牧者能夠在六個星期前定下講題嗎？
領敬拜者能夠在五個星期前揀選配合主題的詩歌嗎？
領敬拜者能夠與牧者一起編排敬拜嗎？
領敬拜者能夠在四個星期前與牧者一起編排四星期後的敬拜嗎？
領敬拜者能夠有音樂總監替他處理音樂編排嗎？
有音樂總監為領排隊繪畫敬拜流程的藍圖嗎？
有牧者會親身牧養敬拜隊嗎？
有美術指導為隊工設計形象嗎？
有美術指導為不同敬拜設計配合主題的平面設計嗎？
敬拜流程每次可以不同嗎？
敬拜流程會有監製嗎？
敬拜當日整個敬拜流程會有排練嗎？
敬拜後會有檢討嗎？
這一切是個夢嗎？
在八個月前這一切是我們的夢，
但八個月後的今天，
這一切已在歌鄰裡孕育生長起來了，
這不再是個夢了！
連月來大家在適應緊湊的節奏，
開會、編排、練習、牧養、開會、編排、練習、牧養…
一起努力慢慢學習，由零開始，現已漸漸上軌道了。
現在我們的隊工裡有：
三位牧者、一位敬拜監製、一位美術指導、
三位領敬拜者、三位音樂總監、
三位琴手、一位Bass手和兩位伴唱手。
真的看見上帝集合我們一起的心意，
來自不同教會的弟兄姊妹，
有著不同的恩賜、有著不同的性情，
在過程中上帝不斷雕琢和建立我們每一個，
好叫我們學習同心去事奉上帝。
祈求上帝繼續幫助我們看見異象！
祈求上帝繼續幫助我們同心事奉！
祈求上帝繼續幫助我們在崗位盡忠！
祈求上帝繼續幫助我們有力事奉！
祈求上帝繼續幫助我們明白你更多！
上帝感謝你！
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Cultivating a Prevailing Worship Team
Last Sunday Lorraine and I taught a workshop at AFC Production Conference.
The workshop is called "Cultivating a prevailing worship team." It aimed at educating participants the importance and methods to minister to artists and musicians (worship team). There were about twenty participants from eight churches.
A worship team needs to be nurtured in the following areas:
1. character shaping
2. spiritual formation
3. theological understanding of worship
4. biblical literacy on prayers
5. relationship building
6. team building
7. professionalism
8. healthy rhythm
While the participants were impressed by the depth, breadth and importance of the subject, some were skeptical on whether all these could be accomplished in real life. For some it sounded like fantasy and to others it appeared unachievable because it seemed to require much resources.
Here is one written feedback we have received:
Can you add some success stories or struggles in cultivating a worship team? It's all too idealistic with all the high standards & expectations (E.g. professionalism), but I want to hear how it actually worked out in church life.
I sighed (at the skepticism) as I read the feedback.
It reminds me that one should not take for granted what we have build up in Koinonia's worship team in the past eight months. What we have today are both blessings from God and hard work and discipline on our part.
If I had a chance to respond to the feedback, here are the three advices I would give:
Vision
Babysteps
Discipline over a long period of time...
The workshop is called "Cultivating a prevailing worship team." It aimed at educating participants the importance and methods to minister to artists and musicians (worship team). There were about twenty participants from eight churches.
A worship team needs to be nurtured in the following areas:
1. character shaping
2. spiritual formation
3. theological understanding of worship
4. biblical literacy on prayers
5. relationship building
6. team building
7. professionalism
8. healthy rhythm
While the participants were impressed by the depth, breadth and importance of the subject, some were skeptical on whether all these could be accomplished in real life. For some it sounded like fantasy and to others it appeared unachievable because it seemed to require much resources.
Here is one written feedback we have received:
Can you add some success stories or struggles in cultivating a worship team? It's all too idealistic with all the high standards & expectations (E.g. professionalism), but I want to hear how it actually worked out in church life.
I sighed (at the skepticism) as I read the feedback.
It reminds me that one should not take for granted what we have build up in Koinonia's worship team in the past eight months. What we have today are both blessings from God and hard work and discipline on our part.
If I had a chance to respond to the feedback, here are the three advices I would give:
Vision
Babysteps
Discipline over a long period of time...
