当孩子不去学校
我们走这条路不是为了培养精英,也不是为了逃避学校的压力。我们总是要像孩子那样单纯贴近主的心,寻求神对我们的旨意。正像我们所经历的,祂带我们走上这条路,祂也赐下所需的一切资源和能力。
关注华人基督徒家庭与群体面临的教育选择与挑战,包括学校教育、在家教育、基督教教育与神学培训。
我们走这条路不是为了培养精英,也不是为了逃避学校的压力。我们总是要像孩子那样单纯贴近主的心,寻求神对我们的旨意。正像我们所经历的,祂带我们走上这条路,祂也赐下所需的一切资源和能力。
All missionary children inherit a legacy of living in a third culture and being home everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
近年来,中国基督教领袖开始将宣教使命扩展至中国境外。其中一位来自中国的基督教教育工作者(化名为L),便从带领中国一间大城市的家庭教会,转而投身在东南亚协助创办一所基督教学校和信仰群体。有别于传统的植堂模式,L认为教育是培育下一代基督教领袖、塑造他们生命的重要途径。在这篇访谈中,他分享自己的事奉历程、所面对的挑战,以及他对基督教教育作为能世代传承属灵产业的根基的愿景。 以家庭门徒训练为根基的事工 L的服事始于2012年,他和妻子在自家公寓里建立了一间家庭教会。与此同时,他们也经营一家专注于婚姻与亲职教育的小型企业,运用圣经原则来帮助家庭。他们独特的福音模式——以家庭生活为信仰核心——使教会迅速成长。到了2016年,教会群体已从最初的10人成长至150多人,其中许多人是透过亲职教育小组认识基督的。 L和妻子深知教育对于灵命塑造的重要性,因此开始构想将使命拓展至中国境外。他们的信念有两个层面:(1)中国基督徒应当积极参与普世宣教;(2)基督教教育能成为家庭认识信仰的重要桥梁。 东南亚:基督教教育的新前线 随着中国对宗教活动的政策日益收紧,L开始寻找一个能让 “以信仰为根基” 的教育蓬勃发展的地方。邻近中国的一个东南亚国家,因以下几个原因成为颇具潜力的选择: 建立以天国为导向的学校 原本预计开办一所小型幼儿园的计画,如今发展成一个蓬勃成长的教育社区,服务当地学生与来自中国的学生。这所学校提供以基督为中心的学习环境,不仅重视学科知识的传授,也强调灵命塑造、品格培育,以及天国思维。 L解释道:“教育不只是学习各种学科,更是门徒训练。孩子越早接触圣经真理,信仰的根基就能扎得越深。” 他们的愿景是培养出一代年轻的信徒,使他们具备影响社会的能力——无论他们未来是留在寄居的国家,还是返回中国。 L观察到,许多来自基督徒家庭的学生,尤其是牧者与宣教士的子女,内心都承受着不为人知的属灵重担。他指出:“他们往往很熟悉圣经,却很难真正将信仰化为自己生命的一部分。有些孩子从小就在父母的事奉光环下成长。” 因此,这所学校特别重视帮助学生与基督建立真实且个人的关系,而不只是承袭上一代的宗教传统。 双重使命:服事当地社群,装备普世宣教 对L而言,基督教教育肩负着双重使命: L认为,能够承担这样的双重使命,是一份意义深远的恩典特权。他说:“上帝将我们放在两个世界的交会点上。我们正在培育能够影响这两个世界的领袖。” 宣教路上的挑战 尽管这所学校享有相对自由的发展空间,仍然面临一些挑战: 尽管如此,L仍然满怀盼望。他说:“我们起步时资源有限,但上帝始终供应我们所需的一切,包括资源、教师与合作伙伴。祂在每一步上都极其信实。” 更广阔的基督教教育愿景 L的梦想并不局限于一所学校。他相信,基督教教育是推动宣教的有力途径,他也鼓励更多人思考这种模式的潜力。L解释道:“如果海外的中国教会都能各自开办一所小型幼儿园或学校,就能建立以社区为根基的福音见证中心。” “教育能建立信任、回应人们实际的需要,也为教会开启自然成长的契机。” 对L而言,投资在孩子身上,是转化社会最具策略意义的方式之一。 给有志从事教育宣教者的鼓励 对正在考虑以基督教教育作为宣教策略的人,L给予以下建议: 结语:装备下一代 随着越来越多中国基督徒投入跨文化事工,L的故事展现了教育如何能成为一片充满活力的宣教禾场。虽然建立教会依然至关重要,但以圣经真理塑造年轻人的心思意念,能使信仰在他们生命中深深扎根。 如今,透过投资学生的生命,L和他的团队正在装备明日的领袖,带领他们将基督的盼望带到世界各个角落。
Take a trip through the archives and learn about education in China and how Christian families are making difficult decisions about how to follow God’s lead in schooling decisions for their children.
Looking back now, the formation of the mobile school was not man-made but arranged. We only needed to follow the guidance resolutely. Although the "Long March" has just begun, "a single spark can start a prairie fire!"
Hearing the incredible stories from both the children and their parents, I feel I understand why the Chinese church is once again facing severe oppression… This implicit self-exodus happening in China seems to embody God’s mercy and unfailing love. Without this persecution and oppression, we would undoubtedly lose our children forever; under the communist schemes, our children would be brainwashed and become poorly educated rebels against the truth.
西方神学教育曾深刻影响中国教会。如今,当教会处境已大不相同,神学教育能否由中国基督徒主导,走出一条扎根本土、又与全球教会同行的新路?
Ours is just one story among millions in China facing similar challenges. Due to the rigorous demands of the college entrance exams and pervasive competitive pressures in education, many Christian families here opt to send their children to unregistered Christian schools… [Our son], however, is among the few who remain within the Chinese educational system, compelled more by financial necessity than choice.
The suppression of Christian school education, combined with a law that restricts children under 18 from attending Sunday school, severely curtails the ability of the church to disciple its children. This is a strategic space to watch. May the church, and the education and discipleship of its youth, continue to grow. May God continue to open new doors.
It brings me great joy to be a part of this journey with these families. Through their incredible stories, I can clearly envision a bright future for mission work in China, facilitated by these resilient children. Despite being pushed out of their home country momentarily, God is lighting up the darkness by providing education based on a biblical worldview.
After prayer and careful consideration, some parents decide to send their children to local schools. Others decide to homeschool. Our family tries to emphasize that both options are great, and the decision is ultimately up to the parents and where they believe God is leading them.
From a radio program to a fully online seminary, Liangyou Seminary has been a key institution for training and equipping pastors and leaders in China. Luke Cheng walks us through the seminary’s forty-year history, showcasing the ingenuity and perseverance necessary to get biblical training to China’s believers.