FIFA has taken the game rules carefully; have we taken the Scripture carefully?

During a recent bible study and small group we talked about, "what is sin?" and "does the gospel free us from everything?"

I found that the way FIFA has taken the game rules carefully stimulated my pursuit of answering some scriptural questions more carefully too. If FIFA has done the due diligence by investing time, money, and human resources for a fair game, should Christians look at "sin" and "the gospel" even more carefully? 

The following resource is adopted from a sound teaching website listing what constitutes a sin in the New Testament. 

Official List of Sins (New Testament)

Sadly, we realize that most people take sin far too casually.  Some in the world don’t even believe in the reality of sin while others just pass it off as something that everyone does, thus it is not a “big deal” and we shouldn’t allow it to bother us! Yet those who believe God and His inspired Word know that sin is what will condemn, destroy, and lead most people to eternal ruin! (See 1 John 1-5) Thus, we must carefully read God’s Word and study the meaning and results of sin. Further, we must realize that Jesus is the answer to the disaster of sin for He gives us forgiveness! With this in our mind, let’s study a list of sins mentioned in the New Testament...

Adultery—Matthew 5:27-28, 32; 19:9, 18; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Mark 7:21; John 8:1-11

Anger—Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 4:26, 31; 6:4; Colossians 3:8; James 1:19-20

Anger with one’s brother—Matthew 5:22

Arrogance—2 Timothy 3:2; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 2 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 4:6, 18,19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4

Bitterness—Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; Romans 2:24; 3:14; Acts 8:23; James 2:7

Blasphemy—Mark 8:38; Acts 18:6

Boasting—Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Galatians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 5:6

Brutality—2 Timothy 3:3

Brother going to Law against brother—1 Corinthians 6:1-7

Carousing—Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3

Clamor—Ephesians 4:31

Complaining—Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:9; James 5:9

Conceit—2 Timothy 3:4

Coveting—Mark 7:22; Ephesians 5:5; Acts 20:33; Romans 13:9; 1 Corinthians 5:10-11; 6:1

Cowardice—Revelation 21:8

Deceit—Mark 7:22; Acts 13:10; Romans 1:29; 1 Peter 3:10

Defrauding—1 Corinthians 6:7-8

Denying Christ—Matthew 10:33; Luke 12:9; 1 John 2:22-23

Desiring praise of men—John 12:43

Disobedience to parents—Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Titus 3:3

Divisions—1 Corinthians 1:10

Divorce—Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18

Drinking parties—1 Peter 4:3

Drunkenness—Romans 13:13; 15: 13; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:3

Eating the Bread or drinking the Cup unworthily—1 Corinthians 11:27

Effeminacy—1 Corinthians 6:9

Enmities—Galatians 5:20

Envy—Mark 7:22; Galatians 5:26; Titus 3:3

Evil thoughts—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19

False witnessing—Matthew 15:19

Fathers, provoking children to wrath—Colossians 3:21

Fearfulness—Matthew 10:26, 28

Filthiness—Ephesians 4:3

Fleshliness–1 Corinthians 3:3

Foolishness—Mark 7:22; Titus 3:3

Foolish talking—Ephesians 5:4

Fornication (or sexual immorality)—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19

Greed—Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; 2 Peter 2:14

Lust, lusting—1 Peter 4:3; Titus 3:3

Haters of God—Romans 1:30

Hatred—2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:3

Homosexuality—1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Romans 1:26-27

Hypocrisy—Matthew 23:13,23, 25; 23, 27,28, 29; Mark 12:15; Luke 12:1; Romans 12:9

Idolatry—1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9; Galatians 5:20; Revelations 21:8; Ephesians 5:5

Immorality (see also Fornication)—Galatians 5:19; Revelation 21:8; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:13, 18

Impurity—Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5: 3, 5

Jealousy—Galatians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; James 3:16

Jesting—Ephesians 5:4

Judging—Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1; 14:13; Luke 6:37 James 4:11

Knowing to do good but not doing it—James 4:17

Laying up treasures on earth—Matthew 6:19-21; 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Luke 12:21, 33; 18:22

