Aug 22-23, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

How you all doing during this pandemic? As there are signs of a second wave, I hope you are safe, and not only surviving but also thriving as a result the challenges we face, with the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the peace of God be with you. Personally I am trying to “work harder to make up for the lack of wisdom” (以勤補拙), and finding more time to walk even closer to God and reflect on what it means to be a “pastor without border” and lead RCAC to be a “Church without border“ that is headed by Christ Himself.

In the past weeks I have shared that due to the COVID pandemic we are now in “the new normal” as we are slowly reopening. Therefore we need to learn to be a “Church without walls” (August 1/2) that requires the Church to be “transformed” 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 of Christ”
(「基督使者」：轉化信徒人人皆兵)
3. Transform our Church community to a “Community Church”
(「社區教會」：轉化群體深入社區)

We will consider these three ways one at a time, the first ”transformation” being “ Transform and buildup the Church with more cell groups.” Before doing so, I must hasten to say, these ways are actually not newly invented ways, but newly applied ways, brought on by the pandemic. In pre-pandemic times, we have carried on “doing church” in the old ways, notwithstanding some “reforms and renewal” from time to time, but now we need real and radical “transformation.” (Rom. 12:1, 2) We have been forced to rethink what it means for us to be “the church of Christ.” Churches, ours included, can no longer hang on to the status quo and we can no longer rely on the “well-established” venue, structure and programs that we have built up throughout the years. But to me, this could in fact be a blessing in disguise, as it may help us to return to biblical Christian living.

The biblical pattern of house meetings

If we go back to life in the early church, we see the Spirit of God adding to the early Church new believers by the thousands at a time (e.g. 5,000 men, Acts 4:4, cf. 2:47), but the new converts did not have churches to go to like today, big or small. Luke tells us that there were two modes of Christian life in worship and gatherings: one, communal worship, and two, home fellowship groups. We read, “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46, 47)

First of all we note that the Christians did not practice their faith only on Sundays, as Christian living was a “daily” practice. Being a Christian is not just about “going to church” but “living as the church,” that is, living the Christian faith daily within the community of believers. The key elements were: devotion to the apostles’ teaching which included Jesus’ teaching (2:42). Top on the list was the study of the Word of God and the apostolic teaching (as taught by Jesus). The other key element was fellowship (koinonia, sharing), sharing in both spiritual things and material things. Then there was the breaking of bread (2: 42, 44) which included both the Lord’s Supper and a large fellowship meal, a major part of their sharing when they come together at home (unlike the “communion” reserved for our modern day worship service). Notice also that they were really joyful as they shared generously their food and fellowship. Needless to say prayers was very much integrated into everything they did in the broader context.

In such a context they were “praising God and having favor with all the people,” vertically they were worship God heartily and horizontally they were building loving and caring relationships. That was the “normal” Christian life in the early church, when everything was starting from nothing. By necessity, a lot of things happened in the homes of the believers (e.g. the church in Philippi met in the home of Lydia in the beginning, Acts 16:11-15). Growth of the church came as a result of powerful preaching and this type of communal life, worshipping God and fellowship with one another. The pandemic has inadvertently moved us into this mode, and the question is not only “are we adapting well” in this new normal, but whether we are returning to the basics (the old normal) as practised in the Early Church. While times are different, the principles are the same.

Brief History of Churches in the West and the East

Since the period of the Early Church, the Church has grown and waned over time. When I travelled in Europe, I was always fascinated to see the prominent place of Christianity in the history of the different countries. As the church developed into institutions, the key elements of the Early Church became different traditions as a result of theological, historical and geographical reasons. Small churches were built in the villages, and big churches and cathedrals were built in the towns and cities. Many Christians started “going to church” instead of being the church.

As history shows us, the western churches have declined not for the lack of places of worship, but for the lack of good “teaching” and communal fellowships among the Christians. Today as the Western countries go into a post-Christian era, many churches are empty, but some have thrived by going back to the Biblical model with solid biblical teaching and close “body life” which includes Christ-centred worship, prayer, Bible studies and good fellowship.

