牧者心聲

上主要祂的子民走到那條把過去和未來分開的起跑線——約旦河，預備跨入新的階段。這是地理位置上的移動，百姓要跟以往的曠野歲月告別；但這也是靈性上的跨越，他們要放下舊日的習慣和留戀，好以神的話去迎戰面前充滿不確定的未來。

這群子民既已「進入」了異域、立足於這樣的未來，此時就該往前邁進，「力行」他們得地為業的使命。

甫進入 2026 年，世界發展之快已震撼人心，局勢變化匯聚了一波又一波的科技變革，真有如橫亙眼前的約旦河，河面寬闊，水流湍急。我們真的要邁過這急流、以得著上主要賜給教會的未來嗎？是的，而且我深信祂的恩典夠用。因為，「未來」是有上主保證的，祂對約書亞說：我必與你同在（書一 9）。果然，就在領頭的祭司踏進約旦河之際，神不再以揮杖分紅海的方式，卻用了約櫃先行的新形式，為他們開了一條新路。果然，當抬約櫃的祭司提起信心的腳掌踏進水邊，河道就成了可行的乾地。

你知道嗎？每一次上主說出這句「熟口熟面」的話，就是祂吩咐人起來去做那些看來不大可能完成的使命之時。耶穌在升天之前，也對門徒說過同樣的話：我必常與你們同在（太二十八 20）。這話不僅是安慰，更是神級的承諾，神說過的就必如此實現。

現今我們要不要提起信心的腳掌？若想向五年後加入北宣家的新人傳承我們一直以來所領受的屬靈產業，也讓 2030 年成長起來的新生代成為結出好果子的枝子，我們今天就不要被更新改變所泛起的陌生感嚇得「裹足不前」，也不要只坐在河邊慨歎當下香港教會艱難而「原地不動」。

今後的五年，我們以「立足未來．力行使命」為總方向，目標是成為一間為未來預備好的教會（Future-ready Church），好在變幻的世代中「力行」北宣家不變的使命。

前行必有辛酸，但我們仍要在「信而踐行，愛在細節」中活現所信的；我們也要銳意建構「友伴經歷」，促進「代際共融」，加強「牧靈護家」、興起「職場門徒」，深願各人在教會、家庭與職場中更留心身邊的人，也更深察驗主的引領；並以神的話為原則「轉化智能」，運用新科技牧養與宣教，同時延續崇拜的優良傳統，形塑 2030 年以神為中心的敬拜，達致跨世代的「崇拜新境」。

各位，未來已在足下，既知上主必定同在，我們就提起信心的腳掌，起行吧！

The LORD has called His people to the Jordan River—the starting line that separates the past from the future—to prepare them to turn a new page. It was a geographical movement, a farewell to the wilderness years behind them. It was also a spiritual crossing, a letting go of old habits and attachments, so they might face an uncertain future armed with the word of God.

Having already “entered” the new horizons and taken their stand in that future, the time had come for the people to press forward and "devote” themselves to the mission of possessing the inheritance God had promised.

As we step into 2026, the pace of change in our world is astounding. Wave after wave of technological transformation, coupled with shifting global realities, stands before us like the Jordan River, wide and swift in its rushing waters. Are we truly to cross these rushing currents and lay hold of the future the LORD will bless the church with? Yes, and I firmly believe that His grace is sufficient, for that future is underwritten by the LORD Himself. He said to Joshua: "…the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). And so it was: at the very moment the leading priests stepped into the Jordan, God did not part the waters with a staff as He did at the Red Sea. He charted a new course with the Ark going before them. When the priests who carried the Ark of the Lord lifted their feet in faith and stepped into the water's edge, the riverbed became dry ground they could walk on.

Do you notice something? Every time the LORD speaks these “familiar” words, it is when He calls someone to rise and carry out a mission that seems impossible. Before His ascension, Jesus said the same thing to His disciples: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). These words are not merely a comfort. They are a divine promise. What God said will surely be fulfilled.

Will we step out in faith today? If we are to pass on the spiritual legacies that we ourselves have received to newcomers who will join our church family in five years' time, and if we are to let the new generation growing up in 2030 become branches that bear good fruit, then we must not be scared into "standing still" by the unfamiliarity brought by changes and renewals, nor should we just sit by the river sighing about the difficulties facing Hong Kong churches and "staying put."

In the next five years, our overall direction will be “Future-focused, Mission-driven.” The goal is to become a “future-ready church” faithfully carrying out the unchanging mission of the NPAC family in a changing generation.

The journey ahead will inevitably be filled with hardships. Yet we must still live out what we believe through “Faith in Action, Love in Details.” We will intentionally build "companionship experiences," promote “intergenerational integration,” strengthen “pastoral care and protection of family,” and raise up "workplace disciples." It is our deep desire that everyone will pay closer attention to those around them in the church, family, and workplace, and more deeply discern the Lord's guidance. We will use the word of God as our principle to “transform intelligence” and embrace new technologies for pastoring and mission work. At the same time, we will continue our fine traditions in our worship services, shaping God-centered worship in 2030 towards “a new horizon in worship” across generations.

Brothers and sisters, the future is here. Since we know the LORD will surely be with us, let us all step out in faith and get moving!