“同工分享日”心得体会

 
         按照我们教会的传统，每年最后一个主日是“同工分享日”。借此机会，我们感谢众同工的服侍，并激励每位弟兄姐妹更好地在神家中服侍。
          2025年同工分享日的主题：“在身体里服侍”。经文：林前12：12-27，西3：23。
          教会共有十二位弟兄姐妹作了分享，年龄从最小的十岁同工，到七十八岁的资深仆人。在主的愛中，我们彼此联结，看见每一位弟兄姐妹都积极参与服侍。一位弟兄说：“许多教会往往是 20% 的人承担了 80% 的服侍；但在我们教会，至少有 80% 的弟兄姐妹都在参与服侍”。我也想补充一句：我们教会100%的人都在服侍。其中，80%的人在台前服侍，20%的人在幕后服侍。弟兄姐妹或代祷、或奉献、或支持、或默默与人分享福音、或摆放或收起桌椅，我们都在做主的工。无论是台前还是幕后，事奉无小事（nothing is too small），每一样服侍都是主所悦纳的，实在值得感恩！
        通过弟兄姐妹的分享，我总结几点：

• 我们共同寻求异象

        箴言 29:18 说：“没有异象，民就放肆。”我们的总体方向很清楚：主自己就是我们的异象。因此，教会全年的主题是 “仰望耶稣”（来 12:1–2）。
          魏牧师提到，教会当以基督为中心、以愛为准绳，成为一个传福音、合一相愛、彼此代祷的教会。当然，我们的教会一定需要找到自己的聚会场所。
        有弟兄分享：教会的团契必须建立在愛与真理上。他也鼓励更多弟兄勇敢站出来，一同分享异象，参与建造，靠主共同复兴祂的教会。

• 我们各样的服侍都要指向主

          教会中一切的服侍，都是为主而做，不是为人而做。为人做，越做越累；为主做，越做越喜乐。教会每次聚餐都预备得丰盛有余。弟兄姐妹在每个主日都积极配合，轮流带零食、清扫卫生。按安排，每个家庭一年大约两次负责准备零食、三次参与清洁服侍。每个主日，都有同工早早来到教会，预备音响设备，摆放圣经和周报，烧好热水，准备咖啡，为聚会顺利进行默默付出。有一位姐妹分享说，若没有圣灵的感动，人凭自己实在不能结出果子。当主感动她每日坚持通过微信发送经文灵修时，滴水穿石，福音的种子便在人的心中悄然撒下，慢慢孕育、发芽，产生影响。

• 儿童青少年不是教会的未来，而是教会的今天

         感恩主预备了Chris 弟兄服侍我们的青少年。我们的儿童和青少年在教会中的各样服侍鼓舞着我们。他们的服侍包括司琴、VBS 宣教分享、每次聚餐分发食物等。在薪火相传项目中，青少年教儿童，儿童教小小朋友，小小朋友也可以与幼儿分享。神家接力棒的火炬正在传递。有位小朋友引用保罗的话说：“不可叫人小看你年轻；总要在言语、行为、愛心、信心、清洁上，都作信徒的榜样”（提前4：12）。

• 加强内部事奉

          保罗说：“若有人不愛主，这人可诅可咒”（林前 16:22）。保罗并不是在咒诅人，而是在陈述一项属灵事实：当人不愛主时，必然是在愛自己或愛世界里；而愛自己、愛世界的结果，就是使人落在咒诅之中。
         教会每周有主日崇拜、主日学、慕道班、周五团契、周三祷告会，以及每日晨祷，构成教会正常的属灵生活。我们不是因服侍而愛主，而是因愛主而服侍；也不愿把这些聚会当作例行公事，而是以生命来回应主、事奉主。

• 向外拓展

        传福音是主托付给教会的大使命。有位牧者曾说：“不传福音的教会是自杀的教会；每位弟兄姐妹都积极传福音，教会才不会内耗。”我们要抓住每一次事工与活动的机会——无论是复活节、圣诞节、母亲节、教会特会，还是 VBS——积极邀请人参加，勇敢与人分享福音。
         教会将继续安排为耶稣举牌（英文、中文、西班牙语）的外展行动，向万国万民分享福音。我们不问结果，只问忠心耕耘；行善不可丧志，到了时候就必有收成。
         展望 2026 年，我想挑战每一位家人：每个人都要找到一种圣灵亲自指教、适合你与人分享福音的方式；每个人每天都要在祷告中为 3–5 位慕道友的救恩代求；并且坚持不懈地传福音，忠心回应主的大使命。

