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From the Pastor’s Desk – Alex Poon, Pastor of English Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Aug 22-23, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Alex Poon, Pastor of English Youth and Young Adult MinistriesI always enjoy talking about the great game of Basketball with Pastor Simon. It’s one of our common interests… outside of church ministries of course. I’m always impressed with how much he knows; about the players, about the storylines of each season, about general history. It’s not that I claim to know a lot either, I just appreciate that we’re mutual fans of the game.

Not too long ago, we were talking about the L.A. Lakers, about their recent win against the Miami Heat in the 2019-2020 NBA Finals Games. Specifically, we were talking about the Miami Heat’s win in Game 5 on October 9th. Immediately, some of you who’ve also kept up with the best of 7 series know exactly the moment I’m referencing now. In the final 11.7 seconds of Game 5, one of the greatest players of our generation, Lebron James of the L.A. Lakers – while dealing with a double team – entrusted the potentially game winning shot to his teammate, shooting guard Danny Green. A moment of mistake or celebration, depending on which team you were cheering for.

From the top of the 3-point key of the basketball court, Danny Green’s three pointer shot fell short of the basketball hoop, bouncing off the rim and ruining any chance for a Game 5 trophy celebration for the L.A. Lakers. The Lakers were one win, one basket, one play, away from being champions of the entire hard-fought season. But Danny Green was forced to make a rushed shot. A rushed shot from where he stood, because he didn’t see what we saw – that he had time.

If you were watching the game at home, your reaction might have been like mine. Watching that ball bounce off the rim, you might have given a big groan. Your hands may have been lifted high in excitement, realizing that on this night a basketball championship could have been won… only to have your hands drop down again in dreary shock. Or… you unlike me, could have been cheering for the underdog Miami Heat team, and at that point you had just gained breath back in your lungs as a sigh of relief that your team had just forced a game 6.

Well, whether you’re familiar with this recent sports moment or not, whether you’re familiar with the sport of Basketball or not, here’s the life point I’m trying to make. Sitting on this side of the camera, as the comfortable sports fan just watching the televised game, we were given a viewing vantage point that differed from all players on the court. Removed from the situation, from our side of the camera, we were given the bigger picture. We could tell what was really happening. In any sports game, we’re able to see the amount of time the player has to make a shot, just how far a player has to stretch their hands to catch a ball, just how much faster they have to run to win the race. We’re given a vantage point that lets us see what’s really happening. Unlike the player on the court who is in the thick of the situation, we see the bigger picture.

The good news of the gospel is like this when it comes to life.

The gospel gives us a lens to see the world through. And this lens gives us the chance to see the bigger picture of life. You see, when we’re caught up in the thick of the situations in this often-difficult life, we don’t see the reason for what is happening. As the ones in the midst of the dire situation, we just feel the weight of the pressures being built up. We experience the intensity of the hardships caving in, and we at times, succumb to the pressure.

The hope of the gospel is that it gives us clarity.

The gospel is defined by Theologian Tim Keller like this, and I’ll paraphrase, “we are more broken and weaker than we ever dared imagine, but we are more accepted and loved by Jesus Christ our Saviour than we ever dared hope.”

When we’re able to see all of life’s experiences through this lens – this vantage point – we’re able to see that no matter what we go through today or tomorrow, we’re being taken care of by our gracious Saviour.

The gospel tells us that in the midst of our suffering, the love of the Father gave up his own Son so that we would know all hardships, calamities, weaknesses and persecutions we endure are present for a purpose. Nothing is by accident, and nothing is because of ruthless punishment. We are blemished sinners forgiven by grace because of the blood of Christ shed on the cross washes us clean. When we endure in the hard times, we lean into God for strength to persevere, and we’re brought to a message of hope that reminds us that in all of those difficult circumstances we are being drawn into the caring arms of the Father. This is love, this is grace. That as one author put it, “when we are brought to our knees, we are brought to dependence on him.”

Difficult circumstances force us to ponder deeply on our relationship with God in times where we’ve fallen. And there, when we wrestle with our situations, God meets us with the comfort of his loving arms that lift us up. We are given strength by his Spirit. Strength to endure, strength that eventually chisels and builds our character to be more like Christ.

The lens of the gospel gives us this perspective to viewing our hardships.

And the lens of the gospel gives us an even deeper reason to celebrate too when all goes according to harmonious plan.

When the events of our life bring us to deep happiness and harmony, when our eyes are turned to seeing the beauty of our blessings, again, the lens of the Gospel gives us a bigger picture of life.

It reminds us God loved so deeply he gave of his only Son, and that all of the blessings to follow are gifted by the same compassionate, loving, and generous Father. We’re cared for. We’re given worth, dignity and value as those created in his image. We’re invited into adoption, when a good God graciously reveals his grace to his fallen creation. And this gospel news is truly the source of all our thanksgiving. We’re saved to be loved by a holy God.

The good news of the gospel gives us a lens to see the bigger picture of life. And so, my RCAC brothers and sisters in Christ, may you continue to seek out the depths of the gospel meaning. May you experience the sacrificial love of Christ, so that your praise and adoration of our Father God would exponentially grow, for his glory, for our sake.

Amen,

Alex Poon
Pastor of English Ministry’s Youth and Young Adults

家訊(2020.10.24/25)

家事報告:

  1. 歡迎您與我們一起敬拜神!因新冠肺炎大流行,自3月14/15日起,暫停所有教會聚會,大家可透過www.rcac.ca 網上收看或收聽崇拜證道。
  2. 粵語祈禱會 :逢週二8-9pm在網上Zoom平台進行。祈禱事項及Zoom ID及密碼將以電郵發給大家。10月27日為傳道部祈禱。
  3. 「聖言齊齊翻」– 十月主題:感恩、謝恩、稱頌神;請登入https://bit.ly/30kabFy填寫答案。九月聖言齊齊翻的答案已透過電郵發給大家。
  4. 成人教育部第四季(1012月)成人聖經課程,已在Zoom網上平台開課,上課Zoom登入ID及密碼及課程筆記已透過電郵發給已報名的學員。
  5. 本週六準時7:30pm,AYAYA Online 會上載於教會網站,歡迎弟兄姊妹任何時間參與我們的網上崇拜。本週講題:存喜樂的心事奉, 經文:腓立比書1:12-30。講員:陳榮基傳道。
  6. 週六及主日粵語網上Zoom 平台崇拜分別於週六及主日11:00am開始,個別Zoom 登入ID及密碼於週五下午透過電郵連同崇拜週刊發開給會眾,或請聯絡辦公室索取Zoom登入資料。
  7. 普通話事工網上Zoom平台崇拜已開展,崇拜時間為早上9:00。Zoom ID和密碼將會透過微信公布。
  8. 【與牧者共話】已於10月18日主日下午2時於Zoom網上平台舉行。希望透過這個機會,弟兄姊妹能夠與牧者討論那一週講道的內容及牧者心聲,從而幫助屬靈的生命得以進深。詳情請向辦公室查詢。Zoom ID和密碼會在每週五透過電郵發給弟兄姊妹。
  9. 精神健康講座於本週六10月24日下午2:00-3:30一連四個星期於Zoom網上平台舉行,請登入https://bit.ly/3j5UcBN報名。Zoom ID和密碼將透過電郵發給已報名的弟兄姊妹。歡迎邀請家人朋友參加。講座以粵語進行。查詢請聯絡辦公室。
  10. 本會管會堂江耀華(Roman)弟兄將於10月31日榮休,列宣家感謝Roman 弟兄的忠心服事,願主祝福Roman 的退休生活。由於疫情緣故,本會暫不預算聘請同工填補空缺,盼望弟兄姊妹積極參與教會服事,分擔工作。
  11. 每週崇拜週刊的詳細內容可於列宣網頁查看,www.rcac.ca,請瀏覽細閱有關連結(Link) – 家訊教牧心聲等。