Legal matters, court–1 Corinthians 6:1-6

Living for pleasure—2 Timothy 3:4

Lovers of self—2 Timothy 3:2

Loving another person more than Jesus—Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26

Lusting after a woman—Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Peter 4:3; Matthew 18:9

Lying—Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15; Ephesians 4:25; Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Galatians 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:7

Malice—Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 5:8; Titus 3:3; 2 Peter 2:1

Man praying or prophesying with head covered—1 Corinthians 11:4-16

Murder—Revelation 21:8; Mark 7:21; 5:21; 10: 19; 19:18; Luke 18:20; Romans 1:29; 1 Peter 3:15; 4:15; Matthew 15:19

Murmuring, complaining—Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter  4:9; James 5:9

Pride—Mark 7:22; 1 Peter 5:5, 6; James 4:6; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18;14

Prostitution–1 Corinthians 615-16

Quarrels—James 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Timothy 2:23

Reviling—1 Corinthians 4:17; 5:11; 6:10; 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 2:23

Sensuality—Galatians 5:19; Mark 7:22; Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:21; 1 Peter 4:3; Ephesians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:2

Slander—Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:22; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Romans 1:30

Sorcery—Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8, 15; 9:21; 18:23

Speaking against the Holy Spirit—Matthew 12:32; Luke 12:10

Stealing—Ephesians 4:28; 13:9; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 2:21; 13:9

Strife, quarreling—Galatians 5:20; Romans 1:29; 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Timothy 6:4

Swearing an oath—Matthew 6:34-37; James 5:12

Swindling—1 Corinthians 5:10-11; 6:10

Thievery, theft—1 Corinthians 6:10; Mark 7:21; John 10:1, 8; 1 Peter 4:15; Matthew 15:19

Treachery—2 Timothy 3:4

Unbelief, lack of faith—James 1:6; Mark 9:24; Hebrews 3:12, 19; 1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 7:13; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Titus 1:15; Revelation 21:8

Unforgiveness—Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26

Ungodliness—Romans 1:18; 4:5; 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 2:5, 6, 7

Ungratefulness—2 Tmothy 3:2; Romans 1:21; Luke 6:35; 2 Timothy 3:2

Unholiness—2 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 12:14

Unrighteousness—Romans 1:18, 29; 2:8; 6:13; 1 John 1:9; 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9

Wickedness—Mark 7:22; Luke 11:39; Acts 8:22; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:8, 13; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12; 2 Timothy 2:19

Woman cutting her hair short—1 Corinthians 1:14-15

Woman with her Head uncovered—1 Corinthians 11:5-16

Woman speaking or teaching in public—1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 11:33-37

Wrath—Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 1 Timothy 2:8

Wrong–1 Corinthians 6:8

You have now come to the end of our list. We hope that you have found this to be enlightening and helpful. As you can see, the listing of sins here is much more complete and helpful than the previous one. Spend some time not only looking over this list but also use it for your own blessing.  Also, you will want to use this to help and bless others you know.  May God bless you!

–Richard Hollerman

www.Truediscipleship.com

全文轉載：「宗教改革紀念日」是「萬聖節」的救贖

下面的短文，轉載自哥頓神學院畢業，一位改革宗背景的國語傳道。幾年前，得到他同意便分享給教會中的家長們。文章基本的假設是，基督文化和世俗文化，需要有一種「入世而不屬世」甚至「救贖世俗文化」的盼望，也是他提倡的“宗教改革”精神。

全文轉載：https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Rouwl7BYjsUrw3SJ7u8Uhw
之是 CitylifeBoston 2016-10-30 16：52

這兩天，網上被各種“基督徒不能過萬聖節”，“讓你的孩子遠離萬聖節”這樣的文章。說實話，我其實並不喜歡回答“能不能”、“可不可以”的問題。湊個熱鬧，貼一段今天講道的內容：

 

