Sometimes, the church has become a safe haven for pastors where no competition or internal conflict exists. It is akin to an idyllic paradise, tranquil and serene, which makes it an ideal place to “lie flat” (a figurative Chinese expression that signifies being indolent, translator’s note).
Recently, Pastor Zhong Wang, who works full-time in a city in East China, shared his perception of the phenomenon of people “lying flat” in some churches. He believes that Christians should firmly reject such a trend.
In 2016, the term “lying flat” was officially recognized. It pertains to the psychological state in which young people struggle with their lack of self-motivation in society. They prefer to give up on themselves rather than make constructive progress.
In Brother Wang’s view, a number of pastors are disinclined to make progress and take further steps. They think that economically, the church can function normally and receive a stable monthly financial supply. Their service is to give one or three sermons a week and visit the believers if they have time. As far as he knows, some young pastors assume that their income is secure, and since they possess a higher education degree, there is no need to pursue further studies. So they start to lead a laid-back daily life.
Thus, the habit of lying flat has infiltrated the church from society. These “lying down” pastors are contented with their previous accomplishments and even label them as “contentment.” Both “contentment” and “lying flat” signify “satisfaction.” “Contentment” denotes an active connotation, whereas “lying flat” underscores passivity. As Christians, we ought to learn contentment but never learn to lie flat.
The apostle Paul said that he had learned to be content in all circumstances and could even “be content with food and clothing.” This teaches us not to covet worldly things but to seek God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Lying flat is not enterprising; it is hiding in the comfort zone.
In fact, two thousand years ago, the Lord Jesus told us about the dangers of lying flat through the Bible: “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
For a pastor to adopt “lying flat” is entirely inappropriate, and for individuals to aspire to “lying flat to win” is even more absurd. The reality is that one must contribute and make sacrifices before experiencing growth and development. This notion is not only a life principle but also a principle of development and revival.
Wang asserts that organizing a “Pastor Camp” and associated activities are necessary to tackle this problem. These events provide an opportunity for many pastors to gather and examine themselves and identify the gap between themselves and others. They can reflect on their lives, study diligently, and refuse to give up on themselves.
- Translated by Charlie Li
有时，教会成为了牧者的避风港一样，这里没有竞争和内卷，简直就像是世外桃源一样，与世无争且安静异常，简直太适合躺平了。
近日，在华东一个城市全职服事的一位传道人王忠弟兄分享了他所听闻的部分教会领域内的躺平现象，他认为，基督徒应当对躺平思潮坚决说不。
2016年，“躺平”一词正式诞生，指的是年轻群体在社会上奋斗缺乏上进心的状态，宁愿自我放弃，也不愿意积极进取。
在王弟兄看来，在教会里面有很多牧者不思进取，而不愿意再往前迈一步。他们想着经济方面教会能够正常运转，牧者每个月能够有稳定的经济供应，服事就是每周讲上一两三场的道，然后有时间的话再探访探访信徒。据他了解，一些年轻牧者，想着经济已经有着落了，而且也已经拿到文凭了，平时也不必再上课了，所以过着日常化的生活。
躺平文化就这样从社会进入到了教会当中。这些“躺平派”的牧者满足于之前取得的一些成绩，还美其名曰“知足”。“知足”与“躺平”都有“满足”的意思，“知足”是主动的，“躺平”是被动的。作为基督徒，我们要学会知足，但是绝对不能学习躺平。
使徒保罗说他在各样的患难当中已经学会了知足，甚至“有衣有食就当知足”。这是为了让我们不贪恋这个世界，而要专一的寻求上帝和主耶稣基督。而躺平则是不思进取，缩进自我舒适圈。
其实，在两千年以前，主耶稣已经借着圣书给我们讲述了躺平的危害性：“爱惜自己生命的，就失丧生命。在这世上恨恶自己生命的，就要保守生命到永生。”
牧者选择“躺平”这种方式是完全不可取的，至于个别人所幻想的“躺赢”更是完全不可能。只在成长和发展之前，必须先有付出和牺牲，这是生命的原理，也是发展和复兴的原理。
王忠弟兄说，为了解决这样的问题，非常有必要开展“牧者营”以及其它的一些活动。很多牧者可以借着这些活动聚集在一起，这是牧者们很好的省察和反思自己的机会，可以让牧者们看到自己跟其他牧者的差距，这时静下心来好好学习，拒绝躺平，拒绝自暴自弃。
观点|华东一传道人：莫让“躺平”思潮进入教会影响年轻牧者
Sometimes, the church has become a safe haven for pastors where no competition or internal conflict exists. It is akin to an idyllic paradise, tranquil and serene, which makes it an ideal place to “lie flat” (a figurative Chinese expression that signifies being indolent, translator’s note).
Recently, Pastor Zhong Wang, who works full-time in a city in East China, shared his perception of the phenomenon of people “lying flat” in some churches. He believes that Christians should firmly reject such a trend.
In 2016, the term “lying flat” was officially recognized. It pertains to the psychological state in which young people struggle with their lack of self-motivation in society. They prefer to give up on themselves rather than make constructive progress.
In Brother Wang’s view, a number of pastors are disinclined to make progress and take further steps. They think that economically, the church can function normally and receive a stable monthly financial supply. Their service is to give one or three sermons a week and visit the believers if they have time. As far as he knows, some young pastors assume that their income is secure, and since they possess a higher education degree, there is no need to pursue further studies. So they start to lead a laid-back daily life.
Thus, the habit of lying flat has infiltrated the church from society. These “lying down” pastors are contented with their previous accomplishments and even label them as “contentment.” Both “contentment” and “lying flat” signify “satisfaction.” “Contentment” denotes an active connotation, whereas “lying flat” underscores passivity. As Christians, we ought to learn contentment but never learn to lie flat.
The apostle Paul said that he had learned to be content in all circumstances and could even “be content with food and clothing.” This teaches us not to covet worldly things but to seek God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Lying flat is not enterprising; it is hiding in the comfort zone.
In fact, two thousand years ago, the Lord Jesus told us about the dangers of lying flat through the Bible: “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
For a pastor to adopt “lying flat” is entirely inappropriate, and for individuals to aspire to “lying flat to win” is even more absurd. The reality is that one must contribute and make sacrifices before experiencing growth and development. This notion is not only a life principle but also a principle of development and revival.
Wang asserts that organizing a “Pastor Camp” and associated activities are necessary to tackle this problem. These events provide an opportunity for many pastors to gather and examine themselves and identify the gap between themselves and others. They can reflect on their lives, study diligently, and refuse to give up on themselves.
- Translated by Charlie Li
Don't Let 'Lying Flat' Influence Young Pastors, Says Pastor
