Volunteers are an essential ministry group in churches. In certain grassroots churches, volunteers are even entrusted with the responsibility of preaching. The Church in China has long agreed to enhance the quality of volunteers through training. How can we fulfill service demands through volunteer training? The article shares a case study of a volunteer training course that may prove enlightening.
Fifteen years ago, the Christian Council and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CC&TSPM) of H City in Guangdong Province initiated a one-month, once-a-year volunteer training program. Subsequently, the church leaders of H City expressed dissatisfaction with the rudimentary nature of the training, and thus expanded the latest training program to twice a year, spanning four semesters, each lasting for one month. The pastor-in-charge of the training course, Pastor C, reported that 14 out of the initial 24 applicants completed the training, far exceeding their original expectations.
One female believer came from a grassroots church situated amidst the nearby mountains of H City, where no full-time pastors were systematically trained in theology. With a smile, she explained that her job refusal was due to the unavailability of leave for such a prolonged period, stating her anticipation over the course's duration. I enquired whether she had decided to work full-time upon completing the training, but to my surprise, she claimed to be undetermined, mentioning that she would search for another job elsewhere.
Pastor C stated that mastering this knowledge is akin to attaining basic theology expertise, as the courses comprised fundamental heavyweights of Christianity such as Synopsis of the Old Testament, Synopsis of the New Testament, and Introduction to the Five Books of Moses. Additionally, theoretical subjects like Systematic Theology, Church Music, and Worship Etiquette were included in the program alongside practical subjects like the Law of Evangelism, Preaching, and Pastoral Epistle Study. This training helped to build a faith structure for volunteers that would secure the church from straying even in the absence of a pastor.
Many churches faced financial constraints in hiring highly qualified teachers. In response, Pastor C mentioned taking the opportunities of exchanges and lectures by pastors in Guangdong by inviting these excellent pastors or lecturers to H City to offer short-term lessons to these volunteers. For instance, they once invited a Canadian professor to train them in hospice care, an example of how they sought to maximize opportunities actively.
In addition to increasing individuals' knowledge reserve, they took students on visits to churches in nearby S cities during the completion period. Pastor C remarked that "expanding one's horizon by gaining knowledge" was the essence of the volunteer training.
One female believer who left her job to attend the training commented, saying that the training not only taught her how to study the Bible but also how to lead a fellowship in the future. She learned that worship could include specific processes and content, thus helping her to avoid misunderstandings with churches of different practices. Consequently, she developed the confidence to mediate when people criticized others based on their worship traditions. Her courage grew, and she could now pray, lead worship sessions, and praise or share in public without fear.
Another female volunteer, G, who works as a doctor, often confronted situations related to abortions, gays, AIDS, syphilis, and other illnesses. She was initially unsure of how to handle these cases, but these classes gave her valuable insight and ideas.
- Translated by Nicolas Cao
义工是当下教会不可缺少的服侍群体，在一些基层教会中，义工甚至承担传道讲经的重任。通过培训提高义工素质成为教会长久以来的共识。如何让义工培训解决服侍需要，笔者了解到一次义工培训，或许有所启发。
广东省H市两会自十五年前启动义工培训，一年一次，为期一个月。后来，H市教会领袖不满足浅尝辄止的培训，将最新一期延伸至两年一循环。每半年办一期，一期一个月。该培训班负责人C牧师讲，最初24人报名，高达14人完成培训，已经超出他们的期待。
一位姊妹来自H市临近山区的基层教会，该教会中没有受过系统神学培训的全职传道人。“没有老板会答应你请假一个月的啊，”她笑着说自己为参与培训辞掉工作。笔者惊讶问及她是否已决定全职服侍，她表示还有两个上学的孩子要抚养，暂时还未有此打算，培训结束后会再去找工作。
C牧师表示，“如果都吸收的话，就相当于读了简易的神学。”课程首先扎根圣经知识，如《旧约概要》、《新约概要》、《摩西五经导读》等打根基性的；也有《系统神学》、《教会音乐》、《崇拜礼仪》等理论性的；《福音布道法》、《讲道学》、《教牧书信研读》等实用性的。培训帮助义工建立信仰架构，保证教会即使没有传道人，也因着这些义工，也不走偏。