Very often, the Church thrived and grew even when she faces persecution and challenges. For example, if we fast-forward to the recent history of the growth of the Church in China, we know that the number of Christians were less than 1 million when the Communist government took over in 1949. When all the churches except for two were closed, Christians in fact started to meet in the “house churches” and instead of dwindling, the number of Christians miraculously grew to an official (conservative) estimate of 20 million today (other estimates are as high as 60 million or more). This phenomenal growth came despite of the adverse socio-political situation, as the house churches multiples through following the pattern of the house meetings in the Early Church. In the past I had the privilege of visiting in some of these “house churches” and witness the vibrancy of the Christians in China. Some met literally in the homes, but many in the cities some have moved to bigger venues, with numbers of congregants in the thousands. Now that many open churches are reopened, some are also worshipping in them.

Communal Worship and fellowship under COVID

It is our conviction that at least for the near future, we will not be able to go back to the old normal. Especially due to the restrictions as a result of the pandemic, the church can thrive only by going back to the basic elements of the Christian life using house meeting model of the Early Church. One way is to develop even more cell (care) groups and combine that with good use of online worship services, for example after the online worship services (on Zoom), the breakout rooms can be a venue to create more regular virtual sharing, interest and focus groups, that is, moving from worship to fellowship.

Heidi A. Campbell (2020) has summarized three strategies of doing online Church. (“What Religious Groups Need to Consider When Trying to Do Church Online”) They are 1. Transferring; 2. Translating; 3. Transforming. By transferring, the strategy is to transfer everything we do offline to online. By translating, we try to modify the worship “rituals” (rundown) and space to fit onto a limited screen, much like a talk show format (as we are already doing in some of our fellowships). By transforming, we mean using the online platform in real time (followed by broadcast) and change worship into a “fireside chat” format where the pastor enters into dialogue with members in need.

Obviously these strategies are most adaptable to the North American churches. Nevertheless, I find the comments of Heidi Campbell insightful. She believes that “Successful online communities and church experiences are those that cultivate social relationships and investment from their members. Churches should see the move to digital worship as an opportunity to create a unique space for conversation, care, and encouragement that focuses on affirming the relationships and people within their faith community. Instead of offering a one-way, broadcast-focused church service, the interactive features of social media and digital platforms can be used to create deeper personal connections between church members and leaders. Instead of pastors being the source of wisdom, digital media can be used to create intimate and empathetic communication, allowing both members and leaders to share words of encouragement and biblical insights on how to navigate this uncertain time.”

I believe that apart from returning to the basics of Early Church house fellowships, we need to also make good use of digital technology, but there should be a balance. There is also a cultural and social factor to “being the church,” today and there is no “one size fits all.” Because of our demographics at RCAC we have unique and distinct language and age groups and congregations, each group therefore must work out what is best for them, forming more cell groups and maximizing the use of online worship. Despite the differences in the Christians in the Early Church, there was unity in Christ and in the Spirit. Let us also pray that we will work towards these goals in unity.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Simon Lee

Aug 22-23, 2020
李耀全牧師

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹：

謹在這疫情大流行期間問候大家安好！近日呈現第二波的跡象，我希望您安全，不但好好活著，更要在我們主耶穌基督的恩典和憐憫下，面對挑戰之中仍能不斷長進。願上帝的平安與你同在！在我個人方面，我正在力求“以勤補拙”，彌補智慧的不足，爭取更多時間親近神，反思如何能“作為一個無界限的牧師”的意義並探討如何能領導列宣家成為一個以基督為首的“無圍牆的教會”。
我在過往的數週，曾分享我們處於疫情大流行的“新常態” 中。我們現正謹慎地逐漸重新開放。正如我所說，我們需要學習成為“沒有圍牆的教會”（8月1/2日），教會需以三方面的重要方式作出“轉型”(轉化)：
1. 「化整為零」：轉化教會建立小組
(Transform and buildup the Church with more cell groups)
2. 「基督使者」：轉化信徒人人皆兵
(Transform and equip members to be “ambassadors of Christ”)
3. 「社區教會」：轉化群體深入社區
(Transform our Church community to a “Community Church”)

