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

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

Sep 12-13, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon LeeDear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Transform and equip members to be “ambassadors for Christ,” how?

Last time I shared with you all the what’s and why’s of being “ambassadors for Christ.” Indeed, Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, was an “ambassador for Christ” par excellence. He refers to himself as “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle (the sent one), set apart for the gospel of God.” (Rm 1:1) I am so glad that we in the Christian and Missionary Alliance have got it right – the two foci that bind us together are: the deeper life and global mission. We are to grow deeper in Christ so as to be His ambassadors (missionaries), both near (our Jerusalem – Richmond) and far (the ends of the earth – Global Advance.)

The pandemic and the new normal have made me realize our mission can no longer be measured by the work of a handful of “trained” pastors and international workers, nor by the proximity or distance of our “mission field.” I remember the words of Moravian missionary Count Zinzendorf who declared (in early 18th century): “Missions, after all, is simply this: Every heart with Christ is a missionary, every heart without Christ is a mission field.” At a time like ours, we need every Christian to be an “ambassador” (missionary) and every contact we have (both physically and via the internet) as our “mission field!” Indeed we are all missionaries and the mission fields are at our finger tips. This is exactly what “priesthood of all believers” mean!

We need to have a paradigm shift in our “church and mission” strategies and we cannot be contended with reforms here and there, now and then. Our renewed call to “transformation” (Romans 12:1,2) is forced upon us as we are challenged by the prolonged pandemic, when we cannot returned to our old normal and cannot do business as usual. We need to rethink and reimagine what it means to be a member of RCAC!

But how? Let’s start with training

Well, I am sure there are 101 ways to respond to this question, and each of us has some ideas that will help in this process! What remains is actually to coordinate our efforts with one accord, which is the very spirit of the Great Commission. We have always believed in this as it is nothing new. We only need to do it more diligently and intentionally.

But whatever strategies we use, we need to start with training. This is because the challenge we face is great, and in the pandemic, we face new situations that require using wisely all the training and skills we have and adapt them to the ever changing challenges. We can think of training in four main areas: training in the Word, in godliness, in building up the Church and in spiritual battle.

1. Training in the Word:
First and foremost we need to know the Word of God even more deeply than before. Paul instructs his spiritual son Timothy saying, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) The Scripture is of paramount importance first of all because it is God-breathed, inspired by God Himself, and is practical and useful in our learning, discipline, reformation and a sanctified life. The emphasis here is the building up of the character of the soldier of Christ, “the ambassadors for Christ.” It is so encouraging to see so many of our people take advantage of the online courses and seminars during this pandemic. There are also many opportunities in our Church, e.g. Ten Steps Bible Studies Method (in Chinese). In October I am also going to start a “Diving Deeper” Zoom time in Cantonese every Sunday at 2 p.m. for sharing with members.

2. Training in godliness:
Apart from training in the Word, Paul urges Timothy to be trained in godliness – “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”(I Timothy 4:8) Paul elaborates this in his letter to Titus, for it is the grace of God that has come to bring us salvation and then “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:12) Let no one be just filled with head knowledge, and is unable to live out the Word of God. An ambassador for Christ must be a person of strong moral character against the corruptions of this world. So we are glad to see that during the pandemic, there are more people attending all our prayer meetings, as it is an exercise in godliness.

3. Training for building up the Church:
Paul reminds us that the equipping of the saints (sanctified people of God) is first of all, for the building up of the Church. He says, God has gifted different people “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12) Christians are to build up one another by caring genuinely for each other, and bringing the Church to maturity. There are presently certain groups in our Church taking special training in caring ministries. In October, I will have a special series on mental health in Cantonese which will include areas like depression, anxiety, broken heart syndrome and PTSD.

4. Training in spiritual battle:
To the Christians in Ephesus, Paul concludes his teaching with this word: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Eph. 6:13) As said often, we are equipped to serve. Let us take every piece of the armor of God and be prepared for battle. We are actually in a spiritual battle in the Coronavirus pandemic, and we can win with God’s help, and be able to stand firm against the onslaught of the devil. So the ambassador for Christ becomes the soldier for Christ, following Christ our commander. Even though we have to postpone our entire major evangelism program (Alpha Course) and short-term missions, we are still carrying on training in Evangelism Explosion and Kairos (mission). We are glad that we can go ahead with our baptism during Thanksgiving this year, and we are glad that there are many candidates, including many from the Putonghua congregations. Praise the Lord!

We can of course do more. Each congregation can also think of creative ways to represent Christ to those whom we are in contact. We should not wait for people to come to us; rather we should reach out physically or virtually. Christ was the Word that became flesh, that dwelled (tabernacle) among us, in order to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Christ said as the Father had sent Him, so He has sent us into the world, and to be His witnesses. We are sent to the world but we are not of the world. Our ministry therefore should be incarnational. Let us in RCAC be the salt and light to the world, as we all fulfill our call to be “ambassador for Christ.”

