Manna issue 68 - Pass On the Mission 使命的傳承
Perpetuating the church’s great
commission.
延續教會的大使命
Derren Liang—Irvine, California, USA
美國加州爾灣 梁得仁傳道
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCCESSION 傳承的重要性
As the revived apostolic church, the
true church has her great commission
clearly set out by her Lord. First, she
is to love the souls of men, anxiously
preaching the gospel because she is
unwilling for any to perish. Second,
she is to love the Lord’s sheep,
tending them faithfully so that there
is true transformation in their lives.
身為復興的使徒教會，真明顯地，真教會有主所設定的偉大使命。
首先，她非常珍惜人們的靈魂，
焦急地傳福音，因為她不希望有任何人會死去。
第二，她很珍惜主的小羊，
忠心耿耿地照顧者他們，這樣他們在生活中，才會有真正的轉變。
The power and might of God
abides with us when we do His work
and fulfill His commission. However,
on our parts, we need three critical
conditions to be in place. First is
clarity of purpose—we must know
what we need to do. Second are
competencies—we have to equip
ourselves to do what needs to be
done. Third is continuity—we should
strive to ensure that God’s work will
perpetuate.
當我們從事聖工，完成使命的時候，
神的大能大力就會與我們同在。
然而我們也有自已要作的一部份工作，
我們需要有三個很重要的條件，同時齊備。
第一要很清楚目標 - 我們一定要知道，需要作什麼事。
第二要能勝任所交託的工作 - 我們一定要裝備自已，作好那些需要完成的事。
第三是一直持續不斷的工作 - 我們應該要努力確保，神的工作會延續下去。
John the Baptist is an excellent
example. He clearly understood his
mission—to pave the way for the
Lord Jesus. During his ministry, he
worked tirelessly for God. But once
he had done his part, he knew that
he ought to wind down his service:
“He must increase, I must decrease”
(Jn 3:30). Subsequently, we see a
seamless transition between John the
Baptist and the Lord Jesus.
施洗約翰就是一個很好的榜樣。
他們清楚明白自已的使命 - 要為主耶穌鋪路。
在他事奉的期間，他勤勞不倦地為神工作。
但一旦他完成自已那一部份的工作時，
他也知道應該要把自已的事奉，開始放慢下來。
30他必興旺，我必衰微。(約 3：30)
接下來，我們就看見施洗約翰和主耶穌之間，
聖工的無縫接軌的交接了。
Look around your church today.
Alarm bells ought to ring if we see
youths sitting around with nothing
to do whilst older members carry
out all the work. We need to entrust
specific tasks to the younger ones,
while we continue to do what they
cannot yet do. This is “passing the
baton.” The younger generation
must be concerned over the church,
step up to serve with their God-given
potential and be nurtured as they
serve. Once they have reached the
required maturity, they can serve as
council members, and subsequently
can be ordained as ministers in the
church.
看看你教會今日的情況。
若是我們看見年輕人坐在那裡，閒閒沒事情可以作，
而年長的信徒卻要肩負起所有教會的事工，
那聖工傳承的警鈴就應該要嚮起來了。
我們要託負特定的工作，給年輕的一代，
而我們繼續去進行那些他們還不能夠作的事情。
這才是"交棒"。
教會要好好考慮到如何安排年輕的這一代人，
讓他們走出來，用神給他們的潛能來服事，
也隨著他們有服事，可以得到造就。
一旦他們已經變得相當成熟的時候，
接下來，就可以把他們按立為長執負責人，在教會中服事。
Many large successful multinational
companies take succession planning
very seriously. They know that the
founder’s or first brilliant CEO’s efforts
will all be in vain if they cannot find
a good successor. Similarly, we must
place great emphasis on succession in
church. A church with a pool of wellequipped,
zealous and God-fearing
youths has a bright future.
