牧者心聲
愛護我們中間的年長者
劉雪芬牧師
2024 年 12 月 7 日 / 8 日
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長者科的事奉中，常要主持及出席安息禮拜，我從中有不少提醒和反思。最近我為兩位分別在1964及1968年受洗的長者主持安息禮，他們受洗超過半個世紀，一位甚至經歷過大戰，但他信仰堅定，恆持出席教會幾十年，直至身體軟弱、不能正常出門為止，兒孫都見證他的信心是源自經歷神。另一位年少時信主，受洗後就往國外讀書，沒有再上教會，幾十年過去，最後在病榻中想起神，願意回轉，於是聯絡教會，我仍為這長者感恩，因他在最後也抓住神的手，但卻損失了幾十年經歷神恩典的時機。如何堅定不移地在往天國的路上直奔，誠如保羅所說的：「那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。」（提後四7）然後安然見主的面？我相信無論為自己或身邊弟兄姊妹守望，都是信徒一生要學習的功課。
北宣家眾多年齡群體中，長者團契是出席率最高和最穩定的，他們很珍惜彼此相聚、聆聽神話語的機會，他們有時需要依靠家傭或家人的協助才能回到教會，有些家人雖未信主，也會協助長者回來，每次在教會見到這些長者，我都為他們能有健康精神回來而感恩歡喜，當然條件是他們有顆願意親近神的心。感謝一眾長者團契的導師們長久以來的關懷和服事，讓長者們每次回來都感受到家的溫暖，我常為眾導師禱告，求神看顧他們身心靈的需要。他們當中有些仍要工作，還要兼顧家庭和事奉；另一些已經退休，也步向年長，身體出現各樣毛病，有些更要照顧家中更年老的家人，擔子非常重。長者科實在需要大量事奉人員幫助團契運作和探訪，關心那些已經因體弱、未能回教會的長者，願主為長者們預備愛護他們的弟兄姊妹，成為他們的守護者，也讓他們經歷到神的愛和恩典。
長者也非一味的接受的，稍加訓練他們仍可在團契中擔當不同的事奉，而他們在諸多限制中仍堅持出席聚會，身體力行地見證神，實在是其他信徒的榜樣。身體軟弱的年長信徒亦可以為教會和肢體禱告，神對長者的心意是：「他們栽於耶和華的殿中，發旺在我們神的院裡。他們年老的時候仍要結果子，要滿了汁漿而常發青。」（詩九十二13-14）年長信徒也需要成長，以致能在諸多失去和傷病的過程中，仍堅持信靠神，繼續結果子，自己既領受祝福，也祝福別人。
Serving in the Elderly Ministry, I very often have to officiate or attend funeral services. They give me lots of reminders and reflections. Recently, I officiated the funeral services of two seniors who were baptized in 1964 and 1968 respectively, well over half a century ago. One of them had lived through the war but his faith was steadfast. He insisted on going to church non-stop for tens of years until he was too weak to leave home. His children and grandchildren testified to his faith which was built upon his experience with God. The other senior converted when he was young. He got baptized and went abroad for further studies. But then, he did not go to church anymore. Decades passed. When he was on his sickbed, he remembered God and wanted to return to His fold. So, he contacted the church. All the same, I give thanks for this senior for he had grasped the hand of God in his final days, although he has missed years of experiencing His grace. How do we steadfastly run on the heavenly path so we can say what Paul said: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7), and then finally meet the Lord in peace? I believe keeping watch over oneself and the brothers and sisters around us is something believers have to learn for a lifetime.
Among all the age groups in the NPAC family, elderly fellowships are the ones that see the highest attendance rates and are the most stable. Seniors really treasure their chances of meeting together and listening to the word of God. Sometimes they need the help of their domestic helpers or family members before they can come back to church. Some family members are not believers but they will take the seniors to church. Every time I see these seniors at church, I am happy and thankful that their health and physical conditions allow them to come back. This, of course, is if they have a heart to draw close to God. I am grateful to all the counselors of the elderly fellowships who, through the years, care for and serve the seniors so that they feel the warmth of a family every time they come to church. I often pray for the counselors. I pray that God will meet the needs of their mind, body and soul. Some of them still need to work and, at the same time, take care of their family and serve. Some others have retired. They in turn become seniors and have various health issues. Still others have even older members of the family to take care of. Their burden is very heavy. The Elderly Ministry indeed needs lots of volunteers to serve and help conduct the fellowships and visitations, as well as to care for those who are too weak to come to church. May the Lord prepare brothers and sisters who would love and care for our seniors to keep watch over them so that they too can experience the love and grace of God.
Seniors do not just receive. With some training, they can still serve in various roles in fellowships. Despite their various constraints, they still insist on attending church meetings, testifying for God through their actions. They are indeed other believers' role models. Senior believers who do not have good health can pray for the church and brothers and sisters. God's will for seniors is this: "Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green" (Psalm 92:13-14). Senior believers need to grow, too, so that they can persist in trusting God in facing all the losses and illnesses, continue to bear fruit, and receive the blessings of God and bless others.
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