我們將會思考這三種方式作轉化，第一個“轉化”是“透過更多的小組來轉化和建立教會”。首前，我必須趕緊說，這些方法實際上不是疫情大流行帶來的新發明的方式，而是在疫情大流行期間重新應用的方法。儘管在過往，我們沿用以固有的方式 “運作教會”，同時亦不斷有些“改進和更新，”但現時我們卻需要真正而徹底的“轉化”（羅12：1-2）。連我們自己，包括教會在內，再也無法維持過去的常態，我們也不能依靠多年來所建立的“完善”堂址，結構和運作，我們現在被迫重新考慮作為“基督的教會”對於我們真正的意義。但是於我而言，這實際上可能是變相的祝福，因為它能幫助我們重新回到聖經的基督徒生活方式中。

初期教會的聖經模式

若我們回到初期教會的生活中，我們看到神的靈一次又一次地將成千上萬的新信徒加添給教會（如徒4：4中的5,000人；對照2:47），但是新信徒卻沒有像今日的大或小教堂可聚會。路加告訴我們，在敬拜和聚會中有兩種基督徒生活模式：群體共同崇拜及家庭團契。我們讀到：“他們天天同心在殿裡恆切地聚集，一家一家地擘餅，存著歡樂和誠懇的心用飯，又讚美神，並且得到全民的喜愛。主將得救的人，天天加給教會。” （徒2:46-47）
首先，我們注意到，基督徒並不只是在星期日實踐信仰，因為基督徒的生活是“每日”的活出信仰。作為基督徒不僅意味著“去教堂”，而且還須“活出為教會生活”，亦即，每天在社區生活中活出基督信仰。關鍵要素是：委身於使徒的教導，其中包括耶穌的教導（2:42）。最重要的是對神聖言的研讀和著重使徒的教導（如主所教導）。另一個關鍵因素是團契（koinonia，分享/團契），在靈糧和物質的共享。接著是擘餅（2:42;44），他們在家裡聚會時分享的主要部分，其中包括“聖餐”記念主和愛筵，這是（與我們現在崇拜中才有“聖餐”的模式不同）。還請注意的是，他們的喜樂來自彼此無保留地分享食物和團契。毋庸置疑，在廣義方面，祈禱已融入了他們所做的一切之內。
在這種情況下，他們“讚美神，並得著全民的喜愛”，重垂直角度往上看，他們誠心地敬拜神，從平面橫向看，他們建立了相互愛和關切的關係。那是初期教會的“常態”基督徒生活，那時一切也從無到有。必然地，在信徒的家中成就了很多事情（如：腓立比教會最初在呂底亞的家中聚會，徒16:11-15）。教會的成長是由於有力的宣講和這種共同生活、同心敬拜神和彼此團契所產生的結果。疫情大流行不經意地使我們進入了這種模式之中，問題不僅在於“我們在新常態中能否適應得當”，還在於我們能否回復早期教會所實踐的基礎實行（舊常態）。雖然時代不同，但在原理上是相同的。

西方教會及東方教會簡史

自初期教會時期以來，教會隨著時間的流逝而發展壯大及減弱。當我在歐洲旅行時，我總是著迷於看到基督教在不同國家歷史上的突出地位。隨著教會發展機構化，由於神學，歷史和地理原因，早期教會的關鍵要素變成了不同的傳統。小型教堂鄉村中建成，大型座堂教會和大教堂建造於城鎮中。許多基督徒開始“去教堂”而不是作為教會，活現教會。