很多成功的大型跨國企業，都很慎重地看待公司交棒的規劃。
他們知道，創始者或是第一個很聰明的執行長，
若他們不能找到好的繼承者，他們一切的努力終將白費。
同樣的道理，在教會裡，一定要大大的強調傳承的工作。
教會若有一群有良好裝備，又很熱心，又很敬畏神的年輕人，
這間教會的末來是很輝煌的。
PRECIOUS HEIRLOOMS 珍貴的傳家寶
Continuity is indeed an important
goal for the church. To achieve
this goal, the current generation of
leaders must identify the precious
heirlooms that they have to
safeguard, so that the mission of the
church can be passed on to the next
generation of leaders. What exactly
should we pass on to ensure that the
great commission continues to be
carried out? The Scriptures point to
the following:
要持續下去，真的是一件教會很重要的目標。
為了達成這個目標，目前這一代的領道人，
一定要認清什麼是他們要好好保護，且最珍貴的傳家寶，
這樣教會的使命才能傳承給下一代的領導者。
那麼，到底我們要傳承什麼東西，
來確保教會的偉大使命可以繼續執行下去呢？
聖經裡面提到了以下幾點：
Continuity of Life 生命的延續
An important part of life consists
of growing up, getting married and
establishing a family. But for God’s
people, there is more. The Bible
instructs us to be fruitful, multiply
and seek godly offspring in both the
physical as well as the spiritual sense,
which is to lead others to Christ
(cf. 1 Cor 4:14–15). These, and
especially the latter, are what make
our lives really meaningful and will
continuously bring new life into the
church.
生命很重要的一部份，就是由成長，婚姻和建立家庭所組合而成的。
對於神的子民而言，卻有更多的使命。
聖經指教我們，不論在物質或是屬靈方面，
要敬虔，生養眾多，並且有虔誠的後裔，
而這樣就能帶領別人到基督面前。
(參考，林前 4：14-15)
這些事情，特別是最後的事，
才是讓我們的生活真的有意義，
也才能把新的生命帶進教會來。
Continuity of the Faith 信仰的延續
In Exodus 3:6, God introduced
Himself to Moses as “the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob.” These were
generations, each with their distinct
relationships with God, but they
shared a common achievement—
they successfully bequeathed their
faith to the next generation.
出埃及記三章6節，神向摩西介紹祂自已，
"亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。"
我們看到有好幾代的人，每一代都有他們自已與神獨特的關係，
但是他們都有一種相同的成就 -
他們都很成功地把自已的信仰傳遞給下一代的人。
What is the most important bequest
that we can give our children? Good
physical health? A good education?
Or good faith? While the first two
are important, faith is clearly the most
indispensable, for God is our eternal
inheritance. The Israelites lacked
nothing in the wilderness, all because
God was with them. If we understand
that God is our inheritance, we will
not worry over any lack, even if our
lives are harsh. So we must focus on
ensuring that our God becomes the
God of our offspring. But how?
到底什麼是我們最重要的遺產，要傳給下一代呢？
身體很健康嗎？
受到良好的教育嗎？
或是良好的信仰呢？
雖然前面二件事都很重要，很明顯地只有信仰是最不可或缺的，
因為神才是我們永遠的保障。
以色列人在曠野沒有缺乏，一切都因為有神與他們同在。
若我們可以了解到，神是我們的保障，
我們就不會憂慮任何的缺乏，即是我們的生活目前是很艱辛的情況。
所以我們一定要把注意力集中在確保，
我們的神，能夠成為我們後代子孫的神。
但是到底要怎麼作才對呢？
If we want to ensure that our
faith is effectively bequeathed to
our children, we must place heavy
emphasis on Religious Education (RE)
at home. We must not regard RE as
the sole responsibility of the church,
blaming the church if our children
turn out to have poor faith. Church
RE classes are very important, but
it is only a supplement; it cannot
replace religious education at home.
