重構宣教(四)
我們是否過度強調某些實踐大使命的行動,卻忽略了那些較不具體、卻同樣是我們在世上榮耀神所不可或缺的面向?
我們談論中國教會時,究竟在講誰的故事?同樣的事件,為何會有不同的解讀?本系列以華源協作創辦人傅邦寧(Brent Fulton)的評論為主,從歷史、宗教政策到宣教與跨文化關係,重新檢視那些我們習以為常的中國教會敘事。換個角度,或許能看見更完整的故事。
我們是否過度強調某些實踐大使命的行動,卻忽略了那些較不具體、卻同樣是我們在世上榮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.
基督門徒所作的見證,無法與他們彼此關係的品質分開;正如他們生命所結出的果子也無法與他們和基督的關係分開。
把成果置於人之上,就是在貶低人的價值,與福音所宣告的信息背道而馳。
宣教和商業一樣,若只關注單一或少數幾個關鍵指標,卻忽略其他不易衡量的指標,就會扭曲其結果。
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.
但在更深的層面上,問題往往不在於宣教工人缺少什麼,而在於他們「帶著」什麼進入工場。
福音可以被宣講,也可以被看見。當公開傳講的空間逐漸收窄,中國基督徒如何在日常生活中活出信仰,成為越來越重要的見證。
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.