正如歷史顯示，西方教會之所以衰落，並不是因為缺少敬拜場所，而是因為基督徒之間缺乏良好的“教導”和共享團契。如今，隨著西方國家進入後現代基督教時期，許多大教堂已空無一人，但是有些福音派的教會則透過以紮實的聖經教學和緊密的“身體力行生活”回到聖經模式而蓬勃發展，其中包括以基督為中心的敬拜、祈禱、聖經研讀和良好質數的團契生活。
很多時候，即使面對迫害和挑戰，教會也能蓬勃地發展。例如，倘若我們回顧中國教會發展的近代歷史，我們知道，在1949年共產黨政府接任時，基督徒人數不到100萬。教堂陸逐關閉後，基督徒實際上開始在“家庭教會”中聚會，而基督徒人數不是減少，反而奇蹟般地增長到今天的官方（保守）估計數目2000萬（其他估計數目高達6000萬或更多）。儘管社會政治形勢不利，但這種驚人的增長還是出現了，因為家庭教會遵循初期教會中家庭聚會的模式而倍增。過去，我有幸探訪了其中一些“家庭教會”，可見證到中國基督徒的活力。有些人以往在家庭中聚會，但是其中一些在城市中的不少已搬到了更大的地方，有成千上萬的信眾。現在，許多公開的教堂都重新開放了，信徒在當中敬拜的來自四方八面。
疫情下的共同敬拜和團契

我們相信，至少在不久的將來，我們將無法回到過去的常態。特別是由於疫情帶來的限制，唯有通過使用初期教會的家庭聚會模式回到基督教生活的基本要素，教會才能蓬勃地發展。其中之一的途徑是建立更多的小組（關顧小組），並好好與在線崇拜結合，例如，於在線崇拜（Zoom視頻崇拜）之前後的分享和分組討論室，或建立更多共同分享的興趣和重點小組，即從敬拜轉向團契，相輔相成。
Heidi A. Campbell (2020) 總結了進行在線教會的三種策略。 （參“宗教團體在嘗試進行在線教會時需要考慮什麼” 一文）就是1. 轉移(transfer)； 2.翻譯(translate)； 3.轉型(transform) 。首先通過「轉移」，策略是將我們離線進行的一切轉移到在線。另外通過「翻譯」，我們嘗試修改崇拜的“儀式”（流程）和空間以適合有限的屏幕，就像表現節目的格式（有如我們現已在一些團契中所做的那樣）。最後通過「轉型」，意即實施使用在線平台（先錄後廣播），並將崇拜聚會改為“家居傾談”(爐邊聊天) 。
顯然，這些策略較為適合北美教會。儘管如此，我認為Heidi A. Campbell的評論很有見地。她認為：“成功的在線群體和教會的經歷在於能夠致力在培育與會友之間的彼此關係。教會應以轉向數碼崇拜視為創造對話的機會，關心和鼓勵的獨特空間的維繫，該空間著重於加緊與共同信仰群體內的人際關係。社交媒體和數碼平台的交互功能可以提供教會成員和領導者之間更深層次的個人聯繫，而不僅提供以廣播為中心的單向教會服侍。數碼媒體可用以建立親密而富有同理心的交流，而不是以牧師作為智慧的源泉，可容讓會眾和教會領袖在如何能度過這個不確定的時期內以聖經見解分享鼓勵和造就的話。”

我認為，除了回到初期家庭教會的基礎模式之外，我們還需要充分利用數碼科技，但必須保持平衡。並且，“作為教會”在今天也存在著文化和社會因素，實在是沒有“一個適合所有人的模式”。由於我們在列宣家的各有不同特色中，我們擁有獨特的語言和不同年齡組別兩文三語的會眾，因此每個組別也必須找出最適合他們的方式，設立更多的小組，並善用在線崇拜以發揮最大限度。儘管初期教會的基督徒有所不同，但在基督和聖靈中卻是合一的。讓我們為著能實現這些目標團結一致同心祈禱。

主僕
李耀全牧師

Aug 01-02, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Daily I sit in front of my computer and pray that God will show me afresh how to be a pastor during the current pandemic. I also shared with our team that I have run out of things to say for “From the Pastor’s Desk.” I am “Zoomed out” already in Zoom meetings too many that I can count, they include worship services, board meetings, staff meetings, committee meetings, Bible studies, lectures and talks… Yes, Lydia and I do what we can helping some people with counseling over the phone, grocery shopping or moving. But the nagging question on my mind is always “what else can I do?” All through my many years of ministries, I have never felt so handicapped and so helpless, not even during SARS when I was serving as a professor at Alliance Bible Seminary in Hong Kong. It has been a humbling experience but a valuable one where I am learning truly to serve God not by my knowledge or experience, but by His power and wisdom. As in the days of old, the words to me from the Lord Almighty are “’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit’. (Zech. 4:6)

