-West Center for MRD, 2020), 386-95.
"Deeper Life" is more than devotions and retreats.
That is true! While quiet time and retreats are beneficial, "Deeper Life" does not focus solely on the training of "inner" peace. It also emphasizes the "outer" practice of actions. We need to be alone with God, to quietly pray in the backroom. We also need to put our mission into action in the world to spread the gospel.
Rev. Philip Teng had unique insights into "Deeper Life." He pinpointed nine characteristics that Deeper Life displays: 1. Deeper Life is a supernatural life; 2. Deeper Life is an outreaching Life; 3. Deeper Life is a dedicated life; 4. Deeper Life is a self-neglecting life; 5. Deeper Life is a fuller life; 6. Deeper Life is a healing life; 7. Deeper Life is a vitalizing life; 8. Deeper Life is a fruitful life; 9. Deeper Life is a uniting life.2
Every now and then, pastors and brothers and sisters from other churches would tell me their observation that brothers and sisters of NPAC have a unique temperament: humble and devout, attaching much importance to mission. Think about it: A Christ-centered life will naturally value others above oneself. And when life is moved by Christ’s rivers of living water, the believer will be vibrant. He will be able to gather and connect. He will be willing to give. He will always bear fruit.
Praying for missionaries, offering financially to support mission, taking part in short-term mission trips, visiting missionaries, joining service teams and visit teams may look like a host of activities and meetings. At the core, however, we should intentionally look up to the Lord of mission along the way, stay close to the heart of the Heavenly Father, and let ourselves be guided by the Holy spirit and experience the thrill of working with the LORD.
For all of us as individuals, we need to really become the disciples of Jesus, and in His steps spread the Good News. Each brother or sister can be a little missionary (whether in faraway places or close by in the neighborhood), here and now, and under whatever circumstances share about Jesus.
Caring for mission work, learning about mission and serving overseas may seem like fulfilling others. In fact, they also build us up. When I lead short-term mission trips, I invariably designate team times in the morning and in the evening. In early morning before breakfast, the team will have quiet time and meditation together, sing hymns, read the Scriptures, and pray. When members' body, mind and spirit are awakened, they will pay attention to how, throughout the day's serving, God abides and walks with them. When the day's work is over, the team will gather again before bedtime to share their thoughts, feelings and what touches their hearts. With another devotion, Bible reading and prayer, we will review and record every life-transforming moment of the day, and finally respond to God in prayer with a grateful heart.
Team members will often be amazed to find the feast that the LORD has prepared for them. They will see growth and breakthroughs in their spiritual lives. Going on a short-term mission trip and participating in mission enthusiastically is a real venture into Deeper Life. Deeper Life Through Mission is not just for others but also ourselves. It is my earnest hope that through mission, you and I will be able to experience God in deeper and broader ways!
(This is an excerpt from the "Feature Article" of the Mission Journal of this year.)
2 K. Y. Cheung Teng and Josephine L. Teng, eds., The Deeper Life: An Anthology of Sermons, Studies, and Poems by Philip Teng, (Seoul, East-West Center for MRD, 2020), 386-95.
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