• 在挑战中前进

            散会后，有一位姐妹分享说：“听到大家的见证，最大的感受是——每个人都有挑战。”是的，每个人都有挑战，这些挑战都是主按着我们各人所能承受的程度量给我们的。切记：当我们要为主做工时，也会受到仇敌的攻击。当我们要产生天国影响力时，仇敌不会高兴。但当我们能够识别仇敌的诡计，靠着主勇敢地冲过去，随后所经历的，往往是从主而来的喜乐。
         前些日子，一位弟兄在晨祷会上分享：有一个主日，教会安排他女儿受浸，但当天早晨孩子突然又拉又吐。他迫切祷告后，凭信心仍带女儿来到教会。当孩子受完浸礼后，她就完全康复了。
          面对挑战，我们不是靠自己，而是靠主去战胜；也正是在挑战中，我们学习更深地信靠主，坚持不懈地服侍上帝，生命也因此被主塑造和更新。
  结语：
         路加福音 17:10中说：“这样，你们作完了一切所吩咐的，只当说：我们是无用的仆人，所作的本是我们应分作的。”
         在做完工之后，中国人喜欢说：“你受累了！”“你辛苦了！”主的儿女应该说：“你蒙福了！”“你有福了！”
哈利路亚，神的儿女何等有福！事奉上帝何等有福！ 

1/4/26 Pastor’s Word
“Coworker Sharing Day” Reflection
  

         According to our church tradition, the last Sunday of each year is designated as “Coworker Sharing Day”. On this day, we take the opportunity to thank all the coworkers for their service and to encourage every brother and sister to serve more faithfully in God’s house.
         The theme for the 2025 Coworker Sharing Day was “Serving in the Body.” Scripture references: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Colossians 3:23.
        The church had a total of twelve brothers and sisters sharing, ranging in age from the youngest coworker at ten years old to the most senior servant at seventy-eight. In the love of the Lord, we are united, and we can see that every brother and sister actively participates in service. One brother said, “Many churches often have 20% of the people doing 80% of the service, but in our church, at least 80% of the brothers and sisters are involved in serving.” I would like to add: 100% of our church members are serving. Of these, 80% serve on the front, and 20% serve behind the scenes. Brothers and sisters may serve by praying, giving, supporting, constantly sharing the gospel, or setting up or putting away tables or chairs. We are all engaged in the Lord’s work. Whether on the front or behind the scenes, nothing is too small, and every act of service is pleasing to the Lord. Truly, this is worthy of thanksgiving!
        Through the sharing of brothers and sisters, I have summarized a few things:
        1. We Seek Vision Together
        Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Our general direction is clear: the Lord Himself is our vision (bold). Therefore, the theme of the church for the entire year is “Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:1–2).
         Rev. Ron mentioned that the church should be Christ-centered and love-guided, becoming a church that proclaims the gospel, is united in love, and prays for one another. Of course, our church certainly needs to find our own place of worship.
         One brother shared that the church’s fellowship must be built on love and truth. He also encouraged more brothers to courageously stand up, share visions, and participate in building, trusting the Lord to revive His church together with us.
         2. All Our Service Points to the Lord (bold)
         All services in the church are for the Lord, not for people. Serving for people leads to weariness, but serving for the Lord brings joy. Every church meal is prepared abundantly. Brothers and sisters actively cooperate every Sunday, taking turns bringing snacks and cleaning. Each family is scheduled to provide snacks about twice a year and assist in cleaning three times a year. Every Sunday, coworkers arrive early to prepare sound equipment, arrange Bibles and bulletins, boil water, and prepare coffee, quietly ensuring the smooth running of the gathering.
          One sister shared that without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, one cannot bear fruit by oneself. When the Lord led her to consistently send daily devotionals via WeChat, dripping water wears through stone, and the seeds of the gospel quietly took root and sprouted in people’s hearts over time.
         3. Children and youth are not the church of the future, but the church of today
       We thank the Lord for preparing Brother Chris to serve our youth. The service of our children and youth inspires us all. Their service includes playing piano, sharing mission stories in VBS, distributing food at each gathering, and more. In the “passing the torch” program, youth teach children, children teach the little ones, and even the youngest can share with toddlers. The torch of God’s house is being passed on. One child quoted Paul: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).
         4. Strengthen Church Ministries
         Paul said, “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22). Paul is not cursing people; he is stating a spiritual truth: when people do not love the Lord, they inevitably love themselves or the world, and loving self and the world results in falling under a curse.
         The church has weekly worship, Sunday School, evangelism classes, Friday fellowships, Wednesday prayer meetings, and daily morning prayers, forming the regular spiritual life of the church. We do not love the Lord because we serve; we serve because we love the Lord. We do not want to treat these gatherings as routine, but to respond with our lives and serve the Lord.
             5. Outreach
         Evangelism is the great commission entrusted to the church by the Lord. One pastor once said, “A church that does not evangelize is a self-destructive church; a church where every brother and sister actively shares the gospel will not experience internal conflict.” Therefore, we seize every opportunity in ministries and activities—whether Easter, Christmas, Mother’s Day, church special meetings, or VBS—to actively invite people and courageously share the gospel.
        The church will continue organizing Holding Jesus Banners in English, Chinese, and Spanish, sharing the gospel with all nations. We do not ask about results; we focus on faithful sowing. Do not lose heart in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest.
         Looking ahead to 2026, I want to challenge every member: each person should find a way, led personally by the Holy Spirit, to share the gospel; each person should daily pray for 3–5 the lost on their prayer list; and each person should persistently evangelize, faithfully responding to the Lord’s great commission.
         6. Press On Through Challenges
         After the meeting, a sister shared, “Hearing everyone’s testimonies, the greatest feeling is that everyone has challenges.” Indeed, every person faces challenges, and these are measured by the Lord according to what each can bear. Remember, when we serve the Lord, we will also face the enemy’s attacks. When we seek to impact the kingdom, the enemy is not pleased. But when we can recognize the enemy’s schemes and bravely push forward through the Lord, the joy that follows comes from Him.
         A few days ago, a brother shared during morning prayer: on a certain Sunday, the church had scheduled his daughter’s baptism, but that morning she became ill. He prayed earnestly and, in faith, still brought her to church. After her baptism, she was completely healed.
         Facing challenges, we rely not on ourselves but on the Lord to overcome. It is precisely through challenges that we learn to trust Him more deeply, serve Him persistently, and allow our lives to be shaped and renewed by the Lord.
        In short, Luke 17:10 says, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
         After finishing work, Chinese people like to say, “You have been laboring hard!” or “That you are made to bear toil!” God’s children should say instead: “You are blessed!” or “You are so blessed!”  
         Hallelujah! How blessed are God’s children! How blessed it is to serve the Lord!

