牧者心聲

過去幾年，我深刻體會到教會崇拜的形式和做法會形成一種儀式感，成為變幻時勢中漂浮不定的人的錨點。試過出外一段日子，後來終於能回到自己教會，當琴師一奏起《始禮曲》，自己就知道在家了，真好！崇拜的儀式感就像老字號的「古早味」，是必須守護的寶藏，沒有了就會變味。

然而，崇拜不可淪為「時間囊」。我曾到訪一海外華人教會，甫踏進禮堂就感到似曾相識，因為崇拜程序、禮儀、詩歌、講話方式，都彷彿回到二、三十年前的香港教會。

面對所珍視的「傳統」做法，我們必須誠實自問：這會否對後來或將來加入的人築起無形的高牆，令致他們無法投放心靈，向神由衷敬拜？別以為這單指傳統敬拜模式，即使近年香港教會廣泛沿用的現代敬拜，也可能會固化成某種形態，容不下人偶爾復唱聖詩或念誦信經。

過去十年，北宣家既有正堂的傳統崇拜，也發展了不同小定堂的現代敬拜。教會自 2024 年起，決定用七年時間探索北宣未來的崇拜模式，務求在 2030 年達成正堂和小定堂崇拜能無縫接軌。

我所焦急的，是北宣以神為中心的敬拜在 2030 年後會如何延續？北宣怎樣在這轉變的世代中，既傳承過去 70 多年的優良傳統，又持續帶領新一代信徒（不論年齡），向神獻上活潑、有活力、且適切地高舉主耶穌基督的敬拜？

我沒有答案。我認為我們能做的，就是在更早之前作出探索、思考和預備。作為啟動，2024 年 6 月，一眾崇拜事奉人員代表、定堂教牧同工和執事領袖聚在一起，那一天，我們不是討論不同立場，也未有預設走混合崇拜的模式。因為北宣不能只採納某一家一派的學說，也不能因為往昔是怎樣做，或其他教會已在怎樣做，我們就照版煮碗，照樣跟隨，或完全不跟隨。北宣家要找出屬於自己能走下去的第三條路。

這探索在退修和禱告中開始，我們深知只能以純一純全的心去尋求神的旨意。當天眾人的禱告是：「上主啊！你希望北宣這間踐行使命的教會，未來如何繼續在崇拜中帶領不同世代的人，獻上你所喜悅的敬拜？」

這走向「崇拜新境」的路沒有現成地圖，也沒有標準答案。盼望北宣家人同心禱告，彼此包容，一同探索和學習。我誠摯邀請你與我們合一地踏上這趟旅程，就在今天，為北宣崇拜的「未來式」奠下合神心意的基礎。

Over the past few years, I have deeply realized that the form and practice of church worship create a sense of ritual, becoming an anchor for those adrift in changing times. I have been away for some time before finally returning to my own church. The moment the organist began the processional hymn, I knew I was home, and it was wonderful! The ritualistic quality of worship is much like the “old-fashioned flavor” of a legendary brand. It is a treasure that must be guarded. Without it, the flavor will never be the same again.

Yet worship must not degenerate into a “time capsule”. I once visited an overseas Chinese church. The moment I stepped into the sanctuary, it felt familiar. The order of service, the liturgy, the hymns, and the preaching style seemed to take me back to Hong Kong churches of twenty or thirty years ago.

When we look at what we value as “tradition”, we must ask ourselves honestly: Does this build an invisible wall for those who join us later or in the future? Does it prevent them from opening their hearts and worshiping God sincerely? Do not think this refers only to traditional worship style. Even contemporary worship, widely adopted in Hong Kong churches in recent years, can turn into a certain form, leaving little room for occasional hymn singing or reciting creeds.

Over the past decade, NPAC family has maintained traditional worship in the main sanctuary. At the same time, we have developed contemporary worship in various smaller congregations. Starting in 2024, the church decided to spend seven years exploring the future model of our worship, aiming for seamless connection between main sanctuary and smaller congregation worship by 2030.

What weighs on my heart is this: How will the God-centered worship of NPAC continue beyond 2030? How can NPAC, in this changing era, both preserve her excellent tradition of over 70 years and continue to lead a new generation of believers (regardless of age) in offering lively, vibrant worship that appropriately exalts the Lord Jesus Christ?

I do not have the answers. What I believe we can do is explore, think and prepare earlier. As a starting point, in June 2024, representatives of worship service volunteers, pastors and deacons gathered together. That day, we did not debate differing positions, nor did we predetermine a blended worship model. This is because NPAC cannot simply adopt any single school of thought. We also cannot do something just because it is how we have always done it, or because other churches are already doing it, nor can we totally refuse to follow. NPAC family must find a third way that is uniquely ours and viable for us.

This exploration began with retreat and prayer. We knew deeply that we could only seek God’s will with pure and undivided hearts. Our prayer that day was: “LORD, how do You want this mission-driven church to lead different generations in worship and offer You pleasing worship in the future?”

This journey toward a “new horizon of worship” is unmapped. There is no standard answer. My hope is that NPAC family will pray with one heart, embrace one another, and explore and learn side by side. I sincerely invite you to join us in unity on this journey. Let us do it today. Let us lay a God-pleasing foundation for the “future tense” of worship at NPAC.