Misc

The North Side Chinese Alliance Church was established in 1988 and has now reached its 35th anniversary. Under God’s guidance, and the recommendation of the senior pastor at that time, the invitation of of deacon board , and the acceptance of the congregation,  I served as Senior Pastor of the church at the end of 1998 until my retirement at the end of 2021. Altogether, my wife and I have served in pastoral ministry at our church for nearly a quarter of a century.

Over the past thirty and more years, there have been various upheavals in the world, including epidemic outbreaks and population dispersal and aggregation. In such a global situation, the Churches around the world has faced unprecedented challenges and opportunities, particularly for Chinese churches at overseas. Our church, of course, has not been exempt from these circumstances.

Reflect on history and remembrance of God’s grace.

Over more than three decades, our church experienced various ups and downs, including significant incidents such as:

1. Ten families collectively leaving the church due to dissatisfaction with its leadership.

2. Unexpected church planting or the establishment of new church due to different visions or church models.

3. Differences arising from debates over whether to rebuild the church on its current site or relocate.

4. The theological controversy surrounding women preaching/teaching sparked by ministry workers.

5. The complete upheaval of church life and ministry operations during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenges and trials brought about by these incidents, our church under the grace and protection of God, has managed to stand firm and growth. Here is a brief summary:

• After the subsiding of the departure controversy, the English youth ministry was able to be established and carried out. The pastor who received the vision for church planting led over forty members to leave the mother church with its blessing and start a new church. At the same time, the church seized the opportunity to provide care and share the Gospel with Hong Kong students studying abroad. Consequently, worship services and fellowships for the students from Hong Kong were established, laying a foundation for the continued growth of the Cantonese-speaking congregation and Children Sunday School. It also became a vital force within the church’s ministry team.
• Upon confirming the decision to rebuild on the original site and the completion of the new church building, coupled with the resolution of the theological controversy, the issue gradually faded away. However, another challenge arose when the English-speaking congregation attending the evening worship service expressed their desire for independence. The church went through a painful process of deliberation, and eventually, with the consensus of the parents and the blessing of the church, this group became an independent church.
• Due to the continuous increase in the Mandarin-speaking population in the locality and neighboring areas, and coinciding with the revision of the church planting subsidy program by the denomination, the church took the opportunity to include the establishment of another language congregation. The church gradually established a Mandarin-speaking congregation, and to this day, the Mandarin-speaking community has steadily grown in both numbers and spiritual maturity.
• During the three years of the COVID-19 outbreak, fortunately, there was an epidemic monitoring group composed of young adults fluent in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. They formulated relevant guidelines based on the government’s established epidemic prevention measures, which were reviewed or slightly revised by the BOE and BOD before being announced for public compliance. During the most severe period of the epidemic, there were restrictions on gathering sizes, and even churches were closed. Sunday worship and various gatherings had to be held online. During this time,  the members who possessed IT knowledge and operational experience dedicated their efforts and services, enabling them to quickly  make contingency arrangements.

We have spent a considerable amount of time reviewing history, in order to give thanks for God’s grace and preservation. Throughout the past thirty and more years, He has been with us in various trials and tribulations, leading us through.  In accordance with God’s will, we have united our hearts and efforts to promote the gospel and establish the body of Christ – the church. On the other hand, we draw lessons and reflections from history. In times of disagreements, conflicts, or hardships, we see that the church is not a perfect place ; it consists of individuals with weaknesses and problems. This humbles us and prompts us to reflect  upon ourselves in the light of the Holy Spirit and the Bible. As Paul’s exhortation : “So, if you think you standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV).

Looking ahead and walk in Him.

The church discerns the visions that come from God and explores the direction of future development. This responsibility is undertaken by the leadership team composed of current pastors and elders. I would like to share just two aspects for mutual encouragement.

• Study the Bible, respond to God’s Word.

