我们的牧养需要有哪些要素？What are the elements of our pastoral needs?
经文：1 Tim. 提前4:6－10 “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
教会有两大功能，一是培育弟兄姐妹的灵性，使他们更认识上帝；二是传扬基督的福音，与人同享福音的好处。教会的牧养是教会实际拓展中一个非常重要的话题。我们不得不承认：不论在哪里，教会与教会之间、同工与同工之间也存在着很强的竞争的，教堂非常多，信徒可以不就近做礼拜，他情愿开一个小时的车赶到一个他喜欢的教会聚会，为什么他会舍近求远呢？肯定是这个教会的讲台供应或是一些具体的事工吸引着他。那么，我们所需要思考的一个问题是：我们拿什么吸引人呢？
The church has two major functions. One is to cultivate the spirituality of brothers and sisters so that they know God better; the other is to spread the gospel of Christ and share the benefits of the gospel with others. The pastoral care of the church is a very important topic in the actual expansion of the church. We have to admit that no matter where it is, there is strong competition between different churches, and between pastors as well. There are so many Christians who would rather drive for an hour to attend the worship in their favorite church rather than worship nearby. Why would they give up near and go further away? It should be the pulpit provision of this church or some specific ministries that attracted him. Then, one question we need to think about is: What do we use to attract people?
一、讲台信息吸引人The preaching information is attractive
从某一个层面来说，讲道的人是代表神说出神的话，是把神的道说给信徒听，是speak to them。随着网络资讯的发达，很多的信徒听了很多有名的牧师们的讲道，可是就是缺乏能力可以行出上帝的道来，就是说今天教会的讲台的牧养往往缺乏震撼力，似乎大家懂得了很多的神学知识，但缺乏遵行的力量！《圣经》是神已经启示出来的真理，而这真理是公开给所有人的，每个信徒都有权利和机会按照正意分解真理的道，因此讲道的人无须扮演真理化身的角色，既不需要自觉为神的代言人，也不需要自觉与听众有分别，我们都是神启示的聆听者，真理的追随者和践行者。所以，讲道是speak for them，就是说讲道的人以读经者的身份存在，以讲述神在此时此刻对我们的教训和提醒的见证者身份存在，以我将所处景况和神真道相纠缠的分享者存在。具体地说，我只是其中的一员，向上帝坦诚地表诉我的困苦与挣扎，然后祈求信仰带给我安慰与盼望。每篇讲道都是一篇信仰告白，不仅是讲道人的信仰告白，更是听道人的信仰告白。在这个宣讲的过程中，神特别赐给我们这个教会的力量，我们内在有从圣灵而来的力量可以照着行。
From a certain level, the preacher speaks the word of God on behalf of God, speaks the word of God to believers. With the development of Internet information, many believers have listened to the sermons of many famous pastors, but they lack the power to do the word of God. That is to say, the pastoral care of the church is often lacking inspiring and touching. It seems that Christians understand a lot of theological knowledge, but lack the power to obey it! The Bible is the truth that God has revealed, and this truth is open to everyone. Every believer has the right and opportunity to share the truth rightly. Thus, there is no need to consciously be the spokesperson of God, nor to be different from the audience. We are all listeners of God's revelation, followers and practitioners of the truth. Therefore, preaching is speak for them, that is, the person who preach exists as a reader of the Bible, as a witness who tells the teachings and reminders of God to us at this moment, and as a witness to the situation and the truth of God, and a sharer of God’s Word among them. To be more specific, I, the preacher, am just one of them, bluntly expressing my difficulties and struggles to God, and then praying that faith will bring me comfort and hope. Each sermon is a confession of faith, not only a confession of faith of the preacher, but also a confession of the listener. In this process of preaching, God has given us the power of this church. We have the power from the Holy Spirit within us to act accordingly.
