35周年堂慶見證集

(寫於2023北宣三十五周年)

在三十五周年的慶典, 回看五年前所思所寫的分享, 思緒仍在回響, 續寫下感言如下.

神建立北宣成為Epping區地方教會，同樣地建立我這個人，得蒙愛寵及使用, 感恩的是神用得著我和我女兒一家, 自她年幼蒙召, 心志隨年日部不曾稍減,直至與丈夫一起聽命順服,往遠方宣教,我仍記得他倆人的婚姻盟誓是特向神立下宣教的志向, 在她出發前所分享的經文, 仍響徹我心扉,「我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程，成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事，證明神恩惠的福音。」(使徒行傳20章24節) , 何等僕人的胸懷.

回想神在我和Alice的作為,同在北宣蒙恩蒙召, 雖在人看來已到不惑之年歲, 仍得著那上好福分, 為主所用, 牧養神的羊, 知道不是出於人意, 一無所誇,全是神恩, 願能完成托付, 不單(finishing well), 更願喜樂滿足 (finishing with joy), 正如保羅在另一處分享, 「從此以後 ，有公義的冠冕為我存留，就是按著公義審判的主到了那日要賜給我的；不但賜給我，也賜給凡愛慕他顯現的人。」(提後4章8節)

(寫於2018北宣三十周年)

我要稱謝祢，因我受造奇妙可畏，祢的作為奇妙，這是我心深知道的（詩篇139:14）。

在北宣三十周年慶典，執筆寫下一些自己的感想，藉數算神的恩典。二十四年前我和我的一家，從香港來到雪梨，在陌生環境中，因女兒緣故開始返教會－她是我家的第一個基督徒，好自然地在教會中遇上一群有相同際遇、背景的群體，亦成為改變一生的經歷，因神藉我們的女兒、我們的移民到澳洲，神的恩典無可抗拒地臨到我家。

回顧自己的成長，類比北宣的發展路，比作為不同的段落，當然是略為粗疏的、純屬個人的「思路」。

1. 「學習期」－ 1994-2000年，神的話何等甘甜，甦醒我倆的心。夫婦二人先後決志跟從耶穌基督。神的恩典豐盛，受洗加入北宣教會後, 對神渴慕不已，凡有查經班、神學課程、組長訓練，門徒訓練，照單全收。在最初的四至五年，我看為自己的學習期。不單是知識上的學習，更在微小服事上開步。驗視北宣初期的經歷，迎著移民潮，信徒來自各方，各有不同宗派，當中磨合，都經歷各樣衝激及學習，卻奇妙的有兩次的植堂，神作為何等奇妙。我看此為北宣教會的「學習期」。
2. 「成長期」－ 2000-2008, 跟著的約十年時間，自己踏上服侍的路徑，經歷磨練，在教會的高高低低及自己屬靈的試煉中，學曉耶穌基督在路加福音中所講論「無用的僕人」中比喻的教導，學曉分辨人的作為，神的作為，此階段，我看為自己的「成長期」。北宣同樣成長，包括留學生事工、英文事工，建堂擴建、聚會會眾增長，領袖層趨向穩定發展，雖然仍有試煉在當中，神仍掌管、神仍坐著為王，我看此為北宣教會的「成長期」。
3. 「聯合期」－2009-至今，自2008年相近的日子，自己總覺得心靈有空洞之處，如詩篇中形容「在乾旱疲乏無水之地，我渴想你，我的心切慕你」，我進入神學院作耶穌基督的「學生」，我比喻自己猶如進入神的居所，有一扇一扇的門，每在進入一門後，每一居停，總有神的能力、榮耀、慈愛，加上每每有祂的扶持；我的靈飽足歡呼。同一時候神要我在長老崗位服侍上更順服－學習「非我惟主」的功課，在進修及服侍中學曉跟祂聯合的功課。我看為自己的「聯合期」。北宣亦在進入多元會眾的階段，踽踽而行，無論三文兩語，屬靈的领導都滿有挑戰，深信北宣家在「聯合期」的學習，因為我們都同有一個指望、一主、一信、一洗、一神，在回到與神聯合的基礎上。

我曾跟一位牧者對話，談論牧養神的羊，我分享我愛神的教會，愛弟兄弟姊妹，他卻說，我們豈不是應愛我主基督為先，為基礎。正如聖經所記：「若有人不愛主，遠人可詛可咒，主必要來」（林前16:22）。在北宣三十周年慶典，我為此感謝神，因祂建立北宣，同樣地建立我這個人，安放我在北宣跟肢體一同被造就，學習及成長。願北宣與主基督聯合，直到永遠，「主耶穌阿，我願祢來。願主耶穌基督的恩惠常在，阿門」（啟22:20）。

