2026-08-09

牧人心語

最近經歷了幾件很窩心的事。有兩三次，當我和師母約見弟兄姊妹去關心他們、鼓勵他們，請他們一起去吃點心或喝咖啡時，在餐廳遇見一些教會裡的弟兄姊妹，他們竟暗地裡替我結了帳。過去這星期，又有兩三位弟兄姊妹打電話關心我們或約我和師母出去吃東西，又有人和我們分享詩歌，加添了我們感恩的心。

我和師母攜手服事主幾十年，在大小不同的風雨中經歷了天父的保護和恩典。我不知道自己的擴展能力是否特別強。但在過去兩週，我留意到同一篇文章的標題，在我教會的電郵箱裡出現了兩次：每五個主任牧師中就有一個曾考慮自殺。這是Barna Study Group的最新調查報告，去年有 18% 的主任牧師曾想過自殺。這報告令我感到震驚，難以置信。

我翻看聖經，發覺摩西，約伯，約拿和以利亞都曾經向神求死。因為事奉神固然是祝福、是恩典，但卻充滿難處和挑戰。弟兄姊妹事奉得不開心，他們可以不事奉，但牧師、傳道人事奉得不開心，卻仍要事奉，因為這是神的呼召。

我就想起保羅在受苦時所講的話：「我很願意離開這世界，去跟基督在一起，那是再好不過了。可是，為了你們的緣故，我更該活下去。」

對這一點，我深信無疑；我知道我還要活下去，而且要繼續跟你們大家在一起，幫助你們在信仰上更長進，更有喜樂，目的是我跟你們再見面的時候，你們在基督耶穌裡將更加以我為榮！最重要的是：你們的生活應該符合基督福音的要求。這樣，無論我能不能親自來看你們，我都會知道你們抱著共同的目標，堅定不移，同心協力為福音的信仰爭戰。（腓立比書 1: 23-27）現中

保羅的話，也是我的心聲。我所經歷的挑戰、痛苦和保羅相比，根本就算不了甚麼；而且天父還時常用不同的方法來鼓勵我和安慰我。我和大家分享這些，是因為我知道很多弟兄姊妹也落在不同的難處和壓力之中，就好像摩西的妾夏甲在曠野中沒有糧沒有水，與孩子相對而坐等死一樣。但天父的看顧沒有等她祈求時才臨到，天父已為她安排了一口水井，讓她和她孩子能夠存活，日後並成為一族。

主內的弟兄姊妹，求聖靈光照我們的心，讓我們不要只看自己的需要和感覺，卻要問自己的生活是否符合福音的要求？我們是否願意同心協力為福音的信仰爭戰？

招牧師

代禱事項

• 1. 感謝讚美神，讓我們在無望中仍有在基督耶穌裡的盼望。求神加添我們信心和耐心，使我們能繼續在生活上見證神。
• 2. 為八月份張瑪莉女士將分別在教會三個堂會分享福音信息和見證代禱。求神使用她引領更多人歸主，並能在信仰的認識和經歷上進深。
• 3. 為教牧同工代禱。感謝神賜給我們有新同工參與服事，求神幫助他們能早日適應我們教會的文化，並能互相配搭、彼此合作，同心合意一起事奉神。
• 4. 為新學年即將開始祈禱。求神為我們預備合適和願意委身的義務同工，與教會牧者一起拓展我們的兒童和青少年事工。
• 5. 為我們傳福音的對象祈禱。求聖靈指引我們與慕道的親友建立健康的關係，並能把握機會為主做見證，邀請他們到教會參加崇拜和其它活動。
• 6. —

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From the Heart of a Shepherd

Recently, several heartwarming things happened. On two or three occasions, when my wife and I arranged to meet with some brothers and sisters to check on them, offer encouragement by inviting them out for breakfast, lunch or coffee, we encountered other brothers and sisters at the restaurant. They secretly paid the bill for us. This past week, two or three brothers and sisters called to check on us or invited us out for meals. Others shared hymns with us, adding to our gratitude.

My wife and I have served the Lord hand in hand for decades, experiencing the Father’s protection and grace through various trials and tribulations. I don’t know if I have a particularly strong adversity quotient. But in the past two weeks, I noticed the same article title appearing twice in my church’s email inbox: One in five senior pastors considered suicide. This is a recent survey report from the Barna Study Group, which found that 18% of senior pastors had considered suicide last year. This report shocked me and it was unbelievable.

I looked through the Bible and discovered that Moses, Job, Jonah, and Elijah all prayed to God to die. Serving God is indeed a blessing and a grace, yet it is also filled with difficulties and challenges. Brothers and sisters who are unhappy in their service can choose quit, not to serve, but pastors and preachers, even if unhappy in their service, must continue to serve, for it is God’s calling. I am reminded of Paul’s words during his suffering:

“I would much rather leave this world and be with Christ—that would be better. But for your sakes I must live more. I know I must live on, and continue to be with you all, helping you grow and find joy in your faith, so that when I meet you again, you will be even more proud of me in Christ Jesus! Most importantly, your lives should conform to the requirements of the Gospel of Christ. Then, whether I can come to you in person or not, I will know that you share a common goal, are steadfast, and united in the struggle for the faith of the Gospel.” (Philippians 1:23-27)

Paul’s words also resonate with my own heart. The challenges and pain I’ve experienced are nothing compared to Paul’s; and Heavenly Father often encourages and comforts me in different ways. I share this with you because I know many brothers and sisters are also facing different difficulties and challenges, just like Moses’ concubine Hagar, who had no food or water in the wilderness, sitting with her child waiting to die. But Heavenly Father’s care didn’t wait for her to ask; He provided her with a well of water, enabling her and her child to survive and later become a nation.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, may the Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts, so that we don’t only look at our own needs and feelings, but ask ourselves if our lives conform to the requirements of the Gospel? Are we willing to work together to fight for the faith of the Gospel?

Pastor Chiu

Prayer Requests

• Praise be to God that even in despair we still have hope in Christ Jesus. May God increase our faith and patience so that we may continue to witness for Him with our lives.
• Pray for Ms. Mary Cheung’s sharing of the Gospel message and her testimony at three of our church campuses in August. May God use her to lead more people to the Lord and to deepen their understanding and experience in Christ.
• Pray for our pastors. Thank God for giving us new pastors to participate in our ministry. May God help them adapt to our church culture quickly, cooperate with one another, and serve God in unison.
• Pray for the upcoming new school year. May God prepare suitable and committed volunteer workers for us to expand our ministry for children and youth together with the church pastors.
• Pray for those we plan to share the Gospel with. May the Holy Spirit guide us to build healthy relationships with our seekers, friends, and colleagues, and to seize opportunities to witness for the Lord, inviting them to church worship and other activities.