牧者心聲

北宣家 2026 年會眾普查，讓我們更細緻地看見今日崇拜的面貌。在 3569 份回應之中，有 724 人表示唱詩時感到困難，原因隨年齡與堂次而異。第三堂較多會眾覺得歌曲太舊，英崇、普崇、SATpoint、SUN＋ 較常提到歌曲太新，TC5 則更多受心情或身體狀態影響。這些差異提醒我們，在同一間教會之內，會眾對詩歌的承接並不相同；傳承如何拿捏，更新如何推進，祈求聖靈引領。

值得留意的是，有 78.6% 的會眾在唱詩時感到投入或很投入，能藉詩歌表達內心感受，以及經歷神同在。與此同時，會眾對不同風格詩歌的接受度，也比想像中開闊，有 68.5% 的人持開放或期待態度。這說明形式的調整未必會削弱敬拜，反而可能為群體開拓更寬廣的空間。

數據也提醒我們，不宜把風格選擇看得過重。對詩歌風格是否開放，與靈修、奉獻、團契參與或信主年日，幾乎沒有直接關係。有人偏愛熟悉的形式，有人樂於嘗試新的表達；兩者都不足以單獨說明一個人的屬靈成熟程度。

這使人想起十九世紀末的宣信牧師。古老聖詩本是教會的珍寶，然而對於艱難求存的人、在工廠勞累終日的人、新近移居異地的人，卻常顯得高雅而陌生。於是，他採用較易傳唱的福音詩歌形式，讓更多人能開口頌唱；他也用當代流行的軍樂進行曲節奏，譜寫〈往未得之地去〉、〈開到水深之處〉等詩歌。宣信沒有排擠這個曲風所代表的國族與軍事意象，反而「用這股能量去推動靈魂的拯救」，引導人望向永恆。

若說宣信牧師給教會示範，表達可與時並進；陶恕牧師則提醒教會，創新若失去根，終究站不住。陶恕指出真正的敬拜與讚美，不該以自我感受作中心。他編的 The Christian Book of Mystical Verse（基督徒的靈修詩集），珍視歷代的聖詩遺產。詩歌抒發對神、人和事的情感，也可教人認識神、經歷神。宣信當時的流行詩歌能成為現今經典聖詩之一，不只在其易於唱頌，更因歌詞中蘊含清晰的神學。〈昨日、今日、直到永遠〉一詩，便把主耶穌永遠不改變的真理，深深安放在人心裡。

2024 年世界洛桑福音會議也呼籲普世教會：要多方以富創意的表達，在世界中宣告並彰顯基督。我們所探尋的崇拜新境，目光不宜只停留在音樂風格；教會要留心在眾聲之中守住福音的核心；表達方式雖有變化，敬拜的方向始終對準神，也叫不同世代的人都能以誠以靈敬拜神。

  The 2026 congregational survey of the NPAC family allows us to see the present landscape of worship services in greater detail. Among the 3569 responses, 724 people indicated that they experienced difficulty when singing hymns or worship songs, and the reasons varied according to age group and worship service. More congregants in the Third Worship Service (on Sunday) felt that the songs were too old, while congregants in the English Worship Service, Putonghua Worship Service, SATpoint and SUN+ Worship Service often mentioned that the songs were too new. In TC5, more were affected by their mood or physical condition. These differences remind us that within the same church, congregants receive worship songs differently. May the Holy Spirit lead us as we discern how to balance passing on our heritage and carrying forward renewal.

  It is worth noting that 78.6% of congregants felt engaged or very engaged when singing, being able to express their inner feelings through songs and experience the presence of God. At the same time, congregants’ openness to different styles of worship songs was broader than expected, with 68.5% holding an open or expectant attitude. This shows that adjustments in form may not necessarily weaken worship. Instead, they may open up a wider space for the community.

  The data also reminds us that we should not place excessive weight on choices of style. Openness to the style of worship songs has almost no direct relationship with personal devotion, offering, participation in fellowship, or the number of years since coming to faith. Some people prefer familiar forms, while others are willing to try new expressions. Neither, on its own, is sufficient to indicate a person’s level of spiritual maturity.

  This brings to mind Rev. A. B. Simpson at the end of the 19th century. Ancient hymns were certainly treasures of the church. Yet for those struggling to survive, those weary after a long day’s labour in factories, and those newly arrived in a foreign land, such hymns often seemed refined yet unfamiliar. Therefore, he adopted the more easily sung form of gospel songs so that more people could open their mouths in praise. He also used the rhythms of military marches popular at the time to compose hymns such as “To the Regions Beyond” and “Launch Out.” Simpson did not reject the national and military imagery represented by this musical style. Instead, he “used this energy to advance the salvation of souls,” guiding people to look towards eternity.

  If Rev. Simpson demonstrated to the church that modes of expression can move with the times, Rev. A. W. Tozer reminded the church that innovation, if it loses its roots, will ultimately be unable to stand. Tozer pointed out that true worship and praise should not be centred on one’s own feelings. In The Christian Book of Mystical Verse, which he compiled, he treasured the hymn heritage of the church throughout the ages. Songs express our feelings towards God, people and events. They can also teach people to know God and experience Him. The popular songs of Simpson’s time have become part of today’s classic hymnody not only because they are easy to sing, but also because their lyrics contain clear theology. The hymn “Yesterday, Today, Forever,” for example, deeply plants in people’s hearts the truth that the Lord Jesus never changes.

  The Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in 2024 also called on the global church to proclaim and manifest Christ in the world through many creative forms of expression. As we explore new horizons for worship services, our focus should not stop merely at musical style. The church must be attentive to holding fast to the core of the gospel amid many voices. Though forms of expression may change, the direction of worship must always be fixed on God, so that people of different generations may worship Him in spirit and in truth.