感谢神的恩典和带领，我于2022年6月1日正式开始在北宣国语堂的全职服事。当时，正值新冠疫情肆虐三年后开始逐步缓解的阶段，国语堂主日崇拜也是Zoom网络实时与实体崇拜并行。由于疫情的影响，回到实体崇拜的会众寥寥。感恩教会其它堂会的牧长、同工和弟兄姊妹们的代祷、支持和关心帮助，使得国语堂在Boronia Grove Community Centre的崇拜，得以顺利进行。不论是崇拜、查经还是探访，国语堂弟兄姊妹们对于神话语的渴慕追求，给予我极大的鼓励和责任，感恩神带领国语堂从去年七月开始，通过网络或实体陆续开展了清晨颂歌、清晨甘露、羽你童行、信仰探寻、感恩分享等事工，在其中国语堂的同工们克服资源不足、条件有限等困难，以信心仰望神，以爱心彼此搭配、同心服事，并于去年九月初举办了疫情以来首次“爱Ÿ回家”中秋晚会，分享福音，共渡中秋。感谢主！预备十月初的“爱Ÿ回家”生活营，使国语堂多达八十余位弟兄姊妹和亲友，透过生活营的讲座、敬拜、灵修和分享，在主里彼此激励，彼此建立，使属灵生命再一次得到奋兴！之后十月中旬的“青苹果节”街头布道、十二月的采摘樱桃之旅、今年一月的“福杯满溢”新春晚会、六月的“粽情端午，爱在北宣”包粽子，以及每月一次的“爱的温暖，家的味道”爱宴等外展活动，也使弟兄姊妹更多地经历主内爱心相联，并操练学习福音事工。在年初取消网络崇拜之后，国语堂实体崇拜及祷告会的人数稳步增加。

感谢神的祝福，一直以来不断有新的朋友及弟兄姊妹参加国语堂的崇拜和各项活动，并透过迎新关顾事工，鼓励他们逐步投入教会敬拜，透过各项培训引导他们委身服事；对于慕道的朋友，也感恩圣灵的带领，使一批批慕道的朋友接受洗礼，成为神的儿女。小组事工也由此不断成长拓展，新建立了以斯贴(姊妹)小组、彼得(弟兄)小组、约翰（夫妻）小组三个团契小组，感恩神预备各小组的领袖，愿意忠心摆上服事弟兄姊妹，在主里共同学习。同得造就。

生命进深（Deeper Life），是宣道会的属灵传统之一。感恩今年国语堂首次开设“跟随基督，作主门徒”门徒培训，神感动八位弟兄姊妹报名参加，学习《塑造主生命》，并有八位弟兄姊妹作为祷告伙伴，陪伴学员成长。在宣教差传方面，弟兄姊妹不但积极参加Dubbo短宣，也热心参与Maitland城乡宣教事工，实践主的大使命。

崇拜场地，一直是国语堂面临的难题！考虑到社区中心租用的不确定、空间的局限、停车的困难、儿童事工的限制，国语堂的同工及弟兄姊妹不但恒切祷告，还成立专门的小组，寻找新的崇拜场所。感谢神的恩典和引领，终于在近期寻得Roselea Public School作为新的崇拜地，并将于16/07开始崇拜。也让弟兄姊妹们经历了信心的祷告和凡事仰望神的供应和预备。

回顾一年多来在北宣国语堂的服事，虽然自己资历尚浅、初踏牧途，但是感谢神丰丰富富的恩典，感谢牧长同工及所有弟兄姊妹的爱心包容、支持代祷和同心搭配，使自己在战兢之余，学习仰望依靠神恩，竭力忠心服事，并经历神奇妙的大能和引领。求神继续祝福北宣教会，祝福北宣国语事工，使北宣国语堂，真正成为主爱温暖家，在Epping及Carlingford地区，成为主的金灯台，为主发光，荣耀主名！

Rev. Andrew Tibbs

I am thankful to God for all He has been doing in and through NSCAC over the past 35 years. It is His church, and He continues to work His perfect plans in and through us.

I have only had the privilege of serving at NSCAC over the past 7 years. However, I am grateful for the opportunity to be here to see God at work in the lives of His people.

I am encouraged by the number of people in MES, and in other areas of NSCAC, who have a genuine desire to take God seriously. The number of people who believe that God speaks through His Word, the Bible. People who take the time and effort to understand what God’s Word means, and how it applies in their daily lives. People who genuinely want to bow the knee to King Jesus, and are being made more like Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.

I am thankful for the relationships that are continuing to develop. I am thankful for those who reach out, and make people feel welcomed into this family of believers. I am thankful for those who are looking to reach out to build up and encourage those who are different from themselves (especially across generations).

I thank God that He has continued to work through all circumstances to grow His people in NSCAC to become more like Jesus (cf. Romans 8:28-29). Even though we had to go through COVID, God has continued to build up and strengthen His church. I trust that He will continue to build His people as we continue to trust in Him.