Although I am not like Solomon who said …he was but “a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in,” (I Kg 3:7) I too feel like a child not knowing what to do, and therefore daily ask the Lord for wisdom. His prayer is therefore mine today: “And now, O Lord my God, … I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (I Kings 3:7-9). Indeed, at such times as these, we all need to have the true wisdom from God.

Pastors without borders

Recently I have been reminded of the good work of Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian group dedicated to providing medical care to people in distress, including victims of political violence and natural disasters. They do not work in the well-equipped hospitals and comfortable clinics in their own peaceful country, but rather go out to the war-torn frontiers of conflicts around the world. They improvised when they do not have their sophisticated equipments and facilities. They do what they can without complaining.

Shouldn’t pastors be like that, as we all remind ourselves constantly, going out to rescue those in need or are perishing, like the good shepherd who goes out for the one lost sheep while keeping the 99 other sheep in safety? We pastors are so used to serving big groups and congregations; but now we need to do the same thing, one person at a time. Indeed, in modern day concept, it is inefficient and very time-consuming, but Jesus would do no less.  We need to be “pastors without border”!

Church Without Walls

Many of our members are attending online classrooms (Schools) without walls, taking all sorts of courses and lectures. This is indeed a good sign, members eager to use the extra time they have in learning more about the Bible and theology. Indeed we are discovering or rediscovering that we can carry on all these learning without attending physically the schools and classes, especially during the shutdowns in the pandemic. Modern technology has made all these good information more readily accessible. I myself have participated in some of these ministries with thousands of people worldwide signing on. My only hope is that we will not be top-heavy, flooded only with head knowledge, and that we will put into practice all the things we have learned. We should take advantage of the classes without walls and schools without walls. Our Church should also move further in the direction of a Church without walls. Indeed much of our ministries have already moved online.

It is also heartening and exciting that our members who are away in the States, Hong Kong or Singapore… are joining in our prayer meetings, Praise Dance and fellowship meetings, by Zoom. I joke that our ministries have become international! But seriously, should we really think about how in the new normal, we should “do church” differently. Right now we are reaching more people online as seen in the increased number of people connecting with their devices.  We should not wait for people to come to us in the Church building, rather we should go to them online and by other means. Indeed, the church should be “the called out ones” (ekklesia) to be set apart from the world for God, as the holy ones (saints). But we are not called just for the purpose of physically attending services, meetings, and activities, rather to be equipped as “ambassadors for Christ.”  We are to go into the world again to be “disciples” and “witnesses” of Christ in the community and to the ends of the world (physically and virtually). We need to be “Church without walls!”

For this reason, as I had shared earlier, after much thought and prayers I believe we need some fundamental changes in three directions:

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 of Christ” (「基督使者」：轉化信徒人人皆兵)
3. Transform our Church community to a “Community Church” (「社區教會」：轉化群體深入社區)

In the coming weeks, we shall think through these three directions in the new normal. We will not be able to go back to our old normal, but moving onto a better normal. Starting August 1, RCAC will start the slow process or “reopening,” first to meet with all preventive measures in small groups while maintaining physical distancing. Please refer to RTC: Return to Church Guidebooks for the protocols and follow the detailed guidelines. We shall wait longer to begin larger group activities such as fellowships, and even wait longer for return to worships at the Church. Be kind, be calm, and be safe. Be patient. God’s timing is the best.