魏愛玲師母
2025 年 12 月 23 日感恩节聚会见证

亲愛的教会家人们：
        上个主日，在我们秋季特会结束的时候，我坐在那里聆听杨牧师的讲道。忽然，当我看到大家都专心聆听神话语的那一刻，我的心被极大的感恩充满。我立刻意识到，这是一个很深、很强烈的感动，我知道那是圣灵在提醒我。我们刚刚度过了一个极其蒙福的秋季特会周末。讲道之后，许多人来到前面请求代祷，愿意更深地把自己献给主，委身于祂的国度工作，也立志更真实地为祂而活；还有一些人渴望认识耶稣，接受祂作救主。
        希伯来书 10:25 说：“你们不可停止聚会，好像那些停止惯了的人，倒要彼此劝勉；既知道那日子临近，就更当如此。” 这节经文鼓励我们这些信徒，要面对面地聚在一起，彼此扶持、彼此鼓励，因为我们每个人在人生中都会面对困难与挣扎。
        当我看到大家为感恩节愛筵忙碌预备时，那真是一幅喜乐又温馨的画面。姐妹们忙着把一道道菜摆上桌。我周六下午离开时，宏岚还在厨房；周日早晨我来到教会时，她仍然在厨房里！我对她说：“宏岚，你是不是在厨房里过夜了？”我真心感谢她付出的辛劳。其实，大家都非常辛苦！所以，我要谢谢你们每一位，使这个周末如此美好！饭菜丰盛又美味！
        弟兄们则忙着搬桌椅、摆放会场。许多人彼此交谈、拥抱，或是结识新朋友；孩子们欢笑着、奔跑着。我心中充满感恩，因为你们在周五晚上、周六、并且周日仍然来到主日崇拜，甘心把整个周末献给主。这的确是一种付出与牺牲，但我相信，我们每一个人都因着这次特会被更新、被祝福。能够属于神的家、属于我们的教会，是何等美好的事！在这里，我们感到被接纳、被支持，也被人代祷。
       教会里有许多不同的服事方式：有些服事是在幕后，有些服事是显而易见的；有些需要事先长时间的预备，有些来自天然的恩赐；有些服事只是单纯地“在场”。但所有的服事，都需要一颗甘心乐意的心。
       你们也知道，在这次秋季特会中，我们为青少年安排了查经。内容是关于关系与愛——特别是与神之间健康、充满愛的关系，以及与他人之间健康、充满愛的关系。这次学习是建立在圣经中“最大的诫命”之上。马可福音 12:30–31 中，耶稣说：“你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力愛主你的神。其次就是说：要愛人如己。再没有比这两条诫命更大的了。” 这是耶稣引用了旧约申命记第六章的话。
         耶稣在这里清楚地告诉我们：我们要愛神，也要愛人。从一开始，神的心意就是让我们活在愛的关系中。如果我们真心要像马太福音第六章所说的那样，先求神的国和神的义，就必须学习如何愛神，也学习如何去愛人。而这一切，神都已经在祂的话语中清楚地教导我们。
       我们与青少年的查经也涉及了一些不容易、却非常重要的主题，比如：性、身份认同，以及当别人选择了一种危险、不讨神喜悦的生活方式时，我们该如何用愛去帮助他们。我们要显出恩慈与怜悯，却绝不能淡化、妥协神话语中的真理。我们需要重新坚定自己作为基督徒的信念与使命：我们是只为自己而活，还是为神而活？我们是追求个人的享乐，还是愿意把生命献上，为着一个更大的、永恒的目的？
        当我们把自己交给神，祂就赐给我们一颗新心、一个新生命——这是出于神的恩典与恩赐。当神的愛住在我们里面时，我们就能去愛别人，哪怕那些人并不容易去愛。
所以，亲愛的弟兄姐妹们，我们都知道自己要彼此相愛、彼此代祷，并且存着一颗感恩的心来生活。感恩节已经来到，我祷告我们每一个人都被感恩充满——为着神的愛与赦免，为着祂所赐的一切恩典，也为着我们这群宝贵的教会家人。
       让我们继续彼此聚集——为了祷告、为了敬拜、为了团契；让我们靠着主的帮助，一同追求在主里面不断成长、更加成熟。
       最后，魏牧师和我衷心祝愿大家：
       感恩节快乐，主恩满溢，平安喜乐！

Elinda West
Testimony for Thanksgiving Service Dec 23, 2025

          Church Family last Sunday at the end of our Fall Conference I was listening to Pastor Yang preaching. Suddenly as I just observed everyone paying attention to his preaching, I felt overwhelmed with thanksgiving for my church family.  I recognized this feeling as powerful and know it was the Holy Spirit reminding me.  We had a very blessed weekend in our Fall Conference.  Many came down to the front after the preaching to ask for prayer and to dedicate ourselves more fully to the Lord and to His Kingdom work and living more deeply for Him.  And some want to know Him as Savior.  
        Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching!”  This verse is encouraging us as believers to meet together face to face for mutual encouragement and fellowship especially since we all face hardship and struggles in our lives.  
