二○二一年三月六日／七日
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求主興起愛鄰的心
陳劍雲牧師
「以神的愛燃點生命，實踐施比受更為有福的生活。」這是北宣家的使命宣言，畫龍點睛地顯示出，基督徒的信仰生命與使命是一體的、不是分割的，是源於神的，不只是出於人的熱心與良善。
使命宣言的下半部，是出自使徒行傳二十 35，而「施比受更為有福」，已成為世人都傳頌的箴言。然而，「施」（διδωμι）這個字常常給人「施捨」的不良感覺。無錯，這個字在原文的運用上，確實常用於從上而下的賜下、授予，但是在教會這個領受屬神生命的群體中，我們要謹記，「施」就是給予、分享，是神叫分享的雙方一同蒙福的機會。
保羅在引述主耶穌的話以先，他向教會教導說：「我凡事給你們作榜樣，叫你們知道應當這樣勞苦，扶助軟弱的人」（徒二十 35，和修本）。神要我們採取的分享和關懷行動，無論是物資派發或專業社會服務，都是發自心底對有需要的人的愛，這愛促使我們與他們同行，分享神的同在，宣揚福音所帶來的盼望。教會並沒有解決社會問題所具的資源和條件，這也不是教會的角色。但是，教會卻需要不斷興起能作眾聖徒榜樣的人，激勵各人，或聚或散，都「扶助軟弱的人」。「軟弱」可能指身心上的病患困苦，也可以是關係和靈性上的貧窮。當我們走進鄰舍中間，便會發現神所賜下的禮物，能在這愛的關係中展現。這不是出於我們，乃是神所賜的。所以，無論教會能提供的資源是多還是少，是提供專業的社會服務還是一般的關懷服事，最重要的，始終是神在其中的臨在和工作。
今年 1 月，北宣家成立了社區見證部，隸屬於社關事工科。在疫情之中，我們深深體會，教會需要加強與鄰舍建立關係，並強化「義工」的網絡，透過社區探訪和活動，關心隱藏在社區不同角落的鄰舍，也為回應社區的突發需要，多作準備。我們也需要加強與區內其他堂會和基督教機構的聯繫，藉著彼此間的協作，帶動教會在社區中的福音見證。
「成為好鄰舍，分享神同在」，這句話可說是將大誡命和大使命的部分精髓結合起來，也是社區見證部希望與眾弟兄姊妹一同踐行的信念。
求主興起愛鄰的心！
Pastor's Sharing May God Kindle Our Love for Neighbors in Our Hearts
Rev Lawrence Chan
"To light up our lives with God's love and live out the practice of 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" This is the mission statement of NPAC. It brings out the important point that the spiritual life and mission of a Christian are intertwined and that both come from God. They are not just human passion and goodness.
The second half of the mission statement comes from Acts 20:35. "It is more blessed to give than to receive" is now a well-known proverb. The word "give" (διδωμι) is often associated with condescending giving and is not always taken positively. Indeed, the word in the original language is often used to refer to bestowing from a higher level to the lower. But in the context of the church, a community which has received life from God, let us remember that "giving" is mutual sharing. It is an opportunity by which God blesses both parties in the act.
Before quoting from the Lord Jesus, Paul had this exhortation for the church: "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak" (Acts 20:35). The sharing and caring that God wants, whether it involves distribution of supplies or professional social services, must stem from the bottom of our hearts, out of love for the needy. Love urges us to walk with them, share the presence of God and the hope that the gospel brings. The church is not instituted to solve social problems, and we do not have such capacities too. Nevertheless, the church needs to continually bring forth believers who can set an example for the saints. These Christians will stir up the hearts of others, wherever they are, to "help the weak." "The weak" here may refer to those physically or emotionally ill or those who are poor in spirit or relationships. When we go to our neighbors, we will find the gifts of God unfolded in this caring relationship. This does not come from us, but from God. Therefore, whether the church is resourceful or not, and whether the service rendered is professional social services or general caring ministry, the most important thing is really the presence and the work of God.
This January, the NPAC Family has set up the Community Ministry under the Social Concern Ministry. It is our deep awareness amid the pandemic that the church needs to strengthen our relationship with our neighbors. We also need a stronger network of "volunteers". By means of visitations and activities, we will care for our neighbors hidden in various corners of our community. In doing so, we will be better prepared to respond to emergent needs of the community. We also need to strengthen our ties with other churches and Christian organizations in our neighborhood, collaborate with them to take forward the church's witness for God in the community.
"Be a good neighbor. Share the presence of God" – this integrates part of the essence of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. It is also the conviction which the Community Ministry wishes to live out together with brothers and sisters.
May God kindle our love for our neighbors in our hearts!
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