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Simon Lee

Sep 12-13, 2020
李耀全牧師

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹：

如何轉化並裝備肢體成為「基督的大使」？

我在上文與您分享了有關「身為基督的大使」的意義和原因。保羅實在是外邦人的使徒，是一位優秀過人的「基督的大使」。他自稱為「基督耶穌的僕人保羅，蒙召作使徒，奉派傳神的福音。」（羅1:1）我很慶幸宣道總會一貫的宗旨也朝向這兩個正確的焦點–生命的進深和環球宣教使命。我們需要在基督裡更加進深，更要無論是在我們身處的耶路撒冷（附近–列治文）還是去到遠方（直到地極–普世差傅），也要成為基督的大使。

疫情大流行和新常態讓我意識到，我們的使命不可以再限於藉著少數「曾受訓練的」牧者和宣教同工來達成，也不能以我們的「宣教工場」距離的遠近來衡量。猶記得莫拉維宣教士親岑多夫伯爵（Zinzendorf Count）在18世紀初宣布的話：「福音使命的意義簡單來說就是：每一個心中有基督的人都是宣教士，所有心中沒有基督的只是一個宣教的場地。」處身在好像我們這樣的時代，我們每個基督徒都需要成為「大使」（宣教士），我們所接觸到的每個人（無論是實體方面或是通過互聯網）都是我們的「宣教工場」。的確，我們都是宣教士，我們的指尖所能觸及的領域就是我們的宣教場地。這正是「信徒皆祭司」的意思！

我們需要在「教會與宣教使命」策略中進行典範轉移，而且與時並進地不斷更新改革。當我們面對遼遼無期疫情大流行的挑戰時，我們再度呼籲整體需要作出「轉化」（羅12:1-2），這就是當我們無法回到過去的正常狀態，也無法照常營業時，我們需要重新思考和重新思想作為列宣家一份子的意義！

可是應當怎樣實行？讓我們先從操練作開始

是的，我敢肯定，起碼有101種方法可以回應這問題，而且我們每個人也可以提供一些對此進程有幫助的想法！實際上我們只須彼此同心一致，齊心協力，這是基督大使命的精髓；這也是我們一直所確信的，並非新意，我們只需要更加努力和著意地去達成。
但是，由於我們面臨的挑戰如比巨大，無論我們使用什麼策略，也需要從培訓開始。在疫情大流行中，我們面對新的情況，實須明智地充份利用我們所擁有的訓練和技能，以應對不斷變化的挑戰。我們可以在後列的四個主要方面作操練：在聖言上，在敬虔操練上，在建立教會方面和在屬靈爭戰方面的操練。
1. 聖言的操練：
首先，我們需要比以前更深入地瞭解神的道。保羅指導他屬靈的兒子提摩太說：「全部聖經都是神所默示的，在教訓、責備、矯正和公義的訓練各方面，都是有益的。」（提後3:16新譯本）。聖經是至為重要的，因為是神的靈所默示的，是神親自的啟示，並且對我們的學習、自律、生命的轉化和成聖的生活都是很實用和有助益的。我在此所強調的是建立基督的精兵，「基督大使」的屬靈品格。當我們看到如此多的肢體在這疫情大流行期間利用在線課程和參加研討學習班，實在是令人鼓舞。我們教會也提供很多學習的機會，例如「十步釋經法研習班」等。我還將在10月開始每個星期日下午2時，以粵語在線進行「與牧者進深共話」時間。與肢體們互相分享。

2. 敬虔的操練：
保羅除了鼓勵提摩太要在神的話語上操練自己外，還敦促他在敬虔上操練自己：「因為操練身體，益處還少；唯獨操練敬虔，凡事有益，享有今生和來世的應許。」（提前4:8）保羅在寫給提多的書信中更詳細說明了此點，因為正是神的恩典帶給我們救贖，然後「這恩典訓練我們除去不敬虔的心，和屬世的私慾，在今生過著自律、公正、敬虔的生活。」（多2:12）。無論任何人也不可因著知識充斥頭腦，而無法實踐神的道。基督的大使必須是一個堅守屬靈道德品格的人，藉以抗衡世上的腐敗。因此，我們很高興看到在疫情大流行期間，有更多的肢體參加教會的祈禱聚會，因為這就是操練敬虔的一方面。

3. 建立教會的操練：
保羅提醒我們，裝備聖徒（屬神的聖潔子民）以建立教會，是首要的。他說，神賜予人不同的恩賜 「為的是要裝備聖徒，去承擔聖工，建立基督的身體。」（弗4:12）基督徒要藉著彼此的真誠關懷，使教會成長並互相得以建立。目前，我們教會中的一些小組已接受了關懷事工的特別培訓。我將於十月份舉辦一個系列的粵語心理健康特別講座，內容包括抑鬱症、焦慮症、心靈創傷症候群和創傷後壓力症候群(PTSD)等。