Evangelical churches teach believers to learn the Bible through reading,  studying, and listening to sermons, in order to know God and follow His will. This is absolutely correct, but it is not enough. If we only have knowledge of the Bible without allowing God’s Word to touch our lives, even if we know God’s will, we may lack of the motivation and strength to obey it wholeheartedly.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams,  once said that the accounts recorded in the Bible are not merely ordinary stories, but a sacred narrative that has the power to reshape human through responses to God. It is a story of the re-formation of human responses to God. Simply put, after properly understanding the Word of God, there should be corresponding actions and responses in our lives. Responding to God is the focal point of studying the Bible. Just as Paul prayed for the believers in the church of Colossae, saying, “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:9-10, NIV)

•  Fulfill the Great Commission, completely and wholeheartly

The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) was originally a spiritual movement until it became a denomination in the 1970s. To avoid institutionalization, it is crucial to continue upholding the essence of this spiritual movement, which includes exalting Christ, evangelism and missions, and deepening spiritual life.

NACAC is also part of this legacy.  Dr. A. B. Simpson, the founder of C&MA advocated for this spiritual movement in  response to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. In practice, he emulated the example of the apostle Paul, demonstrating absolute obedience to the Lord regardless of the cost, and faithfully carrying it out. In his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul mentioned the fulfillment of the mission of the Gospel and shared the following teaching :

” We proclaim him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ. For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power, which works mightily within me.”(Colossians 1:28-29 NASB)

Let’s pay attention to the four verbs in the scripture: “proclaim,” “admonish,” “teach,” and “present.”  The first three verbs illustrate the comprehensiveness of the Great Commission. Evangelism and discipleship must go hand in hand, should not be focused on one aspect alone. Regarding the disciples’ growth, both “admonishment” and “teaching” should be emphasized.

Chinese churches generally excel in teaching but are weaker in admonishment. In other words, Chinese believers are willing to receive teaching but may be reluctant or resistant to admonishment.  If this is the case, how can we fulfill the ultimate goal of the Great Commission, which is to “present everyone fully mature in Christ”?

Carrying out the mission of the Gospel is a challenging task, as Paul said, “I strenuously contend with all the energy .”  However, he relied on the “all wisdom” that comes from above and the  “mighty power” of Christ working within him, and he exerted himself wholeheartedly.

Brothers and sisters of NSCAC, let us imitate Paul that rely on the wisdom that comes from above and the mighty power of the resurrected Christ Jesus. In this turbulent and unsettled world, let us fulfill the comprehensive mission of the Gospel and bring people fully and mature into the presence of God.  So that we may continue to be part of the movement of C&MA and faithful ambassadors of the Gospel!

北宣教會於1988年成立，至今35周年。在神的引領下，透過當時牧者的推薦、執事會的邀請及會友的接納，我於1998年年底接任為本堂主任牧師，直至2021年年底退休離任，數算起來我和師母在本堂牧養服侍差不多四份一世紀。

這三十多年世局動盪，疫症流行，人口離散聚合；在如此世局下，普世教會經歷了前所未有的挑戰和機遇，身處海外的華人教會尤甚，本堂當然不能倖免。

回顧歷史，勿忘神恩

這三十多年來北宣教會經歷了大大小小的風波，其中具關鍵性的，包括：十個家庭因對教會不滿而集體退會；因另有異象或不同的教會模式而植堂或另立教會；教會建堂在原址或遷址上產生分歧；由傳道同工引發的婦女講道/教導的神學爭論；新冠疫情的三年，教會生活和事工運作徹底被翻轉。在這些風波的衝擊考驗中，北宣教會在神恩護佑下，經歷艱困仍然站穩，並且把握機遇繼續成長。簡述如下：

牧養青少年的英文事工，在退會風波平息後得以開展；領受植堂異象的牧者，在母堂的祝福下帶領四十多位會友離去植堂。與此同時教會把握時機，對香港留學生提供關懷服侍和傳福音；因而設立了留學生崇拜和團契，不但奠定了日後粵語群體和兒童主日學持續增長的基礎，並成為教會事奉團隊的生力軍。

當確定原址建堂，新堂落成，加上神學爭論經處理後淡化，接著面對在傍晚崇拜的英語群體提出自立的訴求。教會經歷了痛苦的處理過程，最後這群體在家長們的共識及教會的祝福下，成為自立教會。

由於教會所在地和鄰近地區說普通話的人口不斷增加，適逢總會修訂植堂資助計畫，把堂會開設另一語言會眾包括在內。本堂以漸進方式設立了國語會眾，至今國語群體在人數和屬靈素質上俱穩步成長。