          As I observed the activity during preparation for the Thanksgiving Feast everyone was hurrying around and it was a joyful and happy sight. The sisters were getting all the food onto the table. Hong Lan was still in the kitchen when I left on Saturday afternoon and she was in the kitchen when I arrived Sunday morning!  I said, Honglan did you spend the night in this kitchen? I thanked her for all her hard work.  Everyone worked hard!  So, thank you to all of you for making it such a good weekend!  It was an abundant and delicious meal! The brothers were moving the tables and chairs into place.  Many were visiting or hugging one another or meeting new friends!  The children were squealing and running around. I felt so thankful for all of you giving up your weekend on Friday night, Saturday and coming to Sunday worship, TOO!   It was a sacrifice, but I think we were all changed by it and blessed by it!  It’s very good to belong to God’s Family, our church, where we feel welcome and supported and prayed for.  
        There are many ways to serve in the church.  Some service is ‘behind the scenes, some service is obvious, some service requires preparation in advance, some service comes from natural talent, some service requires just being here.  ALL service requires a WILLING HEART. 
         As you know we did a Bible Study with the youth for the Fall Conference. It was a study on relationships and love, especially a healthy loving relationship with God and a healthy loving relationship with other people. This study was based on the Greatest Commandment in God’s Word.  Remember in Mark 12:30-31Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second (commandment) is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”  He was quoting the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 6.  So, Jesus is saying we are to love God and love other people.  Jesus’ plan from the beginning was that we have loving relationships. If we want to seek God’s Kingdom first like Jesus tells us in Matthew 6, then we must learn how to love God and other people.  And He tells us how to do that in His Word!  Our study with the youth  included some difficult topics like our sexuality and where is our identity. And how do we help other people by our love when they are living a lifestyle that is dangerous and not pleasing to God. We show kindness and grace but we never water down the truth of God’s Word.  We needed to reinforce our beliefs and purpose as believers in Jesus Christ. Are we just living for ourselves or are we living for God? Are we living for our pleasure or will we give our life for a greater purpose? When we give ourselves to God He gives us a new heart, a new life. This is a divine gift.  When we have God’s love in us we can love other people even when they aren’t easy to love. 
          So, brothers and sisters, we all know we are to love one another and pray for one another and live with a thankful heart.  Thanksgiving week is here and I pray that all of us will be filled with a thankful heart for God’s love and forgiveness and for all our blessings AND for our Beloved Church Family. Let’s keep on… meeting together… for prayer and for worship and for fellowship.  Let’s all strive to be better with our Lord’s help.
         Wei Mushr and I wish you all a VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING

人工智能会议

         上周二（12 月 15 日），我参加了阿肯色浸信会州联会在康威第二浸信会（Conway Second Baptist Church）举办的人工智能会议(AI)会议。会议旨在探讨人工智能等新兴科技如何与事工、教育及日常生活产生交集。大会的祈祷是：希望这段共同学习的时间既能激发人心，也能装备众人，使我们能以荣耀基督、推进教会使命的方式使用这些工具。
       大会有两位讲员：
       Dr. Katie Fruge：德州浸信会州联会文化参与中心与基督徒生活委员会主任，主要帮助教会从圣经角度回应当下文化议题。
      Naftali Alverio Jr.：Lifeway 科技与数字创新副总裁，与 IT 团队合作制定科技战略蓝图，推动效率提升及以福音为中心的创新。

第一堂课：智能发展的轨迹
      Alverio 指出，本次培训的目的是为牧者和事工领袖提供理解人工智能进展的基础，使他们能够装备参与文化、牧养会众。
       AI 定义：
       “利用计算机系统，通过观察数据、识别模式、作出预测，并生成有帮助的应用，模拟获取与运用知识和技能的能力。”
     他提醒大家要正视 AI 对人类生活的深刻影响。正如 NVIDIA 总裁 Jensen Huang 所说：
  “十年之后回头看，你会意识到 AI 已融入生活每个层面。事实上，我们到处都需要 AI——每个地区、产业、国家、公司都需要。”Alphabet 总裁 Sundar Pichai 也说： “AI 是人类最重要的工作之一，其意义比电或火更深远。”
      Alverio 指出：简单任务可委派给能够独立执行的 AI；设备端 AI 的进步，将推动实用、可负担、广泛采用的机器人技术。但他同时强调：神仍掌权，教会不应惧怕未来（箴 16:4；提后 1:7）。他引用2019年美南浸信会伦理与宗教自由委员会（ERLC）的声明：
       “基督徒不必惧怕未来或任何科技发展，因为我们知道神至高无上地掌管历史，没有任何事物能取代人类按神形象被造的事实。”

第二堂课：数码时代的圣经智慧
       Fruge 强调：AI 已影响教会会友及其家庭。我们必须带着“需要救赎与纠正”的眼光管理 AI，就像对待堕落世界的任何其他产品一样。
      她举例说明 AI 对青少年心理的困扰，并引用两篇文章：

• “OpenAI launches parental controls in ChatGPT after California teen’s suicide”
• OpenAI 在 ChatGPT 中推出家长监护功能”
• “The Emerging Problem of ‘AI Psychosis’”

“ ‘AI 精神病’这一新兴问题”
       核心观点：“神是真理的神。生成式 AI 是一个‘概率引擎’，它关注的是‘看起来合理’，而不是真实。”
      最佳实践（Best Practices）：

• AI 作为辅助, 而非人造替代。人造替代（Synthetic）与道成肉身（Incarnational）相反。
• AI 应支持事工，而不能取代事工。
• 提供资源，但不能取代研究。美德（Virtue）来自思想的劳作。尊重工作的终极目标（Telos），培养深度思考与属灵成熟。
• 设防与益处（Boundaries and Benefits）。在事工中建立清晰使用界限与期望。
• 识别 AI 带来的国度性机会，作为辅助工具而非中心。

