becoming

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

各位同道，互勉之。

 

The popular Bible teacher and chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary Chuck Swindoll lists what he’s learned about leadership.

10 Things I Have Learned During Nearly 50 Years in Leadership

1. It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.
2. It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually he uses leaders who have been crushed.
3. It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in Seminary.
4. It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real.
5. It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.
6. Brokenness and failure are necessary.
7. Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.
8. Integrity eclipse image. Today we highlight image. But it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes.
9. God’s way is better than my way.
10. Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility.

And five statements worth remembering during your next 50 years of leadership:

1. Whatever you do, do more with others and less alone.
2. Whenever you do it, emphasize quality not quantity.
3. Wherever you go, do it the same as if you were among those who know you best.
4. Whoever may respond, keep a level head.
5. However long you lead, keep on dripping with gratitude and grace.

[link: out of ur]

當我們在鼓勵信徒過missional living 之時，各位同工有沒有一種頗為吊詭的經驗：怎樣去推廣一種強調不用推廣；生活能自然流露一些絕不自然的生活方式與態度？

「感染」，是我唯一想到的出路。

你呢？

一個週中的早上，一位穿得不太光鮮的男子，在教會的門外按鈴。

「你找誰？」教會的幹事問。
「你們的牧者在嗎？」

幹事不認識對方，於是便叫了牧者來。

「有甚麼是我們可以幫助你？」
「我要怎樣才可以在教會做傳道？」那男子衝口就問。

牧者覺得奇怪，於是說；「你信了耶穌沒有呢？」
「…」

牧者略略說到信耶穌、參加教會、讀神學，實習、得教會認同等等的事情。說了大半天，牧者才問那位男仕：
「你為何希望在教會做傳道？」
「我覺得這樣的工作很安定…」

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

很安定、唔駛憂、唔駛做、唔會炒
其實對不少人來說，又可止這樣？

傳道人冇嘢做，行行企企。最多一個星期出來一次，走上台，講幾句，就收人工，幾爽？！

這確是很多人的心態。

曾經有親戚的未信主家人問我：「你一至五的正職是甚麼？」

即是說：牧者，又怎可能是份正職？

我不知怎樣回答。因為他們早已認定了：做牧師的，是業餘的時間，正職的收入。若這也可以是正職，那將會是對他們每天勞心勞力地工作的一種侮辱。

「我要怎樣才可以在教會做傳道？」

可以是羨慕，也可以是一種變相的抗議。

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

或者，你以為我在「剷人」；想為同行抱不平。
或者是，或者不是。

但我更想說的是，
這確是很多人的心態。

這確是
教會外，
教會內，
甚至身為牧者傳道的

心態。

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

同工們，要自圓其說自己怎樣忠心事奉、怎樣「不是我選的」，不難。
要用打卡、寫time sheet來確定你的牧者未敢偷懶，不難。
要知道「怎樣才可以在教會做傳道」的答案，甚至做到有人聘請你，也不難。

今天的牧者，尤如在這樣的時勢，去當一個Ford的推銷員。

我只盼望，
明日的同道，
少一份「我要」，
少一份「多數人的心態」，

就好了。