12.辦公室消息:

  • 關潔玲(Karen)傳道於10月26至11月8日休假。
  • 歐陽鑽玲(Jeanie)傳道於10月29日至11月19日休假。
  1. 溫馨提示:11月1日凌晨冬令時間開始,請於10月31日週六就寢前將時鐘撥慢一小時。

肢體及牧者消息及代禱

  1. 十月31日及十一月一日 崇拜講員:周力行(週六青崇、主日普通話)、李耀全牧師(週六、主日粵語)、張志成牧師(主日英語)。
  2. 身體不適肢體:李慕慈、鄧陳有、黃益松夫婦、鍾德和、劉黃玉蓮、吳葉菁、葉周煥萍、陳見三、余鄧玉瑤、陳黃雪芳、梁伯中。每週二祈禱會我們將更具體為他們代禱。
  3. 王華林(Wilson)弟兄於10月1日安息主懷。安息禮拜於本週六(10月24曰)上午10:30假列治文殯儀館舉行。願主安慰其家人。

宣教/機構消息:

  1. BC內陸短宣及Hazelton短宣,現因新冠肺炎疫情而暫緩 ,敬希垂注。
  2. 第48屆2020年大溫哥華研經培靈會於10月22-25晚上7:30pm 透過You Tube 直播進行,https://bit.ly/vcemf2020。主題:入世而不屬世的與神同行。講員:陳琛儀牧師。

講道大綱及筆記:   

週六、主日粵語崇拜

講員:龔敏光牧師

講題:在基督裡事奉的喜樂

經文:腓立比書1:12-30

  • 超越環境的喜樂
  • 超越人事的喜樂
  • 超越個人的喜樂

普通話崇拜

講員:劉展權傳道

題目:喜樂的人生

經文:腓立比書1:12-30

喜樂的人生是:

  • 知道生命的現實,從而
  • 認清生命的意義,並
  • 活出生命的動力

講題預告:

2020開到水深之處 IV10-12月主題事奉主真是喜樂(腓立比書研讀)

  • 10.24/25            存喜樂的心事奉    (腓1:12-30)
  • 10.31/11.01         喜樂的成全-以基督的心為心    (腓2:1-11)
  • 11.07/08              事奉主真是喜樂    (腓2:12-30)
  • 11.14/15 在阻力中的喜樂 (腓3:1-11)
  • 11.21/22 我的喜樂與冠冕,靠主堅定不移 (腓3:12-4:1)
  • 11.28/29(將臨期) 靠主常樂 (腓4:2-9)
  • 12.05/06 在主供應中歡欣喜樂 (腓4:10-23)
  • 12.12/13 聖誕節信息#1 (待定)
  • 12.19/20 聖誕節信息#2 (待定)
  • 12.26/27 聖誕節信息#3 (待定)

教會行事年曆

  • 10.24         BC AWANA 導師訓練營
  • 10.25         迎新會(取消)
  • 11.01         冬令時間開始
  • 11.11         國殤日公眾假期
  • 11.15         普通話愛筵(取消)
  • 11.15         長議會會議#6
  • 11.17         Prayer Meeting (E)
  • 11.29         將臨期第一個主日
  • 12.06         新舊長執聚餐及會議(延期)
  • 12.13         Community Meal (E)(取消)
  • 12.15         Prayer Meeting (E)
  • 12.19/20 聖誕崇拜
  • 12.24         平安夜崇拜
  • 12.25-26 聖誕假期
  • 12.31         年終感恩見證祈禱會
  • 12.27-31 第60屆冬令會(延期)

 

 

 

 

The reason for Joy: Partnership in the gospel (Lessons from Philippians)

Oct 17-18, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon LeeDear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

It is so heartening to witness, that despite the lockdown from the pandemic, many many of our members are serving the Lord with tremendous joy and energy. Just a small example I see as I am advisor to two Cantonese Fellowships, Jacob and Elijah. It is so delightful to see the Fellowships are not discouraged by all the inconvenience of not being able to gather together, but have produced incredible programs every time they meet, using Zoom and other means. Now the Sunday noon and Mandarin services have started also to use Zoom to gather the congregations in worship and it is so encouraging to see so many people have responded by joining. To God be the glory!

Yes, it is important at this time for all of us to be joyful in our lives and our service to God. This is the reason why we have switched gear in our sermon series as we “Launch out into the Deep” and turn our attention to Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi to learn the secret of keeping joyful amidst difficulties and challenges. It is important to note that Paul mention joy and rejoicing at least 11 times throughout the letter, found throughout the four chapters. The theme of joy in the sermon series is as follows:

  1. Thanksgiving with joy (1:1-11)
  2. Serving with joy (1:12-30)
  3. “Complete my joys… have the mind of Christ” (2:1-11)
  4. 4. Joy of service in Christ (2:12-30)
  5. Joy in the midst of opposition (3:1-11)
  6. “My joy and crown… stand firm in the Lord” (3:12-4:1)
  7. Rejoice in the Lord always” (4:2-9)
  8. Rejoice in the Lord’s provision (4:10-23)

Before we move on, let’s recap the story of the planting of the Church in Philippi, the background of the relationship with Paul (Acts 16:6-40). The Philippian Church was the first church Paul planted in Europe. It was the result of Paul answering the Macedonian Call. Paul was first prevented by the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus to go to his original destination and then directed in a vision of a man from Macedonia urging him to “come over… and help us.”(Acts 16:6-9)  The author Luke (who apparently accompanied the team) tells us: “And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately WE sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called US to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:10)  What a beautiful picture of God’s mission: clear direction and call, responding to the need for the gospel, and team spirit.

On the Sabbath day, the day of worship for the Jews, Paul and the mission team sought out Lydia and the women at a place of prayer on the riverside outside the city gate. Lydia, was a “worshiper of God” (probably a devote Jew) and a seller of purple goods (expensive purple clothing fit for people in high society and the royalty, as Lydia was from Thyatira, a city of the province of Asia in the district of Lydia that was famous for its expensive dyes). (Acts 16:13-14)  After Paul had shared the gospel with Lydia, “the Lord opened her heart” and she paid attention to his words. She was baptized together with her household (which probably included the servants as well).  Then she opened her home and heartily invited Paul and the team to stay at her house, which eventually became the worship center for the Christians in the city(Acts 16:14b-15; 40). What a beautiful story of the beginning of the Church in Philippi, which explains why the Church has a special place in the heart of Paul.