        她以雅各书 1:5 总结：“你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐与众人也不斥责人的神，主就必赐给他。”

第三堂课：在人工智能时代忠心并结出果子
       Alverio 提问：既然科技影响巨大，创造人类的神与科技的关系是什么？
       要点：科技有源头：万有（包括科技）出于神的护理与赐予（罗 11:36；西 1:16）。
       科技可能被扭曲，也可能被罪恶利用，如创世记 11:1–8 巴别塔。但神仍掌权。即便有时人们会以最邪恶的方式利用这些科技，但神依然掌权；任何科技发展最终不能挫败神的计划或祂的百姓（赛 54:17）。科技使用要反映我们的信念，即我们不是要逃避工作；我们追求丰盛工（fruitful work），而不仅仅是完成任务（创 2:18）。
      AI 不是万能答案：我们对其在一定程度上信任，但要核实（Trust but verify），最终真理在神话语中。R.C. Sproul说：“真理不是由大众意见或 AI 回答决定，而是由神的话语决定。
      AI 实践应用：

1. 预备：头脑风暴、协助研究、学习
2. 内容制作：制作学习指南、讲义归类、视觉材料
3. 媒体：影音编辑
4. 沟通：语言支持与翻译

     他建议牧者同工们要在祷告中参与，按圣经分辨，并带着信心牧养。

第四堂课：数字世界中的信仰之家
       Fruge 指出：跨越世代差异，科技在连接、联合，也可能在很大程度上分裂人群。在 AI 时代，真实群体的必要性更加凸显。
     “你不可能被一个算法管教、被爱或成圣。” 真实群体，只发生在真实之中。在这个时代中，她特别强调上帝赐予的真正教会、真实团契、真实灵性交通的重要。
      数字时代的门徒训练：

1. 不要恐慌，神并不因 ChatGPT 惊讶或担忧。
2. 有意识地使用科技，促进面对面聚集，而非取代。
3. 与人建立真实团契（communion），不仅仅是对话（conversation），追求真实智能（authentic intelligence）。

    会议期间，联会记者采访我几个问题。我的回答如下：

1. 你会用 AI 准备整篇讲章吗？

          答：不会，绝对不会。（讲章必须依靠圣灵、许多祷告和深入研究圣经等）。

1. 你会用 AI 做什么？

          答：查找经文、做翻译等，但一定要亲自校对核实。

1. 将来 AI 会信主吗？

          答：不会，永远不会。AI 只是先进工具，没有位格，也没有灵魂。

1. 你想对同工说什么？

          答：有人说，钱财是好奴才，坏主人。AI 也是如此：它是好秘书，却是坏老板。神设立按祂形象被造的人作‘老板’，AI 只是工具。善用它，它服侍你；误用它，它也会使你误入歧途。
       总之，AI 可以为不同观点提供数据，但最终真理只在上帝的话语里！”
       “耶和华啊，你的话安定在天，直到永远。”（诗 119:89）

AI Conference

        Last Tuesday (December 15), I attended an AI Conference at Conway Second Baptist Church hosted by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. The purpose of the conference was to explore how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence intersect with ministry, education, and daily life. The prayer of the gathering was that this time together would both inspire and equip people to use these tools in ways that honor Christ and advance the mission of the Church.

      The conference featured two main speakers:

·       Dr. Katie Fruge – Director of the Center for Cultural Engagement and the Christian Life Commission for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. She helps churches navigate contemporary cultural issues from a biblical perspective.

·       Naftali Alverio Jr. – Vice President of Technology and Digital Innovation at Lifeway. He collaborates with Lifeway’s IT leadership to develop a technology strategic blueprint, promoting productivity and gospel-centered innovation.

Session 1: An Intelligent Trajectory

      Alverio explained that the purpose of the training was to provide pastors and ministry leaders with a foundation to understand advances in artificial intelligence, enabling them to engage culture and shepherd their congregations effectively.

        He defined AI as:

      “The use of computer systems to simulate the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills by observing data, identifying patterns, making predictions, and generating helpful applications.”

      He emphasized the profound impact AI is having on human life. Quoting NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang:

      “I promise in ten years, you will look back and you realize that AI has now integrated into everything. And in fact, we need AI everywhere. And every region, every industry, every country, every company, all needs AI.”

       Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai also said:

     “AI is one of the most important things humanity is working on. It is more profound than electricity or fire.”

