A few days ago, a millennial co-worker, called X for short, shared about his mentality and struggles in the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
X has served as the head of the student fellowship for more than seven years, during which he tasted the ups and downs of pastoral ministry. After 2020, he is not as enthusiastic as before due to the pandemic, becoming a father, as well as various environmental changes. He reveals his own psychological changes on the road of ministry.
"Before the age of 30, I served the Lord very enthusiastically, but after having a family and a child, I become increasingly worried, and the cost of raising and educating children was a real challenge." The preacher said, “Before I had a family, I felt that there was no difficulty in my life. Now, however, I have to manage every detail, with lower incomes but still high consumption. In my family, I used to work as a co-worker and volunteered to serve in the church, while my wife earned money to support the family. Later, my daily life needs to be increased, and my ambition to serve the Lord was also affected. I am no longer as passionate as before."
When talking about the environmental changes, Brother X said, "Now I serve mainly young people born between 1995-2000. Times have changed. In the past, everyone begged to come to the church, but now the church begged them to attend services. Four years later, after they graduated from college, most of them went to other places, and very few of them were able to commit themselves for a long time. Meanwhile, because of the pandemic, the people whom I serve are often unable to meet each other, which greatly reduces the pastoring effectiveness and makes me feel depressed."
What worries him most is that his work is not a traditional and fixed work, which is easy to encounter the incomprehension and pressure of people around him, and may indirectly disturb his family and children."I often worry that my fervent service could bring hardship and uneasiness to my family. Over time, I began to fade out as a front-line preacher," he added.
The preacher confessed, "I once wanted to leave this city for my child's kindergarten education, because private kindergartens are very expensive, while public kindergartens need a local registered permanent residence or social security records. I worried that I didn't have social security records so my child wouldn’t be able to attend the kindergarten. One day I prayed to God that if you want me to stay here, please let me solve my child’s schooling as soon as possible, or I will have to leave here. Amazingly, when I was going through the admission formalities, a staff member saw me leading my child. She first asked if my children were of the right age to go to kindergarten. I said yes, but was not applying yet, as I didn't know if there were any quotas in public kindergartens. She gave me her phone number and said that she would handle it for me. As a result, things went very smoothly, and my child entered the kindergarten. I see that God will really lead me if I do his will."
There used to be rich churches that would like to hire him, but through inquiring further, he learned that it still could not support his financial needs, so he dismissed the idea of continuing the full-time service. Now X still serves the Lord, but he would choose an auxiliary position. If someone as powerful as Moses leads in front, he is willing to continue to serve like Aaron, but he dares not stand in the pioneering or leading position now.
Facing the changeable environment, he reminded that he was often told in recent years, "It will be fine in a few years, it will be fine in a few years". For the current pandemic, it is the same, "The pandemic is coming to an end, and 2021 will be different", "The pandemic is coming to an end, and 2022 will be different" ... but the reality is getting worse.
Brother X said frankly that he was confused about where we were headed. Although his love for Jesus has never changed, and he is still holding on to the call to serving God all his life, it is patience and courage training for him to endure the present predicament.
Now all he can do is read the Bible every day, occasionally read other books, and support his family and child with some small business.
In the meantime, he is still praying that God will lead him to the future.
Comment:
After the pandemic outbreak in 2020, there are many cases of struggles like those experienced by Brother X. With the rising house prices, daily product prices, and education costs, many pastors who are married and have children are living in such a dilemma. Some of them completely give up their initial calling, some select part-time service, and some are waiting for a turn for the better. But the changes brought about by the pandemic have aggravated this difficulty.
The road of servanthood is a road of dedication, self-sacrifice, and hardship. This has been the case since the time of Jesus and Paul. It is the urgent need of the churches to face the dilemma experienced by front-line co-workers between supporting their families and serving the Lord. No matter what attitude or system is, we need to make changes so that more passionate young co-workers can find their supplies and ministries.
