There exists a type of serenity that defies quantification in terms of volume and decibel measurements. It embodies a spiritual essence within individuals, commencing with humility and maturing through prayer and obedience to the divine will of God. Pastors possessing such qualities do not rush ahead of the Holy Spirit but instead, conduct themselves in a manner pleasing to God, aligned with His intentions.
In a recent interview conducted by the Christian Times, an online Christian Chinese newspaper, Pastor Xie Xiaotian (pseudonym) from eastern China discussed the importance of pastors cultivating a state of tranquility. As Protestantism has evolved, numerous denominations have emerged, rendering the task of achieving unity among pastors of different denominations a formidable challenge. The Chinese church, too, faces the daunting obstacle of fostering unity.
In this regard, Pastor Xie asserts, "The inability of churches to progress towards unity and depth today does not primarily stem from theological knowledge and reasoning but rather from the spiritual restlessness of pastors. Quietness is not merely an external behavioral norm, but an authentic spiritual discipline in Christ. While many pastors aspire for unity within the body of Christ, the prerequisite for such unity is for each pastor to first find quietness in God, allowing the Holy Spirit to genuinely reign within them. Regrettably, some pastors place more value on theology, sectarianism, and personal success than on God. Such deviations and ambitions hinder the church from attaining true unity."
When a church confronts significant challenges, it becomes evident whether a pastor's spirituality is characterized by tranquility. If the pastor relies solely on personal wisdom, abilities, and experience to assess and resolve these challenges, it signifies a lack of quietness. However, if the pastor remains calm and approaches the issues of the moment through scripture reading, prayer, and attentive listening to others, a state of quietness is present, as Pastor Xie highlighted.
For instance, Pastor Xie explains, "Pastors are the group that stands to benefit the most from learning to be quiet, and the purpose behind it is to conserve energy. When a car runs out of fuel, one must go to a gas station for refueling. In doing so, the first step is to turn off the engine, which is a quiet process. Similarly, when a pastor encounters a significant matter, immediate resolution may not be possible. It is akin to the car running out of fuel, necessitating a collective pause. The essence of quieting down lies in the recognition that it is no longer the pastor who initiates action for God, but rather God who accomplishes great things for the pastor. Those who fail to attain spiritual quietness essentially reject God's reign within their ministry."
How should pastors act when they have new visions, benchmarks, and plans? Sometimes they start a ministry with a fiery start because they do not get to the root of the problem or because they start quickly, but sometimes they start all over again.
As to how pastors should conduct themselves when they receive new visions, benchmarks, and plans, they may initiate a ministry with great enthusiasm, yet fail to address the root cause of the issue or act hastily, resulting in the need to start afresh.
Pastor Xie shared, “If a person is an alcoholic, ostensibly he has an addiction to alcohol. If pastors see this phenomenon and start a ministry to get rid of alcohol addiction, it is, however, not always the best option. But if the pastor can quietly seek God's will before God, he can see that addiction is not the root of the problem. If the root problem is not solved, that person will have other addictions even if alcoholism is cured. So, alcoholism is only superficial, and the root cause might lie in the couple’s relationship. On the premise of unforgiveness, the man chooses to drink heavily in order to escape the pain in the relationship. The root cause is that there is a problem with the person’s spiritual health, and the key is whether the pastor can get the power in quietness to tackle the root.”
Pastor Xie outlined the principles to be followed in the presence of God: be in God’s will and timing, use God’s methods, and rely on God’s power to achieve God’s glory.
Pastor Xie added, “When pastors and co-workers learn to be quiet before God, they can have unity in the Holy Spirit. Check each other for the difference between your own thoughts and God’s will, and eventually, you will find that God is the one who cannot be wrong. When we disobey God’s will, we cannot enjoy the quietness before God and fall under the control of our enemies. When pastors follow this spiritual principle to serve the church, they experience God’s power. The essence of quietness is that pastors and believers learn to connect to their root, Jesus. Just as branches are attached to the vine, so are we to Jesus in order to bear fruits.”
