這次我們一班兒童服事者,再次訪問台灣。今年我們一行21位大小神人訪問台南巿召會,與當地的兒童服事者交通,並請教他們在兒童服事上的心得和學習。在四天的探訪裡,我們並沒有許多外面郊遊的活動,卻安排了不少與兒童服事者的交流和交通。我們也看見服事者忠心和殷勤的服事,實在滿心感謝神,並在與他們的交通中,滿得屬靈的供應和餵養。
藉著是次的訪問,我們對兒童的服事更有負擔和目標。職事的話指出,我們的眼睛要被開啓,認識兒童工作是大的福音。弟兄們強調兒童工作的負擔就是要大量的撒種,拯救外邦的孩子。如果在兒童身上作工,兒童大都能得救。他們得救之後,就成為少年的弟兄姊妹,成為中學和大學校園裡福音的種子,並將來成為召會的柱子。
此外,我們也更深的領會到,兒童也是為著社區的工作。要達到這目的,兒童的服事必需要社區的聖徒一同來配搭,社區力量一同來扶持。社區聖徒一面參與兒童排的服事,有送點心的、有陪談、有幫忙抱小孩的等等;另一面社區聖徒也起來接觸兒童的家長,使福音臨到兒童的家。這樣兒童的福音最終就成為社區的福音。社區的的人數也藉此得以擴增,見證得以加強。在這次『臺灣台南召會兒童家長暨服事者事奉相調成全聚會』中,有兩個組別,一是家中牧養;二是兒童福饗筵及送會到家。說到送會到家,先在自己家中有小聚會,再把福音送出去。兒童聚會的兩大目的,一是培養兒童品格,成為—個正確的人,二是建立親子關係,帶進和樂家庭。
願主祝福香港召會,在兒童服事這一環上,更新我們的負擔和禱告,帶領我們跨越新的里程。
今年我是第二次同著弟兄姊妹去訪問,因為覺得自己在過去的一年中關於兒童服事方面的看見和負擔實在需要再被加強,所以一直盼望著相調快點到來。之前弟兄們一直強調的一件事,在這次的相調中又再次被印證。服事不是在於方法和技巧,而是在於服事者這個人。服事者是用自己的構成去服事人,去供應生命,讓生命而不是道理來吞滅一切的死亡。最屬靈的聖徒也是最有人性顧惜的人,在吃了三個早上的臺灣早餐之後那個要離開台南的早晨,長老王弟兄夫婦親自帶我們去麥當勞吃早餐,跟我們介紹台南的經濟和地貌,然後帶我們去超市買水果和手信帶回香港。這就是新約的祭司!不僅要治理召會並盡話語的職事,也要像導遊一樣照顧來訪的聖徒!看到台南的聖徒那麼喜樂的服事兒童、服事青職,這樣生命的流露也實在供應我。來時裡面還有一些情形,但藉著弟兄姊妹這樣生命的湧流,我就被厚厚地包裹而得了醫治。同行的香港聖徒之間也有更多敞開的交通,主也是很奇妙,誰是最合適的室友也安排的叫人讚歎,連房間內洗手間牆上掛著的字畫,居然也是說到我的裡面去。阿們,我這次要聽主的命令,不再與主摔跤,好叫祂在我的身上顯出一個神蹟,也叫祂在我們這個家裡有路。(港島西區—陳姊妹)
活!活的人,乃是活祭。我們的神是又真又活的,我們的人是活的,我們的事奉才能是活的,獻上肢體,當作活祭。台南召會眾肢體在兒童福音和兒童成全上的擺上並活出,成為活祭,活的事奉,活出基督。這是我隨香港召會三月台南相調之旅中最深的感觸。主在這裡,主在弟兄姊妹們身上是活的,眼見,心感,靈受激勵。小小的兒童聚會,台南召會卻是全區的擺上和服事,除了媽媽們,從年長的師母,到青職,到大專,還有爸爸們,長老們,弟兄們,都來了。福饗筵中,全區動員,一起配搭,把接觸到的家,無論小孩、媽媽、還是爸爸們,都邀請到福饗筵,藉著人性的顧惜,親子同樂的時間將福音分享出去,得著一個一個的家。正如姊妹分享的,在台南傳兒童福音,滿滿都是主的祝福和帶領,一條生命的活路,喜樂而感恩。『所以弟兄們,我藉著神的憐恤勸你們,將身體獻上,當作聖別並討神喜悅的活祭,這是你們合理的事奉。』羅十二章1節 (港島西區—黃姊妹)
以往幾年常聽見香港有服事兒童的弟兄姊妹們出訪台灣,每次都有豐富的享受和收穫,十分羨慕。感謝主,今年我終於能和大家一起外出相調,過程十分享受、滿有得著。首先非常感謝台南弟兄姊妹們在愛中的服事和接待,在他們身上我看見一群愛主、愛教會、以教會為家、殷勤擺上服事的弟兄姊妹,這些都是美好的榜樣激勵我們努力往前。
從前我有個感覺,因著台灣眾召會比香港更早開始兒童工作,總是覺得要去取經,期望把一個行之有效的方法複製過來。但在交談中,我發現兒童服事的材料和方式並非一成不變的,要按照當地孩子們的需要,靈活地取材安排,供應他們,使他們能夠享受聚會,也有屬靈的得着。這需要在服事範圍內的聖徒付代價一起禱告、交通、研究,同心合意服事就能有出路。因為服事重要的不是方法,乃是人。
我也看見兒童真是一個大的福音,無論是兒童排、家長愛筵、公園福音、兒童主日聚會,都可以是福音的管道。兒童的心是單純的,他們渴望認識主,要趁這黃金時段讓他們到主這裡來。但不可單傳福音給兒童,要看望並找機會傳福音給他們的父母,得著整個家。兒童是社區的一部份,兒童工作目的不僅是建立孩子們的性格,為主預備器皿;也是福音的出路,為主得著家庭,成就主給我們的托付。(元朗區—鄧姊妹)