Now years after (AD 62, in Rome. 1:13; 4:22), Paul writes to encourage the Christians at the Church in Philippi to remain joyful, as he remained joyful even as he was imprisoned. The church had a special place in his heart (1:7a) because he was there from the beginning (1:5) and he wanted the Christians there to be sure “that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (1: 6)  Paul reminded the Philippians that they were in “partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” with him. He said to the Christians that they were “all partakers (co-partners) with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense of the gospel.” (1:7b) Paul was thanking God for the Philippians and was praying for them with joy in his heart (1:4). He was able to do this because he had within him “the affection of Christ Jesus.”

One key theme found in these beginning verses and throughout the book of Philippians (the reason for joy) is the concept of “partnership” (Gk: koinonia) translated in different ways in different contexts:

  1. partnership in the gospel: (1:5)
  2. all partakers with me of grace…” (1:7)
  3. participation (fellowship) in the Spirit” (2:1)
  4. share his (Christ’s) sufferings…” (3:10)
  5. “…entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving” (4:15)

Let us pause and summarize the partnership relationship that Paul as the pastor had with the Christians at Philippi, as revealed in the first 8 verses of this chapter:

  1. Paul (together with his spiritual son, Timothy) regarded themselves as “servants of Christ Jesus.”
  2. Paul recognized all the Christians in Philippi, especially the leaders (overseers and deacons).
  3. Paul blessed each and every one of them, first and foremost.
  4. Paul prayed for the Church regularly and was filled with joy, even though he was imprisoned.
  5. Paul looked at the relationship as a long-term “partnership” (Koinonia) in the gospel.
  6. Paul recognized that the ministry was the work of Christ the Savior and the Coming King.
  7. Paul was joyful because he was filled with the love and affection of Christ.

What a beautiful picture we see. How I wish every church of Christ is like that.  If we apply that to our Church, these are the questions we would be asking:

  1. Do our pastors humbly consider ourselves as “servants of Christ Jesus”?
  2. Do we regard our Church leaders (elders and deacons/deaconesses) with the respect they deserve?
  3. Do we bless and support each other (instead of looking for the faults in each other)?
  4. Do we take seriously the prayer ministry of the Church and pray for each other?
  5. Are we “partners in the gospel” or are we all looking at our own interest and perspective?
  6. Do we regard the ministry as Christ’s ministry, and not as our own baby?
  7. Are we joyful because we have “the affection of Christ” or are we critical and bitter?

As we delve into the book, my prayer is like Paul, “that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (1:9-11) Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Simon Lee,

Senior Pastor

喜樂的因由:福音中的伙伴關係(腓立比書)

Oct 17-18, 2020
李耀全牧師

親愛列宣家的弟兄姊妹:

儘管我們現正受著疫情大流行的限制,令人感到振奮的是,我們中間許多、許多的肢體仍存著極為喜樂的心竭誠地為主擺上。很高興地看到各團契不會因著無法實體在一起聚會所帶來的不便而受阻礙,反而彼此藉著透過視頻及使用其他製作程式見面,帶出令人難以置信的果效。身為兩個粵語團契-雅各團和以利亞團的導師,我只是在其中的一個微小的個例。現時,主日午堂和普通話崇拜也開始藉著視頻來召集會眾參加敬拜聚會,看到如此多的肢體加入視頻敬拜以作出回應,實在令人鼓舞。願榮耀歸於神!

是的,在這時期,最重要的是我們能夠喜樂地生活並能以事奉神為樂。這就是為什麼我們在本季“開到水深之處”的講道系列中專注於,從保羅給腓立比教會的書信學習在困難和挑戰中仍能保持喜樂的秘訣及原因。讓我們來注意本書的重點,保羅在這四章書信中至少11次提到“喜樂”。以喜樂為講道系列的主題如下:

  1. 歡歡喜喜的感恩 (1:1-11)
  2. 存喜樂的心事奉 (1:12-30)
  3. .“喜樂的成全- 以基督的心為心”  (2:1-11)
  4. 事奉基督是真喜樂 (2:12-30)
  5. 在阻力中的喜樂 (3:1-11)
  6. “我的喜樂和冠冕, 靠主堅定不移”  (3:12-4:1)
  7. “靠主常樂”  (4:2-9)
  8. 在主供應中歡欣喜樂 (4:10-23)

在接下去以先,讓我們來回溯腓立比教會建立的事蹟,是他們與保羅建立關係的背景(徒16:6-40)。腓立比教會是保羅在歐洲建立的第一所教會,是保羅回應馬其頓呼聲的結果。保羅首先因被聖靈和耶穌的靈所阻止,無法前往原定之目的地,其後切合馬其頓異象中那人的呼求,敦促他“請過來…幫助我們”(徒16:6-9)。作者路加(顯然是團隊中的一員)告訴我們:“保羅見了這異象,我們就認定是神呼召我們去傳福音給他們,於是立刻設法前往馬其頓。”(徒16:10)。這是神使命的美麗圖畫:清晰的指示和呼召、回應福音的需要和團隊合作精神。

在猶太人敬拜神的安息日,保羅和他的宣教團隊於城門外河邊的禱告地方找到了呂底亞和一群婦女。呂底亞是“神的敬拜者”(極可能是一位虔誠的猶太人),因為呂底亞來自推雅推喇,(以昂貴的染料的聞名的呂底亞地區)。她是紫色布料(適合上流社會人士和貴族使用的昂貴紫色服飾)的銷售商(徒16: 13-14)。在保羅與呂底亞分享福音之後,她專心尋求神的話,“主打開了她的心”。她與家人(可能包括僕人們)也一起受洗。其後,她開放了自己的家,並熱誠地邀請保羅和他的團隊停留在她的房子裡,這房子最終成為了那城裡的基督徒敬拜聚會的中心(徒16:14下-15:40)。腓立比教會成立之初的美麗故事真是動人,這也解釋了為什麼這地區的教會在保羅心中佔有特殊的地位。

數年後(主後62年。1:13; 4:22),保羅於羅馬寫信鼓勵腓立比教會的信徒要常常喜樂,因為即使他自己身在被囚之中也常存喜樂。教會在他心目中佔有特殊的位置(1:7上),因為他從教會成長之始就在那裡(1:5),他希望那裡的信徒能夠深信 “我那在你們中間開始了美好工作的,到了基督耶穌的日子,必成全這工作”。(1:6) 保羅提醒腓立比信徒,他們與他“從第一天到現在都是福音的夥伴”。他形容腓立比信徒為 – 他 “恩典的同伴(共同夥伴),無論我是在捆鎖之中,或是在辯護和證實福音的時候,你們都和我一同分享神的恩”。(1:7下)。保羅為著腓立比信徒感謝神,並在為他們祈禱時心存喜樂(1:4)。他之所以能夠做得到,是因為他內心深處滿有“基督耶穌的愛”。