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Hearing the Voice of Jesus
Spiritual Discernment: On Hearing the Voice of Jesus
Lecture by Darrell Johnson at Regent College on November 22, 2004
約翰福音 10:14-15
我是好牧人．我認識我的羊、我的羊也認識我。
正如父認識我、我也認識父一樣．並且我為羊捨命。
10:3-5
看門的就給他開門．羊也聽他的聲音．他按著名叫自己的羊、把羊領出來。
既放出自己的羊來、就在前頭走、羊也跟著他、因為認得他的聲音。
羊不跟著生人、因為不認得他的聲音．必要逃跑。
How does the Good Shepherd speak to us? What means does He use?
How can I discern His voice from all the others I hear in my mind and spirit? Are there some objective safeguards to ensure that the voice I am hearing is the voice of Jesus?
1. Inner voice always speak in concert with scripture
2. Inner voice always speak in concert with the character of Jesus
3. Inner voice always tell us to do the Jesus-like thing (in truth and love)
4. Inner voice always draw us closer to Himself
5. Inner voice does not argue. It is quietly authoritative. Its command is self-authenticating.
6. Inner voice is usually the quietest
Lecture by Darrell Johnson at Regent College on November 22, 2004
約翰福音 10:14-15
我是好牧人．我認識我的羊、我的羊也認識我。
正如父認識我、我也認識父一樣．並且我為羊捨命。
10:3-5
看門的就給他開門．羊也聽他的聲音．他按著名叫自己的羊、把羊領出來。
既放出自己的羊來、就在前頭走、羊也跟著他、因為認得他的聲音。
羊不跟著生人、因為不認得他的聲音．必要逃跑。
How does the Good Shepherd speak to us? What means does He use?
- Written word. Scripture
- The preached word. Proclamation
- Unique gifts of the Spirit: prophecy, wisdom
- Books, human authors
- Trusted friends, mentors, counsellors
- Dreams, visions
- Circumstances
- Holy discontent. Restlessness
- Conscience, developed through training by Scripture
- Inner voices, some may come from the Shepherd
How can I discern His voice from all the others I hear in my mind and spirit? Are there some objective safeguards to ensure that the voice I am hearing is the voice of Jesus?
1. Inner voice always speak in concert with scripture
2. Inner voice always speak in concert with the character of Jesus
3. Inner voice always tell us to do the Jesus-like thing (in truth and love)
4. Inner voice always draw us closer to Himself
5. Inner voice does not argue. It is quietly authoritative. Its command is self-authenticating.
6. Inner voice is usually the quietest
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
重整
友人搬屋留下一些書給我們，
再加上我們多年來所累積的書，
越覺不夠位置安放，
結果上星期終於買了兩個書架，
白天工作後，晚上便忙著將書排放好。
以往沒有將書籍分類，
如今是一個好機會去重整這些書架上的書，
我們便下定決心要為這些書各從其類。
要重整混亂地擺放著的書，
倘若你不太認識它們，
要重整它們是好不容易的，
總算沒有辜負那三年在書店工作的經驗，
那些中文書和音樂書各從其類地安置好，
而英文書的處理便由夫君辦妥，
分工合作，大概兩晚時間完成了。
身體雖然疲累，但卻很有滿足感，
因為說了多時要重整書架的任務，
終於達成，齊齊整整，看見成果！
生命來到某一刻，
你會發覺也要重整一番。
或許工作太多、
事奉太多、
要處理人與事情太多，
自覺也有點忙亂了！
是時候停下來重整一番，
但需要有決心地停下來，
好好去認知令你忙亂的人與事，
要花一些時間學習重整，
重整完，再上路！
求上帝幫助我知道心裡的混亂！
求上帝幫助我看見難阻我與你相處的事物！
求上帝幫助我重整我的生命！
讓我生命可輕省地觸摸到你！
讓我生命可聽到你的聲音！
讓我生命可有位置讓你來充滿我！
Friday, August 3, 2007
Eyes
Excerpt from Michel Quoist’s Prayers (1963)
Man’s eyes have great power, for they convey the soul. When God dwells in a man, his eyes can carry God to men.
I am now about to close my eyelids, Lord,
For my eyes this evening have finished their work,
And my vagrant glances will return home,
Having strolled for a day in the market place.