感謝讚美主!每一次的訪問,都能得著基督身體的豐富供應。台南巿召會的兒童服事,在福音上得著主的祝福,主要有以下幾點:
一,公園福音。因為有不少的媽媽帶孩子到公園裡玩,弟兄姊妹們就帶著詩歌海報到公園裡傳兒童福音。小孩子們看到有詩歌、有故事、有遊戲、有點心、有小禮物等,都很喜歡來。而媽媽們看到正面的教導,也放心讓自己的孩子參加。藉此,弟兄姊妹接觸了不少家長,慢慢的把福音傳了給她們,並把她們帶進召會生活中。
二、兒童福饗筵。由於在公園福音、幼幼排及兒童排所接觸到的都是媽媽,所以弟兄姊妹們就開始有兒童福饗筵。目的是藉著福音愛筵,邀請孩子們的爸爸來。藉著接觸爸爸們,把福音帶進一個一個的家。
三,兒童福音主日。由於台灣最近有同性婚姻合法化的問題,對父母及孩子們造成很大的衝擊,弟兄姊妹就藉著在主日的兒童聚會作生命教育,吸引了不少福音家庭進來,藉此也能得著一些家庭。
這次我個人最大的得著,就是看到服事的弟兄姊妹們,一直在主面前尋求仰望,為要在福音及服事上有進步,也看到聖徒們,滿有基督人性的服事。求主繼續祝福香港召會的兒童工作,興起更多的弟兄姊妹配搭服事,願祂能夠得著一個又一個愛祂、事奉祂的家。(觀塘區—蘇弟兄)
我們每年付代價去台灣訪問,主要並不重在學懂甚麼方法,乃重在與聖徒之間的禱告和相調交通,而當地弟兄姊妹們鮮活的見證也實在激勵我們。每一次的去,主都開我們的眼界,帶領我們往前,在兒童工作這一環上一直更新我們的異象,更新我們的奉獻,把所看見的所學習的,都放在禱告中,我們相信禱告開百路。
今次成全聚會的負擔有兩點很重要,第一點是召會的未來取決於父母。兒童模仿能力很強,父母做甚麼孩子就做甚麼,父母要為兒女聖別自己。父母必須是與神同行的人,帶領兒女到主面前去,鼓勵他們愛主。也要常常為兒女禱告,『主啊,我的兒女要愛祢,愛召會!』第二點是父母要幫助孩子建立正確的人性,召會的教導要落實在生活中,最基本的例如要孝敬父母,照顧兄弟姐妹,尊敬鄰居、不要偷竊等。基督徒父母管教孩子,必須把律法傳給他們。我們不該先把恩典傳給孩子,我們若根據律法來給他們規矩,律法會為著基督監護他們。
負責兒童服事專項的弟兄們抓住職事的話,交通到兒童是大的福音,要大量得兒童,有量才有質。兒童聚會的重點是要幫助兒童建立正確的人性,基督的人性生活就是最好的榜樣。為著完成神永遠的經綸,要培育他們成為正確的人,作盛裝並彰顯神的尊貴器皿。
求主吸引更多的父母和服事者明年和我們一同出去,一同得著成全和加力,照著神聖的經綸來牧養兒女,在這個邪惡沉淪的世代,父母要率先起來,為兒女禱告,作兒女們的榜樣,在家中牧養兒女,把神托給我們的產業分別為聖歸給神,為主預備貴重的器皿。(港島西區—麥姊妹)
I signed up for this trip in a heartbeat because of the good reports I heard from the saints who went in the last two years. But as the date drew near, I became a bit weary of the thought of traveling as we just recently came back from a family trip to China and our whole family, including the kids, all got sick and quite exhausted. But the Lord's grace proved to be sufficient again!
Under the care of the saints, it really didn't feel exhausting bringing two babies with us on the trip. And my concern that I'd be just going to babysit and not really be able to receive much from the fellowship was also proven to be incorrect. I think the Lord really knows how to speak to us. Yes, a lot of times I had to take care of the kids and was often in and out of the meetings, but somehow every moment when my ear was within the hearing range, the Lord was able to dispense something into me.