Deuteronomy 6:4–9 reminds all
parents of their duty to secure their
children’s faith:
假如我們要確保，自已的信仰可以有效地傳承給自已的兒女，
就要在家裡，很強調宗教教育的實施。
一定不要把宗教教育當成是教會的主要責任，
若小孩子的信仰變差的時候，就不要抱怨教會有責任。
來教會上宗教教育是非常重要的，
但這只是一種補充的功用；
這個課程的功能並不足以取代在家中所實施宗教教育的功能。
申命記六章 4-9 節，提醒全部身為父母的，
他們有責任要好好持守自已兒女的信仰。
“Hear, O Israel. The LORD our
God…” (Deut 6:4)
4以色列阿，你要聽！耶和華─我們神是獨一的主。
(申 6：4)
We must first be very sure of our
own identity—“I am one of God’s
chosen people.” This is a precious
status that will not change with time.
Our lifestyle choices must then reflect
God’s will and Christ’s image.
我們一定要先確認，自已很清楚自已所擁有的身份 -
"我們是神的選民"。
這個寶貴的身份，並不會隨著時間的關係，而有所改變。
而我們生活方式的選擇，也一定要直接
投射出神在我們身上的旨意，顯出基督美好的形象。
“You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your
soul, and with all your strength.”
(Deut 6:5)
5你要盡心、盡性、盡力愛耶和華─你的神。
(申 6：5)
The most basic work of family
religious education is teaching by
example. In everything we do, do
it out of love for God. Then our
children will learn indirectly to give
God priority in everything.
家庭宗教教育最基本的工作，就是以言行為身教，來影響子女。
不論我們作任何事，會帶著愛神的心來作。
然後子女就能間接的學習，
無論在任何事上，都會把神的事當成最重要的事。
“…these words which I command
you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to
your children.” (Deut 6:6–9)
6我今日所吩咐你的話都要記在心上，
7也要殷勤教訓你的兒女。
(申 6：6-9)
We must diligently teach our
children the word of God.
我們一定要殷勒用神的話來教導自已的兒女。
If we have done all that is listed
in this passage and have constantly
prayed for our children, we shall be
able to bequest to our children this
legacy of faith through the guidance
of God. We must thus resolve to
create a unique environment of faith
and reverence at home so that our
children will have the opportunity to
grow up in the word of God.
若我們已經作了列在上面經節的一切事，
並且一直持續的為了兒女禱告，
我們應該就可以透過神的帶領，把這樣信仰的遺產傳承下去。
因此，我們一定要下定決心，在家中營造一個對信仰和崇拜有幫助的特殊環境，
這樣，我們的子女才會有機會，在神的話語之中成長。
Continuity of the Truth 真理的延續
The truth is the doctrine of salvation
that we teach. In his ministry, Paul
preached the gospel and, particularly
in the latter part of his life, defended
the truth. So today we must preach
Jesus to those who do not believe
in God, and for those who already
believe in God, we preach the truth
as captured in the True Jesus Church’s
ten articles of faith and five essential
doctrines.
真理就是我們教導，要讓人得救的教義。
在保羅的傳道工作之中，他傳揚福音，
特別是在他生命的後半段的時光，捍衛真理的純正。
所以今日，訝門也要向那些不信神的人，傳揚耶穌，
而那些已經信神的人，我們要傳真理，
就是真耶穌教會已經領受的十大信條和五大教義。
We must bequeath this Godinspired
truth that has been given to
us from the beginning. Hence, it is
crucial for us to have the correct view
of the True Jesus Church and to allow
the Holy Spirit to lead us, so we can
discern the truth. In order to leave a
legacy of unadulterated truth to the
next generation, we must cultivate
ourselves to hold fast the “pattern of
sound words which you have heard
from [the apostles], in faith and love
which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim
1:13).
我們一定要一開始，就把神給我們啟示的真理，傳承下去。
所以，對我們來說對真耶穌教會有正確的看法，
並且讓聖靈來帶領我們，這是很重要的，這樣我們才能分辨真理。
為了把這樣純正未受沾污真理的遺產，傳承給下一代
我們一定要靈修自已，可以持守下去，
13你從我聽的那純正話語的規模，要用在基督耶穌裡的信心和愛心，常常守著。
(提後 1：13)
Moreover, we need to learn
from Moses who took Joshua up
Mount Sinai to receive the Ten
Commandments (Ex 24:12–13).