As we head into our 36^th year as a church community (and beyond), my continuing prayer is that each of us may continue to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all the wisdom and understanding the Spirit gives, so that we may all 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, and being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that we might have great endurance and patience (cf. Colossians 1:9-11).

To His glory always. ☺

Rev Andrew Choy

On the 35th anniversary of North Side, God led me to join this spiritual family at the beginning of the year for which I am deeply grateful. Since taking on the role of senior pastor, I have felt that it was God who led me here. Although I previously shared that God challenged me at the beginning of 2022 through the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) to respond to his call with faith, when I look back on my ministry journey, I can see that God has indeed been guiding and preparing me from the very beginning.

In 2008, while I was still living and ministering in Perth, I had the opportunity, on behalf of the Australian Chinese Alliance Churches Committee (ACACC), to lead some brothers and sisters from different Chinese Alliance churches in Australia on a short-term mission trip to Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China. During that visit, I got to know some members of North Side and felt the church’s passion for missions. In 2009, through an invitation from ACACC colleagues, I had the chance to visit some Chinese Alliance churches in Sydney. During that visit, I had the privilege of preaching at North Side, delivering three sermons in one day for the first time in my ministry. It allowed me to witness the flourishing ministry of North Side. Later, being elected to the National Board from 2009 to 2014, I learned about the challenging times that North Side had gone through. Then in 2015, God led the pastors of North Side to invite me twice to speak at MES. Looking back, I realize that those experiences and provisions deepened my understanding of the church and strengthened my sense of belonging to this spiritual family.

In the early days of my coming on board at North Side, I was cautious and a little anxious. After all, I had never served as a senior pastor before, and I didn’t dare take the responsibilities of this position lightly. I could only approach it with a combination of courage and carefulness. On one hand, I relied on God to make bold decisions and provide guidance; on the other hand, I patiently observed the interactions within different congregations and ministries and earnestly understood the needs of brothers and sisters. Additionally, I was concerned about how my wife and daughters would adapt to the new environment. However, I am truly thankful because my wife embraced the decision to “return” to the C&MA (as we had considered the Perth’s C&MA church our home) and has been able to involve herself in the church life here. My daughters have also engaged in fellowship in the university group and the youth fellowship.

Lastly, although we do not know what challenges the future holds, we firmly believe that the Lord will lead and prepare us. We only need to look up to him and consistently affirm our precious identity in Christ. Let us encourage each other with a verse from 1 John: “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Andrew 蔡沛良主任牧師

在北宣教會成立35週年的時候，神帶領我於年初，加入這個屬靈的大家庭，為此感到十分感恩。就任主任牧師一職以來，一直感到是神帶領自己來到這裡。雖然我曾經分享過，在2022年初，神藉著才幹（或他連得）的比喻（太25:14-30），向我發出挑戰，要我以信心去回應神的呼召；但在回顧自己牧會的生涯時，卻看見神滿有帶領，和祂一早已有預備。

2008年，當我還在柏斯生活及牧會時，我有機會代表澳宣華聯（ACACC），帶領澳洲華人宣道會的弟兄姊妹，到中國的四川省和雲南省作訪宣體驗；在那次訪宣中，我認識了一些北宣的肢體，藉此也感受到北宣對宣教的熱忱。2009年，神透過澳宣華聯的同工之邀請，讓我有機會拜訪雪梨一些華人宣道會；在那次的探訪，我有幸來到北宣的主日崇拜中證道，那是我事奉以來，第一次要在主日講三場道。這讓我看見北宣事工之興旺。其後，當自己在2009-2014年被選加入總會的董事會事奉時，這使我了解到北宣經歷過一些嚴峻的挑戰。再在2015年，神也讓當時北宣的牧者，兩次邀請我於早上的英語崇拜來講道。回望過去，那些經歷和安排原來早已加深我對北宣的認識，讓我對這個屬靈的家更有歸屬感。

來到北宣的初期，自己是戰戰兢兢的。畢竟，從來未擔任過主任牧師之職，對如何符合這事奉崗位的要求，自己不敢輕率，只能抱著膽大、心細的態度。一方面，靠著神來勇敢地作決定和帶領；另一方面，學習耐心地揣摩不同堂會和事工的互動，並細心地了解弟兄姊妹們的需要。另外，到北宣事奉使自己感掛心的，是太太和女兒們的適應。但真的感謝主，太太對我們一家「回歸」宣道會（我們一直以柏斯的宣道會為家）的決定感到高興，並頗能投入這裡的教會生活；而女兒們也相繼投入於英語的大學團契，及青少年團契的相交生活。

最後，雖然我們不知道，將來有甚麼挑戰，但我們深信主必會帶領及有所預備，我們只管仰望祂，並時常確認自己在主裡面寶貴的身份。盼以約翰一書當中的一節，與大家彼此勉勵，「親愛的弟兄阿，我們現在是神的兒女，將來如何，還未顯明；但我們知道，主若顯現，我們必要像他、因為必得見他的真體。」（約一3:2）