       Alverio noted that simple tasks can be delegated to AI agents capable of independent and reliable execution, and advances in on-device AI will enable practical, affordable, and widely adopted robotics. Yet he emphasized that God remains sovereign, and the Church should never fear the future (Prov. 16:4; 2 Tim. 1:7). He quoted the 2019 ERLC Evangelical Statement of Principles on AI:

        “Christians must not fear the future or any technological development because we know that God is, above all, sovereign over history, and that nothing will ever supplant the image of God in which human beings are created.”

Session 2: Biblical Wisdom in the Digital Age

       Fruge stressed that AI is already affecting church members and their families. Therefore, AI must be stewarded with the expectation that it requires redemption and correction, just like any other product of fallen humanity.

      She cited concerns about adolescent mental health and referenced two articles:

·       “OpenAI launches parental controls in ChatGPT after California teen’s suicide”

·       “The Emerging Problem of ‘AI Psychosis’”

     Her main point:

     “God is the God of truth. Generative AI is a probabilistic engine—it cares about what is plausible, not what is true.”

     Best Practices:

·       Support, not synthetic – Synthetic (human replacement) is contrary to the incarnational principle. AI should support ministry, not replace it.

·       Resource, not research – Virtue comes from the labor of thought. Respect the telos of work to cultivate deep thinking and spiritual maturity.

·       Boundaries and benefits – Establish clear expectations and limits for AI usage in ministry.

·       Identify kingdom-building opportunities, using AI as a supportive tool rather than a center of focus.

      She summarized with James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Session 3: Faithful and Fruitful in the Age of AI

      Alverio asked: given the influence of technology, what is the relationship between the Creator of humanity and technology?

      Key points:

·       Technology has a source – All things, including technology, are providentially given by God (Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:16).

·       Technology can be perverted – It can be misused by sin, as in the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–8).

·       God’s sovereignty remains – Even the most evil uses of technology remain under God’s control; no technology can ultimately thwart God’s plan or His people (Isa. 54:17).

         Technology use must reflect our convictions. According to Gen. 2:18, our goal is not to avoid work, but to pursue fruitful work, not merely task completion.

        AI is not the ultimate answer. Our stance should be “trust but verify.” Scripture remains our final authority. R.C. Sproul said:

        “Truth is not determined by popular opinion < or popular AI answers>; it is determined by the Word of God.”

AI Practical Applications:

1.     Preparation – brainstorming, research, study

2.     Content creation – study guides, handouts, visuals

3.     Media – video and audio editing

4.     Communication – language support and translation

He advised ministry leaders to engage prayerfully, discern biblically, and shepherd confidently.

波阿斯还是小丑？

按着大卫王的家谱，耶稣是波阿斯和路得的直系后裔 路得和波阿斯的婚礼 Jesus is a direct descendant of Boaz and Ruth through the lineage of King David  Ruth and Boaz Wedding

约瑟、马利亚和耶稣 Joseph, Mary and Jesus

  到明年五月，我和大卫将迎来结婚29周年。他一直在写给我的卡片上签名“愛你的，波阿斯（Boaz）”，而我也一直在写给他的卡片上签名“愛你的，路得（Ruth）”。在圣经中，《路得记》是一个关于委身的最美愛情故事。我和大卫的故事，也与他们颇为相似。
         路得曾是寡妇，而我曾被遗弃；我们都曾经不再被愛、不再被珍惜。但对我们两位来说，这并不是悲伤的故事，而是一个拥有幸福结局的故事。