To ascend the mountain means to
receive the word of God. This is a
requirement to become a person of
God. So when Moses died, Joshua
followed the path that Moses set. He
did not alter it.
而且，我們要學摩西，把約書亞帶上西奈山，去領受十誡。(出 24：12-13)
上山代表的是要領受神的話。
這也是一個要成為神工人所必需具備的基本工作。
所以當摩西死去的時候，約書亞可以遵守摩西事先已經設好的道路。
他並沒有加以改變。
Today, we are in the True Jesus
Church because we know the
doctrines of this church, and we
know that salvation can be found
here. The Holy Spirit gives us this
clarity, which allows us to lead the
church in the right direction. As the
older generation, we must take the
younger generation up the mountain
so they can be rooted in the doctrines;
as the younger generation, let us be
faithful to the truth, upholding what
has been entrusted to us.
今日，我們在真耶穌教會，因為我們知道這間教會的教義，
而且我們也知道這裡可以得救。
聖靈讓我們有這樣清楚的明白，讓我們可以帶著教會走正確的方向。
身為較年長的一輩，一定要帶著年輕的一代上山，
這樣他們才能在教義之中好好札根；
身為年輕的一代，讓我們忠心好好持守真理，
堅守那些已經託負我們的事。
Continuity of the Gospel 福音的延續
When we preach to a person, and he
or she comes to believe in Christ, this
same person must also reach out to
another. Imagine how the church will
prosper if everyone can reach out to
just one more person. In reality, many
of us only receive the gospel and stop
there. So we have to instill in our
new believers that they should strive
to bring another soul to God. Only
when a seed dies, will a new fruit
or plant grow from it. Preaching the
gospel is a sacrifice indeed; but those
who sow in tears shall reap in joy!
當我們向別人傳道，他或她來信基督，
同樣這個人也一定會部到其他人。
想想看，若是每個人最少都能向外接觸一個人，
那麼教會會變成什麼樣子的興盛呢？
事實上，我們許多人只是領受了福音，就停了。
所以我們也要灌輸新信徒，他們要努力把另一個人的靈魂帶到神的面前。
只有當一棵種子死去，新果子和新的植物才會從種子之中成長出生命來。
傳福音真的是一種犧牲；
但那些流淚撒種的，必要歡呼收割！
Continuity of Service to the Lord 服事主的延續
Another key legacy to bequeath to
the future generation is the need for
continuity of service to God. Jesus
prayed and found twelve disciples
at the beginning of His ministry on
earth. Likewise Moses identified
Joshua as his successor soon after
he stood up to lead the Israelites. So
in the church, we must identify and
cultivate successors and give them
the opportunity to serve.
另一項要傳承給未來新一代的重要遺產，
就是有需要去延續服事神的工作。
耶穌在世上，在他事奉一開始的時候，
就禱告，並且找到十二個門徒。
同樣地，摩西認定約書亞是他的繼承者，
也不過他站出來領導以色列人不久之後的事而已。
所以在教會裡，我們要指定接班人，培養繼承者，
讓他們有機會來服事。
Moreover, we need to cultivate
our next generation’s zeal to work
for God. Society’s focus on material
well-being has resulted in a decline in
our zeal to serve God. Consequently,
our spiritual life has been relegated
to second place. So even during the
busiest times in our lives, we must set
the example and continue to serve
God zealously. Only then can we be
considered faithful servants of the
Lord.
不只這樣，我們要培養下一代可以熱心為神工作。
在社會上，大家熱衷於物質好處的追求，
會導致我們服事神熱心的衰退。
接著，我們的屬靈生命就會退到第二順位。
所以即使在我們生活非常忙碌的時候，
一定要作好榜樣，繼續熱心服事神。
只有這樣，我們才能被主認為是忠心的僕人。
Passing Down Spiritual Experiences 傳承屬靈的經驗
Many of us can draw from a rich
portfolio of spiritual experiences after
many years of serving God. These
experiences have taught us how to
have faith and rely on God. Today we
must pass down these experiences,
so that the younger ones amongst
us know how the older generation
came to Christ and relied on God
throughout their lives.