The first light came on Saturday morning -- Parents ought to sanctify themselves for the sake of their children.
This line came as a piercing knife. It was just what I needed to hear. For a while now before this trip, I had been addicted to playing silly phone games for entertainment. I wanted to quit many times, but whenever I had free time, i just wanted to open up the app again even though I knew it was a waste of time. But when the brother said, we ought to sanctify ourselves for the sake of our children. somehow this time, it made sense. Do I want my children to be just like me? Addicted to games? Do I want them to waste time like that? Our children will grow up to be just like us in many ways. You may say, I want my child to love studying, to have the best marks in school. But do you even have the best marks in school? Do you even like studying? You want them to grow up loving the Lord? But how much do you love the Lord? I appreciated seeing in Genesis that Enoch walked with God after he bore his first child, Methuselah (Gen 5:21-22). I always knew that Enoch was the first man raptured because he walked with God. But I didn't realize that the Bible specifically says Enoch began walking with God after he bore his first child. Enoch must've realized he needed to sanctify himself for the sake of his children. Oh Lord, don't let me forget this.
The second matter came up repeatedly throughout the weekend - We need to spend time with our children.
Before they're the age of 3, they're already learning the core things they need to learn for life. Before the age of 7, they're learning the living habits of life. And when the kids are young, it's not so much about the quality of time that you spend with them, but about the quantity of time. There are no other ways or shortcuts. They need you and they need your time. If you can spend enough time with them when they're young, then when the kids get older, you will become their friends. They will talk to you. If you don't take the time with them when they're young, then when they get older, when you want to spend time with them, it'd be too late. Once they get to school, they listen to their teachers first. And then once they become a teenager, their friends come first, and then their teacher, and then maybe you. And if you didn't spend enough time with them when they were young, then once they get to those teenage years, you might need to borrow an uncle or an aunt to help with parenting them. You're no longer their first choice, not the second, and maybe not even the third. Checking back to my own experience I'd say it was very true for me with my own parents. But how I envied my friends who were able to communicate with their parents like they were friends. Children are God's inheritance given to us. TO US! Not to teachers, not to friends, not to uncles or aunts, but to us. If they cannot communicate with us when they need guidance, how can we say that we have taken care of God's inheritance?!
The third light shined when a serving sister gave her testimony about serving the Lord.
She serves full time in the children's work. And she was sent to a district that had no children. The only children there were, were her own three kids. Everyone else were in the middle aged and older range. And since it was a new district, it was not so easy for her to find a companion to coordinate with. But the Lord's word to her was that “I'm with you.” She then went to a park to find children to have children's meeting. But once she got to the park, there was not a single child in sight. Not even one! She was discouraged but she held on to the Lord's word. She said, "Lord, you told me, You will be with me. Testify for Your own words! Prove Yourself Lord. ". And after she prayed, children came one by one. There were a total of 23 children who came that day to the park. Praise the Lord. His word never fails! --- Her testimony reminded me that the Lord never makes mistakes. Do not look at the environment. Children's work is a big gospel work. The Lord said, let the children come to Me.. this means, the children want to come to the Lord. Why does He say, "let"? It's because often, we're not letting. We're the ones hindering the children with our opinions and unbelief. Often times, when I'm at the park, I don't want to say too much about the Lord to the other kids because I fear that they or their parents may not accept it. Our not speaking is our not letting. Our disbelief is our not letting.
Don't be one of the disbelieving spies, be Joshua and Caleb.
As I was sitting in on the fellowships of the children's work and seeing how many full timers and the many willingly serving saints, I was encouraged and discouraged at the same time. Encouraged because praise the Lord, such awesome coordination can take place in the Body! Discouraged, because I thought about my own district and wondered who I'd be able to coordinate with, where are the willingly serving saints? I was looking at the giants, not at the Lord's word. Do not look at the environment, do not believe in the environment. These things can be changed. Believe in prayers, believe in God's speaking.
And then I was touched that what the Lord cares about is not really the method, but it's about the person.
How come Tainan can have such a flourishing children's work, young people work and even young working saints' work? The serving ones, their person.
The brothers shared with us how they used to serve the children and then when they looked at the results ,they realized it wasn't working. So they prayed and seeked the Lord and went back to the ministry to seek help. And the Lord shined on them about their ways of serving. So they changed some things. And then they kept going back to the Lord, kept seeking from the ministry and the help from the Body, they changed their serving ways many times. They were not set in their ways. They were flexible, living. Most importantly, they were persistent. These “serving ones” are not just full timers, they're busy moms, they 're working saints, burdened saints. How much have I, as a so called 'serving one" really given time to the ones I'm serving? I repent for being unfaithful.
Lastly, we need to bring the Lord into our living. Nothing's too small to bring to the Lord. Don't think that the kids will just get better over time, pray about it!
(HKE Sister Chiu)