Isaac was prepared to go down to Egypt in order to avoid the famine of Canaan but was blocked by God in Gerar. Therefore, Isaac, who was a herder, had to plant in that land, and “the same year reaped a hundredfold" (see Genesis 26:1-13). During this pandemic, I have also reaped "a hundredfold.’
The pandemic fulfilled my promise. To sustain an online presence during the pandemic, I had to change my long-standing habit of only preparing outline or lectures that were only partial drafts, and I started writing my sermons out in full.
On the other hand, because of the lockdown and having the freedom of being at home, I saw colleagues writing articles in some local e-journals on the Internet. I was inspired. I could also write articles of faith and upload it to various WeChat groups in the church to help meet the spiritual needs of brothers and sisters. At the same time, I connected a Christian media ministry and decided to submit articles to them. In this way, I started my writing ministry.
Writing full-text lectures has been one of my goals. While taking online courses for advanced training at Liangyou Bible College I studied "Intensive Preaching." The teacher suggested that we write out the complete text of our sermons, so I promised myself that I would write at least six full-text sermons every year after graduating. However, it has been two and a half years since I graduated, and my sermons still were only partially written out. The pandemic has given me to the opportunity to fulfill this promise. From the beginning of March, I began my writing ministry and quickly made up for the two years since graduation when I haven’t written complete sermons.
The pandemic expanded the field of service. Before, whenever I prepared a satisfactory sermon or Bible study material, I was sorry that I could only share it only once in the church. The light given by God seemed as if it were buried. I have always wanted to share my work with other brothers and sisters; at the same time, I have dreamed of sharing my experiences and touching stories from my ministry and work in the church. It was this pandemic that helped my wishes and dreams to come true through the medium of online media.
The pandemic forced the church to shift its ministries from offline to online. I found that I was unprepared for this shift. I don’t like to use a mobile phone, so I was not familiar with many of its functions. The same is true of using live online video. In the early stage of the pandemic, I still had the illusion that it would pass soon and the online gatherings would also end soon. I thought that there were other groups who could do this, so it didn’t matter whether I was competent in using network video broadcasting technology or not. However, this situation has forced me to learn those things. God is using this pandemic to "teach a pig to play on a flute." It is opening the door for online shepherding for me, and laying the foundation for online pastoral ministry.
The pandemic gave direction to my efforts. First, the pandemic compelled churches to change from offline pastoring to online. This not was not only a new challenge for me, but also made me realize that as a minister, I must keep up with changing trends in society, keep pace with the times, understand new things, and master or apply new technology in advance.
Secondly, the number of people suffering from mental illness has risen greatly during the pandemic. Three family members of persons suffering from depression have asked me for help. Since I hadn’t paid much attention to pastoral counseling, when faced with this, I was unsure of what I should do. Therefore, I realized my shortcomings and determined to overcome it in my future pastoral work.
The pandemic gave a post in my soul. Recently, when I was relaxing or in my spare time, I unconsciously opened the Christian media website on my mobile phone or computer. I enjoy the well-written articles and can feel both the joy and the bitterness that the evangelists express and learn from it. I pay attention to the world and watch what is happening in the church in the country, and I browse and review my works.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
见证：疫情之下经历“荒年里的百倍收成” 以撒当年为避迦南饥荒，准备下埃及，而被神拦阻在基拉耳；本是以放牧为业的以撒，却被迫从事农耕（“在那地耕种”），然而，“那一年有百倍的收成”（参创26：1-13）。在这次疫情下，本人也同样在经历荒年里的“百倍”收成。 疫情让我兑现了曾经的承诺。 一方面，为了应对疫情期间的线上证道，不得不一改长期以来只预备大纲或半稿讲章的习惯和惰性，而开始了书写全文讲章。 另一方面，因封城休会，让自己“赋闲”在家，且从网络上看到世上工作单位的同事，在当地某些电子刊物撰文投稿，让自己受到启发——自己也可以尝试撰写信仰文章，上传到教会各个微信群，以供弟兄姊妹灵里需要。同时，也在此期间认识了基督教文字媒体事工，且决定尝试去投稿。这样，我开始了文字事工。 其实，撰写全文讲章是我曾经许下的诺言。我在网上接受良友圣经学院进深科装备期间，修读《进深讲道学》一科时，为了回应授课老师对学员提出，应尽量使用全稿讲章证道的建议，在向学院提交的听课报告中，承诺待进深科毕业后，每年至少要撰写六篇全文讲章。然而，我从良院进深科毕业至疫情发生前已有两年半，却依然只是预备半文讲稿。可见，是疫情催逼我开始兑现这一承诺。从三月初开始尝试文字事工，到目前为止一次性补齐了进深科毕业后，这两年多来按承诺所欠的全文讲稿。 疫情为我拓展了事奉的禾场。 疫情前，每当预备一篇自己满意的讲章或查经灵修资料后，看见只向本堂信徒且只作一次性分享，觉得有点埋没了神所赐的亮光，一直有与更多的弟兄姊妹分享的愿望；同时，也常怀着将自己事奉中的体会和发生在身边弟兄身上的一些感人见证故事等，与更多主内家人交流分享的梦想。也是这次疫情，让我开始借助网络媒体事工来圆这些愿望和梦想。 同时，疫情迫使教会的牧养从线下转移到了线上。这一突如其来的变迁，起初也让自己措手不及。因为平时不爱盘弄手机，智能手机的许多功能都不会使用，对网上视频直播更是一窍不通。疫情前期，我还抱有疫情很快会过去，线上聚会将很快结束的幻想；且认为又有其他同工会做，自己掌握不掌握网络视直播技术无关紧要。然而，严峻的疫情形势，迫使自己学习在网上做视频直播。可见，神利用这次的疫情，“赶鸭子上架”，为我开启了线上牧养之门，也为我今后兼带线上牧养打下了基础。 疫情让我看到了努力的方向。 其一，这次疫情迫使教会从疫情前的线下牧养，转变为线上牧养，不仅给了我在牧会上一个新的挑战；而且，还让我认识到，作为传道人不能不问社会上的新生事物，必须要与时俱进，了解新事物，超前掌握和应用新科技。 其二，疫情下，心理疾病患者大大攀升，此期间就遇到过三位抑郁症患者家人的求助。由于，平时不在意教牧辅导，因此当面临这一事工时，实在是力不从心。从而，也看到了自己在教牧事工上的不足；认识到在今后的教牧工作中，必须更加全面地掌握作为教牧人员。 疫情让我找到了心灵的驿站。 近段时间，当我在身体疲惫之时或事务闲暇之余，都会不自觉地在手机或电脑上打开基督教媒体网站，从其中，品味作者的美文，品尝传道人的喜乐和辛酸，汲取文中的养分；并看世界风云，观国内教会动向；也浏览回味一下自己的作品。
Isaac was prepared to go down to Egypt in order to avoid the famine of Canaan but was blocked by God in Gerar. Therefore, Isaac, who was a herder, had to plant in that land, and “the same year reaped a hundredfold" (see Genesis 26:1-13). During this pandemic, I have also reaped "a hundredfold.’
The pandemic fulfilled my promise. To sustain an online presence during the pandemic, I had to change my long-standing habit of only preparing outline or lectures that were only partial drafts, and I started writing my sermons out in full.
On the other hand, because of the lockdown and having the freedom of being at home, I saw colleagues writing articles in some local e-journals on the Internet. I was inspired. I could also write articles of faith and upload it to various WeChat groups in the church to help meet the spiritual needs of brothers and sisters. At the same time, I connected a Christian media ministry and decided to submit articles to them. In this way, I started my writing ministry.
Writing full-text lectures has been one of my goals. While taking online courses for advanced training at Liangyou Bible College I studied "Intensive Preaching." The teacher suggested that we write out the complete text of our sermons, so I promised myself that I would write at least six full-text sermons every year after graduating. However, it has been two and a half years since I graduated, and my sermons still were only partially written out. The pandemic has given me to the opportunity to fulfill this promise. From the beginning of March, I began my writing ministry and quickly made up for the two years since graduation when I haven’t written complete sermons.
The pandemic expanded the field of service. Before, whenever I prepared a satisfactory sermon or Bible study material, I was sorry that I could only share it only once in the church. The light given by God seemed as if it were buried. I have always wanted to share my work with other brothers and sisters; at the same time, I have dreamed of sharing my experiences and touching stories from my ministry and work in the church. It was this pandemic that helped my wishes and dreams to come true through the medium of online media.
The pandemic forced the church to shift its ministries from offline to online. I found that I was unprepared for this shift. I don’t like to use a mobile phone, so I was not familiar with many of its functions. The same is true of using live online video. In the early stage of the pandemic, I still had the illusion that it would pass soon and the online gatherings would also end soon. I thought that there were other groups who could do this, so it didn’t matter whether I was competent in using network video broadcasting technology or not. However, this situation has forced me to learn those things. God is using this pandemic to "teach a pig to play on a flute." It is opening the door for online shepherding for me, and laying the foundation for online pastoral ministry.
The pandemic gave direction to my efforts. First, the pandemic compelled churches to change from offline pastoring to online. This not was not only a new challenge for me, but also made me realize that as a minister, I must keep up with changing trends in society, keep pace with the times, understand new things, and master or apply new technology in advance.
Secondly, the number of people suffering from mental illness has risen greatly during the pandemic. Three family members of persons suffering from depression have asked me for help. Since I hadn’t paid much attention to pastoral counseling, when faced with this, I was unsure of what I should do. Therefore, I realized my shortcomings and determined to overcome it in my future pastoral work.
The pandemic gave a post in my soul. Recently, when I was relaxing or in my spare time, I unconsciously opened the Christian media website on my mobile phone or computer. I enjoy the well-written articles and can feel both the joy and the bitterness that the evangelists express and learn from it. I pay attention to the world and watch what is happening in the church in the country, and I browse and review my works.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
Testimony: Reaping a 'Hundred-fold' During Pandemic