於新冠疫情爆發的三年，幸好有由粵語、英語和國語的青成年聯手組成的疫情關注組，根據政府對公共場所訂立的防疫措施，製訂相關指引，經長執會過目或稍作修訂，然後公佈會眾遵行。在疫情最嚴峻期間，聚會人數設限，甚至教堂關閉；主日崇拜和各項聚會須改在線上舉行，這段日子有賴具IT知識和操作經驗的會友，勞心勞力服務，得以迅速地作出應變安排。

花了頗長篇幅回顧歷史，為的是感謝神的恩典和保守，三十多年來在大小風波中有祂同在，帶領我們經過；並按著神的心意，同心合意興旺福音，建立基督的身體～教會。另一方面，從歷史中汲取教訓和反省。在分歧、衝突，或經歷困境，讓我們看見教會並不是一個完美的地方，有人的軟弱和問題；使我們常存謙卑的心，在聖靈和聖經的光照下自省，不要「自己以為站立得穩，須要謹慎，免得跌倒。」（林前10:12）

瞻望前路，遵主而行

教會辨識從神而來的異象，探索未來發展的方向，這重任有現任教牧、長執組成的領導團隊承擔。我在此僅分享以下兩方面和大家互勉。

• 學習聖經，回應神旨

福音派教會教導信徒透過讀經、查經、聽道等途徑學習聖經，以致認識神和按祂旨意去行，這是絕對正確的，但並不足夠。若然只有聖經知識，卻沒有讓神的話觸動生命，即使知道神的旨意，恐怕會無心無力遵行。

英國前坎特伯里大主教威廉斯(Rowan Williams) 曾說過，聖經記載的並不是一般的故事，乃是一個能夠重新塑造人對神有恰當回應的神聖故事(a story of the re-formation of human responses to God)。

簡單地說，在正確認識神話語之後，生命該有相應的行動回應產生出來，回應神才是學習聖經的重點所在。正如保羅為歌羅西教會的信徒祈禱時，說：「願你們滿有一切屬靈的智慧和悟性，真正知道神的旨意，好使你們行事為人對得起主，凡事蒙他喜悅，在一切善事上結果子，對神的認識更有長進。」（西1:9-10和修版）

• 福音使命，整全踐行

宣道會本是一個屬靈運動（Spiritual Movement），直至上世紀70年代才成為一個宗派；要避免組織制度化，這屬靈運動的精粹～高舉基督、佈道差傳、靈命進深～要繼續持守傳承。北宣教會也在這承傳行的列中。宣信博士倡導這個屬靈運動，出於對耶穌基督的大使命的回應；在實踐上效法使徒保羅的榜樣，對主絕對順服，不計代價並忠實地踐行。保羅給歌羅西教會的信中，提及福音使命的踐行，有以下的分享教導：「我們傳揚他，是用諸般的智慧，勸戒各人，教導各人，要使各人在基督裏成熟地獻上。我也為此勞苦，照着他在我裏面運用的大能盡心竭力。」（西1:28-29 和修版）。

留意經文中四個動詞：「傳揚」、「勸戒」、「教導」、「獻上」；頭三個動詞說明了福音使命的整全性，佈道和栽培必須兼備，不可側重於一面。對於信徒的栽培，亦應「勸戒」和「教導」並重。華人教會普遍強於教導，弱於勸戒；或換一個說法，華人信徒樂意接受教導，不願意甚至抗拒勸戒；若是這樣怎能達成大使命的最終目的：「使各人在基督裏成熟地獻上」呢？遵行福音使命是一項艱鉅的任務，保羅說「我也為此勞苦」，但他仰賴從上頭來的「各樣智慧」，以及基督在他「裏面運用的大能」 而「盡心竭力」。

北宣教會弟兄姊妹們，讓我們效法保羅，仰賴從上頭來的智慧，以及基督耶穌復活的大能，在這動盪不安的世代，踐行整全福音使命，把人完完全全引到神面前。也使我們繼續成為名符其實的宣道會、宣道人！