- Translated by Charlie Li
有一种安静，无法用音量大小和分贝数值所定义的，这种安静是关乎人的一种灵性品格。这种灵性品格始于谦卑之心，在祷告与顺服神旨意中走向成熟。拥有这种灵性的牧者做事情，不会跑在圣灵的前头，而是在神的心意之中，做祂所喜悦的事奉。
近日，中国一网络基督教报纸基督时报采访来自华东的谢小天（化名）牧师，他分享了牧者为什么要先学习安静。基督新教在发展的过程中，产生了不同种类的宗派，不同宗派的教会牧者之间的合一是不容易的事情，中国教会也面对这样的合一的挑战。
对此，谢牧师认为：“今天教会无法走向和一与深度联合的原因，本质上不是神学知识和理性的问题，是教会的牧者群体的灵性不能安静下来。安静本身不是一个行为上的套路，而是一个真实的在基督里的灵性操练。虽然许多教会牧者都期盼众教会能够在基督里合一，但合一的前提是牧者需要先安静在上帝里面，让圣灵在每一位牧者心里真正做王掌权。牧者把神学、宗派主义和个人的成功看得比上帝还重要，因为这样的偏离与野心是无法让众教会真正走向合一的。 ”
当教会遇到大难急的事情，牧者是否会依靠自己的智慧、能力和经验去做判断和做事情。 还是安静下来借着读经、祷告与倾听他人的声音，一同来解决当下的难题，由此可以看出牧者的灵性是否是安静的。
谢牧师举例说：“牧者是最需要学会安静的一个群体，安静的目的是为了加油。当你的车没有油了，你需要去找加油站，然后把油管接上。你在加油的时候就先要把发动机关掉，这是一个要安静等待的过程。牧者遇到再重大的事，你无法立刻应对。你的车没有油了，你都需要停下来。安静它的本质就是，不再是你为神折腾什么事，而是让神在你身上做大事。灵性无法安静的人，等于是拒绝神在他的事奉中掌权做王。”
当牧者有了新异象、标竿与计划时，牧者当如何行？有的时候教会牧者火热地开展了一项事工，但因没有触及到问题根源，也可能是起步很快，但有时又会重头再来。
谢牧师继续分享说：“如果一个人他酗酒了，表面上是他有酒瘾。倘若牧者看到这个现象后就开一个摆脱酒瘾的事工的话，有时并不是最好的选择。但牧者若能够安静在上帝面前寻求祂的旨意，牧者可以看到瘾头本身不是问题的根。如果根不解决，即便帮助他摆脱了酒瘾，他还会有其他的瘾头。酗酒只是表面问题，根源可能是夫妻关系出了问题。在不饶恕的前提下，为逃避关系中的痛苦，导致他选择酗酒。根源在于这个人灵性健康出了问题，牧者是否可以在安静中得到能力来解决好这个根的部分。”
谢牧师概况了安静在神面前要遵循的原则：出于神的旨意，要在神的时间表里，用神的方法，靠神的力量，成就神的荣耀。
“当牧者和同工学会了在神面前安静，他们才能在圣灵里有合一。彼此查验自己的想法和上帝旨意的区别，最终你会发现神是不会误事的一位。当我们悖逆神的旨意时，我们就无法享受在神面前的安静，也会落入到仇敌的辖制之中。当牧者遵循这个属灵原则去事奉教会的时候，才会经历神的大能。安静的本质就是牧者和信徒学会连于根源耶稣。就像葡萄枝子的我们连在耶稣这颗葡萄树上一样，如此才能结果子。”谢牧师补充说。
对话｜一华东牧者从四点浅谈：牧者学习安静的功课为何如此重要？
There exists a type of serenity that defies quantification in terms of volume and decibel measurements. It embodies a spiritual essence within individuals, commencing with humility and maturing through prayer and obedience to the divine will of God. Pastors possessing such qualities do not rush ahead of the Holy Spirit but instead, conduct themselves in a manner pleasing to God, aligned with His intentions.
