17. Manna issue 92 - Evangelism_Adapting To The Challenges Of Covid-19 新冠疫情
Joshua Phoong—Ipoh, Malaysia 馬來西亞怡保
We are living in a time unprecedented in its volatility and uncertainty.
The overwhelming force of the pandemic,
which has raged beyond two years, shows little sign of abatement.
This monumental threat to public health
has disrupted daily life, wrought sociopolitical and economic havoc, and caused untold misery.
With many countries imposing widespread restrictions on movement
and urging residents to limit physical interaction during this period,
we have been forced to reconsider and adapt in almost every aspect of life
—the way we work, socialize,
and most importantly, the way we worship
and carry out the Lord’s mission of propagating the gospel.
我們生活在一個充滿前所未有的波動和不確定性的時代。
疫情壓倒性的力量，
已經肆虐了兩年多，而且幾乎沒有減弱的跡象。
這種大眾健康的巨大威脅，
已經擾亂了日常生活，造成了社會政治經濟的破壞，並造成了無法形容的悲慘境遇。
隨著許多國家，實施大範圍的行動限制，
並敦促居民在此期間，限制身體互動，
我們被迫重新思考慮，去適應幾乎生活的每個層面，
——我們工作、社交的方式，
最重要的是，我們聚會的方式，
完成主傳福音使命的方式。
Lockdowns—notably, the unpredictability of their recurrence
—may appear to render evangelism impossible.
How can we preach when we cannot reach?
How can we plan when things change at the drop of a hat?
But nothing is impossible with a willing and receptive heart
and with God’s inspiration through the Holy Spirit.
Instead of resigning ourselves to inaction,
we must proactively adapt our long-held traditions to overcome physical barriers,
changing how we conduct services, care for one another,
and how we pastor and evangelize.
Specifically, in the context of world mission,
we must boldly empower and revitalize the church to
“[g]o into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”
(Mk 16:15).
封城—很明顯重覆出現的不可預測，
—似乎變得不能傳福音。
當我們無法接觸別人時，要如何傳道呢？
當事情轉瞬間發生變化時，要如何計劃呢？
但只要有一顆願意和樂於接受的心，並且有神的聖靈啟示幫助，
沒有什麼是不可能的。
與其讓自己無所作為，
我們必須主動調整長期使用的傳統互動方式，以克服實體障礙，
改變我們聚會、互相照顧的方式，
以及改變我們如何牧養和傳福音的方式。
具體來說，在世界宣道的背景下，
我們必須勇敢加強力量和復興教會，
“15你們往普天下去，傳福音給萬民（萬民：原文是凡受造的）聽。”
(可 16：15)
The work of the gospel must never cease or stagnate.
In the new normal of living with the pandemic,
we must work even harder to make disciples of all nations.
What does it take to do so?
福音的工作絕不能止息或停滯。
在此疫情共存的新常態下，
我們必須更加努力工作，使所有國家都有很多門徒。
這樣做需要什麼呢？
FORWARD-THINKING WITH RENEWED CONVICTION 超前思考更新堅定的信仰
For a start, we must understand that
mission work has to continue irrespective of any changes in environment or circumstance.
Our Lord instructs us to make disciples of all nations
(Mt 28:19–20).
The apostle Paul reminds us that this mission must remain the foremost priority,
and we have to be ready to preach the gospel, in season and out of season
(2 Tim 4:2).
首先，我們必須了解，
無論環境情況如何變化，宣教工作都必須繼續進行。
我們的主指示我們要使萬民成為門徒
（太 28：19-20）。
使徒保羅提醒我們，這項使命的優先順序一定是最重要的，
我們必須準備好傳福音，不論得時或不得時
（提後 4：2）。
To date, the True Jesus Church has tended to rely on personal invitations
—to the church or family services
—as a means of introducing the truth to our friends.
While this was effective in the past, present COVID-19-mitigation measures,
such as countrywide lockdowns, have disrupted such an approach.
Nevertheless, continuing to fulfill the Lord’s charge to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom
(Mt 24:14) is non-negotiable.
We must, thus, formulate new strategies and proceed with renewed conviction.
Charging ahead to propagate the gospel requires several things.
迄今為止，真耶穌教會傾向於依靠個人邀請，
—找人去教會或參加家庭聚會
—作為向我們的朋友介紹真理的一種方式。
雖然在過去這是有效的，但目前的新冠疫情舒緩措施，
例如全國范圍性的封城，已經阻隔了這種方法。
然而，繼續履行主的使命，傳揚天國的福音
（太 24：14）是沒有商量餘地的。
因此，我們必須制定新的策略，並以帶人信主的新方法繼續前進。
向前衝出去傳福音，需要具備幾件事。
Embracing Change 擁抱改變
First, we must embrace change and reskill ourselves to suit the current circumstances.