二、活泼的敬拜方式 A lively way of worship
那么，什么样的敬拜模式是最适合我们的？我们用敬拜这个理念的发展来表达这个话题，当摩西在旷野带领以色列人时，上帝向以色列人启示敬拜他的模式会幕，因为地处旷野，所以神就启示他们用的皂荚木、公羊皮、海狗皮和以色列人从埃及带出来的蓝色、紫色、朱红色线和捻的细麻，这种皂荚木在旷野随处可见，上帝让摩西因地制宜，就地取材。后来到了大卫和所罗门时代，上帝所启示的圣殿非常非常精致和昂贵，有金、银和各样的宝石和各样宝贵的材料。我们利用教会现有的资源，在这基础上开展我们的事工，牧养是建基于神所赐给我们各样的资源。我们现在有Bob弹钢琴，加上Mark的贝司，我很期待Derek不要拉下，一共只有这么几个乐手，缺一个都不行。我们还向上帝祷告，求上帝赐给我们更多的人一起来敬拜上帝！我相信上帝已经听见我们的祷告！
想像一下，我们的教会将要充满敬拜的歌声，一群渴望上帝同在的基督徒在这里尽情地敬拜上帝，我们也因此经历了神的同在与祝福，这是我们教会未来的异象。
So, what kind of worship mode is best for us? We use the development of the concept of worship to express this topic. When Moses led the Israelites in the wilderness, God revealed to the Israelite the pattern of worshiping him. Because they were in the wilderness, God revealed the acacia wood, ram skins, badgers' skins, and the blue, purple, and scarlet thread and twisted fine linen brought out by the Israelites from Egypt. This acacia wood can be seen everywhere in the wilderness. God asked Moses to take local materials according to local conditions. Later in the time of David and Solomon, the temple revealed by God was very delicate, and expensive, with gold, silver, all kinds of precious stones and all kinds of precious materials. We use the existing resources of the church to carry out our ministry on this basis. Indeed, shepherding is based on the various resources God has given us. We now have Bob playing the piano, Mark's bass, and Derek’s guitar as well. I am looking forward to more musicians be involved. Up to now, there are only so few musicians in total, and nobody can be missing. We also keep on praying to God, asking God to give us more people to worship God together! I believe that God has heard our prayers!
Imagine that our church will be full of worship songs. A group of Christians who desire the presence of God will worship God extravagantly. Therefore, we have experienced the presence and blessing of God. This is the vision for the future of our church.
三、培养生命的敬虔Cultivate the godliness of life
提前4：8操练身体，益处还少；惟独敬虔，凡事都有益处，因有今生和来生的应许。敬虔让我们“凡事都有益处，因有今生和来生的应许。”（提前4：8）使徒保罗把基督徒灵性生命的精华浓缩起来时，其焦点就是内在生命的敬虔上。他说，神的恩典“教训我们除去不敬虔的心和世俗的情欲，在今世自守、公义、敬虔度日，等候主耶稣基督的再临”（多2：12～13）。而当保罗审视自己使徒的职分时，他说自己蒙召是去坚固神选民的信心，让他们认识更多那使人有敬虔生活的真理。（多1：1）
1 Timothy 4:8 “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” When the apostle Paul condensed the essence of the Christian spiritual life, his focus was on the godliness of the inner spiritual life. He said that God’s grace “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13). When Paul looked at his apostle's office, he said that he was called to strengthen the faith of God's chosen people and let them know more of the truth that enables people to live a godly life. (cf. Titus 1:1)
保罗强调“敬虔”还体现在祷告上，在提摩太前书中，我们要为那些在位掌权的人祷告，好让我们能在敬虔和圣洁的生活中享受平安宁静的日子。基督徒要操练自己成为敬虔的人。要追求敬虔生活——“追求”意味着努力不懈。“敬虔若加上知足，便是大利。”
Paul emphasized that godliness is also embodied in prayer. In 1 Timothy, Paul argues that we should pray for those in power so that we can enjoy peaceful and quiet days in a godly and holy life. Christians must train themselves to be godly. Pursue a godly life means try my best because “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim. 6:6)
使徒彼得指望主的日子临到，那时地和其上万物都要被毁灭；他因着这个日子，我们要过圣洁敬虔的生活（彼后3：10～12）。在这里，主的日子是大而可怕的，应对这样最终的结局，圣经给我们指明的路就是——过圣洁敬虔的生活。彼得说敬虔绝对不是某些圣徒的属灵奢侈品。每个基督徒都要努力学习和实践敬虔。因为神“已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们”每一个人（彼后1：3）。最平凡的信徒也拥有实践敬虔生活所需的一切条件，而最富恩赐的信徒也必须使用同样方式去实践敬虔。
The apostle Peter hopes that the day of the Lord will come, “the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare”. Because of this day, we ought to live a holy and godly life (2 Peter 3:10-12). Here, the day of the Lord is big and terrible. To deal with this final outcome, the Bible shows us the way to live a holy and godly life. Peter said that godliness is not a spiritual luxury for some saints. Every Christian must strive for learning and practicing godliness. Because God “has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). Every believer needs to practice godly life, and so do the church leaders.