人生不會有很多的35年，我還記得在90年尾移民到步後不久，便開始到北宣聚會，從會友到組長，組長到執事，執事到長老，長老到神學生，北宣在我的人生旅程上成了一個我經歷人生，和實踐信仰的場景。在這些年裡，雖然不都是天色常藍，但我們都珍惜神讓我們成長的方式，見證了萬事互相效力的寶貴，重點是我們是否愛神。在這特別的日子裡，讓我分享幾句。

「沒有異象，民就放肆！」 很懷念在2000年代我們一起籌劃建堂的日子，各人有錢出錢，有力出力，皆因我們都有著一個共同目標:

有自己可供發展的地方，有可供多人敬拜的禮堂，有可傳福音的據地。感謝上帝的信實，弟兄姊妹的同心。在建築完成後，為了省錢，我們自己舖設停車場的地磚，自己造了木十字架，懸在牆上，也自己造圖書櫃，還記得有些弟兄在30多度高溫下一起造書櫃的片段，實在感恩神給與我們事奉祂的恩典。

「我的恩典夠你用的！」 教會是聖靈工作的地方，但也是魔鬼活躍的地方。如果你完全看不到魔鬼在某教會的搞擾，也許這教會根本沒有做教會的工作，所以魔鬼也不用花時間在這教會吧。在我仍在北宣的日子，有風和日麗的時候，也有嚴寒暴風的歲月，但正所謂「沒有傷痕累累，哪來皮糙肉厚」，我們不需迴避那些做得不好，甚或失敗的地方，反而要從中學到功課，從成敗中體驗神的作為，從得失裡磨練我們的信心，深信每一個人生轉角處，神都與我們同在，祂的恩典夠我們用。

「報福音傳喜信的人、他們的腳蹤何等佳美！」北宣一直都是一個積極傳福音的教會，這麼多年來也出了很多牧師傳道人，在北宣因聽道而信道的更是不可勝數，這全是神的恩典，也是眾弟兄姊妹的忠心，讓北宣擁有一份十分濃厚的傳福音文化，盼望這文化能繼續傳承，在這地區充滿著每一位弟兄姊妹的佳美腳蹤。阿門。

初到北宣的時候只有十來個人，還沒有注冊為教會。那時自己信主不久，正好與北宣一起成長。回憶35年走過的路，许多片段仍历历在目⋯
教會刚成立时每周與弟兄姊妹在Burwood街頭派單張。大家在福音站與福音朋友談得興高采烈，星期天一起午膳時也不乏歡聲笑語。自己则被激勵更深认識福音，學習事奉⋯
有個兒童主日學學生不做功課，但喜歡畫畫。於是我將聖經故事講給他聽，请他把聽到的用一幅畫表達出來，然後我們一起給畫定題目。他享受聽故事，我享受他的畫⋯
有一次與主日學學生在Lane Cove Park划獨木舟时掉到水裏。出水時立即呼喚岸上同伴為我們拍一張出水芙蓉照，之後配首小詩嵌在鏡框里⋯
有一年暑假我需要找短期住處，一個主日學學生自動收拾好他的房間給我住，自己与哥哥挤一个房間。吃飯的時候將最喜爱的食物送給我，他的父母说家里還沒有人享過這种待遇⋯與他們相處使我體會到為何主耶穌要我們回轉像小孩子。
看着北宣在天父的栽培下越来越成熟，從本地傳福音，到支持宣教士，到差派宣教士，实在感恩！自己也與北宣一起成長，從学习向身边的人傳福音，到支持宣教士，到成為宣教士。感謝天父使用北宣栽培我。祝福北宣！願天父的心意成就，願主耶穌繼續使用我们在近處遠處为他作見證。

May the Almighty God, who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death, bless you and lead NSCAC into His Glory. May our Lord Jesus Christ, who sit at the right side of our God the Father and continue to interceding for you, protect you and perfect you in all circumstances. 

May God the Spirit gives you counsel and wisdom to make you a faithful church witnessing Christ to this world. 

Amen.

願全能的上帝，就是那使我們的主耶稣基督從死裡復活的上帝，祝福你們，並引領北雪梨華人宣道會進入祂的榮耀。願我們的主耶稣基督，坐在父神的右邊，為你們代求，在一切境況中保護你們，成全你們。

願聖靈賜予你們聰明和智慧，成為對這個世界忠心見証基督的群體。

阿們。