所以，请坚持下去……
      当波阿斯与路得相遇时，他立刻被她的美丽与善良吸引。但依照当时的习俗，波阿斯并非第一位有资格娶路得的人；另有一位更近亲的男子比他更有优先权。波阿斯便去询问那位男子是否愿意娶路得为妻；若娶，照顾她的婆婆则是不得不选择的“配套条件”。那人一听要承担照顾婆婆的责任，便说：“那我就不要了。”尽管路得美丽、善良、敬虔，那人仍不愿承担责任。
       当大卫开始喜欢我时，就像路得一样——我也带着家庭责任一起“嫁过来”。但他无条件地愛我。我们结婚后，他承担起照顾他八岁的女儿、还有我四岁的外孙女的责任。
       多年以后，我年迈的母亲开始到我们家与我们同住，一年住六个月（另外六个月在我妹妹帕姆和她的“波阿斯”丈夫罗伯家），我们前后照顾她八年之久。后来，我亲生的外孙出生，我们从他七个月大时就将他带来抚养至今。他现在已经20岁了。大卫愛他视如己出，是一见钟情般的愛。当他12岁时，我们正式收养了他。
         你有女儿吗？你有儿子吗？你若有女儿，为她的未来丈夫祷告，使他成为一个“波阿斯”是智慧的；你若有儿子，你应当培养他成为一个“波阿斯”。你会问，什么是“波阿斯”？对我而言，“波阿斯”的定义就是今日语言中的“可靠、有担当的真男人”。
        波阿斯是路得的“至亲救赎者”，意味着他愿替代那不愿接纳路得的人，承担路得和她所带来的一切。波阿斯愛路得，因此他渴望娶她，无论代价如何。而大卫就是我的“至亲救赎者”。当我被遗弃时，他接纳了我；他也接纳了我的母亲、我的外孙女、他的女儿以及我的外孙——后来成为我们的孩子——他接纳这一切时毫不犹豫。
         故事的幸福结局是：路得和我都得到了我们的“波阿斯”Boaz，而不是“Bozo（小丑）”。这得以发生，只因为我们选择“等候上帝”来完成我们的故事。
           当你收到这张卡片，请知道，我们为你祷告。
       女士们，我愿你生命中也拥有一个波阿斯；若尚未拥有，愿将来遇见。
       男士们，我盼望你们都能成为波阿斯般的人，就像大卫——我的“真男人”。

圣诞快乐！从我们家到你家
 David、Sandi 和 Rett 敬上

注：Sandi是我们在奥克拉荷马的老朋友。我们每年收到的第一份圣诞卡和圣诞信一定是她寄来的。她今年写的圣诞信“波阿斯还是小丑？”沁人心肺，字里行间洋溢着基督愛里的温暖与祝福，以及“真男人”的委身与担当。当我们庆祝基督降生时，愿这份主里的愛也融化你的心。
（李春海）

 David & I have been married for 29 years this coming May. He has always signed his cards to me, “Love, Boaz” & I have always signed mine to him, “Love, Ruth.” In the Bible, the book of Ruth is the most beautiful love story of commitment ever told. Mine and David’s story is similar to theirs. 
         Ruth was a widow, I was discarded; so, we both were no longer loved or cared for. This is not a sad story for either of us. It is a story with a happy ending.  

So, hang in there….. 
         When Boaz crossed paths with Ruth, he immediately was drawn to her beauty and kindness.  But, back in those days, he was 2nd in line as a suiter. There was another man who had the right to marry her. Boaz went to the man and asked if he was interested in Ruth as a wife. If he had been, he would have had to take care of her mother-in-law as part of the “package deal.” He said, “In that case, no.” Even though  Ruth was a beautiful, kind, Christian woman, he did not want to have the responsibility of caring for her mother-in-law.  
         When David became interested in me, I, like Ruth came with some family commitments. He loved me no matter what. We got married & he took responsibility for his daughter, who was 8 years old, & my granddaughter, who was 4 years old. 
         As the years when by, my elderly mother came to live with us 6 months out of the year (my sister, Pam & her “Boaz” husband, Rob, had Mom for the other 6 months) for 8 years we cared for her in our homes. When my biological grandson was born, we took him to raise from the age of 7 months old until this day. He is 20 now. David loves him as though he was his own child, it was an instant love at first sight.  We adopted him when he turned 12. 
         Do you have daughters? Do you have sons? If you do have a daughter, it would be wise for you to be praying for her future husband to be a “Boaz.” If you have a son, you should be raising him to be a “Boaz.” What is a Boaz? You asked. To me the definition of a “Boaz” is “a stand-up guy,” in today’s language. 
           Boaz was a “Kinsman Redeemer” for Ruth. That meant he took the place of the man that did not want her & anyone else that came with her. Boaz loved Ruth, so it was his heart’s desire to marry her, no matter what. David was my “Kinsman Redeemer” who took me to love, when I was discarded. He also took, my mother, my granddaughter, his daughter, and my grandson…..who became our child….with not even a hint of hesitation. 
            The happy ending to this story is, Ruth & I got “Boaz,” when it was possible we could have ended up with “Bozo.”  That only happened, because we chose to “wait on God” to finish our stories. 

            When you receive this card, know that we prayed for you.  
           Ladies, I hope you have a Boaz in your life, and if not, that someday you will. 
           Men, I hope you represent Boaz in every way, just like David, my “stand up guy.” 


Merry Christmas from our house to yours, 
 David, Sandi and Rett