当代著名的神学家毕思哲他写一本书《敬虔的操练》，他说归纳起来，敬虔是“带有行动的献身action in devotion”，就像以诺那样，享受与神而有的亲密关系，与神同行意味着把主权交给主，人生一切的焦点是神，我们的人生的目的、价值、意义时时对准上帝。这让我想到了但以理的一生，虽然他在巴比伦的王宫里，但王宫的荣华富贵与他没有关系，圣经把他的人生定格在一个窗下的人生，他家里的窗户朝向耶路撒冷，一日三次，祷告感谢与素常一样，即便他的仇敌想置他于死地，他也仍然和神亲密相交。但以理的敬虔是将自己肉身的性命融入永恒生命的人生，即便处在国家恐怖的大背景之下，为了信仰，他可以放弃自己肉身的性命，而且，虽然他明明知道自己这样持守信仰要被扔在狮子的坑里，他仍然“祷告感谢，与素常一样6：10”，但以理的敬虔还体现在他外在美好的品行上，他因为美好的灵性，办事毫无过失，别人都抓不到他的把柄。
The well-known contemporary theologian Jerry Bridges wrote a book “The Practice Godliness”. He said that in summary, godliness is "action in devotion", just like Enoch, enjoying the intimate relationship with God. Walking with God means surrendering sovereignty to the Lord. The focus of everything in our lives is God, and the purpose, value, and meaning of our lives are always aligned with God. This reminds me of Daniel’s life. Although he was in the palace of Babylon, the glory and wealth of the palace had nothing to do with him. The Bible fixed his life on his “upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. ” (Daniel 6:10). Daniel’s godliness is to integrate his physical life into eternal life. Even under the background of national terror, he can give up his physical life for the sake of faith, and even though he clearly knows that if he holds the faith in this way that he would be thrown into the lion’s pit. Daniel's piety is also reflected in his external good conduct. Because of his good spirituality, his opponents could not find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affair.
我自己的理解，敬虔是向着自己死，对付自己的老我，消除自己的旧人，让属灵的生命长出来。敬虔更是老我舍去之后的复活，这一粒烂了之后麦子就可以长出新苗，长大之后就结出许多子粒来。
In my own understanding, godliness means dying to ourselves, eliminating our own old self, and letting inner spiritual life grow. Godliness is even the resurrection after the old self is abandoned. After a seed is rotten, the wheat can grow new seedlings, and when it grows up, it will bear many seeds.
总结：牧养是建立美好的关系
教会一切的牧养就是帮助人建立关系，因着传扬上帝的真理，罪人与上帝建立了美好的关系，因着基督的爱，人与人之间成就了美好的关系。我要感恩的是，我们的教会渐渐有了这样的味道！如果同工之间没有美好的关系，这个教会就会有矛盾，如果乐手之间关系不好，呈现的音乐就会显得不和谐的，如果牧者和信徒之间没有建立美好而深入的关系，他所讲出来的道势必很空洞。在我们的教会里，关系胜过事工，我做牧师就是帮助弟兄姐妹建立和神之间的关系，建立团队之间彼此美好的关系！
Summary: Shepherding is about building beautiful relationships
All the pastoring or shepherding of the church is to help people build relationships. Because of the spread of God's truth, sinners have established a intimate relationship with God. Because of the love of Christ, people have established a beautiful relationship between people. I want to be grateful that our church gradually has such a flavor! If there is no good relationship between the co-workers, there will be conflicts in the church. If the relationship between the musicians is not good, the music presented will appear disharmonious. If the pastor and the believer have not established a beautiful and deep relationship, the sermons he speaks are bound to be very empty. In our church, relationships are better than ministry. As a pastor, I want to help my brothers and sisters to establish an intimate relationship with God and build a beautiful relationship between teams as well!
在《启示录》复活的耶稣称赞非拉铁非教会，启3:8我知道你的行为，你略有一点力量，也曾遵守我的道，没有弃绝我的名。看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门，是无人能关的。10你既遵守我忍耐的道，我必在普天下人受试炼的时候，保守你免去你的试炼。这个非拉铁非教会，虽然上帝给他们的力量不多，但因为他们在神不多的界线里尽上自己全部的努力，所以，神要敞开一个无人能关的门给他们，而且神要保守他们免去试炼。我想上帝在训练我们这帮事奉的人，到了上帝所定的时机，神美好的复兴就临到了我们！
In the Book of Revelation, the resurrected Christ praised the Church of Philadelphia, Rev. 3:8,10 “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name... Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” This church, although God does not give them much strength, but because they are doing all of their efforts, God wants to open a door that no one can close to them, and God Keep them from trials. I think God is training our team. At the time God has set, God's beautiful revival will come to us!