As time passes, the Chinese church has made significant progress through the efforts of several generations. A new era has now arrived, and the question is how to better equip this generation of young people to take over and care for the flock. Pastors from different generations, ranging from the elderly to the young ones born in the 1990s and currently serving, share their insights.
Elder C, born in the 1950s: being down-to-earth and acquiring true knowledge
Elder C, close to 70 years old, still has sharp senses, articulates clearly, and has led the church for decades, nursing one generation after another to serve the Lord. For the upcoming generation, he advises the young servants of Christ to acquire true knowledge and warns against impatience, with an emphasis on staying grounded.
Elder C believes that acquiring both traditional and contemporary knowledge should go hand in hand. The era of spreading the gospel through a Bible and a few hymns is over. Sermons with drafts and based on inspiration alone can no longer meet the needs of demanding beliefs. The church faces a generation that questions authority and doubts the truth. They have specific preferences and easily become bored. The stress, frustrations, and needs they experience are different from those of previous generations. The new generation of servants must be eager to learn. On the one hand, they should familiarize themselves with church history, theological doctrines, heresies and cults, pastoral care, and devotional resources. The rich spiritual legacy provides inspiration to find solutions to seemingly novel and challenging questions. On the other hand, they should keep up with the times, understand the challenges and characteristics of contemporary life, be familiar with modern technological and cultural tools, and advance their knowledge in church management and pastoral care both domestically and internationally. Young servants should take note that the labels associated with the church's lack of quality and knowledge must be removed, and they should be committed to continuous learning and improvement. Young servants should take note that the labels associated with the church's lack of quality and knowledge must be removed, and they should be committed to continuous learning and improvement. Young servants should take note that the labels associated with the church's lack of quality and knowledge must be removed, and they should be committed to continuous learning and improvement.
Elder C, bluntly states that the form of Christianity is not the truth. Many young people only focus on the external form and overlook the essence of salvation.
"Learning only the form is detrimental. The form serves to support the inner life. Young people mistakenly believe that by adhering to the form, they have mastered everything. However, in reality, the essential aspect—the inner life—is missing."
A strategy for teaching about Christianity is simplified as "one, two, three, four, and five." This signifies one God, two covenants, three persons in one, four books of the gospel, and five major doctrines. However, these conceptual frameworks do not encompass the essence of Christianity. Overemphasizing them can only lead to confusion. The essence of the gospel lies in a lived life that grows through practice. To attain true wisdom, young people must mature in their faith by investing time and engaging in constant reflection on their journey.
"Be down-to-earth and unaffected by the impetuousness of the modern world," Elder C emphasized. He pointed out that today's world is restless, with everyone dreaming of becoming rich overnight. This mindset has influenced some young people in the church. They search for shortcuts and prioritize results over the process. They desire quick achievement, which has a negative impact on the church. When they encounter setbacks along their journey, they often give up and fall into a state of disappointment. Elder C, who has faithfully served for decades, earnestly encourages young servants to stay grounded in their service to the Lord.
Pastor S, born in the 1960s: It wouldn't hurt to "work overtime."
Pastor S diligently keeps track of who in the congregation is hosting a celebration at their home and whose child has an issue that needs resolving. She believes that she won't be able to take good care of her flock as a pastor if she doesn't know them well.
For the church where Pastor S serves, theology students are recruited every year from institutions such as Nanjing Union Theological Seminary and Zhejiang Theological Seminary. However, only a few of them are able to stay. Pastor S observes that these young people treat the affairs of God's house as a secular job and lack a strong sense of dedication. In contrast, the older generation of pastors never had so-called personal time. If a church member has an issue at 3 a.m., the pastor would get up to help right away. When a memorial service starts at 6 a.m. at a member's home, those who serve begin the preparation at 4 a.m. Morning prayers start at 6 a.m., and it can be challenging to motivate the young servants of the Lord to wake up. They are often reluctant to "work overtime" and struggle to carry out the tasks mentioned, including waking up early.