We must become all things to all men so that we may save some
(1 Cor 9:22).
Through God’s guidance,
the church has actively deployed new digital methods and various tools
to maintain our connection with believers
and spread the gospel of Christ to the broader public.
Through these,
we can hold regular virtual services, religious education lessons,
seminars, and training quite seamlessly.
首先，我們必須擁抱變化，並重新掌握自己的技能以適應當前的情況。
我們必須八面玲瓏，面面俱到，這樣我們可以拯救一些人
（林前 9：22）。
經由神的引導，
教會積極推行新的數位方法和各種工具，
來維持我們與信徒的聯繫，
並將基督的福音傳給更廣泛的大眾。
通過這些方式，
我們可以定期舉辦網路聚會、網路宗教教育課程、
網路研討會和網路講習會，讓一切運作毫不間斷。
However, we must not become complacent.
In our hyperconnected world, billions of people use social media
and various online platforms to stay connected.
So, we must keep up with and explore the full potential of these platforms.
As creatures of habit, there is a natural inclination for speakers
to rely on the same presentation strategy.
When told to adapt from in-person to a virtual format,
we minimally tweak what we have always done.
This is insufficient.
We have to rethink and redesign our online engagement strategies.
但是，我們絕不能自滿。
在我們高度互聯的世界中，數十億人都使用社交媒體，
和各種網路平台，來保持聯繫。
因此，我們必須跟得上趨勢，並探索這些平台用法的全部潛力。
身為習慣制約的動物，發言者有一種自然的傾向，
會依賴相同的展示策略。
當得知要從面對面的模式，適應網路的方式時，
我們只是最低限度地調整自已一直在做的事情。
這樣還是不夠的。
我們必須重新思考和重新設計自已的網路使用的策略。
In-person, meet-and-greet sessions are critical
in spurring one another in love and good deeds for our mutual encouragement
(Heb 10:24–25).
However, in light of the varied restrictions on congregating physically,
the church must adopt a flexible and hybrid approach,
switching seamlessly between physical and digital.
Technological formats and solutions evolve very quickly.
We must constantly refine our online engagement approaches
to find the most effective ways to connect with members and truth-seekers alike.
Examples of initiatives to be piloted or strengthened include:
親自面對面的面會當然是至關重要，
激起互相關愛行善，讓大家相互鼓勵
（來 10：24-25）。
然而，鑑於有實體聚集的各種限制，
教會必須採取靈活混合的方法，
在實體和網路之間達到無縫切換。
科技的模式和解決方案發展非常迅速。
我們必須不斷改善自已的網路參與方式
來找到最有效的方式，與信徒和慕道者建立聯繫。
試行或加強的舉措範例包括：
‧ New platforms:
online evangelistic platforms and virtual forums
to engage people and encourage discussion on relevant topics.
‧ 新的平台：
網路宣道平台和網路論壇
可以吸引人們加入，並鼓勵他們就相關主題進行討論。
‧ New structures:
internet evangelism teams and community outreach volunteers (COV)
to reach different target segments.
‧ 新的結構：
網路宣道團隊和社區開拓志工（COV）
可以達成不同目標的細分市場。
Staying Steadfast in Faith 信仰保持堅定
Second, even as we learn to use new tools,
we must never lack spiritual preparation.
We need to remain steadfast in faith.
We need to deepen our understanding of different geographical, environmental, and societal contexts.
These attune us to the needs and specific circumstances of the people to whom we are reaching out.
However, increasing our knowledge of the Bible, the doctrines, and the truth is even more critical
as these help us better expound the Scriptures
(2 Tim 1:13–14).
其次，即使我們學會使用新的工具，
我們絕不能缺乏屬靈的準備。
我們需要堅定信心。
我們需要加深自已對於不同地理、環境和社會背景的了解。
這些會使我們能夠調整自已，找到我們接觸之人的需求，明白他們具體的情況。
然而，增加自已認識聖經、教義和真理，是更重要的，
因為這些工作有助於我們更好地解釋聖經
（提後 1：13-14）。
We also need to pray incessantly
(1 Thess 5:17),
not only for ourselves as individual parts of the body of Christ
(Rom 12:4–6)
but also for the spiritual health and development of the body itself
—our church as a whole.