Your pastor in Christ,

Pastor Simon

Aug 01-02, 2020
李耀全牧師

親愛列宣家的弟兄姊妹，
每天我坐在電腦前，祈禱上帝啟示我在目前的大流行中如何擔當牧者的職份。我曾與我的團隊說，我在「教牧心聲」要分享的事與話都已說盡了。在過去這段日子，我參與在互聯網Zoom會議包括崇拜，長議會議，教牧同工會議，委員會會議，查聖班，授課和講座等…, 真是數之不盡的。 師母Lydia和我盡我們所能去關心牧養一些弟兄姊妹，透過電話關懷、幫忙購買蔬果雜貨或搬遷等。但是，在我腦袋裡總是困擾我的問題是「我還可以做什麼呢？」。在我多年的事奉歲月中，我從未感到如此被牽制著和無助，相比我在香港非典型肺炎其間在建道神學院任教時更甚。這是一個使我自愧的經歷，無地自容。但這也是一個寶貴的經歷，因為我進一步學習到服侍上帝不是靠自己的知識或經驗，而是靠祂的大能和智慧。就好像昔日神喻先知般，全能的神這樣對我說「不是倚靠權勢，不是倚靠能力，而是倚靠我的靈。」(亞4:6）。
我雖然不像所羅門能說：「 ……但我還年輕，不知道應當怎樣處事。」（王上3:7），我也感到自己像個小孩，不知道該怎麼做，因此向主求智慧。所羅門的禱告是我今天的祈禱：「耶和華我的神啊，… 我還年輕，不知道能夠怎樣處事。僕人住在你揀選的子民中；這些子民很多，多得不能數算。所以，求你賜給僕人一顆明辨的心，可以判斷你的子民，能辨別是非，因為誰能判斷你這眾多的子民呢？」（王上3:7-9）。確實，在這些時候，我們需要從上帝那裡尋求真智慧。
無國界(界限)牧者
最近，我又想起了無國界醫生組織（Doctors Without Borders）的出色工作，該國際人道組織致力於為因政治暴力和自然災害的受害者提供醫療服務。他們不在自己國家設備齊全的醫院或診所工作，而是跑到飽受戰亂災禍困擾的世界各地去工作，他們在沒有完善的設備和設施下盡力去拯救生命，沒有絲毫抱怨。
牧者不應該是這樣麼？我們同工各别都不斷提醒自己，走出去拯救面對困境或正在生死邊緣的人，就像好牧羊人去尋找一隻迷失的羊，同時又保障另外99隻羊的安全。我們慣常服侍一大個群體和一班會眾；現在我們同樣的服侍但每次只能單獨一個人。確實，在現代的觀念，這是低效率和費時，但耶穌會照樣做並且從不苟且。作教牧同工的，需作無界限牧者。
無圍牆教會
我們許多會眾都正在參加各種網上課程和講座。這確實是一個可喜的事，大家積極利用自己的額外時間來學習聖經和神學。實際上，我們發現或是重新發現，我們無需親自到學校上課也可以進行許多學習，特別是在大流行禁聚令期間。現代技術進步促使資訊更容易傳達，我本人也曾參與其中的一些事工，全球數以千計的人同時參與。我唯一的盼望是，我們應該好好利用沒有圍牆的課室和學校，把學到的知識付諸實踐，不會只是知識泛濫充斥在頭腦上。列宣家也應朝著沒有圍牆的教會的方向邁進，我們許多事工已經轉到網上進行。
同樣令人振奮和激勵的是，我們許多身處在美國，香港或新加坡外遊的會友參加用Zoom平台進行的禱告會，讚美操和團契聚會。我開玩笑說我們的事工已經國際化了！但認真的考慮說，我們應該思想在新常態下如何「當教會」；目前，透過不同的電子產品連接的人數不斷增加，我們可以在線上接觸到更多的人。我們不應該在教堂裡等待人們來找我們，而應該透過互關網和其他方式去接觸他們。教會是「被神呼召的群體」（ekklesia），願意為神與世界分隔開，分別為聖（聖徒）。但是，我們被呼召不僅僅是個人參加敬拜聚會，事工和活動，而是為了裝備成為「基督的使者」。我們要再次進入人群，在社區和世界全地（實質上和虛擬上）作基督的「門徒」和「見證人」。我們需要成為一間「無圍牆教會」！
因此，正如我之前所分享的，經過多翻思索和祈禱，我相信我們需要在三個方向進行一些根本性的改變：
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」：轉化人群深入社區
在未來的數週，我們將在新常態中仔細思想這三個方向。我們將無法返回從前的常態，而會轉向更好的常態。從8月1日開始，列宣已開始逐步「重新開放」，首先是小組聚會，當然一定要合乎所有防疫措施及保持社交距離。詳情及所有防疫措施，請參閱「返回教會指南」(RTC)。至於集體聚會例如團契週會或者是崇拜，我們還需要等待一段時間。大家「保持友善，保持冷靜和保持安全」。我們需要耐心等候，上帝的時間是最好的。
主僕
李耀全牧師