This is the wish of Pastor S. When young people sign a contract with the church and receive payment accordingly, they should "have good job performance to deserve the pay" if they treat their ministries as a secular job. She adds, "Don't abuse grace; take responsibility for the ministry." It takes commitment to serve wholeheartedly. "Working overtime" does not cause any harm.
Pastor Y, born in the 1970s: increasing in all knowledge and living out the faith
Pastor Y is the senior pastor of a church in southern Jiangsu Province. The church currently has a stable attendance of over 4,000 believers. They have established a generational talent pool, with members from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s serving in various capacities. The serving team consists of fairly young members. In the prime of his life, Pastor Y leads this team of young people and manages all aspects of the ministries in an orderly manner, including the pulpit, small groups, fellowships, social services, communication texts, and social media.
When it comes to young servants in Christ, Pastor Y indicates that they should focus on learning and keeping up with the times. Their knowledge should increase not only in theology but also in general education. It is especially important to have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, adapt to the needs of the times, and meet the needs of intellectuals among non-believers, seekers, and believers. To encourage young servants in the church to grow, the church supports all fellowship leaders, small group leaders, and area coordinators in enrolling in correspondence courses at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, with full tuition coverage provided.
In addition to comprehensive study, young people need to put their faith into practice. Pastor Y points out that believers have no shortage of sermons to listen to in the era of the internet. Likewise, young servants of Christ have no shortage of learning materials. However, the key lies in whether they are actually putting these abundant resources, knowledge, and principles into practice. It is imperative for young servants to live out the life of Christ daily and actively participate in ministries to gain practical experience in their work.
Pastor C, born in the 1980s, believes in "winning hearts" before giving suggestions and complementing the limitations of theological training through practice.
Advice from peers is often more direct. Pastor C and a brother in Christ serve as pastors of a grassroots church in southern Jiangsu. Both of them graduated from seminary and initially served as ministers in urban churches. Later, an elder in charge of a rural church in the same city persuaded them to work at the grassroots level. Within just three years, they witnessed the church's remarkable growth from over 100 to over 300 members. It is an accomplishment.
Pastor C shares that having the acceptance of the people in the church is more important than offering suggestions. "Young servants are often filled with enthusiasm and eager to put what they have learned into practice in the church. However, this approach frequently leads to obstacles. It is important for young servants of Christ to recognize that it takes time for the church and its members to collaborate with them. Demonstrating commitment and the ability to take responsibility can greatly help in this process. In the initial stages, it may be better to follow traditions and maintain the status quo rather than make impulsive suggestions regarding certain people, issues, or policies. Believers can sense those who genuinely dedicate themselves to the church and perform their ministry effectively. Trust from members will help overcome resistance to carrying out the ministry within the church."
Secondly, it is essential to complement the limitations of theological training through practical ministry. Pastor C emphasizes that, compared to the older generation, young people have received relatively comprehensive training. However, they should recognize that current theological education in the country tends to prioritize abstract thinking and theoretical knowledge while offering limited guidance in pastoral practice and church management. Young servants should avoid dogmatism when entering the mission field and instead focus on growing through practical service.
Pastor G, born in the 1990s: establishing a biblical worldview and values
Pastor G, born in the 1990s, holds a different perspective from the pastors mentioned earlier. According to her, the primary concern for young people entering the mission field is their faith: whether they have established a solid biblical worldview and values, and whether their faith manifests powerfully in both their service and personal lives.
Pastor G serves in a church that specifically focuses on believers born in the 1980s and 1990s. Eight part-time coworkers who are also from the same generation support her as a full-time pastor. As they approach their thirties, these individuals generally bear responsibilities for their elderly family members and children. They face various challenges related to their careers, finances, and resources, including educational resources for their children. At times, it seems that God's Word does not provide them with tangible help in their daily lives.
Regarding this, Pastor G states that young servants of the Lord have a significant responsibility towards their families. The stresses and disparities of life can often cause them to waver between the teachings of the world and those of the Bible. In order to address these challenges, it is crucial to reevaluate and reaffirm one's worldview and values based on the teachings of the Bible. They shouldn't let secular information or the definition of success in the world influence them. Instead, they should hold onto their initial faithfulness in service and perceive a meaningful life according to biblical standards. “Take specific concerns such as education as an example. Rather than prioritizing worldly achievements or prestigious schools, they should focus on nurturing their children's character and obedience to God's word. By not placing excessive value on worldly pursuits, they can maintain a calm and accurate perspective of themselves and live in a more fulfilling manner while serving God.”
- Translated by June I. Chen
时光流转，中国教会已经在几代人的努力下有了长足发展。如今新的时期已经来到，如何让这代年轻人更好接棒，为主照看群羊，不同代际的牧者，上到垂垂老者，下至90后正当年的服侍者，分享出自己的看见。（==当summary）
50后C长老——脚踏实地，学习真正的知识
C长老已年近70，仍耳清目明，说话条理清晰，带领教会几十年，培养一代代后继者参与服侍，对即将成长起来的这代年轻服侍者，他建议要学习真正的知识，特别提醒切忌浮躁，务要脚踏实地。
C长老认为，学习传统与当代的知识要齐头并进。靠着一本圣经、几首灵歌传福音的时代已经过去，不打草稿没有讲章随口凭感动证道已无法满足高素质信徒的要求，教会面临着更加质疑权威、怀疑真理的一代人，他们口味挑剔，易于落入无聊，有诸多前人不曾面对的压力、苦闷和需求。新一代服侍者要成为学习型的牧者，一方面学习教会历史中积累的知识，神学教义、异端辨析、教会历史、牧养经验、灵修遗产等，看似新颖刁钻的问题，亦可从教会遗产中得到启发；一方面与时俱进，了解当代人的困境和特点，熟悉时代科技文化工具，学习海内外先进教会管理和牧养经验。年轻的服侍者要撕掉教会低素质、低知识的标签，要不断学习和精进。
C长老直言，基督教中的概念和框架并非真正的知识，但大部分年轻人只看到框架，却忽略了福音生命。
“只有框架的学习是害人的，框架是为了要承载里面的肉，年轻人觉得有了框架自己就都会了，但实际最重要的里面的肉，他是没有的。”
有人教导基督教信仰即“一二三四五”，一位神，两个约，三位一体，四部福音，五大教义，这些概念性框架性的东西并非真正的知识，若年轻人一味强调，只能造成混淆。福音真正的知识是在操练中成长的生命，年轻人要在实际的工场里变得成熟，用时间经历、反刍，得到真正的智慧。
“要脚踏实地，不要受社会浮躁的影响。”C长老特别提醒，现在社会非常浮躁，人人都梦想一夜暴富，以至于教会里一些年轻人也总追求小窍门，不讲过程只讲结果，一蹴而就达成目标，对教会造成负面影响，且一旦在前进的路上遇见挫折，就一蹶不振，落在失望的情绪中。兢兢业业忠心侍奉几十年，C长老认真提醒年轻的服侍者，做主工要脚踏实地。
60后S牧师——不妨“多加班”
S牧师熟知哪个信徒家里办喜事，哪个姊妹的孩子的事情解决了。她说，她是牧者，跟羊群不熟悉，怎么做牧养的工作。
S牧师所在教会每年都从金陵神学院、浙江神学院等招聘神学生，但往往很少有人能留下来。她观察到，这些年轻人把神家的事当做上班，奉献心志不强。老一辈牧者没有所谓的休息时间，有信徒凌晨三点有事，牧者便三点起来帮忙；堂里的追思礼拜，六点在信徒家里开始，服侍同工四点便要开始预备；晨祷早上六点开始，雷打不动。但年轻人不愿意“加班”，以上提到的事情无法做到，甚至连早起也是难题。
她希望年轻人明白，即使把教会的工作当做上班，既然已经签订合同，教会提供了合适的待遇，那么“拿到了钱财，就得把事情做好。她补充：”不要滥用恩典，对事工要有担当。而真正要做好服侍的工作，还要默想奉献的心志，不妨“多加班”。
70后Y牧师——全面学习，践行信仰
Y牧师是苏南某市一所教会的主任牧师，该堂目前稳定礼拜信徒达4000多人，建立了阶梯式人才梯队，教会同工涵盖70后80后90后，整体偏年轻化。正值盛年的Y牧师，带领这个年轻的服侍团队，将该教会讲台、小组、团契、社会服事、文字媒体等一应事工，管理得井井有条。
提到年轻的同工，Y牧师说，年轻人现阶段要注重学习，要与时俱进，既学习神学知识，也要有良好的通识教育，特别要对中国文化有更深的了解，适应时代需要，满足非信徒、慕道友和信徒中涌现出的更多知识分子的要求。为督促堂内年轻人学习，该堂鼓励所有团契负责人、小组组长、区长等都去报读金陵神学院函授班，由教会负责费用。
除了全面学习，年轻人更要践行信仰。Y牧师指出，网络时代，信徒不缺道听，年轻人不缺学习资料，但重点在于有没有践行这些丰富的资源、知识、和道理，因此年轻服侍者一方面要在生活中活出基督的生命，另一方面要多多参与事工，在实际的工作中得到锻炼。
80后C牧师——“得人心”先于提建议，以实践补足神学缺乏
同龄人的建议往往更直击人心，C牧师和一位弟兄是苏南一所基层教会的牧者，两人从神学院毕业，到城市教会牧养，后被该市一所乡村教会的老负责人说服到基层服侍，短短三年将教会从100多人倍增至300多人，可谓小有所成。
C牧师分享，比提意见更重要的是先让教会里的人接受自己。“不可避免，年轻的服侍者大多怀着一腔热血，摩拳擦掌要到教会中实践自己所学，却往往碰壁。年轻人要认识到，初来乍到，不仅教会，更重要要给信徒时间来接纳自己，让他们看到你不仅有真实的忠心，也有确实的能力可以承担责任。因此，在对一些人一些事一些条例规则提出建议之前，不妨先按旧例、老规矩做事情，把事情做好，而真正为教会付出把事工做好的人，信徒都能感受得到。在教会的工作中，一旦获得信徒的信任，将大大减少开展事工的阻力。”
其次，要用实际的事工来补充神学装备的不足之处。C牧师指出，相较老一辈，年轻人基本都受过较为系统的装备，但他们需要看到，目前国内的神学教育，偏重思考、理论，却缺乏教牧实践、教会管理等方面的教导，因此年轻的服侍者进入禾场，避免教条主义，在真实地服侍中学习成长。
90后G传道——真正建立圣经的世界观和价值观
与前面几位牧者的建议不同，90后的G传道认为，年轻人进入禾场，要解决的根本问题在于信心，在于是否真正建立起圣经的世界观和价值观，信仰在他们的服侍和个人生活中是否有力量。
G传道所在的教会是一所专门针对80后90后信徒的新型教会，除她作为全职同工外，还有八位90后兼职同工。接近而立之年，他（她）们普遍上有老下有小，面对职场、金钱、资源比如孩子的教育资源等压力，似乎上帝的话语没有办法帮助他们在日常生活中获得看得见的好处。
对此G传道谈到，年轻服侍者有对家人不可推卸的责任，真实的压力和生活的落差会诱使他们在世界和圣经的教导间摇摆。要解决这些问题，重点在以圣经重新衡量核准自己的世界观和价值观，不要被世俗的信息、成功观误导，要回想起初服侍的忠心，以圣经的标准看待何为有意义的生活。她提醒，“比如教导孩子的具体问题，是让他读一个好学校重要，还是他的品格、对神话语的顺服更重要。当我们看重的不是这个世界的时候，就可以更平和也更正确地看待自己，也就可以更好地服侍、生活。”
对于年轻服侍者，从50后到90后的五位牧者给出建议
As time passes, the Chinese church has made significant progress through the efforts of several generations. A new era has now arrived, and the question is how to better equip this generation of young people to take over and care for the flock. Pastors from different generations, ranging from the elderly to the young ones born in the 1990s and currently serving, share their insights.
Elder C, born in the 1950s: being down-to-earth and acquiring true knowledge
Elder C, close to 70 years old, still has sharp senses, articulates clearly, and has led the church for decades, nursing one generation after another to serve the Lord. For the upcoming generation, he advises the young servants of Christ to acquire true knowledge and warns against impatience, with an emphasis on staying grounded.
Elder C believes that acquiring both traditional and contemporary knowledge should go hand in hand. The era of spreading the gospel through a Bible and a few hymns is over. Sermons with drafts and based on inspiration alone can no longer meet the needs of demanding beliefs. The church faces a generation that questions authority and doubts the truth. They have specific preferences and easily become bored. The stress, frustrations, and needs they experience are different from those of previous generations. The new generation of servants must be eager to learn. On the one hand, they should familiarize themselves with church history, theological doctrines, heresies and cults, pastoral care, and devotional resources. The rich spiritual legacy provides inspiration to find solutions to seemingly novel and challenging questions. On the other hand, they should keep up with the times, understand the challenges and characteristics of contemporary life, be familiar with modern technological and cultural tools, and advance their knowledge in church management and pastoral care both domestically and internationally. Young servants should take note that the labels associated with the church's lack of quality and knowledge must be removed, and they should be committed to continuous learning and improvement. Young servants should take note that the labels associated with the church's lack of quality and knowledge must be removed, and they should be committed to continuous learning and improvement. Young servants should take note that the labels associated with the church's lack of quality and knowledge must be removed, and they should be committed to continuous learning and improvement.
Elder C, bluntly states that the form of Christianity is not the truth. Many young people only focus on the external form and overlook the essence of salvation.
"Learning only the form is detrimental. The form serves to support the inner life. Young people mistakenly believe that by adhering to the form, they have mastered everything. However, in reality, the essential aspect—the inner life—is missing."
A strategy for teaching about Christianity is simplified as "one, two, three, four, and five." This signifies one God, two covenants, three persons in one, four books of the gospel, and five major doctrines. However, these conceptual frameworks do not encompass the essence of Christianity. Overemphasizing them can only lead to confusion. The essence of the gospel lies in a lived life that grows through practice. To attain true wisdom, young people must mature in their faith by investing time and engaging in constant reflection on their journey.
"Be down-to-earth and unaffected by the impetuousness of the modern world," Elder C emphasized. He pointed out that today's world is restless, with everyone dreaming of becoming rich overnight. This mindset has influenced some young people in the church. They search for shortcuts and prioritize results over the process. They desire quick achievement, which has a negative impact on the church. When they encounter setbacks along their journey, they often give up and fall into a state of disappointment. Elder C, who has faithfully served for decades, earnestly encourages young servants to stay grounded in their service to the Lord.
Pastor S, born in the 1960s: It wouldn't hurt to "work overtime."
Pastor S diligently keeps track of who in the congregation is hosting a celebration at their home and whose child has an issue that needs resolving. She believes that she won't be able to take good care of her flock as a pastor if she doesn't know them well.
For the church where Pastor S serves, theology students are recruited every year from institutions such as Nanjing Union Theological Seminary and Zhejiang Theological Seminary. However, only a few of them are able to stay. Pastor S observes that these young people treat the affairs of God's house as a secular job and lack a strong sense of dedication. In contrast, the older generation of pastors never had so-called personal time. If a church member has an issue at 3 a.m., the pastor would get up to help right away. When a memorial service starts at 6 a.m. at a member's home, those who serve begin the preparation at 4 a.m. Morning prayers start at 6 a.m., and it can be challenging to motivate the young servants of the Lord to wake up. They are often reluctant to "work overtime" and struggle to carry out the tasks mentioned, including waking up early.
This is the wish of Pastor S. When young people sign a contract with the church and receive payment accordingly, they should "have good job performance to deserve the pay" if they treat their ministries as a secular job. She adds, "Don't abuse grace; take responsibility for the ministry." It takes commitment to serve wholeheartedly. "Working overtime" does not cause any harm.
Pastor Y, born in the 1970s: increasing in all knowledge and living out the faith
Pastor Y is the senior pastor of a church in southern Jiangsu Province. The church currently has a stable attendance of over 4,000 believers. They have established a generational talent pool, with members from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s serving in various capacities. The serving team consists of fairly young members. In the prime of his life, Pastor Y leads this team of young people and manages all aspects of the ministries in an orderly manner, including the pulpit, small groups, fellowships, social services, communication texts, and social media.
When it comes to young servants in Christ, Pastor Y indicates that they should focus on learning and keeping up with the times. Their knowledge should increase not only in theology but also in general education. It is especially important to have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, adapt to the needs of the times, and meet the needs of intellectuals among non-believers, seekers, and believers. To encourage young servants in the church to grow, the church supports all fellowship leaders, small group leaders, and area coordinators in enrolling in correspondence courses at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, with full tuition coverage provided.
In addition to comprehensive study, young people need to put their faith into practice. Pastor Y points out that believers have no shortage of sermons to listen to in the era of the internet. Likewise, young servants of Christ have no shortage of learning materials. However, the key lies in whether they are actually putting these abundant resources, knowledge, and principles into practice. It is imperative for young servants to live out the life of Christ daily and actively participate in ministries to gain practical experience in their work.
Pastor C, born in the 1980s, believes in "winning hearts" before giving suggestions and complementing the limitations of theological training through practice.
Advice from peers is often more direct. Pastor C and a brother in Christ serve as pastors of a grassroots church in southern Jiangsu. Both of them graduated from seminary and initially served as ministers in urban churches. Later, an elder in charge of a rural church in the same city persuaded them to work at the grassroots level. Within just three years, they witnessed the church's remarkable growth from over 100 to over 300 members. It is an accomplishment.
Pastor C shares that having the acceptance of the people in the church is more important than offering suggestions. "Young servants are often filled with enthusiasm and eager to put what they have learned into practice in the church. However, this approach frequently leads to obstacles. It is important for young servants of Christ to recognize that it takes time for the church and its members to collaborate with them. Demonstrating commitment and the ability to take responsibility can greatly help in this process. In the initial stages, it may be better to follow traditions and maintain the status quo rather than make impulsive suggestions regarding certain people, issues, or policies. Believers can sense those who genuinely dedicate themselves to the church and perform their ministry effectively. Trust from members will help overcome resistance to carrying out the ministry within the church."
Secondly, it is essential to complement the limitations of theological training through practical ministry. Pastor C emphasizes that, compared to the older generation, young people have received relatively comprehensive training. However, they should recognize that current theological education in the country tends to prioritize abstract thinking and theoretical knowledge while offering limited guidance in pastoral practice and church management. Young servants should avoid dogmatism when entering the mission field and instead focus on growing through practical service.
Pastor G, born in the 1990s: establishing a biblical worldview and values
Pastor G, born in the 1990s, holds a different perspective from the pastors mentioned earlier. According to her, the primary concern for young people entering the mission field is their faith: whether they have established a solid biblical worldview and values, and whether their faith manifests powerfully in both their service and personal lives.
Pastor G serves in a church that specifically focuses on believers born in the 1980s and 1990s. Eight part-time coworkers who are also from the same generation support her as a full-time pastor. As they approach their thirties, these individuals generally bear responsibilities for their elderly family members and children. They face various challenges related to their careers, finances, and resources, including educational resources for their children. At times, it seems that God's Word does not provide them with tangible help in their daily lives.
Regarding this, Pastor G states that young servants of the Lord have a significant responsibility towards their families. The stresses and disparities of life can often cause them to waver between the teachings of the world and those of the Bible. In order to address these challenges, it is crucial to reevaluate and reaffirm one's worldview and values based on the teachings of the Bible. They shouldn't let secular information or the definition of success in the world influence them. Instead, they should hold onto their initial faithfulness in service and perceive a meaningful life according to biblical standards. “Take specific concerns such as education as an example. Rather than prioritizing worldly achievements or prestigious schools, they should focus on nurturing their children's character and obedience to God's word. By not placing excessive value on worldly pursuits, they can maintain a calm and accurate perspective of themselves and live in a more fulfilling manner while serving God.”
- Translated by June I. Chen
Advice for Young Church Workers Given by Five Pastors of Different Ages