Thank you, Lord, for my eyes, windows open on the wide world;
Thank you for their look that carries my soul as the broad sunbeam carries the light and warmth of you sun.
I pray to you, during the night, that tomorrow, when I open my eyes to the clear morning,
They shall be ready to serve both my soul and my God.
May my eyes be clear and straightforward, Lord, and give others a hunger for purity;
May my look never be one of disappointment, disillusionment, despair,
But may it know how to admire, contemplate, adore.
May my eyes learn to close in order to find you more easily;
But may they never turn away from the world because they are afraid.
May my eyes be penetrating enough to recognize your Presence in the world,
And may they never shut on the afflictions of men.
May my eyes be firm and steady,
But may they also know how to soften in pity and be capable of tears.
May my gaze not soil the one it touches,
May it not disturb, but may it bring peace.
May it not sadden, but rather may it transmit joy.
May it not attract in order to hold captive,
But rather may it persuade others to rise above themselves to you.
May my eyes disquiet the sinner because in them he will see your light,
But may their reproach lead to encouragement.
Grant that may eyes may be startling because they are an encounter, and encounter with God.
Grant that they be a call, a loud clear call that brings all the world to its doorstep,
Not because of me, Lord,
But because you are to pass by.
That my eyes may be all this, Lord,
Once more, this evening,
I give you my soul,
I give you my body,
I give you my eyes,
That when they look at men, my brothers,
It may be you who look at them
And you who beckon.
Man’s eyes have great power, for they convey the soul. When God dwells in a man, his eyes can carry God to men.
I am now about to close my eyelids, Lord,
For my eyes this evening have finished their work,
And my vagrant glances will return home,
Having strolled for a day in the market place.
Thank you, Lord, for my eyes, windows open on the wide world;
Thank you for their look that carries my soul as the broad sunbeam carries the light and warmth of you sun.
I pray to you, during the night, that tomorrow, when I open my eyes to the clear morning,
They shall be ready to serve both my soul and my God.
May my eyes be clear and straightforward, Lord, and give others a hunger for purity;
May my look never be one of disappointment, disillusionment, despair,
But may it know how to admire, contemplate, adore.
May my eyes learn to close in order to find you more easily;
But may they never turn away from the world because they are afraid.
May my eyes be penetrating enough to recognize your Presence in the world,
And may they never shut on the afflictions of men.
May my eyes be firm and steady,
But may they also know how to soften in pity and be capable of tears.
May my gaze not soil the one it touches,
May it not disturb, but may it bring peace.
May it not sadden, but rather may it transmit joy.
May it not attract in order to hold captive,
But rather may it persuade others to rise above themselves to you.
May my eyes disquiet the sinner because in them he will see your light,
But may their reproach lead to encouragement.
Grant that may eyes may be startling because they are an encounter, and encounter with God.
Grant that they be a call, a loud clear call that brings all the world to its doorstep,
Not because of me, Lord,
But because you are to pass by.
That my eyes may be all this, Lord,
Once more, this evening,
I give you my soul,
I give you my body,
I give you my eyes,
That when they look at men, my brothers,
It may be you who look at them
And you who beckon.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Prayer Before a Twenty-dollar Bill
Excerpt from Michel Quoist’s Prayers (1963)
As read out during Oikos on July 27.
We can hardly respect money enough for the blood and toil it represents.
Money is frightening. It can serve or destroy man.
Lord, see this bill! It frightens me.
You know its secrets, you know its history.
How heavy it is!
It scares me, for it cannot speak.
It will never tell all it hides in its creases.
It will never reveal all the struggles and efforts it represents, all the disillusionment and slighted dignity.
It is stained with sweat and blood,
It is laden with all the weight of the human toil which makes its worth.
It is heavy, heavy, Lord.
It fills me with awe, it frightens me.
For it had death on its conscience…
All the poor fellows who killed themselves for it,
To possess it for a few hours,
To have through it a little pleasure, a little joy, a little life.
Through how many hands has it passed, Lord?
And what has it done in the course of its long, silent journeys?
It has offered white roses to the radiant fiancée.
It has paid for the baptismal party, and fed the rosy-cheeked baby.
It has provided bread for the family table.
Because of it there was laughing among the young and joy among the elders.
It has paid for the saving visit of the doctor,
It has bought the book that taught the youngster,
It has clothed the young girl.
But it has sent the letter breaking the engagement,
It has paid for the death of the baby in its mother’s womb,
It has bought the liquor that made the drunkard,
It has produced the movie unfit for children,
And has recorded the indecent song,
It has broken the morals of the adolescent and made of the adult a thief.
It has bought for a few hours the body of a woman.
It has paid for the weapons of the crime and for the wood of the coffin.
O Lord, I offer you this bill with its joyous mysteries, its sorrowful mysteries.
I thank you for all the life and joy it has given.
I ask your forgiveness for the harm it has done.
But above all, Lord, I offer it to you as a symbol of all the labors of men, indestructible money, which tomorrow will be changed into your eternal life.
As read out during Oikos on July 27.
We can hardly respect money enough for the blood and toil it represents.
Money is frightening. It can serve or destroy man.
Lord, see this bill! It frightens me.
You know its secrets, you know its history.
How heavy it is!
It scares me, for it cannot speak.
It will never tell all it hides in its creases.
It will never reveal all the struggles and efforts it represents, all the disillusionment and slighted dignity.
It is stained with sweat and blood,
It is laden with all the weight of the human toil which makes its worth.
It is heavy, heavy, Lord.
It fills me with awe, it frightens me.
For it had death on its conscience…
All the poor fellows who killed themselves for it,
To possess it for a few hours,
To have through it a little pleasure, a little joy, a little life.
Through how many hands has it passed, Lord?
And what has it done in the course of its long, silent journeys?
It has offered white roses to the radiant fiancée.
It has paid for the baptismal party, and fed the rosy-cheeked baby.
It has provided bread for the family table.
Because of it there was laughing among the young and joy among the elders.
It has paid for the saving visit of the doctor,
It has bought the book that taught the youngster,
It has clothed the young girl.
But it has sent the letter breaking the engagement,
It has paid for the death of the baby in its mother’s womb,
It has bought the liquor that made the drunkard,
It has produced the movie unfit for children,
And has recorded the indecent song,
It has broken the morals of the adolescent and made of the adult a thief.
It has bought for a few hours the body of a woman.
It has paid for the weapons of the crime and for the wood of the coffin.
O Lord, I offer you this bill with its joyous mysteries, its sorrowful mysteries.
I thank you for all the life and joy it has given.
I ask your forgiveness for the harm it has done.
But above all, Lord, I offer it to you as a symbol of all the labors of men, indestructible money, which tomorrow will be changed into your eternal life.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
At the Door
Excerpt from Michel Quoist’s Prayers (1963)
As read out during Oikos on July 27.
The boy stumbled on the landing and the door slammed behind him.
He had been punished.
Suddenly aware of his disgrace, he rushed in anger at the unfeeling door.
He slapped it, pounded it, stamping and shrieking.
But on the wooden surface not a fiber moved.
The boy caught sight of the keyhole – ironic eye of that sullen door –
But on peering into it he saw that it was blocked.
Then, in despair, he sat down and cried.
I watched him, smiling, and realized, Lord, that often I exhaust myself before locked doors.
I want to make my points, convince, prove,
And I talk and brandish arguments,
I strike hard to reach the imagination or the emotions,
But I am politely or violently dismissed – I wasted my strength, vain fool that I am.
Grant, Lord, that I may learn to wait reverently,
Loving and praying in silence,
Standing at the door till it is opened.
As read out during Oikos on July 27.
The boy stumbled on the landing and the door slammed behind him.
He had been punished.
Suddenly aware of his disgrace, he rushed in anger at the unfeeling door.
He slapped it, pounded it, stamping and shrieking.
But on the wooden surface not a fiber moved.
The boy caught sight of the keyhole – ironic eye of that sullen door –
But on peering into it he saw that it was blocked.
Then, in despair, he sat down and cried.
I watched him, smiling, and realized, Lord, that often I exhaust myself before locked doors.
I want to make my points, convince, prove,
And I talk and brandish arguments,
I strike hard to reach the imagination or the emotions,
But I am politely or violently dismissed – I wasted my strength, vain fool that I am.
Grant, Lord, that I may learn to wait reverently,
Loving and praying in silence,
Standing at the door till it is opened.
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