在整本腓立比書(喜樂的原因)從首到尾可見到貫徹全書的關鍵主題是“夥伴關係”(希臘文:koinonia)的概念,在不同的情況下作不同的翻譯:

1.在福音的事工上“有分” – 新譯本 (“ partnership” in the gospel) (1:5)

2.“一同分享神的恩典” – 新譯本 (“all partakerswith me of grace…” )(1:7)
3. “靈裡的契通” – 新譯本 (“participation(fellowship) in the Spirit”) (2:1)

4. 在祂所受的苦上“有分” – 新譯本 (“sharehis (Christ’s) sufferings…”) (3:10)

5: “有份於”我的盈虧得失- 現代中譯 ( “…entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving” )(4:15)

讓我們稍作停頓,總結一下保羅作為牧者與腓立比教會信徒之間的伙伴關係,正如本章的前八節經文所顯示的:

1.保羅(與他的屬靈兒子提摩太一同)自稱為“基督耶穌的僕人”。

2.保羅承認接納所有的腓立比信徒,特別是領袖(教會監督和執事)。

3.保羅首先也是最重要的,是為所有人祝福。

4.即使保羅被囚,他也經常為教會祈禱,並充滿喜樂。

5.保羅將這關係視為福音中的長期“夥伴關係”(Koinonia)。

6.保羅確認他的事奉是為著救主基督和那再來之王的事工。

7.保羅之所以能喜樂,是因為他被基督的愛與深情所充滿。

我們所看到的是一幅多麼美麗的圖畫。我真希望每個基督教會都是這樣。若將之應用於我們的教會,我們可試循下列問題去思想:

1.我們的牧師是否謙卑地確認自己是“基督耶穌的僕人”?

2.我們是否對我們的教會領袖(長老和執事/女執事)給予應有的尊重?

3.我們是否互相祝福和互相支持(而不是尋找彼此的缺點)?

4.我們是否認真對待教會的祈禱事工並為彼此代禱?

5.我們是“福音的伙伴”還是我們在關注自己的興趣和觀點?

6.我們是否確認事奉是為基督所的擺上,而不是看為屬於我們自己的寶貝?

7.我們會因為擁有“基督的愛”而喜樂嗎?還是我們帶著批判心態而又在心內常存苦澀?

當我們深入研讀本書時,我的祈禱就如保羅一樣;“我所禱告的,是要你們的愛心,在充足的知識和各樣的見識上,多而又多,使你們可以辨別是非,成為真誠無可指摘的人,直到基督的日子,靠著耶穌基督結滿了公義的果子,使神得著榮耀和讚美。” (1:9-11) 阿們!

主僕

李耀全主任牧師

家訊(2020.10.17/18)

家事報告:

  1. 歡迎您與我們一起敬拜神!因新冠肺炎大流行,自3月14/15日起,暫停所有教會聚會,大家可透過www.rcac.ca 網上收看或收聽崇拜證道。
  2. 粵語祈禱會 :逢週二8-9pm在網上Zoom平台進行。祈禱事項及Zoom ID及密碼將以電郵發給大家。10月20日為財政部、行政部及以賽亞團祈禱。
  3. 「聖言齊齊翻」– 十月主題:感恩、謝恩、稱頌神;請登入https://bit.ly/30kabFy填寫答案。九月聖言齊齊翻的答案已透過電郵發給大家。
  4. 成人教育部第四季(1012月)成人聖經課程,已在Zoom網上平台開課,上課Zoom登入ID及密碼及課程筆記已透過電郵發給已報名的學員。
  5. 本週六準時7:30pm,AYAYA Online 會上載於教會網站,歡迎弟兄姊妹任何時間參與我們的網上崇拜。本週講題:以喜樂的心事奉神,經文:腓立比書1:1-11。講員:李耀全牧師。
  6. 週六及主日粵語網上Zoom 平台崇拜分別於週六及主日11:00am開始,個別Zoom 登入ID及密碼於週五下午透過電郵連同崇拜週刊發開給會眾,或請聯絡辦公室索取Zoom登入資料。
  7. 普通話事工網上Zoom平台崇拜已開展,崇拜時間為早上9:00。Zoom ID和密碼將會透過微信公布。
  8. 【與牧者共話】將於10月18日主日下午2時於Zoom網上平台舉行。希望透過這個機會,弟兄姊妹能夠與牧者討論那一週講道的內容及牧者心聲,從而幫助屬靈的生命得以進深。請弟兄姊妹透過辦公室報名。Zoom ID和密碼會透過電郵發給已經報名的弟兄姊妹。
  9. 精神健康講座定於10月24日下午2:00-3:30一連四個星期於Zoom網上平台舉行,請登入https://bit.ly/3j5UcBN報名。Zoom ID和密碼將透過電郵發給已報名的弟兄姊妹。歡迎邀請家人朋友參加。講座以粵語進行。查詢請聯絡辦公室。
  10. 本會管會堂江耀華(Roman)弟兄將於10月31日榮休,列宣家感謝Roman 弟兄的忠心服事,願主祝福Roman 的退休生活。由於疫情緣故,本會暫不預算聘請同工填補空缺,盼望弟兄姊妹積極參與教會服事,分擔工作。
  11. 每週崇拜週刊的詳細內容可於列宣網頁查看,www.rcac.ca,請瀏覽細閱有關連結(Link) – 家訊教牧心聲等。
  12. 辦公室消息:
  • 行政秘書陳潘佩貞(Joyce)姊妹於10月13-23日休假。

肢體及牧者消息及代禱

  1. 十月二十四日及二十五日 崇拜講員:陳榮基傳道(週六青崇)、龔敏光牧師(週六、主日粵語)、劉展權傳道(主日普通話)、潘啟華傳道(主日英語)。
  2. 身體不適肢體:李慕慈、鄧陳有、黃益松夫婦、鍾德和、劉黃玉蓮、吳葉菁、葉周煥萍、陳見三、余鄧玉瑤、陳黃雪芳、梁伯中。每週二祈禱會我們將更具體為他們代禱。

宣教/機構消息:

  1. BC內陸短宣及Hazelton短宣,現因新冠肺炎疫情而暫緩 ,敬希垂注。
  2. 第48屆2020年大溫哥華研經培靈會於10月22-25晚上7:30pm 透過You Tube 直播進行,https://bit.ly/vcemf2020。主題:入世而不屬世的與神同行。講員:陳琛儀牧師。

講道大綱及筆記:  

週六青崇、週六、主日粵語及普通話崇拜

講員:李耀全牧師

講題:以喜樂的心事奉神:腓立比書的信息

喜樂的因由:福音中的伙伴關係

經文:腓立比書1:1-11

引言:

以喜樂為講道系列的主題如下:

  1. 存喜樂的心事奉 (1:12-30)
  2. “喜樂的成全-以基督的心為心”(2:1-11)
  3. 事奉基督是真喜樂(2:12-30)
  4. 在歡歡喜喜的感恩(1:1-11)
  5. 阻力中的喜樂(3:1-11)
  6. “我的喜樂和冠冕,靠主堅定不移”(3:12-4:1)
  7. “靠主常樂”(4:2-9)
  8. 在主供應中歡欣喜樂(4:10-23)