因资金缺乏限制了多处教会聘请高水准老师。C牧师表示，除了发挥该市教牧力量，他们还抓住广东省教牧交流和讲座培训机会，邀请其他优秀的牧者或讲座人来H市为这些义工开展短期授课或讲座。如他们曾在活动中邀请一位加拿大教授来培训关于临终关怀相关知识。
除了扎实的知识储备，培训班在结业期带领学员前往临近S市教会参访交流。“长进知识，打开眼界，”是C牧师对此次义工培训的评价。
那位为参加课程辞掉工作的姊妹分享，培训让她学会了如何查经，知道之后要怎样带领团契。学崇拜学之后才知道崇拜可以有这些内容流程，不会再误会跟自己堂点传统不同的教会；遇见其他人因为崇拜传统不同而抨击批评别人时，她可以解释调解。她的胆量得到锻炼，终于不再惧怕在公开场合祷告、带领赞美、分享。
另一位义工G姊妹表示作为一名医生，她经常见到堕胎流产事件，也会遇到同性恋、艾滋病、梅毒等病人。她以往困惑于如何帮助他们，这些课程给了她具体的启发。
如何让义工培训有质有量？——从一次义工培训说起
Volunteers are an essential ministry group in churches. In certain grassroots churches, volunteers are even entrusted with the responsibility of preaching. The Church in China has long agreed to enhance the quality of volunteers through training. How can we fulfill service demands through volunteer training? The article shares a case study of a volunteer training course that may prove enlightening.
Fifteen years ago, the Christian Council and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CC&TSPM) of H City in Guangdong Province initiated a one-month, once-a-year volunteer training program. Subsequently, the church leaders of H City expressed dissatisfaction with the rudimentary nature of the training, and thus expanded the latest training program to twice a year, spanning four semesters, each lasting for one month. The pastor-in-charge of the training course, Pastor C, reported that 14 out of the initial 24 applicants completed the training, far exceeding their original expectations.
One female believer came from a grassroots church situated amidst the nearby mountains of H City, where no full-time pastors were systematically trained in theology. With a smile, she explained that her job refusal was due to the unavailability of leave for such a prolonged period, stating her anticipation over the course's duration. I enquired whether she had decided to work full-time upon completing the training, but to my surprise, she claimed to be undetermined, mentioning that she would search for another job elsewhere.
Pastor C stated that mastering this knowledge is akin to attaining basic theology expertise, as the courses comprised fundamental heavyweights of Christianity such as Synopsis of the Old Testament, Synopsis of the New Testament, and Introduction to the Five Books of Moses. Additionally, theoretical subjects like Systematic Theology, Church Music, and Worship Etiquette were included in the program alongside practical subjects like the Law of Evangelism, Preaching, and Pastoral Epistle Study. This training helped to build a faith structure for volunteers that would secure the church from straying even in the absence of a pastor.
Many churches faced financial constraints in hiring highly qualified teachers. In response, Pastor C mentioned taking the opportunities of exchanges and lectures by pastors in Guangdong by inviting these excellent pastors or lecturers to H City to offer short-term lessons to these volunteers. For instance, they once invited a Canadian professor to train them in hospice care, an example of how they sought to maximize opportunities actively.
In addition to increasing individuals' knowledge reserve, they took students on visits to churches in nearby S cities during the completion period. Pastor C remarked that "expanding one's horizon by gaining knowledge" was the essence of the volunteer training.
One female believer who left her job to attend the training commented, saying that the training not only taught her how to study the Bible but also how to lead a fellowship in the future. She learned that worship could include specific processes and content, thus helping her to avoid misunderstandings with churches of different practices. Consequently, she developed the confidence to mediate when people criticized others based on their worship traditions. Her courage grew, and she could now pray, lead worship sessions, and praise or share in public without fear.
Another female volunteer, G, who works as a doctor, often confronted situations related to abortions, gays, AIDS, syphilis, and other illnesses. She was initially unsure of how to handle these cases, but these classes gave her valuable insight and ideas.
- Translated by Nicolas Cao
Case Study of Effective Training for Church Volunteers