相比宗教改革紀念日，明天更為人知的是萬聖節前夜（Halloween），在這個日子里孩子們會穿上各樣的衣服，裝扮成各種角色滿大街敲門，敲門的時候會說：“Trick or Treat”——一開始我還不知道這是什麼意思，直到迪士尼的動畫片把它漢化之後，我在螢幕上第一次聽到了這句話的翻譯 “不給糖，就搗蛋”。

這翻譯挺不錯的，簡單、上口，而且直白——因為當小朋友敲門喊著“Trick or Treat”的時候，他們無非就是要吃糖果，或者瞎胡鬧一下。

在萬聖節的諸多傳統之中，這個節目幾乎是被保留最最完整的、對美國GDP貢獻最大的，並且是每一個小朋友都喜歡並且期待的活動。加上商家的推波助瀾，從商業角度看，這個節日的商業價值成為了僅次於耶誕節的第二大節日，糖果的銷量則遠超全年其他時期。 

我想了好久才明白為何孩子們會對這個穿上奇裝異服、挨家敲門要糖這個活動愛到不能自拔。

大概有這三個原因：

1首先，在這個節日裡，孩子們可以扮成自己最喜歡的角色——換句話說，就是成為那個一直期待卻無法實現的自己，一個更好在自己——所以我的女兒會要求把自己扮成了公主;另外一些小朋友把自己扮成騎士、員警、消防員、星球大戰機器人等角色。在這一天里，他們可以成為一個全新的自己，一個期待已久的自己。可以按著自己期待中的那個名字被稱呼。“嘿，超人”;“嘿，艾爾莎公主！”是的，他們在叫我！！

 

2其次，孩子們可以活出一個真實的自己了！搗蛋、要糖，這兩件事兒放在平時是完全不可能說出口的——因為搗蛋基本上就會帶來一頓胖揍，要糖的話呢，至少被拒絕。但是在這個特別的日子，在面具之下，孩子們能夠毫無恐懼的、徹底自由的宣告自己的信仰——那就是“我要吃糖！”，“我不喜歡守規矩！”

3最後，你看到過一個小孩孤零零的敲門要糖的嗎？那個場面只出現在恐怖片裡，真實的情形都是一大幫子小朋友衝到這家“Trick and Treat”，衝到那家“Trick and Treat”。其實呢，真的喊得響的也就那麼幾個，但幾乎人人都拿到了糖果——不是嗎？每個要糖隊伍裡，總有幾個領頭敲門，大喊的，也總有幾個2-3歲，拿著小籃子，呆萌的小朋友跟在後面......而最後，他們的收穫也不小。

 

 

大多數孩子其實並不關心萬聖節的來歷，但他們會把這一天夜裡看作是自己生命中的福音時刻：

成為期待的自己

活出真實的自己

在群體中被祝福

 

而真正的福音要給我們一個徹底的新生命。因為福音才一次性的、永遠的解決了這三個問題：

 

福音把我們從死人變成了活人，給了我們一個上帝兒子的身份，沒有比這更好的身份了！

福音讓我們脫下舊人，穿上新人，輕看羞辱、坦然無懼的、自由的活出我們應有的樣子;

福音把我們放在教會中，彼此相待，成為基督身體的一部分，一起悅納基督帶來的禧年——那就是領受長兄耶穌基督所應該繼承的產業。

週二一早，孩子起床後會開始懷念昨天的萬聖節，開始期待明年的今天。這時，你必須意識到，這個迴圈的故事需要一個救贖，而宗教改革日就是萬聖節的救贖。

 

我們面對的不再是“過或不過萬聖節”，甚至是“基督徒怎麼過萬聖節”的問題。

我們面對的問題變成了一個選擇題：

要麼在這個節日中稍稍品嘗重生的滋味，要麼選擇相信基督能夠給帶給你重生，可以自內而外的改變你的生命表現，帶你入教會，一同進入永恆。

 

前者是「萬聖節」精神，後者是「宗教改革」精神。

 

 

一家大細安心出行/ 以弗所書的總結

感恩我們這個週末一齊退修兼旅行，是疫情來第一次五個家庭（連同細路19人）的安心出行。可能在家裡困得太耐，我們急不及待找個機會趁著開學前，充充電，預備新的學年。充電的方式當然離不開，飲飲食食，團團契契，玩吓唞吓。今天早上，食完那個賣掉長子名份都值得的菠蘿油後，齊齊到附近的沙灘，唱唱詩歌，讀讀聖經，有傾有講，確是一個美好的早上。