Jul 25-26, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Dear brothers and sisters in RCAC family,

Last Friday (July 17, 2020) I received news that Dr. J.I. Packer (巴刻博士) has gone to be the Lord at the good old age of 93. I am going to miss him as one who has been my theological mentor since my Regent days. He and others at Regent College (including Dr. Bruce Waltke) shaped my evangelical faith, and my love for the Word and my understanding of God. May his life inspires you and I to live for God.

Like many people, my first encounter with Dr. Packer was through his books which I read in my early university days in the 70’s, Fundamentalism and the Word of God (基要主義與神的道) and Knowing God (認識神). As a layman, he and his books made theology understandable and relevant. When I eventually started to study full-time (1978) at Regent, Packer also came to Regent (1979) and I was so happy to have him as my professor in theology. Some people may have regarded Packer’s lectures as dry and unappealing (by North American standard), but one has to discover his depth of knowledge and wisdom, his skilful and articulate use of language and his brand of British humour, to really appreciate him as a lecturer. Going to his theology classes was like taking a Bible class, always centered in the Bible and on Christ and always focuses on building Christ’s church. I attribute my interests in the Puritans, and my love for the Word of God in serving the church, to Packer, my theological mentor. Eventually, he and Dr. Klaus Bockmuehl became my supervisors in my Master of Theology thesis. Packer was one of the teachers who encouraged me to pursue further theological studies.  I always take pride in these two teachers, as I regard them both as two of the foremost evangelical voices in modern times.

Regent has always been known for the training of the laity. When China Graduate School of Theology started in Hong Kong in the 70’s and 80’s, Regent was a model to the School. Packer was invited to give lectures in CGST and CGST began the Diploma of Christian Studies (Dip.CS) patterned after Regent’s program. I was privilege to have witnessed the genesis of that program, helping to connect the two Schools. Since then, Regent has maintained a long-standing relationship with theological education in Hong Kong.

In January, 1998, J.I. Packer visited Hong Kong again to celebrate the establishment of the James I. Packer Chair of Theology at Regent. There were several events including a special seminar for pastors in Hong Kong called ‘the pursuit and practice of holiness: the work of the Holy Spirit and the pastoral role’ (聖潔生活的追求與實踐-聖靈工作與牧者的職分) and I was honoured to be a respondent from a pastoral perspective (I had become a professor at Alliance Bible Seminary in 1994). Coming right after the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, it was such a memorable and important event.  I was even presented as mementos an autographed copy of “Knowing God!”

I attended Lausanne II, the Second International Congress on World Evangelization, held in in Manila in the Philippines in July 1989 (right after the Tiananmen Incident in June) and served as an interpreter in the conference. There was a special presentation on the Holy Spirit with J.I. Packer and Jack Hayford  as speakers. Hayford spoke first on the Signs and Wonders of the Holy Spirit. I will never forget how Packer came after Hayford and spoke on being “In Step with the Spirit” and proclaimed that there is nothing more powerful than the work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners. That message echoes powerfully in my mind till now.

As a prolific author, Dr. Packer has inspired me very much in my own writing career. Most of his books were written with the lay people in mind. Books like “Hot Tub Religion” and “Finishing our course with Joy” are some examples among the score of books he has written over a long span of his career. Packer did not write his magnum opus in theology, but his many books speak volumes and are immensely helpful to all Christians in instructions for living a life of godliness and holiness. There lies his legacy. I salute my esteemed teacher, J.I. Packer.

