Home昔日真理報2016年 真理報文章2016 年 12 月【敬拜與音樂】教牧音樂家

【敬拜與音樂】教牧音樂家

 

music我們可以稱在當地教會用音樂為主事奉的工作者為「音樂家」﹐為什麼?大多數主流教會都有受薪的專人負責用音樂來帶領敬拜,這些人可以是牧師、教牧同工或專業的音樂家。但是在華人教會,一般在教會用音樂為主來事奉的大多數都是非受薪的義務工作者。筆者認為無論受薪與否,這些工作者一般都應該有神學、音樂及崇拜學的訓練。

最近筆者碰到「教牧音樂家」(pastoral musician)這個詞語,在理解這個詞的含義後,我感覺到這個詞語實在可以更好地描述那些在當地的教會內服事的音樂家。「教牧音樂家」這詞並不是一個新的詞語,在某些基督教圈子裡是一個常見的名詞,但是在另一些角落是比較不熟悉。究竟「教牧音樂家」是什麼?

定義

Constance Cherry 在 "The Music Architect: Blueprints for Engaging Worshippers in Song,"(Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, MI, 2016, 頁3)給「教牧音樂家」下了一個定義,「教牧音樂家」是「一個屬靈領袖,有培養過的技術和上帝賜予他們的責任去在崇拜中挑選、使用和/或領導音樂。而他們是為禮儀的行動服侍,目的是能夠幫助參與崇拜者充分參與,和反映神學和語境意義,並以讚美上帝為終極目的。」

這個定義對於「教牧音樂家」的角色和責任的陳述有幾個要點:

1. 「教牧音樂家」是一個屬靈領袖:他們是一群與耶穌基督有關係的人,而他們的領導為教會提供了屬靈的發展。

2. 「教牧音樂家」有培養過的技術:除了天賦,他們擁有相應的高深學識。因為他們有意投資於培訓,以至可以盡力地發揮他們的技能。他們這樣做是為了服務耶穌基督和祂的教會﹐通過上帝賜給他們的恩賜他們尋求方法持續的榮耀神。

3. 「教牧音樂家」明白音樂服務於聖經的崇拜,他們以幫助參與者充分參與實現為目的。

4. 「教牧音樂家」需要仔細用神學考慮的角度為起點,他們的事工更加需要忠實地從聖經並基督教歷史中開始。

5. 「教牧音樂家」深深地致力使所有的崇拜者唱出上帝的榮耀。

召命

生命和事奉是不可分的,而事奉所需要的是委身。有人說委身是一種決擇,而不是一種交易。我們的事奉是否出於責任或義務?還是我們的事奉是出於我們回應上帝的呼召?

「教牧音樂家」必須要有服事於敬拜事工的召命,這樣的事奉才有效果。而召命不是工作,所以這和受薪酬與否是沒有關係的。

不幸的是現時在普遍教會而見的事奉觀是斬性的分工,而往往分工是短期並沒有承諾。這些類型的「事奉觀」缺乏委身並且沒有焦點,更加沒有召命可言。

各位讀者,如果你目前在音樂部事奉,你有沒有服事於敬拜事工的召命?

技術與訓練

「教牧音樂家」需要有倍養他們的技術而不是單單依賴天才,所以對於「教牧音樂家」投資於培訓是不能少的。

前面已經提及,「教牧音樂家」應該有神學、音樂及崇拜學的訓練。不學無術,一個「教牧音樂家」需要不停止的學習。神學、音樂及崇拜學每一個都是十分大的學習範圍,需要很多年的虛心學習。

一般華人教會的問題是:

a) 教會領導不願意投放資源在崇拜及音樂事奉人員的訓練。一般教會對短期宣教投放的資源往往遠超過對崇拜及音樂事奉人員的訓練。這個大差別是否正確的反映出事工的重要性?

b) 崇拜及音樂事奉人員不願意尋求和接受培訓。有些已經在崇拜及音樂事奉的人員,以為自己懂得的已經足夠,沒有去學習的動力。這個現象可能是和自滿與不謙卑有關,實在可惜。

c) 不知道在哪裡可以找到良好的培訓機會。坊間時常有不同的訓練機會,我們需要有靈敏的觸覺與辯別好壞的能力。多作閱讀也可以幫助我們獲得教育的機會。

結語

神的呼召我們的道路通常有三部分:辨別、準備和奉獻。首先我們需要辨別神在我們生命中獨特的召命,然後我們需要準備與接受訓練,最後,我們奉獻自己的生命以完成我們的召命。

朋友,你有成為「教牧音樂家」的召命嗎?

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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