在風和日麗的沙灘上（大人一邊食風，小朋友一邊食沙😵‍💫🏖）我們竟然還分享討論了不小：「不要惹兒女的氣…按着主的話教導勸戒兒女…如何在職場上作好基督徒這個身分…屬靈戰爭中如何穿起全副軍裝，以守為攻，保持自己在耶穌勝利的一方」。

最後，我們用了以弗所書的一段核心經文作為總結：

「… 因你們得救是本於神的恩情，藉著你們的誠信，這是神的賞賜，不是出於自己，也不是你們做了什麼，免得有人邀功；又因我們都是他的創作，在基督耶穌裡被塑造的，為要叫我們有美善的行為，就是神預期我們所要結的生命果子。」（弗2:8-10）

提到「得救」的三個重要概念，幫助我們扭轉與神的關係，與教會的關係，和與家人和世界的關係。

1. 你們得救是本於神的「恩情」：我們平常理解的恩典大概比較靜態，但「恩情」是一種動態生生不息的更新，從施恩者流動至受恩者，及至顛覆了神和人之間本來是「授受不親」的關心，但因著耶穌在聖徒身上不斷的更新和塑造，我們把所領受的「恩情」授予所有神所愛的他者。
2. 藉著你們的「誠信」：我們一般把「信」看得太兒戲，「信」在聖經中常常帶有顛覆性的含義。「誠信」至少有三個層面「三誠」：忠誠，熱誠，真誠；及「三信」： 信靠，信仰，信心，就是全心相信並活出我信神是信實，公義，和滿有憐憫的信念。*1
3. 我們都是他的「創作」：或作「所作的事，工作，傑作」。在新約僅用於神的創造（詩143:5，羅1:20）或用於基督（弗2:10）*2

後記：

*1 信：在新約裡, 是針對人與神的關係, 以及屬神的事的堅信和相信,  一般都包含著信靠的觀念, 以及由相信而生的神聖火熱, 並加入其中

*2 創作：poiema, 2x in Pauline, Rom 1:20, Eph 2:10, only refers to God’s work in creation and re-creation of the new humanity in Christ) 作成：（9x in Pauline, 4x in Ephesians 2:10, 15, 3:9, 4:24）為要叫我們行善（穿什麼樣的衣服走 (路 20:46; 啟 3:4)  

另外這是去年講過的以弗所書6 講道大綱和一些有關「為神家而戰」的經文：

我察看了，就起來對貴族、官長和其餘的百姓說：「不要怕他們！當記得主是大而可畏的。你們要為你們的弟兄、兒女、妻子、家園爭戰。」 (Nehemiah 4:14 和合本2010)

於是龍向婦人發怒，去與她其餘的兒女作戰，就是與那些遵守　神命令、為耶穌作見證的。  (Revelation 12:17 和合本2010)

怪夢連天

最近發現，自己怪夢連天，可能是生活壓力或經常遷徙，只能在夢境中處理情緒，減減壓力。

記憶中古怪的夢：

要預備講道啦，發現未換上西褲，加拉太書找來找去都不見，古怪的布幕圍繞中間幾排座位的上方，講台兩邊投射著藍色全屏，「C」長老醒目先隻字讀出家事報告，年紀老邁的「劉」牧師急著舉起雙手問道：「要不要我來祝福？」… 

陳牧師的貨櫃還有東西未送到，有兩個貌似香港男星把寥寥可數的cushions搬入他的辦公室。不料，有一隻身形龐大的藍蟹不知從哪裡冒出來，其中一個搬運哥哥一手壓住蟹蓋，一手拿起鉗子拔出蟹箝。意想不到，他把新鮮的蟹箝放在嘴裡。另一邊，搬運哥哥找到一盒快速測試劑。當我問道這用來測什麼時，真的驚訝到笑醒，「呢個用來測黐線都得！」….