Your Servant in Christ,

Simon Lee

Jul 25-26, 2020
李耀全牧師

上週五(2020年7月17日)，我收到消息知道巴刻博士(Dr. JI Packer)息勞歸主，享年93歲。我非常懷念我的老師，從我就讀維真神學院到今天，他和另外一位老師華爾基博士(Dr. Bruce Waltke)塑造了我的福音派信仰，並加深對神的話的熱愛和認識神祂自己。願他一生的榜樣成為您我為主而活的鼓勵！

與許多人一樣，我與巴刻博士的第一次接觸是在70年代上大學初期，拜讀他寫的兩本書，分別為：《基要主義與神的道》和《認識神》。作為一個平信徒大學生，閱讀他的書幫助我理解神學並發現神學的廣泛應用性。當我在1978年到了維真神學院(維真)作為一位全時間的學生，巴刻博士也在1979年來到了維真任教。我當時很高興他能夠成為我的神學教授。有些人可能認為巴刻博士的授課很枯燥且沒有吸引力(按照北美標準)，但要真正欣賞他作為一名講師，就必須要透過發現他的知識淵博與智慧深厚，對語言的熟練和表達技巧以及對英國式的幽默才能夠體會。參加他的神學課程就像參加聖經課程一樣，因為他的授課總是以聖經和基督為中心，並且始終專注於教授關於建立基督的教會。我對清教徒的興趣和對神的話語的熱愛歸功於我的神學導師巴刻博士。之後，他和另外一位神學教授Dr. Klaus Bockmuehl成為我的神學碩士論文的導師。巴刻博士總是鼓勵我繼續投入在神學的研究上。我一直以這兩位老師為榮，因為我認為他們是當代福音派的兩位重要代表。

維真一直是被譽為以訓練信徒為主的神學院。在70/80年代，當中國神學研究院開始在香港建立時，就是以維真為藍本。當時，巴刻博士應邀在中神演說，後來中神也開始了一個與維真近似的基督教研究的證書課程。我當時有幸能夠見證這個課程的成立，並幫助兩家神學院開始建立關係。至今，維真繼續在香港的神學教育上仍有所貢獻。

1998年1月，巴刻博士再次訪問香港，慶祝成立以巴刻博士為名的神學教席。 還記得當時有數項活動，包括在香港為牧師舉辦的特別研討會，題目為 “聖潔生活的追求與實踐-聖靈工作與牧者的職分”。 我很榮幸在那一場研討會上代表與會者，從牧者的角度，回應巴刻博士的演講。(我在1994年已成為建道神學院的教授)。 那一場研討會發生在1997年香港回歸後，更是有意義和令人難忘。 在那一次的演講中，我更收到了巴刻博士的“認識神”親筆簽名本，甚有紀念價值！

1989年7月(6月天安門事件之後)，我參加了在菲律賓馬尼拉舉行的洛桑2：第二屆世界福音國際大會第並在會議中擔任翻譯。當時巴刻博士和Dr. Jack Hayford分別以聖靈論作為演講主題。 Hayford首先談到了聖靈的神蹟和奇事。 我永遠不會忘記巴刻博士是跟隨Hayford之後發表演講的，題目為“與聖靈同行”，並宣稱罪人能悔改歸主，乃聖靈最偉大的工作。 到現在，該段的信息依然在我的腦海中迴盪，記憶猶新。

巴刻博士的著作非常多，他也啟發了我自己的寫作生涯。 他的大部分書籍著作都是為了平信徒所寫的。 就像是“Hot Tub Religion”和“Finishing our course with Joy”。巴刻博士並沒有什麼巨大神學著作，但是他的許多書歷經翻印多次，證明了他的寫作對所有基督徒在過敬虔和聖潔的生活中提供了極大的幫助。 這就是他留給後人的產業。 我要向我的老師巴刻博士致最崇高的敬意。與肢體共勉！

主僕
李耀全牧師