I. 馬其頓呼聲:回溯腓立比教會之建立

II. 從首到尾可見到貫徹全書的關鍵主題是“夥伴關係”(希臘文:koinonia

III. 若將之應用於我們的教會,我們可試循下列問題去思想(七問)

  1. 我們的牧者是否謙卑地確認自己是“基督耶穌的僕人”?
  2. 我們是否對我們的教會領袖(長老和執事/女執事)給予應有的尊重?
  3. 我們是否互相祝福和互相支持(而不是尋找彼此的缺點)?
  4. 我們是否認真對待教會的祈禱事工並為彼此代禱?
  5. 我們是“福音的伙伴”還是我們在關注自己的興趣和觀點?
  6. 我們是否確認事奉是為基督所的擺上,而不是看為屬於我們自己的寶貝?
  7. 我們會因為擁有“基督的愛”而喜樂嗎?還是我們帶著批判心態而又在心內常存苦澀?

總結: 1:9-11

講題預告:

2020開到水深之處 IV10-12月主題事奉主真是喜樂(腓立比書研讀)

  • 10.17/18 歡歡喜喜的感恩-引言及概論   (腓1:1-11)
  • 10.24/25  存喜樂的心事奉     (腓1:12-30)
  • 10.31/11.01 喜樂的成全-以基督的心為心   (腓2:1-11)
  • 11.07/08  事奉主真是喜樂 (腓2:12-30)
  • 11.14/15 在阻力中的喜樂 (腓3:1-11)
  • 11.21/22 我的喜樂與冠冕,靠主堅定不移 (腓3:12-4:1)
  • 11.28/29(將臨期) 靠主常樂 (腓4:2-9)
  • 12.05/06 在主供應中歡欣喜樂 (腓4:10-23)
  • 12.12/13 聖誕節信息#1 (待定)
  • 12.19/20 聖誕節信息#2 (待定)
  • 12.26/27 聖誕節信息#3 (待定)

教會行事年曆

  • 10.18         Community Meal (E)(取消)
  • 10.18         會友大會(延期)
  • 10.20         Prayer Meeting (E)
  • 10.24         BC AWANA 導師訓練營
  • 10.25         迎新會(取消)
  • 11.01         冬令時間開始
  • 11.11         國殤日公眾假期
  • 11.15         普通話愛筵(取消)
  • 11.15         長議會會議#6
  • 11.17         Prayer Meeting (E)
  • 11.29         將臨期第一個主日
  • 12.06         新舊長執聚餐及會議(延期)
  • 12.13         Community Meal (E)(取消)
  • 12.15         Prayer Meeting (E)
  • 12.19/20 聖誕崇拜
  • 12.24         平安夜崇拜
  • 12.25-26 聖誕假期
  • 12.31         年終感恩見證祈禱會
  • 12.27-31 第60屆冬令會(延期)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Thanksgiving Heart

2020.10.10/11
From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Mark Liu

Oct 10-11, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Mark LiuHello all,

Happy Thanksgiving.

This year’s thanksgiving has a different meaning to me. Starting from April this year, I joined the Pastoral Team of RCAC, looking after the Putonghua Ministry. To many of us, this year’s thanksgiving is also very different. Because of the pandemic, the way of life has been changed. We cannot come back to church worship with other brothers and sisters, let alone all the church activities have been moved online. One of the Pastors mentioned that, everything is Zoom. “Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!” has become the mode of RCAC carrying out the activities. To those brothers and sisters who will participate the baptismal ceremony later today, they will go through a very different ceremony, something which RCAC has never done before.

In April this year, I officially became one of the pastors at RCAC. That day, due to the pandemic, there were not many people in the office. I sat there alone, quietly starting my new role. When a sister called me Pastor Mark, I was caught by surprise. However, the sister reminded me that I need to realize this noble call, because I was called by God to become His servant to carry out His Ministry. Yes, I didn’t think too seriously about the meaning behind this identity at first. May the Lord have mercy on me.

In the past six months, under God’s Guidance, Putonghua Ministry has carried out various ministries in an orderly manner. Last week, September 27, we started using Zoom to worship with brothers and sisters. On that day, we were able to meet with brothers and sisters whom we had not seen for a long time, and I was moved. Among them, my sister also participated in worship from Boston. I was very grateful.

Due to the pandemic, even though majority of the programs are conducted through the Internet, this did not affect the participation of brothers and sisters. We started different cell group activities in the past September. The gatherings are conducted with the Bible Study. The difference is that instead of doing the Bible Study live, I would record the contents of the Bible study first. By doing so, groups can meet at the time selected by the group members. This provides flexibility for the gatherings. Praise the Lord.

Having the flexibility, however, does not mean that we can choose to worship whatever time we like. Bearing in mind that setting up a dedicated time to worship God continues to be important. Though the content is now provided online, we need to prepare ourselves, without any distraction and disturbance, to worship God. There is nothing more important than submitting ourselves to God through the worship. Indeed, the pandemic has enabled brothers and sisters to watch the content online. But we need to arrange our life so that the time set for worshipping God does not change.

May God bless you all, and may God bless RCAC.

His servant,

Pastor Mark

感恩的心

Oct 10-11, 2020
劉展權傳道

弟兄姊妹大家好,在這裡祝大家感恩節愉快。

今年的感恩節對我來說有著不同的意義。因為今年我開始了另外一個身分,就是成為列宣家的教牧同工。對很多人來說,今年的感恩節是與以往的不一樣。首先,因為我們目前還在面對著疫情,以致無法回到教會和弟兄姊妹一同敬拜或是參與各樣的教會生活。另一方面,對於今年接受水禮的弟兄姊妹來說,今年的水禮的方式也是從未遇見過的。

在今年四月,我正式成為了列宣家的教牧同工。當天,因著疫情的緣故,並沒有太多人在辦公室,我一個人坐在那裡,安靜開始了新的身分。當天有一位姊妹用了Pastor Mark來稱呼我的時候,我有一點不習慣。但是,姊妹提醒我,這個身分是尊貴的,因為我是被神呼召,成為祂的僕人,牧養祂的羊。是的,我一開始並沒有太認真去思考這個身分背後所帶來的含義。求主憐憫。

在過去的半年,普通話事工在神的帶領下,一步一步,有序的展開各樣事工。感謝神。我們在上週開始使用Zoom來和弟兄姊妹一起敬拜。當天透過畫面,能夠和一些很久不見的弟兄姊妹見面,心裡非常感動。其中,我的妹妹也從波士頓參與敬拜。非常感恩。

因著疫情,普通話事工的聚會都必須透過互聯網來進行。但是,這樣並沒有影響弟兄姊妹參與。我們在過去的九月開始了不同的小組的活動。聚會還是以查經為主軸,不同的是我會在之前先錄影,把查經的內容錄好,以致小組可以在組員選擇的時間進行聚會。這樣提供了聚會的彈性。感謝主的恩典。