注：「最近，全世界出現一個奇妙的現象：各地都有人不斷回報自己常做情節詭異的夢，醒來後夢境依然歷歷在目。」https://dq.yam.com/post/12391

小小的閱讀筆記

不愛神，而愛世界的六種苦痛：

1. 妨礙與上帝的關係，內心與神為敵（impede union with God & deprived）James 4:1-4
2. 經常感到身心靈的疲憊（wearisome and tiring）Jer. 2:13
3. 勞苦擔重擔，遇到生活難題或折磨而沒有釋放（torment and affliction）Matt. 11:28-29
4. 心靈的眼睛蒙蔽，看不見永恆或屬靈的價值（darken & blindness）Rev. 3:17-18 
5. 扭曲和污染了我們的靈魂，以及上帝的公義和聖潔，導致混亂不安，遠離純潔（defile & distracted）Eph. 4:22-24 
6. 心靈軟弱，不冷不熱 （weakness and tepidity）Rev. 3:15-16

（參考 The collected Works of St. John of the Cross，第767頁）

Christian Leadership: Authenticity Indicators

The following is an except of a research paper on Relational Leadership as part of the course works submitted to Western Seminary Ed.D program. 

Operational Guidelines

            Relational leadership requires time to develop. The following is an attempt to use an acronym of “L-E-A-D-E-R-S-H-I-P” as guidelines in cultivating the relationship between leaders and followers as Paul to the leaders in Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38).

1.     L-ove is the most excellent way that Paul was dealing with the problems of leadership and issues of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12-14, Rom 12, and 1Tim 1).

2.     E-quip the saints and edify the church are the most essential relationship and function of the church between leaders and followers (Eph 4).

3.     A-ble to teach and lead, as a crucial part of the great commission to make follower by “teaching them to obey all that I’ve commented to you” (Mat. 28, 1,2 Timothy, Titus).

4.     D-irection-driven not data-driven, is a spiritual direction relationship, where relational leaders first learn to hear well from God and provide spiritual direction to followers in a formal or non-formal setting.

5.     E-xcellent in leading right, leaders are right a lot in making planning, implementing, and reflecting for improvement (“right a lot” is an Amazon leadership principle that helps the company became one with most followers/ customers nowadays, the Church can learn and contribute to this topic).

6.     Re-productive, Relevant, Renewal, Reflective-Practitioners, literally leaders give birth to new leaders by their inspiration, instruction, delegation, coaching, and passing on from generation to generation.

o   Relevant- 3 factors to deal with- corporate culture, personal leadership, stakeholders’ emotion, (DNA)

§  Develop a Lab Mentality, always experimenting, trying, failing, learning 

§  Never Stop Learning, leaders are learners, skills will bring success (Ecclesiastes 10:10)

§  Acknowledge the grieve, “"There is no growth without change. There is no change without loss. There is no loss without pain. There is no pain without grief" 

§  Don’t try to be in style, 

§  nothing stays the same, the only way to be eternal is to be timeless, look at your organization and find what never change, vision is to see the current opportunity and jump on it, what needs to change and what never need to change is the winning combination, build on what is not going to change, people life and problems

§  Ask the right questions and answer them rightly

o   Renewal[1]-  when you study church history it always starts through certain stages: 

§  first stage is personal renewal, in the heart after holiness

§  then the corporate renewal, one of the ways you know a church is having corporate renewal is the singing gets better, and people stay longer after church

§  third aspect of a resurgence is a "missional renewal" or "purpose renewal," 

§  structural renewal because as an organization grows you have to change structure over and over

§  finally, cultural renewal the climate of the nation actually changes

7.     S-ubmissive/ Spiritual Authority first as an important discipline, to God then to all people, in Christ through a form of institutional authority as practiced by the Alliance denomination. Dr. Rod Reimer, Alliance Seminary professor, has once entered a season to study Moses and learned that spiritual authority is given, developed, and exercises by having face-to-face relationship with God. This is his definition, “spiritual authority is rooted in identity, expended through intimacy, and activated by faith” as it is seen with Moses winning the battle in Exodus 17, and with a police officer stopping a car with given authority. 