In a recent interview conducted by the Christian Times, an online Christian Chinese newspaper, Pastor Xie Xiaotian (pseudonym) from eastern China discussed the importance of pastors cultivating a state of tranquility. As Protestantism has evolved, numerous denominations have emerged, rendering the task of achieving unity among pastors of different denominations a formidable challenge. The Chinese church, too, faces the daunting obstacle of fostering unity.
In this regard, Pastor Xie asserts, "The inability of churches to progress towards unity and depth today does not primarily stem from theological knowledge and reasoning but rather from the spiritual restlessness of pastors. Quietness is not merely an external behavioral norm, but an authentic spiritual discipline in Christ. While many pastors aspire for unity within the body of Christ, the prerequisite for such unity is for each pastor to first find quietness in God, allowing the Holy Spirit to genuinely reign within them. Regrettably, some pastors place more value on theology, sectarianism, and personal success than on God. Such deviations and ambitions hinder the church from attaining true unity."
When a church confronts significant challenges, it becomes evident whether a pastor's spirituality is characterized by tranquility. If the pastor relies solely on personal wisdom, abilities, and experience to assess and resolve these challenges, it signifies a lack of quietness. However, if the pastor remains calm and approaches the issues of the moment through scripture reading, prayer, and attentive listening to others, a state of quietness is present, as Pastor Xie highlighted.
For instance, Pastor Xie explains, "Pastors are the group that stands to benefit the most from learning to be quiet, and the purpose behind it is to conserve energy. When a car runs out of fuel, one must go to a gas station for refueling. In doing so, the first step is to turn off the engine, which is a quiet process. Similarly, when a pastor encounters a significant matter, immediate resolution may not be possible. It is akin to the car running out of fuel, necessitating a collective pause. The essence of quieting down lies in the recognition that it is no longer the pastor who initiates action for God, but rather God who accomplishes great things for the pastor. Those who fail to attain spiritual quietness essentially reject God's reign within their ministry."
How should pastors act when they have new visions, benchmarks, and plans? Sometimes they start a ministry with a fiery start because they do not get to the root of the problem or because they start quickly, but sometimes they start all over again.
As to how pastors should conduct themselves when they receive new visions, benchmarks, and plans, they may initiate a ministry with great enthusiasm, yet fail to address the root cause of the issue or act hastily, resulting in the need to start afresh.
Pastor Xie shared, “If a person is an alcoholic, ostensibly he has an addiction to alcohol. If pastors see this phenomenon and start a ministry to get rid of alcohol addiction, it is, however, not always the best option. But if the pastor can quietly seek God's will before God, he can see that addiction is not the root of the problem. If the root problem is not solved, that person will have other addictions even if alcoholism is cured. So, alcoholism is only superficial, and the root cause might lie in the couple’s relationship. On the premise of unforgiveness, the man chooses to drink heavily in order to escape the pain in the relationship. The root cause is that there is a problem with the person’s spiritual health, and the key is whether the pastor can get the power in quietness to tackle the root.”
Pastor Xie outlined the principles to be followed in the presence of God: be in God’s will and timing, use God’s methods, and rely on God’s power to achieve God’s glory.
Pastor Xie added, “When pastors and co-workers learn to be quiet before God, they can have unity in the Holy Spirit. Check each other for the difference between your own thoughts and God’s will, and eventually, you will find that God is the one who cannot be wrong. When we disobey God’s will, we cannot enjoy the quietness before God and fall under the control of our enemies. When pastors follow this spiritual principle to serve the church, they experience God’s power. The essence of quietness is that pastors and believers learn to connect to their root, Jesus. Just as branches are attached to the vine, so are we to Jesus in order to bear fruits.”
- Translated by Charlie Li
Dialogue: Pastor Raises Four Points to Train 'Quietness' for Unity
