Yaodu District Church in Linfen City, Shanxi Province, organizes a two-year training class to equip volunteer church ministers.
The church saw its 100-person capacity classroom filled around 8 o'clock last Saturday. Students come from Linfen city and its six pastoral districts, as well as over a dozen members from neighboring Hongdong County who travel more than 50 kilometers.
This two-year training class started in this spring, offering courses every Saturday to volunteer ministers and believers eager to be equipped. Courses have opened are Introduction to the Old Testament and Systematic Theology. Upon completing two years of study, participants will receive a graduation certificate.
Introduction to the Old Testament is taught by Rev. Geng Fuqin. Addressing the spiritual needs of the attendees, she offers a comprehensive overview of each book of the Bible through in-depth yet accessible explanations, covering historical context, geographical setting, outlines, character traits, and writing styles.
Minister Wang Shuai teaches Systematic Theology. He covers topics including Biblical Theology, General and Special Revelation, Revelation and God, and God's work. He explains theological concepts in contemporary language with scriptural references and sometimes animation videos.
This training class is a continuation of a previously suspended initiative due to venue issues. Also, many volunteer ministers find it difficult to prepare sermons due to the lack of study during the pandemic.
Students describe the training as "a rich spiritual feast" which is of great help. After each session, students actively finish their homework, and every study group holds discussions, reflecting on their learnings and sharing personal insights.
Some volunteer ministers, once hesitant to stand in the pulpit, now share the word of God with confidence from the Holy Spirit.
(The author reported in Linfen, Shanxi. Originally published by the Gospel Times, the article has been edited under permission.)
- Edited and Translated by Poppy Chan
临汾市尧都区基督教会举办培训班，提升会众灵命素养。
在山西山西临汾市尧都区教会的一个两年制培训班，自春季开班，每逢周六早上八时许，可容纳一百人的教室已经座无虚席。参加学习的有来自城区及所属六个牧区的弟兄姊妹，其中还有十多位弟兄姊妹来自一百多里相邻的洪洞县，他们每次都专程包车来参加学习。
这个培训班是面向所有愿意接受装备的义工还有信徒举办的，早上的课程主要是培训，有基本固定的学员分组，两年学完会发结业证书。该培训班的设立，一方面是延续早年间因场地问题而停办的培训班，另一方面是疫情后很多义工传道觉得两年荒废了不少，预备讲道比较吃力，所以向教会提出培训需求。
第一堂课由耿福琴牧师分享了旧约概论。针对大家的属灵需求，围绕圣经的每一卷书，从历史背景、地理环境，大纲脉络到人物性格特点、写作风格，通过深入浅出的讲解，使大家有了全面认识。
第二堂课王帅传道分享了系统神学。他运用丰富的神学理论功底，将圣经神学、普遍启示和特殊启示、启示与上帝、上帝的作为以青年人的视角，引经据典，不时插入动画视频，运用现代语言阐释神学真理。
而下午的课程面向是面向更多愿意接受装备的，想要参与服侍的信徒，是查经活动。由黄海林牧师主讲《罗马书》，他列出大纲，逐条详细解释。他的分享将新旧约相互贯穿。
每堂课课堂气氛良好。课后大家认真完成作业，由牧者进行评改。各组还进行分组讨论，背诵圣经金句，围绕所学的内容一起反思，分享每日所得，让自己感动的经文，以及透过今天的学习对自己的属灵生命成长有什么帮助。
此外从今年开始，临汾基督教会又从北京丰台堂引进了生命粮读经系列，组建了读经团契。每次在平台发布导论大纲，每天读四章圣经，从《创世记》开始，目前已读到《使徒行传》。有不少肢体坚持抄写导论和大纲，尤其是几位年过七旬的老阿姨抄写得非常认真。
谈及参加学习的感受，大家认为，对提升灵命素养很有帮助，真是摆设了丰富的属灵筵席，每次都有“我们在这里真好”的感觉。通过学习，解开了不少疑惑，不再盲目地信耶稣。
这次培训对于属灵工人的成长也很有帮助，以前被逼无奈地站讲台，现在有了底气，可以放胆靠着圣灵分享神的话语。并且通过全员系统学习，使大家爱上了读经，培养了每天按时灵修的好习惯。同时也能更好地抵御异端邪说。
（本文作者为山西一位教会同工。）
山西教会举办两年制培训班
Yaodu District Church in Linfen City, Shanxi Province, organizes a two-year training class to equip volunteer church ministers.
The church saw its 100-person capacity classroom filled around 8 o'clock last Saturday. Students come from Linfen city and its six pastoral districts, as well as over a dozen members from neighboring Hongdong County who travel more than 50 kilometers.
This two-year training class started in this spring, offering courses every Saturday to volunteer ministers and believers eager to be equipped. Courses have opened are Introduction to the Old Testament and Systematic Theology. Upon completing two years of study, participants will receive a graduation certificate.
Introduction to the Old Testament is taught by Rev. Geng Fuqin. Addressing the spiritual needs of the attendees, she offers a comprehensive overview of each book of the Bible through in-depth yet accessible explanations, covering historical context, geographical setting, outlines, character traits, and writing styles.
Minister Wang Shuai teaches Systematic Theology. He covers topics including Biblical Theology, General and Special Revelation, Revelation and God, and God's work. He explains theological concepts in contemporary language with scriptural references and sometimes animation videos.
This training class is a continuation of a previously suspended initiative due to venue issues. Also, many volunteer ministers find it difficult to prepare sermons due to the lack of study during the pandemic.
Students describe the training as "a rich spiritual feast" which is of great help. After each session, students actively finish their homework, and every study group holds discussions, reflecting on their learnings and sharing personal insights.
Some volunteer ministers, once hesitant to stand in the pulpit, now share the word of God with confidence from the Holy Spirit.
(The author reported in Linfen, Shanxi. Originally published by the Gospel Times, the article has been edited under permission.)
- Edited and Translated by Poppy Chan
Shanxi Church Holds 2-Year Training Class
