Home昔日真理報2018年 真理報文章2018 年 10 月【職場上的祭司】「營商」怎能「宣教」? -- 為營商宣教釋疑(下)

 

營商宣教之難處

可是,營商宣教不無難處!宣教是跨地域和文化的佈道工作,宣教士須好好學習當地語言及文化,多下苦功,才能與當地人建立良好的溝通和深厚的感情。因此,營商宣教士也須在這方面下苦功,絕不能因為是營商的緣故,就可以放棄學習。此外,營商須要尋找一份合適的工作或開展一盤生意,當中牽涉資金的籌集、金錢及時間的運用和管理等。如何一面營商(工作),一面成為福音工作者,為主建立教會?這些都需要營商宣教士加倍努力,多向神求問。還有,傳統觀念多以帶職宣教為救援工作(也被教會較為接受),以營商為宣教「手段」,自然會引起眾多質疑,例如生意利潤怎樣處理?萬一虧本怎麼辦?這都是嚴峻的問題,需要營商宣教士及差會認真面對。宣教士在努力工作(營商)的時候,可能被後方教會誤認為又事奉主,又事奉瑪門。營商宣教士有時囿於傳統觀念和遭受眾多壓力,甚至自己也懷疑這方式是否仍算是宣教。所以,除了須要有明確及清晰交代的機制外,還需要各方一起努力,突破傳統對「宣教」觀念的框框。

經驗分享

雖然前線差會的宣教士都是「帶職」,但也是徹頭徹尾的宣教士。我們對營商宣教有一套相關的理念及問責機制:

1) 差會的帶職宣教士是全職宣教士,生活及宣教經費由教會弟兄姊妹支持。自給自足式的帶職宣教士由於缺乏守望,能有效作福音植堂的成功例子很少。「你的財寶在哪裏,你的心也在那裏」(太六 21),同樣,弟兄姊妹的奉獻支持在哪裏,他們的關注及禱告也在那裏。宣教士因為有足夠的經濟支持,不用為要賺取生活費而失去傳福音的時間和空間。

2) 差會對帶職宣教士掌握當地語言的要求,跟專職宣教士一樣,否則如何與當地人建立良好的社交生活,從而建立福音關係?

3) 營商宣教士在工場須要有明確的身分,工作能貢獻社會,幫助別人。他們的工作絕不能弄虛作假,所以他們也可稱為「雙職」宣教士:一方面是傳福音,另一方面是確實在當地工作。

4) 宣教士要有清晰的事工及營商計劃,並努力於兩者的結合。營商企劃必須能幫助接觸有關福音對象。

5) 儘管大部分的營商經費由弟兄姊妹奉獻或借出支持, 收支仍須向差會定期交代。凡奉獻給宣教士的營商費用最好當作借貸,待宣教士生意上了軌道後,須按時償還,這樣可幫助貸款者了解經營情況。若要弟兄姊妹奉獻支持生意營運,營商計劃須先經過差會所委派的顧問審閱通過,才能動用有關奉獻。一般而言,差會期望生意能於18個月內,達至自負盈虧;倘若是較大數額投資,期限會有所調整,但也要盡快達到自負盈虧。這是幫助宣教士認真看待「營商」和運用有關基金,避免不必要的虧蝕。

6) 宣教士和差會須要有清晰的守望及問責的互動關係,按時交代工作(生意)及事工計劃的進展。而且,每年都須要遞交工作和財務報告。

7) 帶職宣教士要有健康的靈命及屬靈支援,並有多位兄姊穩定的代禱支持,在後方一同儆醒,為宣教士守望。

8) 營商宣教要能成功,宣教士須加倍付出及努力。但為着很多在創啟地區中的未得之民,這還是值得的。

上述原則在宣教士出工場前,差會已清楚向他們說明,並得到他們同意。因為有明確的機制,又可清晰交代賬目,我們的宣教士大多能獲得教會長期的支持及信任,現在部分同工的生意更已開始自負盈虧,跟當地人建立很好的「工緣」關係。

總結

教會和差會應當攜手合作,關心和支持營商宣教士。為了讓神的榮耀能早日在萬民中彰顯,應當照顧他們的生活和事工需要,也要有完善的制度或運作機制,讓宣教士知道怎樣匯報生意(工作)上的收支,以及事工的計劃和進展,務求令支持者及教會理解,信任他們。營商宣教的目的不能以謀取最大利潤為依歸,而是要帶來生命的轉化(life transformation),因此有不少人倡議把 "BAM" 改為 "BAT" (Business as Transformation)。求主幫助,讓我們多為宣教士禱告,特別為營商宣教士禱告,在主裏每天不斷得着更新和轉化(羅十二 1-2),叫他們都成為改變生命、拯救靈魂的 "BAT-MAN" (改變別人生命的人)。

(本文原載於香港差傳事工聯會出版之《往普天下去》2010.4-6月號,蒙允轉載)

 

      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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