林主榮(愛正)
I want to first thank our Lord Jesus for His infinite wisdom not only in all that He does in people’s lives but all that He does in the ministries that are entrusted to us as pastors and lay leaders. This is certainly true in our TCCC children fellowship ministry.
In 1990, our church children ministry department started the Pioneer Club Ministry. It is a ministry with duel objectives. First of all, it is to make available a regular program for the children to build Christ-like relationships amongst their peers. Secondly, it is to use the curriculum and programming to invite non-church families with children to attend (outreach).
During the 12 years of this type of fellowship ministry with children, it has been met with not only great support from the church family and church leadership but it also been blessed with many rewards with unchurched kids coming to know Christ; older kids taking the role of leadership; and many parents lending their time and effort to help out.
身為父母、教師和兒童工作者,實在需要重估對現代兒童及青少年的管教方法。從前慣用的管教方式,不一定適用於現代社會。時移物易,孩子們要面對不同的權力形象和管教模式,一點也不容易;故此,一個有效而符合現代社會的管教模式實在重要:有良好的品格、倫理觀念、正直無偽、具影響力、分辨是非,甚至渴慕屬靈的事,都是培養青年人建立個性的重要部份。
聖經中的管教
怎樣才算是管教?有人認為懲罰是管教,有人瞭解那是連串的守則和規矩;另外有人覺得那是父母解除憂慮的途徑,而還有一些人說那是一種愛的表達。在界定何謂管教後,我們還需處理管教的性質是甚麼?管教能否做到改正、教導或學習順服的果效?管教是否就是管轄?許多人因著過往的經歷,對管教有不愉快的感受,這些對管教的負面觀念,實在需要從的話語中得以修正:
「我兒,你不可輕看耶和華的管教,也不可厭煩他的責備,因為耶和華所愛的,他必責備,正如父親責備所喜愛的兒子。」(箴3:11-12)
(來了華基教會25年)
1975年,我第一次認識華基教會的高雲漢牧師,他當時是一個少年退修會的專題講座講員,他既幽默、又富感染力的講道風格給我留下深刻印象。我23歲時,高牧師在主日講道中分享自己的生命見證,激勵我也立志委身事奉神。在我29歲那年,一天高牧師邀我外出午飯,透過他睿智的教誨和引領,我踏上神學裝備和全職事奉神的路。
回想我在愛正堂的事奉,最起初擔任兒童事工的實習傳道可算是一個重要的里程碑。高牧師給我清楚的指示:兒童事工我有完全的自主權,不過要與執事同工配搭,不可以單顧孩子的事,也要關顧他們的家庭;更要持守《聖經》原則,絕不妥協!
記得我被安排第一次在大堂講道(粵語傳譯)前一週,在教牧同工的會議上,高牧師問我講道準備得怎樣,我心想自己只是一名小傳道,顫抖輕聲地說:「我盡力而為。」坐在會議桌最前端的高牧師立時從文件堆中抬起頭來,用那雙又圓又大、炯炯有神的眼睛直瞪著我說:「你可以做得更好!」我精神為之一振,自此學會不論角色是否卑微,做事都要全力以赴。