(Please scroll down for the English version)
恩泉浸信會是你的家嗎？你心目中的「家」是什麼樣的？
回想年輕時，我初次接觸我成長的母會時，一首粵語詩歌《這個家》深深地觸動了我，並將對教會的憧憬深植心中。懷著這份信念，我漸漸投入教會生活，並以喜樂的心參與各項事工。當時教會的聚會人數約一百人，提供了許多服侍的機會。最初的幾年，我並沒有固定的崗位，但隨後逐步成為司事、敬拜隊結他手，甚至加入了理事會——這些都是我在服侍中學習並成長的過程。隨著神的呼召，我進入了神學院，懷著滿腔熱情，希望能夠付出更多來建立神家。
多年來的服侍經歷中，我察覺到整個世界的快速變遷悄然改變了「家」的定義。如今，許多新進教會的弟兄姊妹未必將教會視為「家」。對某些人而言，教會可能只是一個收容所、一個臨時的避風港、一間餐館，甚至是一所學校（用來教育他們的子女）。更有可能的是，有些人會把教會當作觀賞表演的場所。然而，作為「家」，教會的意義並非我們隨意貼上的標籤，而是來自聖經的明確教導。教會不僅是信徒聚集的地方，更是我們屬靈的家。在這個家中，我們彼此相愛、互相關懷，並激勵彼此在主裡成長。我們一同承擔彼此的喜樂與憂愁，活出基督的愛，讓教會成為主恩的見證。因此，我們稱對方為「弟兄姊妹」，因為基督的寶血使我們聯合成一家，共同成為屬靈的家人。
然而，重要的不是別人怎麼看教會，而是正在閱讀的你怎麼看。親愛的弟兄姊妹，教會是你的家嗎？近年來，有些人會選擇在一間教會服侍，卻在另一間教會參加崇拜，甚至在第三間教會參加小組聚會。若這樣的情況是暫時性的過渡期，例如在尋找一個合適的屬靈家時，或許是可以理解的。可是如果這成為一種長期的習慣，那麼就值得思考：這樣的模式是否能夠讓我們在信仰上深深紮根？真正的屬靈家應該是我們願意投入、願意奉獻並與弟兄姊妹一同成長的地方。這個家不僅讓我們從神的話語中得到教導，更讓我們在彼此的扶持中體驗到神的愛與恩典。
我曾聽牧者分享英國教會的經歷：有些教會由一百人迅速增長到數千人，然而這種增長帶來了挑戰，甚至是危機。許多人抱著保留的心態來到教會，雖然結識了各地的弟兄姊妹，卻帶著觀望的心，評估教會的牧養和講道是否符合他們的期望。由於工作與生活的壓力，他們投入的時間和資源有限，奉獻往往流於象徵性。對教會來說，牧養的需求日益增加，但資源並未隨之增加，牧養的壓力與挑戰愈加沉重。
回到這裡，究竟「恩泉家」是否成為了你的家？若你的回答是肯定的，我為你感恩，並鼓勵你積極投入教會生活，以喜樂的心參與崇拜、成長小組、主日學和各樣服侍。教會需要每一位弟兄姊妹的委身，讓我們彼此建立、共同成長。
我們是否在這個屬靈的家中找到了歸屬感和使命感？我們是否願意在這裡建立深厚的屬靈關係，並以實際行動回應神對我們的呼召？
願《這個家》這首詩歌激勵你在恩泉家中活出基督的愛：
願你帶著歡笑，走進這個家，互勉帶著基督的愛心。
共探討天父真理，同明瞭神話語。
走每一步，能緊守主旨意。
多分享主愛，彼此擔憂慮，願主帶領我路程不畏懼。
效法主關心與扶助，齊學習兼實踐，
願愛主事奉竭力在這家裡。
This Family
Is SGBC (Stouffville Grace Baptist Church) your home? What does "home" mean to you?
I often reflect on my early experiences with church, especially a cantonese song called "This Family" that left a deep impression on me, filling my heart with a hopeful vision for the church. With that vision, I immersed myself in church life, joyfully engaging in different ministries. At the time, our church gatherings were about 100 people, so there were many opportunities to serve. In the first few years, I didn’t have a formal role, but over time, I served as an usher, played guitar in the worship team, and even joined the board. Each step was a part of my learning and growth in serving. Eventually, as I sensed God’s call, I went to seminary, hope to do even more in building our Father’s house.
Throughout these years of ministry, I’ve seen how the world’s rapid changes have subtly shifted the definition of “home.” Today, many newcomers to church may not necessarily see it as their home. For some, the church may feel like a temporary refuge, a restaurant, a school for their children, or even just a place to watch a performance. But the concept of church as home is not a mere label we assign; it is deeply rooted in Scripture. The church is not just a gathering place for believers; it is truly our spiritual home. Here, we are called to love and care for one another, to encourage each other’s growth in the Lord. Together, we carry one another’s joys and burdens, living out Christ’s love, and making the church a living testimony of His grace. This is why we call each other “brothers and sisters,” united by the blood of Christ, becoming a family in Him.
However, the key question isn’t how others view the church, but how you personally see it. Dear brothers and sisters, is the church your home? In recent years, I’ve noticed that some people serve in one church, attend worship at another, and participate in small groups at yet a third. If this is a temporary phase while they seek a spiritual home, it’s understandable. But if this situation continues long-term, it’s worth considering whether one can truly be rooted in a spiritual family this way.
I once heard a pastor share about the experiences of churches in the UK. Some churches grew rapidly from around 100 people to thousands, but with that growth came challenges and even crises. Many people came with a reserved attitude, meeting brothers and sisters from all over but keeping a “wait-and-see” mindset, evaluating whether the church’s ministry and teaching met their expectations. Limited by work and life pressures, they offered little in terms of time and resources, and their financial contributions were often symbolic. For the church, the need for pastoral care increased, but resources did not grow at the same rate, putting even more strain on ministry and pastoral care.
Now, returning to SGBC—has it truly become your home? If so, I thank God for you and encourage you to invest yourself fully in the life of the church. Join in worship, growth groups, Sunday School, and service opportunities with a joyful heart. Our church needs the commitment of every brother and sister so that we can build each other up and grow together.
Have we found a sense of belonging and mission in this spiritual home? Are we willing to establish deep spiritual relationships here and respond to God’s call with practical actions?