重构宣教(四)
我们是否过度强调某些实践大使命的行动,却忽略了那些较不具体、却同样是我们在世上荣耀神所不可或缺的面向?
我们谈论中国教会时,究竟在讲谁的故事?同样的事件,为何会有不同的解读?本系列以华源协作创办人傅邦宁(Brent Fulton)的评论为主,从历史、宗教政策到宣教与跨文化关系,重新审视那些我们习以为常的中国教会叙事。换个角度,或许能看见更完整的故事。
我们是否过度强调某些实践大使命的行动,却忽略了那些较不具体、却同样是我们在世上荣耀神所不可或缺的面向?
In China, Christians continue to find creative ways to glorify God, serving people on the margins of society and loving their neighbors and coworkers.
基督门徒所作的见证,无法与他们彼此关系的品质分开;正如他们生命所结出的果子也无法与他们和基督的关系分开。
把成果置于人之上,就是在贬低人的价值,与福音所宣告的信息背道而驰。
宣教和商业一样,关注单一的或少数几个关键指标,却忽略其他并不容易衡量的指标,会扭曲其结果。
Whether through manna in the wilderness, Elijah’s ravens, Paul’s tents, or the generosity of the Philippian church, Scripture is replete with examples of God using any and all of these means to provide for his people.
但在更深的层面上,问题往往不在于宣教工人缺少什么,而在于他们「带着」什么进入工场。
福音可以被宣讲,也可以被看见。当公开传讲的空间逐渐收窄,中国基督徒如何在日常生活中活出信仰,成为越来越重要的见证。
The journey from mythmaking to mission entails putting aside our chosen metanarratives, seeing with fresh eyes and listening with fresh ears, not only to the facts as we perceive them but also to the narratives of those in the stories as they interpret their own reality.
As the experience of China’s church demonstrates, the gifts of Advent seem to come strangely wrapped. The gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love are received through suffering and sacrifice.
Understanding China today requires a sense of where China has been.
We bring to China our view of the world and our place in it, our sense of “the way things ought to be,” our values and priorities. Through this lens, we try to make sense of a culture and people very different from ourselves.