Since the beginning of the reform and opening-up era, the Chinese church has gradually taken its initial steps. During that time, almost the entire nation grappled with severe poverty. The majority of Christians were either illiterate or semi-literate, and even many preachers were in the same situation.
On one hand, the church was being established, and many believers were in need of preachers to guide them. On the other hand, after periods like the Cultural Revolution, many preachers had aged or passed away. This led to a surge of aspiring speakers willing to step onto the pulpit. However, back then, there was virtually no training or education available specifically for preachers, let alone theological education. Many preachers were self-taught, but their preaching was still effective.
One preacher, who later became a pastor, recounted that during that time, he had prepared around ten sermon manuscripts. No matter where he went, he would deliver those same ten sermons. Surprisingly, the listeners received abundant grace from his preaching.
This pastor's experience was not unique. Several decades ago, in the context of China, being able to deliver a few sermons qualified one as a preacher.
Yet, in many more traditional churches, the messages delivered by preachers often lag significantly behind the demands of the present era, failing to meet the practical needs of church members.
I once heard a true account from a friend: attending a Sunday service in a church led by an elderly pastor whose speech was somewhat formal and serious. However, the content of his sermon was remarkably up-to-date. He used vocabulary that young people commonly employed, including terms like "shattering misconceptions," which most older preachers wouldn't use.
Later, an informed source revealed that this elderly pastor wasn't particularly popular among the congregation. The reason might have been his tendency to criticize others.Nonetheless, some insightful and open-minded church leaders extended invitations to him. They recognized that the words he shared held great depth and insight, something both fellow pastors and ordinary believers greatly needed. Therefore, since the establishment of this church over a decade ago, its leaders have consistently invited him to speak, welcoming him monthly.
In many traditional churches, sermons tend to consist either of dry expositions or "correct nonsense." These lifeless, powerless words fail to address the practical challenges faced by believers.
As the church continues to grow and evolve, preachers must also grow and develop accordingly, constantly renewing themselves and learning.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
自从改革开放开始，中国教会才开始逐渐起步。那个时候几乎整个中国都处在非常贫穷的状况。绝大多数基督徒都是文盲或者半文盲，甚至就连许多讲道人也是如此。
一边是教会建立起来了，许多信徒“嗷嗷待哺”，亟需有讲道人给他们讲道，但是另外一边则是经过文革等特殊时期，很多传道人都老了甚至离世了。然后出现了一大批有感动愿意站到讲台上的预备讲道人。但是当年几乎完全没有针对讲道人的各种学习和培训，更没有神学教育。很多传道人都是无师自通型的，但讲道效果还是很好的。
一位后来成为了牧师的讲道人就说那个时候自己前后整理了一共十来篇讲稿。不管到哪里，他都会讲这十来篇道。而且让人惊讶的是，听道的人得到了很多恩典。
这位牧师的经历并不是个例，几十年前的中国教会，能讲几篇道，在当时就可以成为传道人了。
但是，今天的时代已经变了。几篇讲道、几十篇讲道没有办法把福音和圣经讲解明白。
但是在很多比较传统的教会当中，讲道人的讲道信息却常常会严重落后于今天的这个时代，不能够满足教会信徒的实际需要
笔者听一位朋友说过的真实经历：一次去一所教会参加主日，是一位老牧师分享。说话比较“板正”、比较严肃。但听他讲道的时候，发现这位老牧师他所宣讲的信息非常更新。他所用到的一些词汇，反而是年轻人常常用到的。比如碎三观等这些词语是绝大多数年纪大的讲道人不会使用的。
后来有知情人介绍说，其实这位老牧师在教会里面并不怎么受到信徒的欢迎。原因可能是这位牧师喜欢批评别人。
但是还是会有一些有见识、心胸比较开阔的教会领袖邀请。因为知道这位他所讲的话语是非常有水平和深度的，是牧者同工和普通信徒都非常需要的。所以，从十多年前这所教会建立开始，这所教会的牧者就开始邀请他来这所教会讲道，每个月都邀请他过来讲一次。
很多传统教会的讲道，要么大半都是说教，要么讲的都是“正确的废话”，是死的、没有能力的话语，不能够帮助信徒解决实际遇到的问题。
教会在不断成长和发展的时候，讲道人必须也要相应的成长和发展, 不断地充电、学习。(==当summary）
特写|从一次真实经历谈：讲道人更要在知识上渐渐更新自己 活到老学到老
Since the beginning of the reform and opening-up era, the Chinese church has gradually taken its initial steps. During that time, almost the entire nation grappled with severe poverty. The majority of Christians were either illiterate or semi-literate, and even many preachers were in the same situation.
On one hand, the church was being established, and many believers were in need of preachers to guide them. On the other hand, after periods like the Cultural Revolution, many preachers had aged or passed away. This led to a surge of aspiring speakers willing to step onto the pulpit. However, back then, there was virtually no training or education available specifically for preachers, let alone theological education. Many preachers were self-taught, but their preaching was still effective.
One preacher, who later became a pastor, recounted that during that time, he had prepared around ten sermon manuscripts. No matter where he went, he would deliver those same ten sermons. Surprisingly, the listeners received abundant grace from his preaching.
This pastor's experience was not unique. Several decades ago, in the context of China, being able to deliver a few sermons qualified one as a preacher.
Yet, in many more traditional churches, the messages delivered by preachers often lag significantly behind the demands of the present era, failing to meet the practical needs of church members.
I once heard a true account from a friend: attending a Sunday service in a church led by an elderly pastor whose speech was somewhat formal and serious. However, the content of his sermon was remarkably up-to-date. He used vocabulary that young people commonly employed, including terms like "shattering misconceptions," which most older preachers wouldn't use.
Later, an informed source revealed that this elderly pastor wasn't particularly popular among the congregation. The reason might have been his tendency to criticize others.Nonetheless, some insightful and open-minded church leaders extended invitations to him. They recognized that the words he shared held great depth and insight, something both fellow pastors and ordinary believers greatly needed. Therefore, since the establishment of this church over a decade ago, its leaders have consistently invited him to speak, welcoming him monthly.
In many traditional churches, sermons tend to consist either of dry expositions or "correct nonsense." These lifeless, powerless words fail to address the practical challenges faced by believers.
As the church continues to grow and evolve, preachers must also grow and develop accordingly, constantly renewing themselves and learning.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Pastors Need to Learn Throughout Their Lives
