An eighty-year-old minister said that as long as there is an audience, he can spend hours sharing his previous work, service, accomplishments, and the places he has traveled.
This old minister is an elder who promoted the establishment of various churches when he was the chairman of the local Three-Self Patriotic Movement for years. In his career, he was a leader with exceptional skills and a technical school teacher.
His stories are countless, yet the audience is countable. When he was young, a soon-to-retired leader reminded him: "Though various accompanies are around at the moment, they will be gone when you are no longer in the position, just like the tea will cool down as soon as the guest leaves." He didn't pay attention back then, yet those words came true unexpectedly.
He lamented that calls to his home were nonstop when landlines were dominant. However, his cell phone remains silent all day now, though he uses the prevailing WeChat.
This elder’s later years are quite comfortable with a big house, a pension, a strong body, and a healthy wife, as well as different new hobbies. However, life has become quieter since retirement.
In addition to him, another 80-year-old pastor I visited also left a deep impression on me. She once stood on the roadside in front of her house and waited for me for about an hour, as I was dozens of minutes later than agreed for one of my visits. Upon my coworkers' and my arrival, she started preparing a delicious meal. She consistently served the visitors delectable food that other people had sent her, despite not being wealthy and leading a frugal lifestyle with a monthly income of only 800 yuan.
She is the founder of the local church. Upon believing in the Lord, she kept leading people to Him and soon established a meeting point, from which the congregations erected the first local church following several years of relocations in renting places for assembly. She continued to preach the gospel in the neighboring areas, establishing distinct meeting points. After the old church became dilapidated, she prayed with the believers for a new building. Till now, she is still praying for the local church.
In her later years, this pastor lived alone in a simple room in the church compound. When she was young, she married a widower who had no biological children with her. Due to her faith, the children severed contact with her after her spouse died. She would occasionally send me messages, expressing expectations for my next visit.
I have heard several more sad stories concerning the old ministers. Among them, one served the Lord fervently when he was young and even faced a crime, which he eventually rehabilitated. However, he lived at a subsistence level in his later years. Another elderly pastor of a provincial CC&TSPM was unable to afford medical expenses due to the lack of a guarantee of livelihood after retirement.
While the church is busy with numerous ministries, they should put more effort into caring for the predecessors who have contributed to the church, showing love in return, and ensuring healthy continuity.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
一位八旬的老牧者说：关于过去的工作和服侍，取得的成就，去过的地方……只要有一个听众，他就可以不间断分享很久。
这位老牧者是教会的长老，曾多年担任当地的三自爱国运动委员会主席，推动建立了不少教堂；在工作中拥有过硬的专业技术、曾任岗位负责人，甚至技校的老师。
他有很多的故事，但缺少听众。他想起了年轻时一位即将退休的领导跟他说：“别看现在很多人围着你，等你退下去了，人走茶凉。”当时他并未在意，没想到如今这句话真地应验了。
这位老牧者感慨，以前用固定电话的年代，他家电话不断；如今，他用微信，但整天静悄悄的。
这位老牧者的晚年生活还是挺幸福的。他有宽敞的住房，有退休金，身体硬朗，老伴儿健在，晚年还培养了各种爱好。只是，相较于退休前，生活变得冷清。
除了他，我曾拜访过的另外一位80多岁老牧者也让我印象深刻。一次我去拜访她的时候，比约定的时间晚了几十分钟。后来得知，她站在家门口的路边等了我一个小时左右。看到我和同工到了，她立即忙活准备丰盛的饭菜……实际上，这位老牧者并不富裕，她一个月的固定收入只有八百多元。但她平时省吃俭用，总是把别人送给她的好吃的用来招待客人。
这位老牧者是当地教会的创始人。她信主后，不断引人归主，不久就在当地成立了聚会点；经过几年动荡的租场地聚会后，信徒们建起了当地的首个教堂；她不断在周边地区传福音，建立了多个聚会点；老堂成为危房后，她又和信徒们一起为了筹建新堂代祷。 直到现在仍在为教会守望。
晚年，这位老牧者独自住在教会院内一个简易房。年轻时，她是以给人续弦的方式组建了家庭，没有自己的亲生儿女。丈夫去世后，子女因为她的信仰，与她断了来往。她会不时地给我留言，期盼下一次的见面。
关于老牧者，我还听闻过几个更为揪心的故事。一位老牧者年轻时为主奔波，甚至因为信仰而背负了罪名，后来得以平反，晚年生活拮据；一位省两会的老牧者，退休后生活没有保障，担负不起医疗费……
教会在忙着做各种事工的同时，更需要花些精力来关心那些曾为教会付出的前辈们，既是反哺也能更好地传承。
一位八旬老牧者的感叹：人走茶凉
An eighty-year-old minister said that as long as there is an audience, he can spend hours sharing his previous work, service, accomplishments, and the places he has traveled.
This old minister is an elder who promoted the establishment of various churches when he was the chairman of the local Three-Self Patriotic Movement for years. In his career, he was a leader with exceptional skills and a technical school teacher.
His stories are countless, yet the audience is countable. When he was young, a soon-to-retired leader reminded him: "Though various accompanies are around at the moment, they will be gone when you are no longer in the position, just like the tea will cool down as soon as the guest leaves." He didn't pay attention back then, yet those words came true unexpectedly.
He lamented that calls to his home were nonstop when landlines were dominant. However, his cell phone remains silent all day now, though he uses the prevailing WeChat.
This elder’s later years are quite comfortable with a big house, a pension, a strong body, and a healthy wife, as well as different new hobbies. However, life has become quieter since retirement.
In addition to him, another 80-year-old pastor I visited also left a deep impression on me. She once stood on the roadside in front of her house and waited for me for about an hour, as I was dozens of minutes later than agreed for one of my visits. Upon my coworkers' and my arrival, she started preparing a delicious meal. She consistently served the visitors delectable food that other people had sent her, despite not being wealthy and leading a frugal lifestyle with a monthly income of only 800 yuan.
She is the founder of the local church. Upon believing in the Lord, she kept leading people to Him and soon established a meeting point, from which the congregations erected the first local church following several years of relocations in renting places for assembly. She continued to preach the gospel in the neighboring areas, establishing distinct meeting points. After the old church became dilapidated, she prayed with the believers for a new building. Till now, she is still praying for the local church.
In her later years, this pastor lived alone in a simple room in the church compound. When she was young, she married a widower who had no biological children with her. Due to her faith, the children severed contact with her after her spouse died. She would occasionally send me messages, expressing expectations for my next visit.
I have heard several more sad stories concerning the old ministers. Among them, one served the Lord fervently when he was young and even faced a crime, which he eventually rehabilitated. However, he lived at a subsistence level in his later years. Another elderly pastor of a provincial CC&TSPM was unable to afford medical expenses due to the lack of a guarantee of livelihood after retirement.
While the church is busy with numerous ministries, they should put more effort into caring for the predecessors who have contributed to the church, showing love in return, and ensuring healthy continuity.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
Caring for Retired Church Staff for Healthy Continuity
