計劃與意外
國語事工報告 ／ 鄭文選 牧師
回顧2024年，國語堂的事工基本上按著年初的計劃推行，但也有一些意外的恩典與挑戰，值得感恩與省思，盼望明年能夠更加進步。以下就按此順序與家人們分享：
增設領袖層級
年初時，我們架構牧養體系中的區長層級，希望能夠給予小組長更細膩的牧養、關懷、支持與引導。感謝主，有徐亮/家薇、Scott/Alison、官傳道/Ivonne三對夫妻願意擔任區長的服事。這一年，他們成為小組長們堅強的後盾，也得到小組長們的認同與尊重。我和意晶師母每週分別與三位弟兄區長和三位姊妹區長RPG。我們每季召開一次區長會議，同心服事、非常喜樂，算是頗成功地建立起區長這個層級的服事。
此外，我們也架構治理體系中的部長層級，盼望藉此提升事工的品質，並達到確實分工的果效。John, Brandon, Angela, Henry四位部長的事奉，讓人眼睛為之一亮。他們謙卑的服事、勇敢的帶領，不但定期或不定召開會議討論事工，也帶領團隊精益求精，使教會龐雜的事工井然有序地進行，感覺疫情後許多鬆掉的螺絲都重新上緊就位了。
推動幸福門訓
雖然國語堂自2019年開始推動幸福小組（疫情期間暫停了兩年），但今年才算正式採納了幸福門訓系統，並且成為國語堂年度事工的主要節奏：3～5月幸福小組、7～9月幸福門訓上學期、11～1月幸福門訓下學期。
在6/9為幾位幸福小組信主的BEST舉行洗禮後，我們於6 /22第一次舉辦了「全人更新營會」，聖靈親自大大動工，許多與會的弟兄姊妹聖被聖靈觸摸、更新、醫治。接下來的幸福門訓課程，剛受洗的BEST們都熱情穩定地參與，不但看見他們靈命與信心的成長，更帶給同工們極大的鼓舞。此外，今年的幸福門訓，更有不少弟兄姊妹接受挑戰，第一次嘗試教導的服事，並且於事後表達，得到最多收穫與益處的其實是他們自己，真實體會到教學相長。
意外的恩典與挑戰
年初沒有計劃到的意外恩典，是九月份開始的「從懷疑到相信」課程，全教會有30位弟兄姊妹報名受訓。除了幸福小組以攻心為主的福音策略上外，主也為我們提供了以供腦為主的傳福音教材，盼望無論面對比較感性或是比較理性的幕道朋友，我們都能以適切他們的方式，將福音分享給他們。
另外，8/3的敬拜團退修會，是國語堂敬拜團同工自行籌備的內部訓練，卻不但得到聯會財務上的補助，也邀請到了游志偉牧師（David Yu）、曾祥怡牧師（Grace Yu）兩夫婦指導我們的團練，更有粵語堂敬拜團的同工們參與當中，一同學習。
上半年國語堂活動組為了增進弟兄姊妹的情誼，原定六月份舉行的園遊會，在董事會的建議與大力支持下，擴大成為全教會的外展活動，不但國語堂、粵語堂、青少年及兒童全體動員，ACC也認領攤位、共襄盛舉。11/2園遊會當天有超過20個攤位，估計超過600人次的參與，這也是超過當初計畫的意外恩典。
伴隨這些意外的恩典，也有不少意外的挑戰，其中發生頻率最高、也最讓人耗費心神的，就是同工間的緊張關係，有時甚至發酵影響到團隊之外的弟兄姊妹。這樣的挑戰也提醒我們在門徒訓練中加強靈命塑造的重要，並且需要在教會相愛包容的文化中，融入屬靈權柄次序的正確觀念。
明年的夢想與展望
因此，明年我們除了繼續幸福門訓系統的建立之外，也會開設靈命塑造的課程，並且努力在各小組以及各事工團隊推動RPG，期盼更扎實地實踐國語堂的使命：「成熟的門徒、相愛的團契、合一的宣教」。
Plans and Challenges
Mandarin Ministry Report ／ Rev. Peter Cheng
Looking back at 2024, the Mandarin Ministry mostly followed the plans set at the beginning of the year. However, there were unexpected blessings and challenges, which are worth giving thanks for and reflecting upon, with the hope of further improvement next year. The following is a summary to share with the church family:
Establishing Leadership Levels
At the beginning of the year, we structured a new level of leadership by introducing cell group supervisors to better support, nurture, and guide small group leaders with more care. We thank the Lord for the commitment of the three couples—Steve/Javy, Scott/Alison, and Pastor Kung/Ivonne—who served as cell group supervisors. Throughout the year, they became strong supporters of the small group leaders, earning their respect and appreciation. My wife Olivia and I met weekly with the three male and three female cell group supervisors respectively for RPG (revival prayer groups), and we held cell group supervisor meetings. This new level of leadership has been successfully established, and it has been a joy to serve together.
