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二○二○年三月二十八日／三月二十九日                                                                                    Click here for English version

IT 與牧養

潘建堂牧師

隨著科技日漸發達，資訊已成為都市人日常生活的必需品，人們對「資訊科技」（Information Technology，簡稱 IT）這詞語也不再陌生。在資訊科技的推動下，無論我們當初是否計劃這樣生活，手機上的 WhatsApp、Facebook、Instagram 等程式已不知不覺成為我們每天不斷瀏覽的溝通工具。資訊科技的力量勢如破竹地把都市人拉進一個新時代：e 世代。根據2017年一項統計，香港 700 萬多人之中，使用網際網絡的用戶已經有 600 多萬。

活在這個時代，信徒與信徒之間、教會／牧者與信徒之間的聯繫方式，也起著許多變化。儘管有些人批評新科技充斥著虛擬的元素，但網絡世界的影響已經真實地進入他們的現實生活中。我已記不起在甚麼時候開始使用 WhatsApp 等工具與事奉人員聯絡，只記得一個重要的事實：如果我不這樣跟上弟兄姊妹的生活模式，我便會與他們脫節。在最近的疫情之中，我也不得不急起直追，學習透過 ZOOM 的會議程式與弟兄姊妹「相聚」。牧養始於主內的相互關係，關係建基於彼此聯絡。科技若能延伸（而不是取代）面對面的交流，肯定對牧養效果有很重要的幫助。

在這疫情中，教會與信徒之間的聯繫也因為資訊科技而得以維持。面對疫情的不斷變化，會眾透過教會網頁或北宣 Connect 得知教會的最新消息，讓整個群體能更有效率去回應實況。

先進的聯繫方式打破了時間和地域的距離。WhatsApp 讓我們可以在自己方便的時間和地點發出和回答訊息，不再需要與對方捉迷藏。視像電話亦變成一件很容易的事，讓溝通的方式更具真實感。新科技無疑打破了許多舊有聯絡方式的限制，讓人與人之間可以有更緊密的聯繫，讓牧養可以更靈活。

科技的進步也使大群體的牧養關懷得到適切的支援。近年我所關顧的詩班和器樂組都採用了電子拍卡系統（早年青成主日學已經採用），其效果除了提升行政效率之外，也有牧養方面的幫助：面對科內數百位弟兄姊妹，教牧同工如何掌握詩班員或組員的基本情況？拍卡系統不但為我們提供資料，更能主動發出電郵去關心多次缺席的弟兄姊妹，了解代禱的需要。資訊科技不但可以傳遞代禱的資料，更能在群體的牧養中促成禱告的服事。

從硬件的角度看，資訊科技是中性的工具，只在於人們怎樣選擇和運用。若我們能合適地善用，這種工具也能成為上帝恩典的渠道。




Pastor's Sharing
IT and Pastoring
Rev Pun Kin Tong

With the advancement of technology, information has become a daily necessity of modern life. We no longer find Information Technology (IT) unfamiliar. With the help of IT, whether it is how we plan to live, we browse apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram on a daily basis for communication. IT has drawn urban dwellers into the e-Generation. A 2017 survey found that among the population of some seven million in Hong Kong, more than six million are using the Internet.

Living in this age, the change in the means of communication also affects believers and the church/pastors. Although some may be critical about the virtual world online, its impact has clearly been felt in real life. I don't remember when I started using tools like WhatsApp to communicate with brothers and sisters who serve. I only remember the important fact that if I do not catch up with the way they live, I will be out of touch with them. In the recent pandemic, I have no alternative but brush up on my IT skills, and ‘meet’ brothers and sisters on Zoom. Shepherding calls for mutual relationship in Christ, and our relationship hinges on communication. If IT can extend (not replace) face-to-face communication, it will definitely be greatly beneficial to the effect of pastoring.

In the recent pandemic, IT has helped maintain the connection between the church and believers. Brothers and sisters receive latest news about the church through the church website and the app 北宣 Connect. The church community has been able to respond to the changing circumstances effectively.

Advanced means of communication have broken down barriers in time and location and allowed us to send and reply messages anytime, anywhere convenient for us. Communication is no longer like hide-and-seek. Video calls have also become readily available and made communication more realistic. New technology has overcome many restrictions of the older forms of communication. It brings people closer together. It also makes shepherding more flexible.

On the congregation level, modern technology gives good support for pastoring and caring. In recent years, the choirs and instrumental groups under my care have adopted the electronic registration system (used earlier by the Chinese Young Adult and Adult Sunday School), which enhances administrative efficiency as well as shepherding. The move enables pastoral staff to know more about what is happening to hundreds of brothers and sisters in the ministry. While providing attendance record, the system also sends out emails to care for brothers and sisters who have been absent multiple times, seeking from them items for intercession. The prayer items received will in turn facilitate the ministry of prayer.

In terms of hardware, IT is a neutral tool. Its effect and impact depend on how it is used. If used appropriately, it can become a channel of God's grace.