8.     H-umility, integrity, venerability, and transparency that Christ has modeled, and our culture has desperately needed. 

9.     I-ntegrity before intelligence, leader is first a human being before a human-thinking/doing, one can lead as far as one’s character and charisma, connection and capability, in order to influence followers. A leader’s integrity has to be accountable to the leadership team contextually through multiple intelligences (IQ, EQ, AQ, CQ, RQ, SQ, TQ etc.).

10.  P-artnership with long term commitment and eternal investment in followers’ life. 

Other resources:

7 Markers Of A Great Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Oct 26, 2023

Great leaders are multidimensional. While continuing to improve, great leaders have achieved certain characteristics which help them achieve success.

Humility.

Great leaders are willing to surrender “their” way when it’s not the best way. They realize and appreciate the strength of a team.

Intentionality.

Great leaders continue to learn. They have mentors. They read. They continue their education through conferences or school. They know they can’t help others grow if they aren’t personally growing.

Compassion.

Great leaders consider the needs of others ahead of their own. They care about people beyond what people can do for them personally.

Integrity.

Great leaders never separate character from their definition of quality or success. They know there can be nothing of real value if those who are trying to follow can’t give their respect to the leader.

Passion.

Great leaders have the ability to rally a team and articulate the path to victory. They can communicate to spur momentum and garner support.

Vision.

Great leaders see things others can’t see or, for whatever reason failed to pursue. They take people where they need to go, but may be afraid to go on their own.

Strength.

Great leaders have the discipline to follow through on commitments. They weather the storms of time. They are still standing firm when others are dropping out of the race.

---

[1] https://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-shares-5-things-needed-for-revival-to-happen-in-america.html

反思如何建立下一代的信徒領袖：門訓導向的宣教

最近想到在香港或美國的青年信徒，在這些年間面對著教會內外的沖擊，有的「隨波逐流」，有的「逆來順受」，有的「逆流而上」。重讀這篇文章時，身份已經不再一樣。教會現在比任何時候更需要反思如何建立下一代的信徒領袖。（文長慎入）

重點介紹：

（目的）若希望信徒能「上位」事奉、承擔教會的事工、參與宣教的工作, 教會一定要 提供「到位」的牧養, 讓信徒能成長、被建立。

（過程）

人的成長需要進程,也需要時間和 付代價... 整個門徒訓練的目標是「⋯⋯把各人 在基督裡完完全全地引到神面前。」(西 一28)我們也包括在「各人」之內。這培育的過程不是我們的努力使人成聖,而是透過我們的參與,神彰顯祂在人生命中改變的大能(參西一29)。

（重點）

• 這門徒訓練的方 向包括生命的投資(life investment)、生 命的倍增(multiplication)和生命的守 望(accountability)... 
• 門徒成長需要安全的 環境(safe place)與讓他們安心的人(safe people)在一起。關係式的門徒訓練能夠 提供這樣的環境讓信徒在基督裡長進。
• 關係式的門 訓其實是一種同在，在這同在中互相鼓 勵、提醒和學習，好像耶穌呼召門徒有 兩個目的(參可三14、15):一.耶穌同 在( b e i n g ); 二 . 被 差 去 傳 道( p r e a c h i n g ) 和給予權柄趕鬼(doing)。
• 耶穌先強調門 徒與祂的關係，在關係中被建立，建立 以耶穌為中心的靈性生命(Christ-centered Spirituality)。然後，他們才被耶穌差派 出去，活出以耶穌為中心的事奉(Christ- centered Ministry)。6 在這裡，我們看到 耶穌對門徒期望的優先次序:先靈命，後 事奉。
• 保羅的說話帶出門徒訓練的真義:自己先 效法基督，才勸人效法基督;自己先成為 門徒，才能使人成為門徒。
• 能缺席,就能讓出空間; 能退隱, 就能放下權力。如此,創造了條件, 讓服事的對象可以自己成長。」

The original article is written by Dr. Wing Lam (a dear brother and pastor of my home church in NY), accessed on 10/29/2020, https://www.cccowe.org/pdf/ps/201605/art11.pdf

小小分享關於「說服力」和「招攬新同工」的一些初步整合 R.E.C.R.U.I.T.