- Translated by Oliver Zuo
日前，一位华东90后的团契同工X弟兄分享了他在疫情后，这两年经历的心态和挣扎。
他曾做过7年多的学生团契负责人，在这个过程中他品尝到了牧养和服事路上的酸甜苦辣。2020年后，一方面因为疫情，一方面因为自己成为父亲，叠加上各种环境的变化，“不像以前那样火热了”，这位弟兄分享了他自己在服事道路上心态的变化。
“30岁之前，我曾非常火热事奉主，但是有了家庭之后、有了孩子之后，我的顾虑也开始多了起来，对孩子的养育与教育的花费是真实的挑战。”这位X传道人分享说。没有家室之前，我觉得人生没有什么困难，现在却是财迷油盐都得管，收入不一样，消费却一样。我们家曾经是，我做同工在教会志愿服事，我的妻子赚钱养家。再后来，生活实际的需要增加，在这个处境中，我服事主的心志也受到了影响，不再像从前那么火热了。”
这位X弟兄谈到了环境的变化时说：“我现在事奉对象主要是95-00后的年轻人，时代不一样了，过去是大家求着来聚会，现在是教会求着他们聚会。四年之后，他们大学毕业之后，大部分的人都去了别的地方，能够长久委身的非常少。同时，因为疫情的缘故，所事奉的人群常常是处在无法见面的状态，大大降低了牧养的果效，让我感到沮丧。”
最让X弟兄感到不安的是因为他的工作并非传统和固定的工作种类，很容易遭遇周围人的不理解和压力，也间接可能会让家人孩子受到突如其来的惊吓。“我常常会担心因自己的火热事奉给家人带来艰难和不安，久而久之，我的心开始慢慢淡出一线传道人的位置。”
这位传道人说：“自己曾经为了孩子上幼儿园的事情苦恼是否要离开这个城市，因为私立幼儿园很贵，公立幼儿园的话如果不是当地户口，那么需要有工作单位和社保，我一直担心自己没有工作单位和社保，孩子无法顺利入园，有一天我祷告说，神啊，如果你让我留在这里，就尽快解决我孩子上学的问题，不然我就离开这里吧。奇妙的是，在做入园手续的时候，一位工作人员看到我领着孩子过来，她先开口问我的孩子适龄了吗，要上幼儿园了吗？我说需要上了，不过还没有申请，不知道有没有公立幼儿园的名额，她就说把电话给我，我给你办理。结果，这个事情很快就解决了，我的孩子顺利入园。我看到神真的会开道路的，如果我遵行他的旨意的话。”
也曾经有富足的教会给这位传道人发出聘用邀请，但是通过多方了解，发现他们仍是不能够稳定的支持传道人家庭的需要，因此打消了这个继续全职服事的念头。现在这位X传道人依然想事奉主，但他会选择站在辅助的位置上。如果有像摩西那样有力量的人前面带领的情况，他乐意像亚伦那样配搭继续事奉，但他也看到，自己现在不敢站在开拓或者带领的位置上。
面对多变的环境，他想起这几年常常有人跟她说：“过几年就好了，过几年就好了”，面对现在的疫情也是：“疫情快要结束了，2021年不一样”，“疫情快要结束了，2022年不一样”...但是看现实环境，反而是越来越难。未来该如何去行？X弟兄坦率地表示，他感到迷茫。当然，爱耶稣的心肠从未改变，一生服
访谈|一位90后团契志愿同工事奉的两难：养家和事奉如何取舍？
日前，一位华东90后的团契同工X弟兄分享了他在疫情后，这两年经历的心态和挣扎。
他曾做过7年多的学生团契负责人，在这个过程中他品尝到了牧养和服事路上的酸甜苦辣。2020年后，一方面因为疫情，一方面因为自己成为父亲，叠加上各种环境的变化，“不像以前那样火热了”，这位弟兄分享了他自己在服事道路上心态的变化。
“30岁之前，我曾非常火热事奉主，但是有了家庭之后、有了孩子之后，我的顾虑也开始多了起来，对孩子的养育与教育的花费是真实的挑战。”这位X传道人分享说。没有家室之前，我觉得人生没有什么困难，现在却是财迷油盐都得管，收入不一样，消费却一样。我们家曾经是，我做同工在教会志愿服事，我的妻子赚钱养家。再后来，生活实际的需要增加，在这个处境中，我服事主的心志也受到了影响，不再像从前那么火热了。”
这位X弟兄谈到了环境的变化时说：“我现在事奉对象主要是95-00后的年轻人，时代不一样了，过去是大家求着来聚会，现在是教会求着他们聚会。四年之后，他们大学毕业之后，大部分的人都去了别的地方，能够长久委身的非常少。同时，因为疫情的缘故，所事奉的人群常常是处在无法见面的状态，大大降低了牧养的果效，让我感到沮丧。”
最让X弟兄感到不安的是因为他的工作并非传统和固定的工作种类，很容易遭遇周围人的不理解和压力，也间接可能会让家人孩子受到突如其来的惊吓。“我常常会担心因自己的火热事奉给家人带来艰难和不安，久而久之，我的心开始慢慢淡出一线传道人的位置。”
