第四课的分享: 一个回乡退休传道人的事奉请求和感叹 
论坛和案例研究题目: 一个回乡退休传道人的事奉请求和感叹 (Case Study Topic: A request to serve and laments from a retired pastor in his hometown) • PRE-WARNING TO READER:
This forum and case study presentation are extracted with permission from the brother and retired pastor in question. It was related to a real situation and happened in a local and contemporary church. Pastors and elders in questions, actors’ names of the brothers and sisters, and church have been withheld. Write up contents in this forum are for case study and spiritual sharing, and case discussion among faith searchers only. Circulation or other uses of the material are prohibited and copyright with permission is enforced by the writer. This situation and case are not new to Christians community and Church History, even Jesus Christ (A Prophet without Honour: Matthew 13: 54-58) and Apostle Paul (Paul’s First Visit to Jerusalem: Acts 9: 26-30) ran into and had been through similar obstacles and predicaments in their lifetime of ministry and missionary.
• PRAYERS AND FORGIVENESS REQUESTED:
Through Chinese Eyes - tradition and theological (faith) interpretation, each brother and sister in Christ may read it and feel or see it differently. Prayers are encouraged and forgiveness is requested.
• REJECTED REQUEST FROM THE RETIRED BROTHER AND FORMER PASTOR:
“…As you may aware that it has been nearly four years since I left my home, my friends, and my church (Genesis 12:1). I answered God’s Call and served in His Mission with the Chinese Ministry at the (church name withheld) in Red Deer since April, 2007. In September, 2010, God leaded me away again to complete my ministry professional degree in the disciplines of Leadership and Ministry. This MA Degree shall be conferred on April 28, 2011 at the Ambrose University College and Seminary, Calgary, Alberta.
Accordingly, when allowing His spirit to guide me, I am returning and will be back at home with my family, my wife, and home church. At this time, I am requesting about the possibility to serve in His ministry on a volunteering capacity and lay-pastoral status or position (without compensation) with our church at the (Church Name Withheld), which is in the move, expansion
and relocation anticipated in the near future.
I am committed shepherd servant to His Kingdom and willingly to serve to the glory for His name (Colossians 3:23-24). Mandarin is my speaking language, beside English and Cantonese. You will find my service useful to the contributions to our church growth with our membership outreach and cares programs to the community and neighbourhoods surrounding us (Corinthians 9: 20-22). This is reflected in our core values, such as: Worship and Prayer, Biblical Teaching and Education, Fellowship and Discipleship, Unity and Member Cares, and Outreach and Mission. You may also find me especially helpful to China Mission when he can work alongside with the Mandarin Congregation and their pastor, and their congregational committee; or in any capacity as our Church may see it fit.
Thank you for your consideration. I can be reached by email, or after April 19, 2011 home at (telephone number withheld)…”
• CONSULTED WITH MANDARIN CONGREGATION’S WISE AND ELDERS:
“…It is heartening to know that you have the fervent desire to serve the Lord during your retirement. You have made a great effort in equipping yourself for the church ministry by completing a master degree in leadership and ministry at Ambrose University. Now you feel that nobody really cares to offer you a position (Remark: requesting a serving and participating opportunity only, not necessary a position) at the church, and you are very discouraged.
I understand how you feel, however I do not think that I am in a position to talk to (Mandarin Pastor - name withheld) for you because you are a mature Christian. It is better for you yourself to have a heart to heart talk with (the Mandarin Pastor - Name withheld) and the current elected Elders for Mandarin Ministry. (Remark: The brother in question went to see the Mandarin Pastor in person for three occasions, over 2011, 2012, and 2013. The replies were same that pastor was not the only one who could make the offer to invite participation and serving with them in the Body of Christ – church. )
If you put aside your education, your title as a pastor there are lot of areas you can serve in the Mandarin Ministry, like Sunday school, Bible study, youth ministry, family ministry, small group, caring ministry. Pray to the Lord with humility for opening up opportunity in the present church setting . Ask God to open your eyes to see where you can contribute for building up the church. Participate in Sunday School, Bible study (family or small group), and picking up and rides to other. Soon people will recognize your gift. Since you are interested in leading Mandarin speaking immigrants to Christ, you can share the gospel with them or lead an evangelistic Bible study with them. You can share your burden with the elders and Mandarin Pastor (name withheld) for their support or approval. (Remarks: The brother in question had tried very hard to feed in to the groups and fellowships and outings from time to time over the period from April, 2011 to March, 2013, along with his wife. The outcomes and distant in relationship were obvious and undesirable. No invitation was ever received, or bear a “His Witness and Testimony” once during the Mandarin Sunday Worship Service , excepting the Old Age Groups – Names withheld. However, engagements were cancelled, i.e. twice without even a courtesy phone call or email to inform him of the cancellation in fellowship sharing).
A lot of time when we think we are well equipped and good enough to serve the Lord, the Lord may not even be able to use us. Like Moses in the Bible, He is young ,strong, educated , trained to be a prince and, longing to save his own people, the Lord humorously sent him to look after a herd of sheep for 40 years. I do believe as long as we are still living. (Remark: Moses was already on his way in the mission and God's plan. It couldn't be possible to give another chance to see this brother in question to serve or participate in serving for 40 years.)