前幾天前到公立圖書館看到這本書，被書的標題和目錄吸引，認為對於基督徒在這個時代，見證福音有很大的提醒。這本不是從信仰的角度來看「說服力」或「人格特質」，但內容值得我們深思。所以建議有興趣的朋友可以參考這篇書評。而我只想簡單分享一個實際的問題，就是如何在教會中「招攬新同工」（recruit ministry coworkers)。

其實與其他機構一樣，教會也不斷尋求有效的計劃和策略來「招攬新同工」，無論是在團契，主日學，執事會，青年兒童，或長者事工，都需人力物力來建立健康的團隊和健全的事工。人力資源和人力管理是教會建造基礎建設的關鍵，如以下的描述和提示：

那降下的，就是高升遠超越諸天之上的，為要充滿萬有。 他所賜的有使徒，有先知，有傳福音的，有牧者和教師， 為要裝備聖徒，做事奉的工作，建立基督的身體， 直等到我們眾人在信仰上同歸於一，認識　神的兒子，得以長大成人，達到基督完全長成的身量。 (以弗所書4:10-13 和合本2010)

「人力」是從位那位使我們「蒙恩」和給我們「恩賜」的主而來。在「招攬新同工」的過程中，教會一同經歷「他所賜的有… 達到基督完全長成的身量。」

我們可以認定，所有能服侍神的人都是主賜給教會的。所以我們更有信心祈求主賜下更多「新同工」來建立教會。以下是早上禱告時的一點點靈感，願能幫助特別需要「招攬新同工」的教會： 

Leadership: 對於「說服力」和「招攬新同工」的一些初步整合 R.E.C.R.U.I.T.

Reach out with a vision- 推銷的不是產品，而是品牌。教的事工也應有「異象的品牌」。用正面特質來讓「新同工」明白被邀請參與的獨特目的。

Encourage with compassion- 經禱告後，慷慨地約見或者公開招攬，把「異象的品牌」用一個人化鼓舞的故事，真誠地傳遞。

Call for action- 絕對不要只想着「成事」，反而提醒自己要有同理心，分享同工（合作）的必要和好處，留意服侍的重心從「我」轉到「我們的主」，

Reach out again with vision- 大概一星期後再次分享「異象的品牌」，不論對方是否願意參與這項事工，都表達出十分的尊重和祝福。如果「新同工」答應了，可以藉著下面三方面著手。但如果是「食詐糊」，可以再次禱告物色人才，再次以上面三方面著手。

Undo the programming mind for more personal growth- 事奉很多時候需要實際的操作和計劃，所以常常忽略了彼此的關懷，找出共同點和找到鼓舞我們的人，共同成長和持續「招攬新同工」的團隊特質。

Ignite the power with prayer- 禱告是團隊的領袖首要的任務，可謂有禱告，有力量，不禱告，沒人到。禱告的領袖有更多機會學習坦然面對獨特的自己，樂於付出，才能擁有正面特質來影響別人（拉攏人）。

Train them to train others- 事奉需要有持續的熱度和深度，事工能夠生生不息，透過持續的栽培，琢磨技能很重要。

後記- 傑森認為能夠讓人更具說服力的性格可分為四大類：

• 獨特的：讓人感覺是真誠發自內心的，言談間你可以窺見其真實獨特的個性
• 慷慨：習慣性地付出，也許是建議、機會、引介、尊重和正向情緒
• 同理心：對人自然地感到好奇、談話很投入，重視人的共通點而非彼此的差異
• 有深度的：遵循自己設定的原則與標準，也激勵其他人突破平常的侷限

具有說服力的四大原則以及11項性格特質

參考資料：

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/14/i-coach-ceos-of-million-dollar-businesses-heres-what-i-wish-more-people-did-early-in-their-careers.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab