Pastoral work is not exclusively confined to pastors or church staff members; instead, it extends to every Christian who practices shepherding towards their colleagues, parents, spouses, and children.
Min, a female believer, shared her faith experience with the Chinese online Christian newspaper Christian Times, emphasizing that Christians can nurture the Lord's flock regardless of their position or job title.
Having graduated from a prestigious university in China, she developed an interest in the church through her Christian grandmother. As a student, she underwent extensive Bible training at the church, which motivated her to utilize her compassion for souls in evangelization and scripture teaching.
Initially, she believed that pastoral ministry was the most important service that pastors offered. However, after serving for some years, Min resigned from the ministry and shifted towards a job in a company while pursuing her studies in theology.
Amid various business projects, technical assignments, managerial positions, interpersonal interactions, and presentations involving speeches, PowerPoint slides, videos, and reports, she effectively fulfilled her work obligations. Furthermore, she dedicated time to offer spiritual support to her colleagues. Min acknowledged that pastoral care could be administered in diverse settings, and Christians could shepherd individuals from any position.
After five years, she departed from the business environment and returned to serve in the church, with a primary focus on intercession and visitations. Some people sought assistance from the church, while others required compassionate communication and personal visits from church workers at their residences.
During this phase, she has acquired a deeper understanding of serving others through kneeling and praying. When confronted with believers' problems, instead of passing judgment herself, she sought God's will and guidance, perceiving them as God sees them and extending assistance accordingly.
Despite not being an official pastor of the church, Min acknowledged that every visit and reception she conducted constituted a pastoral service for the soul. Throughout each interaction, prayers, words, and companionship were shared through the love of the Lord.
Having learned to play the piano in the church, she believes that those who play the piano and sing hymns are also "shepherds". She explained, "Whenever you lead a hymn or play the piano, you must clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus. The congregation is not merely listening to your singing or piano playing; they are also perceiving Jesus through your worship. You have the responsibility to bring people to Jesus and instill faith, love, and hope in their hearts."
Within the family, children receive pastoral care, and in turn, they influence their parents. During this period, they are also shepherding their parents, she added.
In the family, children receive pastoral care, and in return, they influence their parents. At this time, they are also shepherding their parents.
"Pastoring is the destiny of all mankind, and no one can escape it. No matter where you are, you should care for others' spirituality. Conversely, it is the destiny of all people to be shepherds."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
牧养，不仅仅是牧者对信徒的牧养，其实每一个基督徒都有牧养的使命。牧者如此，教会任何一个岗位的同工都是如此。甚至普通信徒，身边也有很多牧养对象，包括同事、父母，丈夫，妻子和孩子。
日前，笔者有幸听到一位在华东某教会全职服事的阿敏姐妹分享了自己的信仰经历，她说基督徒可以在任何一个位置上牧养主的羊。
阿敏姐妹是国内一所双一流大学的毕业生。外婆信主，阿敏姐妹受到外婆影响来到教会，她在教会得到了很多培养。后来因着对灵魂的负担，被放在了讲台的位置。
在服事初期，她以为只有在教会做牧师或教师才是做牧养的工作，才是最有意义的。几年之后，阿敏姐妹离开讲台，进入企业上班。她一边工作一边学习神学。
无论是做业务、做项目、做技术、做管理，还是处理人际关系，还是演讲，制作ppt、视频、报告等等琐碎的工作，她都能出色完成。同时，她也愿意花时间对身边的同事提供信仰上的帮助。
她在工作中发现，牧养工作是无处不在的，基督徒可以在任何一个位置上牧养主的羊。
五年之后，她从企业里退出，重新进入教会服事。这一次，她主要做接待和探访的工作，一些人会主动来到教会寻求帮助，一些人则需要教会同工主动去对方家里探访交流。
在接待和探访的工作中，她更多学习屈膝祷告。面对弟兄姊妹的问题，她不是自己去判断，而是寻求上帝的旨意和上帝的带领。用上帝的眼光去看待弟兄姐妹，并且帮助他们。
虽然不是教会的牧师，但是阿敏姐妹知道自己的每一次探访和接待都是对灵魂的牧养。因为每一次的交流，有祷告，有话语，有陪伴，有主的爱在其中。
阿敏姐妹还在教会中学习了司琴事奉。同样，她认为即使是司琴、唱诗歌的人也是在牧养。“因为每一次带领诗歌或者司琴，你都需要带出耶稣的生命。因为会众不是在听你唱歌、弹琴，而是通过你的敬拜带领，人要见到耶稣。你要把人带到耶稣面前，将信心、爱与盼望带到人的心里。”
在父母跟子女的关系中，子女接受牧养，也反过来影响父母。这时候，他们也是在牧养父母。
“牧养是全人类的宿命，没有一个人逃的掉。你在哪一个位置，都在牧养。反过来也成立，被牧养也是所有人的宿命。”
故事| 一姊妹透过不同位置发现：原来每位基督徒都有牧养的使命
Pastoral work is not exclusively confined to pastors or church staff members; instead, it extends to every Christian who practices shepherding towards their colleagues, parents, spouses, and children.
Min, a female believer, shared her faith experience with the Chinese online Christian newspaper Christian Times, emphasizing that Christians can nurture the Lord's flock regardless of their position or job title.
Having graduated from a prestigious university in China, she developed an interest in the church through her Christian grandmother. As a student, she underwent extensive Bible training at the church, which motivated her to utilize her compassion for souls in evangelization and scripture teaching.
Initially, she believed that pastoral ministry was the most important service that pastors offered. However, after serving for some years, Min resigned from the ministry and shifted towards a job in a company while pursuing her studies in theology.
Amid various business projects, technical assignments, managerial positions, interpersonal interactions, and presentations involving speeches, PowerPoint slides, videos, and reports, she effectively fulfilled her work obligations. Furthermore, she dedicated time to offer spiritual support to her colleagues. Min acknowledged that pastoral care could be administered in diverse settings, and Christians could shepherd individuals from any position.
After five years, she departed from the business environment and returned to serve in the church, with a primary focus on intercession and visitations. Some people sought assistance from the church, while others required compassionate communication and personal visits from church workers at their residences.
During this phase, she has acquired a deeper understanding of serving others through kneeling and praying. When confronted with believers' problems, instead of passing judgment herself, she sought God's will and guidance, perceiving them as God sees them and extending assistance accordingly.
Despite not being an official pastor of the church, Min acknowledged that every visit and reception she conducted constituted a pastoral service for the soul. Throughout each interaction, prayers, words, and companionship were shared through the love of the Lord.
Having learned to play the piano in the church, she believes that those who play the piano and sing hymns are also "shepherds". She explained, "Whenever you lead a hymn or play the piano, you must clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus. The congregation is not merely listening to your singing or piano playing; they are also perceiving Jesus through your worship. You have the responsibility to bring people to Jesus and instill faith, love, and hope in their hearts."
Within the family, children receive pastoral care, and in turn, they influence their parents. During this period, they are also shepherding their parents, she added.
In the family, children receive pastoral care, and in return, they influence their parents. At this time, they are also shepherding their parents.
"Pastoring is the destiny of all mankind, and no one can escape it. No matter where you are, you should care for others' spirituality. Conversely, it is the destiny of all people to be shepherds."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Story: Every Christian Holds Mission of Pastoring