God has a plan for us. As to where, when , how , why, we have to wait upon the Lord patiently with humility to find out . Now (your wife – name withheld) is going to retire too, I think your decision should take her into consideration also. She is God given partner and helper to you. Every Christian should serve the Lord but being a pastor in a church the situation is different. 1) you have to know that it is God's will, without any personal preference. No matter when or where, to be or not to be, you are willing to obey. 2) There should be confirmation from God's Word in your daily devotion. 3) Next, take into account providential circumstances. These plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit. 4) Ask God in prayer to reveal His will aright. 5) Thus through prayer to God, the study of the Word and reflection, You may come to a deliberate judgement according to the best of your knowledge. (Remarks granted and he remains waiting and silent).
These are just some of my opinions. May the Lord guide you in serving Him. Emmanuel…” (Remarks: Acknowledgement and appreciation were given to this spiritual advisor and prayers in general were requested. Another spiritual leader reminded him of the fact that even this brother in question should quit, Mandarin Congregation and church will still go on without him. This brother chooses to stay (in normal case, he should quit with his family. Please read instruction otherwise directly from Jesus in Mark 6: 11) and enjoy his re-union and retirement with his wife at home and with his home church. God has since used this brother in question to other areas of ministry and services in His local Kingdom – other churches. For examples: Preaching in some other selective local Chinese churches from time to time, and working as student advisor and instructor in a Business Leadership MA Program to a Christian University.)
• THE FINAL APPEAL AND CONCLUSION:
“…My home church, especially with Mandarin's shepherd including church administration team might seem to reject me over the years (over 2 1/4 years) of all service participation and serve God in his Kingdom (my home church) as a volunteer and brother. As a result, a family split between my spouse and me has incurred UNINTENTIONALLY into attending two separate congregational services in my home church since April, 2013.
My spouse is attending and committing to Mandarin Congregation under the care of pastor (name withheld) as she has less understanding of Cantonese, and me for the time feeling more comfortable and accepted with Cantonese in the care of pastor (name withheld).
I have been returned home since April, 2011 (fully equipped), and retired in my home church as silent brother with totally no invitation or participation (I choose not to leave my home church, and forget and forgive the situation), carrying the same predicaments in my mind with a broken heart like Jesus running into in his home town and Paul with Jerusalem central church. No one seems to understand this lesson or stop the “loop” which seems to affect one's mind and personal health.
I talk to all the pastors in the church and former and last Chair of the Elder Board (in writing) in the past and present, especially Mandarin Pastor three times over the years of 2011-2013, as I am a MANDARIN SPEAKING sheep and brother since 1997 in the church with special qualifications and ministry experience. The congregational and administration team seem to totally close the door on me, or label me as a too-old to-be-able to serve God and help the church ministry on a volunteering and willing brother, let alone of his special qualifications and ministry experience.
I don't even give a chance (not even once after several times of constant request) to share my personal testimony as a return brother from the special and local church mission to serving ministry and revising the Chinese church (name withheld) from Red Deer.
I feel strongly that there is something wrong in our church culture and “loop” lingering in our body of Christ (church) when they can invite all other special speakers to witness for His Kingdom in my home church one after the other, but not a qualified and willing brother like me.
I am stopping here now and remain silent, but please help pray to break the “loop” and prolonging hurtful Chinese church culture. Please forgive me, if I offend of you and church…!!”
CASE AND FORUM INVITATION AND DISCUSSION: ![:)]](./images/smilies/100.gif "On the phone"){kind=small}
What would you feel and do with this “Loop” situation in the church as a church member, pastor, Elder, or administrator? “…The hurting church is not an occasional dilemma. More and more often we find people who have been hurt deeply within the family of God, leaving them worn and exhausted. More and more often we find leaders in conflict within the body of believers, robbed of the joy Jesus promised in Him. When we find this hurt hanging on to our own bruised soul, it can make us want to leave the church and sometimes even want to “back burner” our God who seems to have allowed it all.
Sadly, we have come to accept that this is the way church is. There is an epidemic of fractured believers out there and we have actually come to accept this as the norm. So we either stay away and let our hearts become cold … or we put on our Sunday best, call “forward march” and implement a new vision or program and hope the problems will just go away. The hurt in individual hearts and churches gets buried … until it gets bumped again…”
(Quoted from The Hurting Church: Why we get hurt and hurt others – by Power to Change at http://powertochange.com/experience/spi ... ingchurch/ ) 
【花开花落年复年， 仰赖主恩典】
【靠祂信祂必照顾， 认定信心路】 ....... （October, 2012 following 箴言 3： 5-6）
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你是為了接受主愛被揀選的人 歌词 你是为了接受主爱被拣选的人在你的生命中接受那丰盛的慈爱 (×2)
1. 创世之前, 开始的神那丰盛的慈爱借着我们的相遇, 结出了果子
在这世界上因着你宝贵的存在, 真是带给我们极大无比的喜乐
你是为了接受主爱被拣选的人现在仍然接受那丰盛的慈爱 (×2)
2.我感谢你因我从来不曾知道在你的眼里我是何等地宝贵
从太初直到如今创造宇宙万物的主是何等深切爱我的灵魂
也感谢你你让我感受到这伟大的爱主已安排你在我生命里
以主耶稣基督的爱更多来服事你我也愿向世界传扬神的爱
你是为了接受主爱来到这世上传扬这份爱
在主奇妙计画里把你栽种在这里期待你结出美丽的果子
你是为了接受主爱被检选的人现在仍然接受那丰盛的慈爱 (×2)
。。。祝大家有个愉快的星期一夜晚。。。 