Additionally, we structured a new department-level leadership to further enhance the quality of ministry and achieve effective delegation. The service of John, Brandon, Angela, and Henry as department heads has been outstanding. Their humble service and courageous leadership, including regular meetings to discuss ministry, have helped streamline the church’s numerous and complex activities, bringing order after the laxity caused by the pandemic.
Promoting Happiness Discipleship System
Although the Mandarin Ministry has promoted the Happiness Group (a small group focused on outreach) since 2019 (with a two-year pause during the pandemic), this year marks the formal adoption of the Happiness Discipleship System as the core rhythm of the ministry: Happiness Group in March-May, Happiness Discipleship: First Semester in July-September, and Happiness Discipleship: Second Semester from November to January.
After baptizing several new believers from the Happiness Group on June 9, we held our first “Renewal Camp” on June 22. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully, touching, renewing, and healing many of the participants. The new believers actively and consistently participated in the subsequent Happiness Discipleship courses, and we witnessed their spiritual growth, which greatly encouraged our coworkers. Moreover, many brothers and sisters accepted the challenge to teach for the first time for the Happiness Discipleship courses, and they later shared that they benefited the most from the experience, truly understanding the principle of learning through teaching.
Unexpected Blessings and Challenges
An unexpected blessing that was not planned at the beginning of the year was the “From Doubt to Belief” course, which started in September, with 30 brothers and sisters signing up for training. In addition to the emotional approach of the Happiness Group’s gospel strategy, the Lord also provided us with intellectual evangelism materials. This allows us to tailor our evangelism approach to both emotionally and intellectually inclined seekers, sharing the gospel in a way that resonates with them.
Another surprise was the worship team retreat on August 3, which was an internal training session organized independently by the Mandarin worship team. We not only received financial support from FECA but also had the privilege of being guided by Pastors David and Grace Yu. Additionally, coworkers from the Cantonese worship team joined us for mutual learning.
In the first half of the year, the Mandarin Ministry’s event team originally planned a church fair in June. With the encouragement and strong support of the board, it expanded into a full-church outreach event. The Mandarin Ministry, Cantonese Ministry, youth, and children’s ministries were all involved, and ACC even sponsored a booth for the event. On November 2, over 20 booths were set up, with an estimated 600 participants—another unexpected blessing that exceeded our original plans.
Alongside these blessings came challenges, especially the frequent tension between coworkers, which at times even escalates and affects brothers and sisters outside the team. These challenges reminded us of the importance of spiritual formation in discipleship and the need to integrate the concept of spiritual authority and order within the church’s culture of love and mutual acceptance.
Dreams and Visions for Next Year
Looking forward to next year, in addition to continuing the establishment of the Happiness Discipleship System, we will also offer spiritual formation courses and work to promote RPG (prayer groups) within small groups and ministry teams. We aim to more firmly implement the Mandarin Ministry’s mission: “Mature disciples, loving fellowship, and united mission.”