在這裡,容許我提醒大家,縱使列宣家利用互聯網來幫助弟兄姊妹繼續各樣不同的聚會,尤其是透過互聯網來播放敬拜內容。但是我們不能因著方便而改變了我們敬拜的心。每一個主日,我們是否預備好自己,在特定的時間,在毫無干擾之下來敬拜神?方便並不代表我們就可以隨便。我們需要預備好自己,專心敬拜我們的神。因為祂是值得我們放下一切來敬拜的。

願神祝福每一位,願神祝福列宣家。

主僕

劉展權傳道

家訊(2020.10.10/11)

家事報告:

  1. 歡迎您與我們一起敬拜神!因新冠肺炎大流行,自3月14/15日起,暫停所有教會聚會,大家可透過www.rcac.ca 網上收看或收聽崇拜證道。
  2. 粵語祈禱會 :逢週二8-9pm在網上Zoom平台進行。祈禱事項及Zoom ID及密碼將以電郵發給大家。10月13日為崇拜部及粵語青年事工祈禱。
  3. 「聖言齊齊翻」– 十月主題:感恩、謝恩、稱頌神;請登入https://bit.ly/30kabFy填寫答案。九月聖言齊齊翻的答案已透過電郵發給大家。
  4. 成人教育部第四季(1012月)成人聖經課程,已Zoom網上平台開課,上課Zoom登入ID及密碼及課程筆記已透過電郵發給已報名的學員。
  5. 本週六準時7:30pm,AYAYA Online 會上載於教會網站,歡迎弟兄姊妹任何時間參與我們的網上崇拜。本週講題:揀選•救贖•憑據,經文:以弗所書一章1-19 節。講員:陳榮基傳道。
  6. 週六及主日粵語網上Zoom 平台崇拜分別於週六及主日11:00am開始,個別Zoom 登入ID及密碼於週五下午透過電郵連同崇拜週刊發開給會眾,或請聯絡辦公室索取Zoom登入資料。
  7. 普通話事工網上Zoom平台崇拜已開展,崇拜時間為早上9:00。Zoom ID和密碼將會透過微信公布。
  8. 【與牧者共話】將於10月18日主日下午2時於Zoom網上平台舉行。希望透過這個機會,弟兄姊妹能夠與牧者討論那一週講道的內容及牧者心聲,從而幫助屬靈的生命得以進深。請弟兄姊妹透過辦公室報名。Zoom ID和密碼會透過電郵發給已經報名的弟兄姊妹。
  9. 精神健康講座計劃於10月24日下午2:00-3:30一連四個星期於Zoom網上平台舉行,查詢請聯絡辦公室,網上報名詳情於下週公佈。Zoom ID和密碼將透過電郵發給已報名的弟兄姊妹。歡迎邀請家人朋友參加。
  10. 感恩節浸禮將於本主日下午於本會禮堂舉行。浸禮儀式將分開兩個時段進行,普通話組下午1-2時,粵語組下午3-4時。由於50人限聚令仍然生效,出席觀禮人士僅限於受浸者邀請之嘉賓。請大家在禱告中記念受浸的弟兄姊妹及浸禮程序能順利完成。
  11. 感恩節受浸弟兄姊妹:普通話組: 郝珊珊(Elsa)、潘立、于爽英(Katherine)、王麗君、張馳、張金康;粵語組: 李婷(Tina)、蕭振翔(David)、梁美嬌(Michelle)、鄺綺雯(Joyce)、區錦鴻(Richard)、曾于慧(Kitty)、黃耀得(Terry)。
  12. 本會管會堂江耀華(Roman)弟兄將於10月31日榮休,列宣家感謝Roman 弟兄的忠心服事,願主祝福Roman 的退休生活。由於疫情緣故,本會暫不預算聘請同工填補空缺,盼望弟兄姊妹積極參與教會服事,分擔工作。
  13. 本會關懷部於10月15日晚上8:00時進行電話關懷。
  14. 每週崇拜週刊的詳細內容可於列宣網頁查看,www.rcac.ca,請瀏覽細閱有關連結(Link) – 家訊教牧心聲等。
  15. 辦公室消息:
  • 10月12日(週一)感恩節公眾假期,辦公室休假一天。
  • 劉展權傳道10月13日休假。
  • 行政秘書陳潘佩貞(Joyce)姊妹於10月13-23日休假。

肢體及牧者消息及代禱

  1. 十月十七日及十八日 崇拜講員:李耀全牧師(週六青崇、週六、主日粵語及主日普通話)、張志成牧師(主日英語)。
  2. 身體不適肢體:李慕慈、鄧陳有、黃益松夫婦、鍾德和、劉黃玉蓮、吳葉菁、葉周煥萍、陳見三、余鄧玉瑤、陳黃雪芳、梁伯中。每週二祈禱會我們將更具體為他們代禱。

講道大綱及筆記:  

週六青崇、週六、主日粵語崇拜

講員:陳榮基傳道

講題:揀選 救贖 憑據    

經文:以弗所書1:1-14

  1. 在基督裡,我們得蒙揀選
  2. 在基督裡,我們得到救贖
  3. 在基督裡,我們得著憑據

普通話崇拜

講員:劉展權傳道

講題:感恩的心

經文:以弗所書1:1-14

一顆感恩的心因著神給予屬靈的福氣

一顆感恩的心展現於活出屬靈的福氣

講題預告:

2020開到水深之處 IV10-12月主題事奉主真是喜樂(腓立比書研讀)

  • 10.10/11 (聖餐)   感恩信息   (弗1:1-14)
  • 10.17/18               歡歡喜喜的感恩-引言及概論    (腓1:1-11)
  • 10.24/25              存喜樂的心事奉    (腓1:12-30)
  • 10.31/11.01          喜樂的成全-以基督的心為心 (腓2:1-11)
  • 11.07/08 事奉主真是喜樂 (腓2:12-30)
  • 11.14/15 在阻力中的喜樂 (腓3:1-11)
  • 11.21/22 我的喜樂與冠冕,靠主堅定不移 (腓3:12-4:1)
  • 11.28/29(將臨期) 靠主常樂 (腓4:2-9)
  • 12.05/06 在主供應中歡欣喜樂 (腓4:10-23)
  • 12.12/13 聖誕節信息#1 (待定)
  • 12.19/20 聖誕節信息#2 (待定)
  • 12.26/27 聖誕節信息#3 (待定)

教會行事年曆

  • 9.05-10.10  (逢週六)   「十步釋經法基礎」研習班
  • 10.10/11 感恩節崇拜
  • 10.11         感恩節浸禮
  • 10.12         感恩節公眾假期
  • 10.18         Community Meal (E)(取消)
  • 10.18         會友大會(延期)
  • 10.20         Prayer Meeting (E)
  • 10.24         BC AWANA 導師訓練營
  • 10.25         迎新會(取消)
  • 11.01         冬令時間開始
  • 11.11         國殤日公眾假期
  • 11.15         普通話愛筵(取消)
  • 11.15         長議會會議#6
  • 11.17         Prayer Meeting (E)
  • 11.29         將臨期第一個主日
  • 12.06         新舊長執聚餐及會議(延期)
  • 12.13         Community Meal (E)(取消)
  • 12.15         Prayer Meeting (E)
  • 12.19/20 聖誕崇拜
  • 12.24         平安夜崇拜
  • 12.25-26 聖誕假期
  • 12.31         年終感恩見證祈禱會
  • 12.27-31 第60屆冬令會(延期)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church without walls 3: Transform our Church community to a “Community Church”