4. 屬靈爭戰的操練：
保羅對以弗所的信徒說：「所以要穿起神所賜的全副軍裝，使你們在這邪惡的時代裡可以抵擋得住，並且在作完了一切之後，還能站立得穩。」（弗6:13新譯本）。正如我們多次所提及的，我們要在作好裝備後去事奉。讓我們穿戴神的全副盔甲，為爭戰作好準備。實際上，我們正處於冠狀病毒大流行的屬靈爭戰之中，我們可以靠著神的幫助去站穩及得勝，能夠堅決抵禦魔鬼的攻擊。因此，我們要跟隨我們的統領基督，作基督的大使、成為基督的精兵。儘管我們必須延遲推行教會的主要傳福音計劃，如啟發課程和短期宣教行程，但我們仍在進行「三元福音倍進」和把握時機（Kairos）課程等的培訓。我們很高興今年感恩節能夠繼續舉行洗禮，我們為著在粵語及普通話的多位準備受浸肢體而高興感恩。讚美主！
我們當然可以做到更勝一籌。我們每人也可藉著更具創意的方式以代表基督與人接觸。我們不應該等待別人來到我們的跟前。相反，我們應該在實體上或透過網絡與人接觸。基督道成肉身來到世上，居住在我們中間（會幕的含義），以宣揚神國的福音。祂說，正如天父差遣祂一樣，祂也照樣差遣我們到世上活出祂的見證。我們被差遣到世上，但我們卻不屬於這世界。因此，我們的事奉應該是像基督般進入世界的。讓我們列宣家成為世上的鹽和光，以實踐作為為「基督大使」的召命。

主僕,
李耀全牧師

Sep 05-06, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon LeeDear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Transform and equip members to be “ambassadors for Christ”

The summer is over and many kids and young people are going back to School, at least those who have to or have chosen to return in person. This September’s return will be like no other, where most are not so excited about the prospects of “Back to School.” Many are filled with anxiety and apprehension because of the pandemic. Since March of this year, many students have not been able to return to their classrooms, and many parents have worked from their homes. But even as there are new outbreaks of the Coronavirus throughout the Province, we are trying to reopen for business, work and school, and there is no assurance that people can be safe. Now that we need to go back, the fear is greater than before since we cannot retreat to the safety of our homes like before.

This is the same for our Church. In anticipation of returning, we have put together a “Back to Church” (RTC) guideline which has effective since August 1, 2020. We have moved very cautiously and have worked with our guidelines and the guidelines of the Province. So we had weddings, staff meetings and summer children’s programs, all carried out carefully with the wearing of masks, physical distancing and sanitizations. However we as a Church, for the safety of the people that come to our facilities, is very much guarded with closed boundary. It is therefore all the more important that in this new normal, when we cannot gather and people cannot come to us, that we remember that the Church is you and I, as we are “ambassadors for Christ” to our community. This is in line with our second of our three new (renewed) strategies: Transform and equip members to be “ambassadors for Christ” (「基督使者」：轉化信徒人人皆兵).

What does it mean to be “Ambassadors for Christ”?

First of all, apart from our earthly citizenship, we Christians all have double citizenship, as Paul tells us, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). As a member of Chinese Alliance Church in Richmond, BC, Canada, we have a more important identity as a citizen in heaven that transcends those areas. This citizenship is effective from the time we become a believer and enter the Kingdom of God and is baptised into the body of Christ, and become a member of a local Church.

But we are more than “citizens” of the heavenly Kingdom, we are “ambassadors.” Paul extends this analogy of citizenship to the fact that we are even “ambassadors for Christ.” “Now then,” he says, “we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (II Cor. 5:20). Here the Greek word translated “ambassador” is presbueo, which means “to act as a representative.” Being chosen as “ambassador” is a great honor. We are representing Christ the King on earth now that He is ascended into heaven and seated on the right hand of God.

We know that an ambassador of any government is the highest-ranking representative of his/her country abroad and his/her primary responsibility is to represent and advocate for his/her home country’s interest. This is a huge responsibility. Likewise, an ambassador for Christ represents Christ in the mission of the Kingdom of God, and in the ministry of reconciliation. We see this clearly in the Great Commission that Christ gave to all His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mt. 28: 18-20) In short, all disciples of Christ have been commissioned with the authority of the Father through Christ to go to all nations to “make disciples,” in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are representing Christ to welcome “new citizens” to the heavenly kingdom!

Character of an Ambassador

An ambassador is a diplomat and should conduct himself/herself wisely. Paul tells us we must “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil…do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:15). As to the character of an “ambassador for Christ”, Paul reminds us “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29) We’re told our speech should be “with grace, seasoned with salt” (Col. 4:6). Timothy is instructed by Paul with these words: “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition” (II Tim. 2:24).

Wisdom is therefore the foremost character of an ambassador. Ambassadors need the wisdom of Solomon. King Solomon prayed to God for discernment, saying, “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (I Kings 3:9). Centuries later, Paul wrote to Timothy that he must “be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). Indeed wisdom and discernment are qualities essential to being an “ambassadors for Christ.”

Last but not least, holiness and moral integrity also are important character of an “ambassador of Christ.” Peter wrote: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” (I Pet. 2:9-11) To a world that is walking in darkness can we bring light? As “ambassadors for Christ,” can we bring peace? As “sojourners and pilgrims” in a foreign land, can we be honourable witnesses to all who are looking for a better home. In the pandemic, can we bring hope, and how? (To be continued)

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Simon Lee