A pastor from a city in southern China has raised concerns about the dwindling passion among today's pastors compared to the fervor witnessed in previous decades.
In an interview with Christian Times, an online Chinese Christian newspaper, Rev. Chen Hongyuan (pseudonym) expressed, "The Lord has entrusted pastors with one essential quality: a zealous heart."
"However, the loss of passion in pastors has led many churches to stagnate or fail to develop."
Rev. Chen highlighted the distinct differences between contemporary churches and those of the past. He noted that pastors today have ample opportunities for learning and growth, as long as they are willing to pursue them. Yet, he questioned what is lacking in these pastors, emphasizing the importance of a willing heart.
"In my opinion, vigilance is the most valuable quality a pastor can possess. Without vigilance, the church they lead becomes lifeless. If a pastor is content with the state of their church, that church is essentially dead, as is the pastor. Such an attitude is truly detrimental," stressed Chen.
While many churches are experiencing a revival today, the number of churches that remain stagnant or witness a decline far surpasses those in revival. Many traditional and conservative churches see a steady decrease in the number of believers year after year.
Rev. Chen explained that this decline is primarily due to members departing. Older believers pass away, while younger ones seek livelier churches, resulting in a gradual decline that eventually leads to church closures.
At last, Rev. Chen emphasized the importance of networking among pastors. He stated, "Given that some pastors may exhibit reserved behavior due to various reasons, I believe communication and discussions among pastors are essential. These exchanges not only broaden their perspectives but also challenge their habitual ways of thinking, helping them break free from rigid patterns."
- Translated by Joyce Leung
南方一位城市教会牧者认为，和曾经几十年的火热相比，当今的很多教会牧者躺平思想非常严重，缺少了一颗不安分的心。
陈鸿远牧师（化名）向中国一网络基督教报纸基督时报说，“其实上帝并没有给我们这些做牧者的什么别的，上帝所给我们的，就是一颗不安份的心。”
“今天很多的教会，他们之所以停滞下来，他们之所以没有发展，其实缺乏的就是这个，就是牧者里面那颗不安分的心。”
“今时不同往日。现在教会的牧者并不缺乏学习的机会，只要愿意学的话，那么机会有很多。那么他们缺的是什么？缺的是牧者有没有愿意去做的一颗心。”
“所以，我个人认为，作为一名牧者，最难得的——那就是危机感。如果一名牧者没有危机感的话，那么最后他负责的教会就会被他带的死气沉沉。牧者如果对自己教会的状况已经满足了的话，那么这所教会就跟这名牧者一样，差不多等于已经死了。这样的心态完全是致命的。”陈牧师强调说。
现在有不少教会是复兴的，但是，比起不复兴、不发展的教会其实数量是要远远更多的。很多非常传统的、故步自封的教会，他们的信徒人数基本上每年都是在不断的减少、减少、再减少。
陈牧师说因为很多年纪很大的信徒去世了、离开了，年轻信徒不喜欢那种死气沉沉的氛围因而待不住流失了，去了其他的教会，然后也没有多少人补充进来；最终这样的状况的教会只能够是逐渐走向死亡和终结。
最后，陈牧师认为牧者之间的联接也很重要：”我认为牧者之间的交流、讨论也是需要的。平时一些牧者可能因为各种原因比较封闭、闭塞，这样的交流讨论能够让这部分牧者可以开阔他们的视野。也可以冲击他们的一些习惯性的思维模式，帮助他们从僵化掉的模式当中走出来。“
南方牧者：牧者必须要有一颗不安分的心
A pastor from a city in southern China has raised concerns about the dwindling passion among today's pastors compared to the fervor witnessed in previous decades.
In an interview with Christian Times, an online Chinese Christian newspaper, Rev. Chen Hongyuan (pseudonym) expressed, "The Lord has entrusted pastors with one essential quality: a zealous heart."
"However, the loss of passion in pastors has led many churches to stagnate or fail to develop."
Rev. Chen highlighted the distinct differences between contemporary churches and those of the past. He noted that pastors today have ample opportunities for learning and growth, as long as they are willing to pursue them. Yet, he questioned what is lacking in these pastors, emphasizing the importance of a willing heart.
"In my opinion, vigilance is the most valuable quality a pastor can possess. Without vigilance, the church they lead becomes lifeless. If a pastor is content with the state of their church, that church is essentially dead, as is the pastor. Such an attitude is truly detrimental," stressed Chen.
While many churches are experiencing a revival today, the number of churches that remain stagnant or witness a decline far surpasses those in revival. Many traditional and conservative churches see a steady decrease in the number of believers year after year.
Rev. Chen explained that this decline is primarily due to members departing. Older believers pass away, while younger ones seek livelier churches, resulting in a gradual decline that eventually leads to church closures.
At last, Rev. Chen emphasized the importance of networking among pastors. He stated, "Given that some pastors may exhibit reserved behavior due to various reasons, I believe communication and discussions among pastors are essential. These exchanges not only broaden their perspectives but also challenge their habitual ways of thinking, helping them break free from rigid patterns."
- Translated by Joyce Leung
Interview: Pastors Must Have Passionate Hearts