这位传道人说：“自己曾经为了孩子上幼儿园的事情苦恼是否要离开这个城市，因为私立幼儿园很贵，公立幼儿园的话如果不是当地户口，那么需要有工作单位和社保，我一直担心自己没有工作单位和社保，孩子无法顺利入园，有一天我祷告说，神啊，如果你让我留在这里，就尽快解决我孩子上学的问题，不然我就离开这里吧。奇妙的是，在做入园手续的时候，一位工作人员看到我领着孩子过来，她先开口问我的孩子适龄了吗，要上幼儿园了吗？我说需要上了，不过还没有申请，不知道有没有公立幼儿园的名额，她就说把电话给我，我给你办理。结果，这个事情很快就解决了，我的孩子顺利入园。我看到神真的会开道路的，如果我遵行他的旨意的话。”
也曾经有富足的教会给这位传道人发出聘用邀请，但是通过多方了解，发现他们仍是不能够稳定的支持传道人家庭的需要，因此打消了这个继续全职服事的念头。现在这位X传道人依然想事奉主，但他会选择站在辅助的位置上。如果有像摩西那样有力量的人前面带领的情况，他乐意像亚伦那样配搭继续事奉，但他也看到，自己现在不敢站在开拓或者带领的位置上。
面对多变的环境，他想起这几年常常有人跟她说：“过几年就好了，过几年就好了”，面对现在的疫情也是：“疫情快要结束了，2021年不一样”，“疫情快要结束了，2022年不一样”...但是看现实环境，反而是越来越难。未来该如何去行？X弟兄坦率地表示，他感到迷茫。当然，爱耶稣的心肠从未改变，一生服事的呼召他仍旧在持守，但眼前的困境该如何度过，对他而言是个训练忍耐和勇气的功课。
而现在他只能做的就是每天好好读圣经，偶尔读读书，和做点小生意好好养家养孩子。
同时，他仍在祷告，希望上帝带领他未来的脚步。
笔者手记：
2020年疫情后，像X弟兄经历的挣扎并不是少数案例。本来在房价、物价、教育成本上涨的今天，很多已婚育有子女的传道人都在这样两难的处境中度日，有的是彻底放弃起初的呼召，有的是采取兼职事奉的路线，有的是等待出现良好的转机。而疫情等带来的环境变化，又加剧了这种艰难。
服事的路本就是一条奉献的路，是一条舍己的路，是一条吃苦的路。从耶稣和保罗的时代，到如今都是如此。对于一线服事同工养家与事奉的两难处境，是今日教会迫切需要直面的问题，无论在态度还是体制上，我们都需要做出改变，让更多热心的青年同工寻找到他们安息和服事的岗位。
https://www.christiantimes.cn/news/36678/%E8%AE%BF%E8%B0%88%7C%E4%B8%80%E4%BD%8D90%E5%90%8E%E5%9B%A2%E5%A5%91%E5%BF%97%E6%84%BF%E5%90%8C%E5%B7%A5%E4%BA%8B%E5%A5%89%E7%9A%84%E4%B8%A4%E9%9A%BE%EF%BC%9A%E5%85%BB%E5%AE%B6%E5%92%8C%E4%BA%8B%E5%A5%89%E5%A6%82%E4%BD%95%E5%8F%96%E8%88%8D%EF%BC%9F
访谈|一位90后团契志愿同工事奉的两难：养家和事奉如何取舍？
A few days ago, a millennial co-worker, called X for short, shared about his mentality and struggles in the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
X has served as the head of the student fellowship for more than seven years, during which he tasted the ups and downs of pastoral ministry. After 2020, he is not as enthusiastic as before due to the pandemic, becoming a father, as well as various environmental changes. He reveals his own psychological changes on the road of ministry.
