Since the inception of the reform and opening-up in 1978, churches in China have witnessed a steady growth throughout the nation. During this time, young pastors have traversed a long journey, gradually transitioning into elderly individuals with graying hair. Now, the time has come for the crucial transition and succession within the church.
However, presently, numerous churches are confronted with the challenge of either lacking young workers, leaving no successors to carry forward the mantle, or, in cases where young workers are available, elderly workers are hesitant to relinquish their roles.
Wang Yun (pseudonym), a dedicated church worker in a southern city, shared with the Christian Times, an online Christian newspaper in China, that several prominent churches in his city have effectively accomplished the baton-passing process from senior to new workers, elucidating their approach.
He highlighted the significance his city's churches place on the training of young staff members. Even during their time as ordinary believers, they are encouraged to establish a firm foundation of faith. Wang explained that, apart from engaging in Bible study, scripture memorization, and sermon listening, their churches even conduct "Bible proficiency exams" to encourage the recitation of Bible verses.
Furthermore, he emphasized that churches make concerted efforts to ensure the well-being of young workers. Nowadays, all pastors receive salaries. However, Wang pointed out that, to his knowledge, many churches, particularly rural ones, still lack the awareness of providing salaries to pastoral workers, similar to more than a decade ago in his region.
Wang Yun also shared his experiences on how the church in his vicinity successfully manages the baton-passing process.
Recognizing their advancing age and the imminence of retirement, the elder pastors within the church understand the challenges of handling numerous church matters at their stage in life. Hence, they willingly step aside, allowing young workers to shoulder the responsibility for the church.
Wang Yun also shared his experience of how the church in his area can successfully hand over the baton.
To ensure a smooth transition and effective governance, the church has implemented a retirement system where any church worker must retire upon reaching a specific age.
According to Wang Yun, to his knowledge, in a particular church within his region, individuals above the age of 60 are ineligible to serve as church leaders. Additionally, each person can hold office for a maximum of two terms, with each term lasting four years.
Wang further mentioned that in most churches within his area, pastoral workers are required to retire at the age of 65. Moreover, the authority of church management personnel is carefully regulated and balanced, involving three entities: the pastorate, the church council, and the general assembly of believers.
We hope that more young people can take over the baton from the older generation of pastors and wholeheartedly serve the Lord throughout their lives.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
大概从1978年改革开放开始，中国教会开始在各地不断兴起。那个时候，年轻的牧者一路走到现在，逐渐变成了白发苍苍的老人。中国教会到了新老交接与传承的时候了。
可是，目前很多教会要么就是没有年轻同工，后继无人；要么就是虽然有年轻同工，但是老人却不愿意把手里的接力棒交出来。
王云弟兄（化名）在南方某城市做全职服事，他和中国一网络基督教报纸基督时报说，他们那里一些比较大的教会基本上已经完成了新老同工接力棒的交接。
首先，他们那里的教会非常重视年轻同工的培养。在他们还只是普通信徒的时候，就让他们打下扎实的信仰基础。王云弟兄说，除了读经、背经、听道，他所在的教会会举行“圣经考级”的考试,督促他们背诵经文。
还有一个，教会必须想办法保障年轻同工的正常生活，现在都能给牧者授薪。可是同时，他所知道的是很多地方的教会尤其是乡村教会还没有给教牧同工授薪的意识，跟他们这里十多年前一样。
王云弟兄分享了这里的教会能够把教会接力棒交得很好的经验。
教会的牧者长辈们也清楚，自己年龄已经大了，离退休已经不远了，教会这么多的事情也会力不从心。所以就让位，让年轻同工来负责教会。
教会建立退休制度，任何一位教会同工，只要到了岁数就必须退休。
王云弟兄说，他所知道的是，他们那里有一所教会，任何人过了60岁以后，就不能再当教会负责人。而且每个人最多只能担任两届，每届四年时间。
王云弟兄说，现在他们那里绝大多数教会都规定了教牧同工65岁必须退休。另外他们的教会管理层人员的权力是互相制约的，三足鼎立，有牧师，堂委会，会众大会。
我们盼望更多的年轻人，从老一辈牧者手中接过接力棒以后，一生竭诚为主奔跑。
访谈|教会如何完成同工的新老交接？
Since the inception of the reform and opening-up in 1978, churches in China have witnessed a steady growth throughout the nation. During this time, young pastors have traversed a long journey, gradually transitioning into elderly individuals with graying hair. Now, the time has come for the crucial transition and succession within the church.
However, presently, numerous churches are confronted with the challenge of either lacking young workers, leaving no successors to carry forward the mantle, or, in cases where young workers are available, elderly workers are hesitant to relinquish their roles.
Wang Yun (pseudonym), a dedicated church worker in a southern city, shared with the Christian Times, an online Christian newspaper in China, that several prominent churches in his city have effectively accomplished the baton-passing process from senior to new workers, elucidating their approach.
He highlighted the significance his city's churches place on the training of young staff members. Even during their time as ordinary believers, they are encouraged to establish a firm foundation of faith. Wang explained that, apart from engaging in Bible study, scripture memorization, and sermon listening, their churches even conduct "Bible proficiency exams" to encourage the recitation of Bible verses.
Furthermore, he emphasized that churches make concerted efforts to ensure the well-being of young workers. Nowadays, all pastors receive salaries. However, Wang pointed out that, to his knowledge, many churches, particularly rural ones, still lack the awareness of providing salaries to pastoral workers, similar to more than a decade ago in his region.
Wang Yun also shared his experiences on how the church in his vicinity successfully manages the baton-passing process.
Recognizing their advancing age and the imminence of retirement, the elder pastors within the church understand the challenges of handling numerous church matters at their stage in life. Hence, they willingly step aside, allowing young workers to shoulder the responsibility for the church.
Wang Yun also shared his experience of how the church in his area can successfully hand over the baton.
To ensure a smooth transition and effective governance, the church has implemented a retirement system where any church worker must retire upon reaching a specific age.
According to Wang Yun, to his knowledge, in a particular church within his region, individuals above the age of 60 are ineligible to serve as church leaders. Additionally, each person can hold office for a maximum of two terms, with each term lasting four years.
Wang further mentioned that in most churches within his area, pastoral workers are required to retire at the age of 65. Moreover, the authority of church management personnel is carefully regulated and balanced, involving three entities: the pastorate, the church council, and the general assembly of believers.
We hope that more young people can take over the baton from the older generation of pastors and wholeheartedly serve the Lord throughout their lives.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Interview: Strategies for Facilitating the Handover Between New and Seasoned Church Workers