我們也需要不住地禱告
（帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:17），
不僅是為了我們自己，作為基督身體的各別的肢體，
（羅 12：4-6）
而且也為了身體本身的屬靈健康和發展
—就是我們整個教會，來禱告。
Prayer is also crucial in ensuring that we remain faithful to the truth.
Despite our need to be nimble in our gospel outreach strategy,
we must never compromise our doctrines.
Our core message must remain unchanged.
We are adapting to how we deliver our message to reach a new generation of believers.
This requires us to constantly examine ourselves
and ensure that we hold firmly to the doctrines and truth.
禱告對於確保我們能按照真理行事，也是很重要的。
儘管我們需要靈活的運用福音開拓策略，
我們絕不能妥協自已的教義。
我們的主要信息必須保持不變。
我們正在適應，要如何傳遞自已教會信息，來接觸新世代的信徒。
我們需要不斷地檢視自己，
並且確保，自已堅定保守教義和真理。
Seizing Opportunities 抓住機會
Third, we must seize every opportunity to advance the truth.
This includes taking advantage of new challenges and trials.
On an individual basis, tribulations hone our spiritual resilience
(Jas 1:3; 1 Pet 4:12).
As a church, trials unlock new opportunities.
To illustrate: the disciples’ dispersal from Jerusalem, driven by intense persecution
(Acts 8),
was the will of God as it allowed the apostolic church to spread the gospel
to the four corners of the earth.
Without this abrupt, tumultuous event
that displaced members of the apostolic church far and wide,
the spread of the gospel would have been geographically stunted.
第三，我們要抓住一切的機會推進廣真理。
這包括了利用新的挑戰和試驗。
在個人的基礎上，苦難磨練我們屬靈的韌性
（雅 1：3；彼前 4：12）。
作為教會，試煉開啟了新的機會。
舉例來說：由於遭受強烈迫害的驅使之下，門徒離開耶路撒冷
（徒 8 章），
這就是神的旨意，因為它允許使徒教會傳播福音直到地極。
如果沒有這突如其來動盪的事件，
轉移使徒教會的信徒到遠方各處去，
福音的傳播範圍就會受限於地區。
Do not be tempted to think of lockdowns as opportunities to withdraw and rest.
With believers waiting only for “favorable conditions” to preach,
slow growth and complacency are often fertile seedbeds for doctrinal perversion.
Do not fear the present adversity.
Learning from the persecution of the apostolic church,
cherish the opportunities that present themselves amid tribulations.
Trust that all things work together for the good of those who love Him
(Rom 8:28).
不要試圖認為，封城是退縮和休息的機會。
信徒只等“有利的條件”才去傳福音，
緩慢成長和自滿，往往是教義扭曲的肥沃溫床。
不要害怕目前的逆境。
從使徒教會的迫害中學習，
珍惜患難中出現的機會。
相信萬事都因愛神之人的益處，而互相合作
（羅 8：28）。
God gives wisdom to face trials to all who ask
(Jas 1:5).
Forging ahead,
we can ask Him to provide us the strength and wisdom
to recognize new opportunities in the face of adversity,
to adapt our legacy approaches to the changing circumstances,
and make the most of every opportunity He provides
(Eph 5:15–16).
神賜人智慧給所有求問之人，能面對試煉
（雅 1：5）。
努力奮鬥前行，
我們可以求神，賜給我們力量和智慧
面對逆境時，發現新的機會，
轉變我們的傳統方法，能適應這不斷變化的環境，
並充分利用祂預備的每一次機會
（弗 5：15-16）。
CONCLUSION: SAME GOSPEL, DIFFERENT APPROACH 結論：相同的福音，不同的方法
Faced with the constant barrage of reports on COVID-19 infections and deaths,
it is natural for us to be afraid and discouraged from carrying out our Lord’s commission.
But if we love propagating the gospel and place our trust in God,
not deviating from His path, God’s love will find a way.
We are only His vessels.
Let us be diligent, innovative, tenacious stewards
who faithfully keep His word and preach it to the nations!
面對一連串湧現關於新冠病毒的感染和死亡的報導，
我們自然而然會害怕灰心，而不去執行我們救主的託負。
但如果我們熱愛傳福音，並信靠神，
並且不偏離祂的道路，神的慈愛會找到出路。
我們只不過是祂的器皿。
讓我們多多殷勤、有創新、成為努力不懈的好僕人，
可以忠實遵守祂的話語，並把福音傳給列國！
And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart.
(Gal 6:9)
9我們行善，不可喪志；若不灰心，到了時候就要收成。
(加 6：9)
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)