我們許多人在多人的服事神之後，
從中得到了很豐富，且各種的屬靈經驗。
這些經驗，已經讓我們學到如何對神有信心，依靠神。
今日我們也要把這些經驗傳承下去，
這樣我們中間的年輕人，才會知道老一輩到底是來信基督，
一路在生命中依靠神走過來的。
As we share these experiences with
them, the focus should be on God’s
almightiness, not on the person
who received God’s grace. More
importantly, our experiences should
stir up the next generation to rely
on God in their own service to the
Lord. It is easy to impart knowledge
and skills to the next generation
of workers, but they also need to
experience God for themselves.
當我們和他們分享這些經驗的時候，
重點應該是集中在神的權能和偉大，
而不是注重在那些領受神恩典的人。
更重要的是，我們的經驗應該要鼓舞下一代，
讓他們依靠神，服事主。
把傳授知識和技能給下一代的工人是容易的，
但是他們自已也要親自體驗到神。
The battle at Rephidim was a good
opportunity for Joshua to experience
God while serving Him. As he fought
in the battlefield, Moses prayed
on the hilltop. Joshua learned that
his victory was not the result of his
fighting prowess. Each time Moses
raised his hands in prayer, victory
was with the army of Israel. But
each time Moses was tired, and he
let down his hands, the enemies won
(Ex 17:8–13). As we serve God, we
must rely on Him through prayer. If
we do so, we will serve God joyfully,
as His presence will be amongst us.
利非訂的戰役對約書亞而言，
是一個很好的機會，在服事之中體驗到神。
當他在戰場爭戰的時候，摩西在山上禱告。
約書亞學到，他的勝利並不是來自於他英勇戰鬥的結果。
每一次摩西禱告舉起手的時候，以色列的軍隊就會勝利。
但每一次摩西累的時候，他放下了他的手，敵人就會得勝。(出 17：8-13)
當我們服事神，要透過禱告來依靠祂。
若我們會這麼作，就能很快樂的服事神，
因為他會在我們中間與我們同在。
CONCLUSION 結論
For many people, succession
planning is understood as identifying
successors, briefing them and letting
them observe us for a period of time
before they take over completely.
Our focus tends to be more on
handing over the work. While this is
necessary, it is not enough. We must
also help prepare our successors by
equipping them with the faith to
resist the tide of the world and by
nurturing their zeal to serve God.
This is no easy matter for it is a battle
for the souls of men.
對許多人而言，傳承的規劃就是，
認定繼承者，向他們提示要點，
在他們完全接手之前，讓他們好好觀察我們的工作一段時間。
我們的焦點，很容易更集中在把工作交接。
雖然這是必要的，但這樣卻是不夠的。
我們也要幫繼承者作準備，
幫他們裝備好信仰，讓他們可以抵擋世上的潮流，
並且培養他們熱心服事神。
這不是一件容易的事，
因為這是一場人類靈魂的戰鬥。
For we do not wrestle against flesh
and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this age, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places.
(Eph 6:12)
12因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰（原文作摔跤；下同），
乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，
以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。
(弗 6：12)
Therefore, before handing the
work over to the next generation,
we must first guide them in their
spiritual growth. In this manner,
the commission of the church will
continue to prosper until the Lord
comes again.
所以，把事情交給下一代之前，
我們先要在屬靈的進程上，引領他們。
只有這樣的方式，教會的使命才會繼續增長，直到主再來。
Many of us can draw from a rich portfolio of spiritual experiences after
many years of serving God. These experiences have taught us how to have
faith and rely on God. Today we must pass down these experiences ...
More importantly, our experiences should stir up the next generation to
rely on God in their own service to the Lord.
我們許多人，在服事主幾年之後，都從中得到了各式各樣的屬靈經驗。
這些過往的經驗，教會了我們如何對主保持信心，依靠神。
今日我們也要把這些經驗，傳承下去...
最重要的是，我們的經驗，要能鼓舞下一代，
在他們自已服事主的時候，可以依靠神。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)