簡介 (21)
吳克定
* 問:華基教會為甚麼不屬於一個宗派?
答:高雲漢牧師受香港中華傳道會差遣,1975年在加拿大多倫多開荒植堂時,已定下華基教會是不分宗派,服侍當地社區需要的福音教會,所以每間華基教會的英文名字都有community church(社區教會)。早年華基教會的信徒來自中、港、台或東南亞不同地方,各有不同的宗派背景,如長老會、循理會、禮賢會、浸信會、宣道會等等。華基教會是獨立的堂會,不隸屬任何宗派,卻容納不同宗派的信徒,大家不分彼此,
1975年1月,高雲漢牧師(Rev. Dr. John Kao)奉中華傳道會差派,在加拿大多倫多(Toronto, Canada)開始第一間「華人基督教會」,簡稱「華基教會」。由這個根據地作起點,經過多年來許多人不懈的努力和耕耘,上主的眷顧和保守,華基教會不斷增長,植堂建堂,現在已有十三間教會,遍佈多倫多幾個主要地區及近郊城巿,有超過八十名牧師、傳道在各教會服侍。多間教會每星期共有八千多人分別參加普通話、粵語或英語的崇拜聚會。其中六間教會擁有自己的教堂,其餘六間則每週租用學校或社區中心作聚會地點。(詳情請點擊下列圖片)
華人基督傳道聯會」,簡稱「華基聯會」,於1988年正式註冊為加拿大法定團體,各華基教會均屬於華基聯會;從此行政架構和組織更為完備,各堂會關係也更密切。華基聯會聯繫所有華基教會積極合作,匯集資源,同心擴展神的國度,聖工有效地不斷發展。這許多年來,華基聯會帶領眾教會推廣宣教異象,同心努力本地植堂,興建堂址,完成神的大使命。
「華基聯會」和「華基教會」在創會牧師和眾同工帶領下,有獨特而清晰的五個異象與使命,幾十年來一直在各教會貫徹實行,是聯會發展的重點和精神所在。
一. 一個相愛合一的群體(可12:30-31; 約13:34-35; 約17:20-23)
二. 一個培訓門徒的群體(太28:18-20; 西1:28; 提後2:2)
三.一個增長植堂的群體(徒2:41-47; 徒9:31; 徒16:4-5)
四.一個普世差傳的群體(太28:18-20; 路24:46-48; 徒1:8)
五.一個關懷社區的群體(太5:13-16; 太9:35-38; 太25:34-40)
* 欲知更多詳情,請參閱華基聯會網頁「簡介.異象」篇www.acem.ca
Our Vision
1. Unity and Love
2. Discipleship Training
3. Church Planting
4. World Missions
5. Social Concern
1. Unity and Love (Mk 12:30-31; Jn 13:34-35, 17:20-23)
God has His divine purpose in choosing the ACEM family to be a united and loving community. In the past 35 years, God has blessed the ACEM family with a good name. Our cooperative spirit and our love for one another are gifts of the Holy Spirit, bearing good witness for Christ in the global Christian community. We thank the Lord that the ACEM churches have been focusing on cell group ministry, where believers practice unity, caring, spiritual maturity and gospel outreach. We have to improve in the cell group ministry so that our people may become a family of love and unity. “From whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” (Eph. 3:15)
2. Discipleship Training (Mt 28:18-20; Col 1:28; 2Tim 2:2)
The pastors of several ACEM churches were once youthful students, worshipping the Lord in the early ACEM days. It was through God’s grace that they accepted His calling, underwent pastoral training and internship, and became ordained. Over time these pastors matured to become God’s useful instruments and leaders of the ACEM churches. Also, many seminary graduates in recent years have fulfilled their pastoral internship in ACEM churches while additional pastors who share ACEM’s vision have been recruited to join ACEM. As training becomes a part of the ACEM culture, many deacons in ACEM churches have sought discipleship training and have become even more effective leaders in their church.
3. Church Planting (Ac 2:41-47, 9:31, 16:4-5)
Our Lord Jesus Christ placed the burden of church planting into the hearts of the leaders of the ACEM churches. Since 1975, we have planted several churches. We sent our best people to establish churches in different communities. Nevertheless, these leaders still worked diligently and committed themselves to the work of evangelism. They earnestly desired to carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. The successful building of member churches and the corresponding growth in church membership are the fruits of these motivated Christians. Without the labour of church planters and evangelists before us, you and I may not have had the opportunity of being saved by Christ, receiving discipleship training and serving in the ACEM family!
4. World Missions (Mt 5:13-16, 9:35-38, 25:34-40)
Since 1975, ACEM churches have actively participated in world missions. Some of us might recall that in 1975, TCCC allocated over $1,000 from our annual offering of about $7,000 to a missions fund. Our resources might have been limited, but our church leaders have always directed much of our resources towards world missions. In so doing, they have truly taken to heart Christ’s command, “To give is better than to receive.” Should we not celebrate for the united hearts and joint efforts in our missions endeavours?
5. Social Concern (Mt 5:13-16, 9:35-38, 25:34-40)
We praise the Lord that the word “Community” is part of our name. We want to serve our neighbours and prepare to be the “light” and “salt” for Christ, being good witnesses for Him in our local communities. Firstly, ACEM plants churches in different communities to witness for Christ. Furthermore, we care about our neighbours and try to meet their needs. We have opened a daycare centre for children and gyms for youths. We have organized activities for different age groups and the seniors. We have also held talks and seminars for families and collected donations for the poor. Even today, we continue to work hard to provide more social services for those around us.
華基聯會相愛合一 . 培訓門徒 . 增長植堂 . 普世差傳 . 社區關懷地址: 2750 14th Ave., Suite G-05, Markham,
|
華基大事記