"Before the age of 30, I served the Lord very enthusiastically, but after having a family and a child, I become increasingly worried, and the cost of raising and educating children was a real challenge." The preacher said, “Before I had a family, I felt that there was no difficulty in my life. Now, however, I have to manage every detail, with lower incomes but still high consumption. In my family, I used to work as a co-worker and volunteered to serve in the church, while my wife earned money to support the family. Later, my daily life needs to be increased, and my ambition to serve the Lord was also affected. I am no longer as passionate as before."
When talking about the environmental changes, Brother X said, "Now I serve mainly young people born between 1995-2000. Times have changed. In the past, everyone begged to come to the church, but now the church begged them to attend services. Four years later, after they graduated from college, most of them went to other places, and very few of them were able to commit themselves for a long time. Meanwhile, because of the pandemic, the people whom I serve are often unable to meet each other, which greatly reduces the pastoring effectiveness and makes me feel depressed."
What worries him most is that his work is not a traditional and fixed work, which is easy to encounter the incomprehension and pressure of people around him, and may indirectly disturb his family and children."I often worry that my fervent service could bring hardship and uneasiness to my family. Over time, I began to fade out as a front-line preacher," he added.
The preacher confessed, "I once wanted to leave this city for my child's kindergarten education, because private kindergartens are very expensive, while public kindergartens need a local registered permanent residence or social security records. I worried that I didn't have social security records so my child wouldn’t be able to attend the kindergarten. One day I prayed to God that if you want me to stay here, please let me solve my child’s schooling as soon as possible, or I will have to leave here. Amazingly, when I was going through the admission formalities, a staff member saw me leading my child. She first asked if my children were of the right age to go to kindergarten. I said yes, but was not applying yet, as I didn't know if there were any quotas in public kindergartens. She gave me her phone number and said that she would handle it for me. As a result, things went very smoothly, and my child entered the kindergarten. I see that God will really lead me if I do his will."
There used to be rich churches that would like to hire him, but through inquiring further, he learned that it still could not support his financial needs, so he dismissed the idea of continuing the full-time service. Now X still serves the Lord, but he would choose an auxiliary position. If someone as powerful as Moses leads in front, he is willing to continue to serve like Aaron, but he dares not stand in the pioneering or leading position now.
Facing the changeable environment, he reminded that he was often told in recent years, "It will be fine in a few years, it will be fine in a few years". For the current pandemic, it is the same, "The pandemic is coming to an end, and 2021 will be different", "The pandemic is coming to an end, and 2022 will be different" ... but the reality is getting worse.
Brother X said frankly that he was confused about where we were headed. Although his love for Jesus has never changed, and he is still holding on to the call to serving God all his life, it is patience and courage training for him to endure the present predicament.
Now all he can do is read the Bible every day, occasionally read other books, and support his family and child with some small business.
In the meantime, he is still praying that God will lead him to the future.
Comment:
After the pandemic outbreak in 2020, there are many cases of struggles like those experienced by Brother X. With the rising house prices, daily product prices, and education costs, many pastors who are married and have children are living in such a dilemma. Some of them completely give up their initial calling, some select part-time service, and some are waiting for a turn for the better. But the changes brought about by the pandemic have aggravated this difficulty.
The road of servanthood is a road of dedication, self-sacrifice, and hardship. This has been the case since the time of Jesus and Paul. It is the urgent need of the churches to face the dilemma experienced by front-line co-workers between supporting their families and serving the Lord. No matter what attitude or system is, we need to make changes so that more passionate young co-workers can find their supplies and ministries.
- Translated by Oliver Zuo
The Dilemma of Millennial Pastor: How to Choose Between Supporting Family and Serving God?