Oct 03-04, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Church without walls 3: Transform our Church community to a “Community Church”
(「社區教會」:轉化群體深入社區)

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Our children and young people have gone “Back to School” in September with a lot of fear and anxiety that still lingers. We feel the same as we begin to return to our work place to work. As a Church, we have been very cautious to return to some small group gatherings under our RTC. We are living in strange and uncharted territories. Because of the pandemic, I have encouraged us in the past two months to look at what it means to be a “Church without walls” in three important ways:
1. Transform and buildup the Church with more cell groups
(「化整為零」:轉化教會建立小組)
2. Transform and equip members to be “ambassadors for Christ”
(「基督使者」:轉化信徒人人皆兵)
3. Transform our Church community to a “Community Outreaching Church” (COC)
(「社區教會」:轉化群體深入社區)
Now we would like to focus on the third of these directions: can our Church community become a Community Outreaching Church? What does it mean for us?

RCAC as a Community Outreaching Church within the Alliance family

First of all, unlike some independent communities or community churches, let us remind ourselves that we are a member church in the Canadian Pacific District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Canada and established in Richmond, BC since 1967. As a C&MA member Church, we are part of the Global Mission of our denomination with over 200 missionaries on the field. As we were started by Chinese and serving mainly Chinese in our Richmond community, we are also part of a fellowship of over 100 Chinese Alliance Churches in Canada. Starting as a predominantly Chinese immigrant church from Hong Kong, from all over Asia and now also from mainland China, we have taken root in our Canadian community, and going into the third generation. We have also developed into a church with multiple congregations, including English, Chinese and Mandarin (Putonghua). That is our identity as Richmond Chinese Alliance Church and we are proud of it.

We as a church are very thankful also that we are a very tightly knitted community. During the pandemic we are happy to see our many Fellowships and Care Groups are functioning as small caring communities, the members caring for each other. At a time when the five different congregations cannot meet physically in the Church at 10100 No. 1 Rd, many smaller groups are still meeting regularly virtually by Zoom and other means. Indeed this is one good example of the “priesthood of all believers,” with all members serving each other, especially when pastors can no longer do their pastoral work by bringing the congregants together. This is a sign of a healthy church and we praise God for His blessings.

However we should be careful that our Christian community while being close to each other do not become too close that we are closed to others outside our circles. We therefore need to be a church community that outreaches the larger community and be a Community Outreaching Church (COC).

A Biblical Model of a community outreaching church

Before we delve into what we mean by a COC, let’s like at a classic Biblical example in the Christian community in Jerusalem. In Acts 6:1-7, we read of how the growth of the church created problems when a number of Greek-speaking Jews (from the diaspora) became Christians. The primary language of the Hebrews who were native Palestinian Jews was Aramaic. The resulting language barrier led to the neglect of some needy widows, and the apostles called upon the Greek-speaking community to choose leaders (deacons) to meet the need. These 7 people chosen were appointed as deacons of the church to take care of the needs of the young Christians, so that the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. These men were people of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, including Stephen who became the first martyr of the church. Several principles can be gleaned from this incidence:
1. The apostles had to devote themselves to the primary tasks and ministries of the church.
2. At the same time, the need for social concerns in the community should not be neglected.
3. The church should have a special ministry devoted to care for the needy in the community.
4. The best people from the church were chosen to take care of the social concerns needs.
5. There is a need to maintain the unity of the church of people from different background.
6. Because of this, the ministry of the word prosper, and the church grew.
7. Because of this, even the established religious groups “became obedient to the faith.”

The Purpose-Driven Church and its mission

Rick Warren in his best seller “The Purpose Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message and Mission” (1995) reminds us that our ministry should be based on God’s purpose, as in the Great Commandment (Mt. 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19-20). They include worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission. He also emphasizes that we should focus on building people and not building the church. Indeed our ultimate mission is to build people within and outside the church community. I am thinking more than just organizing more evangelistic campaign. The question is how can a church impact culture, and make a lasting impact on your community.

Example of a Community Outreaching Church

In a challenging article, How Can a Church Impact Culture? by Alan Platt in January 29, 2018. Alan grew his church in Pretoria, South Africa, Doxa Deo, from a meager congregation into a flourishing 30,000 member church across 11 fully integrated campuses. In the simplest of terms, his City Changers Movement works only by making the church an integral and irreplaceable component of society. I personally find his vision and scope very daunting and perhaps way beyond our reach, but the 5 simple concepts he lays out are relevant for us as we try to posture our Church to become a community outreaching church in the future. These concepts are:
1. Changing our mentality. The idea here is not to be scared about the difficult situation within the society, but try to show compassion for their situation and simply love them like Jesus. For example during the current pandemic, there are people who act out in fear, hate and anxiety. Can we show compassion to them instead of shunning them.
2. Developing a strategy. Beyond compassion, we need to plan for greater things to happen. Often we do not see breakthroughs because we are always so cautious that we do not plan. Asa church we need to move out of our comfort zone and start thinking outside the box.
3. Take small steps. We should look for little problems we can solve now and slowly move onto bigger things. This way we gain confidence and become more socially relevant. For example we know the new immigrants have some specific needs, can we try and find out and meet them.
4. Multiplying the impact. Send out the people in your church to serve their communities. We have partnered with other organizations, like making and handing out sandwiches. Recently some members have made masks for the CCM to give out to people who need them.
5. Engage the other side. Continue to look for ways to connect with different sectors of society, including business, sports, education, social services and other, to reach out to people where they are. That’s how we can make Christianity into more than religion—it will be a movement.

All these begin with mindset shifts of the pastors and leaders of the church, certainly a big challenge for myself. The author lists three shifts for leaders to consider, as follows:
1. Transforming vs. Informing. We need to preach and teach our people to confront the issues of the day, and transform the members into real agents for change in their communities.
2. Incarnation vs. Dualism. We need to change the dualistic mindset of good vs evil, the church vs the world. We need to believe in the power of the Spirit and Christ’s love in bringing change.
3. Missional vs. Attractional. The success of a church is not in the total number of worshippers, but how the church is serving the needs of people in the community around us.

I know we are a long way from this ideal, but let’s strive towards it, one step at a time.

Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor

無牆壁阻隔教會之三:「社區教會」:轉化群體深入社區

Oct 03-04, 2020
李耀全牧師

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹:
正當我們的孩子及青少年在九月份懷著不安和焦慮的心情重返校園之際,我們重返工作場所的心情也相同。作為教會,我們也按照“重返教會指南”,小心謹慎地開放小組實體聚會在教會進行。我們現正處於前所未見的情況,面對著前面尚未知悉的境界。因著疫情的蔓延,我在前數期的教牧心聲中也循著下列主要的三方面去看:作為“無牆壁阻隔教會” 在身處疫情中的意義,藉以彼此勉勵。

1. 「化整為零」:轉化教會建立小組
2. 「基督使者」:轉化信徒人人皆兵
3. 「社區教會」:轉化群體深入社區(COC)

在此,讓我們集中來看以上關注重點中的第三方面:我們的教會可否轉化成為深入社區的群體?對我們而言有什麼意義?

我們的教會可否轉化成為深入社區的群體
首先,讓我們自我提醒,我們是加拿大宣道會太平洋區的堂會的成員,自1967年以來在卑詩省的列治文成立。這是我們獨特及與其他的社區或社區教會不同之處,作為宣道總會的堂會,我們是全球宣道會中的一員,有200多名宣教同工在工場中事奉。本會由華人創立,主要在列治文社區服事華人,我們亦隸屬於加拿大超過100多間華人堂會之一。作為主要服侍移民的教會,我們從香港,亞洲各地的移民開始以及延展至中國大陸的移民,我們已植根於加拿大社區,並已進入第三代。我們亦發展成為由兩文三語所組成的教會,包括英語,粵語和國語(普通話)。那就是我們作為列治文華人宣道會一份子所感到自豪的。
我們為著教會能成為一個緊密聯繫的群體而十分感恩。在疫情大蔓延期間,很興幸能看到我們許多團契的和愛心關懷組別,正在以小組方式進行運作,以達至彼此關顧。雖然我們五個在不同時段崇拜的會眾現時仍無法於教會堂址內實體見面,但許多小組和團契實際上仍通過Zoom和其他方式定期聚會。實在的,特別是當牧者們無法召集眾人回堂來實體關顧牧養時,所有肢體仍能彼此服事,這就是“信徒人人皆祭司”的一個美好例子。這是健康教會的標誌,我們感謝讚美神的恩眷。
但應該注意的是,我們的基督徒群體不要因彼此之間過份緊密,以至阻礙我們不與圈子外的其他人交往。因此,我們需要成為一個可以擴展到更深入社區的教會群體,並要成為一個社區外展教會(COC)。

社區外展教會的聖經模式
在深入研究社區外展教會的含義之前,讓我們先來看看耶路撒冷初期教會的聖經例子。在使徒行傳6:1-7中,我們可見到當時一些講希臘語的猶太人(來自海外的猶太人)在成為基督徒時,如何構成教會成長的問題。在巴勒斯坦土生土長的猶太人的主要語言是亞蘭語。由語言上的障礙導致一些有需要的寡婦被忽略,使徒於是呼籲說希臘語的群體選出領袖(執事)來滿足需要。選出的這7個人被任命為教會的執事,以照顧年輕基督徒的需要,以能容讓使徒們可以專心地祈禱和傳道。這些執事都享有良好的聲譽,被聖靈充滿和具備智慧,其中包括成為教會率先殉道的司提反。從而,我們可以總結出幾個原則:
1.使徒們必須專心委身於教會的主要事奉和職務。
2.與此同時,不應忽略對社區問題的需求。
3. 教會應該設有專責部門來照顧社區中有需要的人。
4.從教會中選拔最好的人來照顧社會關注的需求。
5. 教會有必要維持不同背景會眾的合一。
6.因著達成上列條件,教會得以興旺,教會也能增長起來。
7. 因著達成上列條件,即使是那些早已存在的屬靈團體也“信從了真道”。

《直奔標竿》:以神的旨意為目標的教會
華里克(Rick Warren)在其1995年出版的暢銷書籍中《直奔標竿:在毋須妥協您的信息和使命的前提下成長》提醒我們,我們的事奉應以神的旨意為基礎,就像主耶穌所講《最重要的誡命》(太22:37-40)和大使命(太28:19-20)。其中包括敬拜,團契,門徒訓練,事奉和宣教。他還強調,我們應該專注於建立信徒而不是建設教堂。確實,我們的最終使命是建立在教會中及社區內的人。我在考慮的不僅是組織更多的佈道運動。最重要的問題是教會應如何影響文化,並對您的社區產生持久性影響。

轉化群體深入社區(COC)之典範
艾倫·(Alan Platt) 於2018年1月29日所撰寫,甚具挑戰性的文章中提到,教會應如何影響文化?艾倫在南非比勒陀利亞的Doxa Deo教堂從人數寡小的會眾發展成為一個三萬會眾的教會,並擁有11個整全的堂址。簡單來說,他的改變社區運動只能通過使教會成為社區不可或缺的組成部分來發揮作用。我個人認為他的視野和範圍非常艱鉅,也許超出了我們能做到的範圍,但是他提出的5個簡單概念對我們來說很重要,因為我們正嘗試使教會在將來能成為社區外展教會。這些概念如下:

1. 改變我們的思想型態(心態)。意思是不要被社會中存在的困難處境所阻嚇,而是要對他們的處境表現出同情心,並像主耶穌一樣愛他們。例如,在當前的疫情大流行期間,有些人表現出恐懼,憎恨和焦慮。我們能否對他們表同情而不是迴避他們嗎?
2. 制定策略。除了與人表同情之外,我們還需要定出更大的計劃去實行。通常我們看不到突破,因為我們總是極為謹慎以至我們沒有計劃。作為教會,我們需要跨越舒適區並開始在框外作思考。
3. 採取小步驟。我們應該尋出現行可以解決的小難題,然後循序漸進以發展更大的事情。通過這種方式,我們獲增信心後,可作出更適切社區的步驟。例如,若我們知道新移民有某些特定的需求,我們可否嘗試針對並滿足他們的需要?
4. 增加影響力。派遣教會肢體以服務社區。我們已和其他組織合作,例如參與製作和分發三明治。也有一些肢體於近期為中信製作了口罩,以分發給有需要的人。
5. 與其他方面聯繫。繼續尋找與社會各階層(包括商業,體育,教育,社會服務及其他領域)建立聯繫的方式,以接觸他們所在的地區。如此,我們就能使基督教不僅僅是宗教,更會成為一個運動。

上列所有應都先從教會牧者和領導的觀念轉變開始,這對我自己來說當然是一個巨大的挑戰。作者列出了以下領導層應作考慮的三方面轉變:

1. 轉化與知會。我們需要宣講和教導我們的會眾去面對當今的問題,並將其會眾轉變為真正推動社區改變的推行者。
2. 道成肉身與二元論(入世觀與二元論)。我們需要改變非善則惡,教會不能與世界共存(共立)的二元觀念。我們必須相信聖靈的能力和基督的愛帶來的改變。
3. 宣教心與吸引力。教會的成功不在於信徒的數量,而在於教會如何滿足我們周圍社區人們的需求。

我很明白,我們距離這一理想還有很長的路要走,但讓我們循序漸進地(一次一步地)朝著這目標努力進發。

主僕
李耀全牧師