第89章 区会会长
§1
第89章 区会会长
§2
Chap. 89 Conference Presidents
§3
（引自1883年总会会议期间的讲道）
§4
主指示我许多关于我们的传道人，特别是被任命为区会会长之人的使命和工作。在选派人担任这些重要的职位时应当十分小心。要恳切祷告，求上帝的光照。{GW 413.1}[1]
§5
[ FROM A SERMON DELIVERED AT THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1883.]
§6
The Lord has been pleased to present before me many things in regard to the calling and labor of our ministers, especially those who have been appointed as presidents of conferences. Great care should be exercised in the selection of men for these positions of trust. There should be earnest prayer for divine enlightenment. {GW 413.1}[1]
§7
凡这样被任命为羊群监督的人应该有好名声，并有证据表明他们不仅明白圣经，还有信心和忍耐的经验，可以温柔地劝戒反对真理的人。他们应当完全正直，不是新信徒，而是聪明的圣经学生，能教导别人，还能从仓库里拿出新旧的东西。他们在品格、言语和行为上，都要荣耀基督的圣工，教导真理，在生活上表现真理，在基督耶稣里长大成人，满有长成的身量。这就意味着通过运用，发展和增强各种机能，使工人们在工作扩大时有资格担任更大的责任。{GW 413.2}[2]
§8
Those who are thus appointed as overseers of the flock should be men of good repute; men who give evidence that they have not only a knowledge of the Scriptures, but an experience in faith, in patience, that in meekness they may instruct those who oppose the truth. They should be men of thorough integrity, not novices, but intelligent students of the Word, able to teach others also, bringing from the treasure-house things new and old; men who in character, in words, in deportment, will be an honor to the cause of Christ, teaching the truth, living the truth, growing up to the full stature in Christ Jesus. This means the development and strengthening of every faculty by exercise, that the workers may become qualified to bear larger responsibilities as the work increases. {GW 413.2}[2]
§9
犹大和彼得虽然在品格上有缺欠，耶稣却不顾他们的缺欠，让他们与祂联合。祂愿意给他们机会在祂门下学习温柔谦卑，以致可以与祂同工。他们若肯利用这些机会，愿意学习，看清自己的缺欠，照主纯全的榜样，按基督所希望的造就自己，就会成为教会的大福分。{GW 414.1}[3]
§10
The Lord Jesus connected Judas and Peter with Himself, not because they were defective in character, but notwithstanding their defects. He would give them an opportunity to learn in His school, meekness and lowliness of heart, that they might become co-laborers with Him. And if they would improve these opportunities, if they would be willing to learn, willing to see their deficiencies, and in the light of a pure example to become all that Christ would have them, then they would be a great blessing to the church. {GW 414.1}[3]
§11
主耶稣依然这样对待人类。一些品格上有缺点的人参加了严肃神圣的事工。他们在蒙召从事特殊的工作时，不应觉得自己有充足的智慧，无需劝告、斥责和指导。弟兄们，你们若有那样的感觉，就必与你能力的源头隔离，处于危险之中。你就会自我满足，象犹大那样出卖了你的主。……{GW 414.2}[4]
§12
Thus the Lord Jesus is still dealing with men. Some who are imperfect in character are connected with solemn, sacred interests; and when chosen for a special work, they should not feel that their own wisdom is sufficient, that they need not be counseled, reproved, and instructed. Brethren, if you feel thus, you will separate from the Source of your strength, and will be in peril. You may be left to your own supposed sufficiency, to do as Judas did,--betray your Lord. . . . {GW 414.2}[4]
§13
【向人请教】
§14
我们区会的一些人基督徒经验比较软弱，因为他们所效法的领袖急于博得人的称赞，而不是上帝的悦纳。他们向人求助请教，而不是向上帝请教。他们在应当依靠上帝的时候却让人替他们负担子，并接受人的智慧。他们所请教的人，往往自己也需要帮助，因为这些人的心灵与上帝的关系并不正常。我们区会的会长们因为依赖人血肉的膀臂而软弱无能。依靠人的智慧无助于在基督的恩典和知识上长进。{GW 414.3}[5]
§15
【Looking to Men for Counsel】
§16
Some of our conferences are weak in Christian experience because their leading men -- and the people have followed their example -- have sought for the approval of man with far greater anxiety than for the approval of God. They have looked to man for help and counsel more than to God. They have made men their burden-bearers, and have accepted human wisdom just when and where they should have depended upon God. And too often those of whom they sought counsel needed help themselves; for their souls were not right with God. The presidents of our conferences have become weak and inefficient by making flesh their arm. Trust in the wisdom of man does not facilitate growth in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. {GW 414.3}[5]
§17
弟兄们，你们区会在发生困难、遇到紧急情况的时候，若能自行解决，就不要把乌云推向总会。总会会长不应象过去那样被州区会的事务所累。你们和同工们如果不能解决你们区会所发生的麻烦困难，又怎么能指望一个人能为所有的区会做这件事呢？你们为什么要把一切困难与灰心的事都推到负担极重的总会会长身上呢？他不象你们那样了解当地的情况。你们如果规避责任、十字架、重担、苦思和恳求，只指望总会会长代劳，帮助你们摆脱困境，你们难道看不出，把这些重担压在他的肩上，会危及他的生命吗？你们不也有和他一样好的智力和才干吗？你们切不可因为某项工作需要认真艰苦的努力就疏忽不做。{GW 415.1}[6]
§18
Brethren, when perplexities arise in your conference, when emergencies are to be met, do not let these dark clouds drift into the General Conference if you can possibly avoid it. The president of the General Conference should not be burdened with the affairs of the State conferences, as has been the case in the past. If you, with your associates in the work, cannot adjust the troubles and difficulties that arise in your conference, how do you think that one man can do this work for all the conferences? Why should you pour all your perplexities and discouragements into the burdened mind and heart of the president of the General Conference? He cannot understand the situation as well as do you who are on the ground. If you shirk responsibility and crosses and burden-bearing, hard thinking and earnest praying, and look to the president of the General Conference to do your work and help you out of your difficulties, cannot you see that you lay upon him burdens that will imperil his life? Have you not mind and ability as well as he? You should not neglect any part of the work because it calls for earnest, cross-bearing effort. {GW 415.1}[6]
§19
我再说，不要把你们的担子推在总会会长身上。不要指望他来作你们所未完成的工作。要决心藉着那加给你力量的基督负起自己的担子。{GW 415.2}[7]
§20
I repeat, Do not throw your burdens upon the president of the General Conference. Do not expect him to take up your dropped stitches and bind off your work. Resolve that you will bear your own burdens through Christ who strengthens you. {GW 415.2}[7]
§21
总会会长如果遵循上帝的指导，就不会鼓励弟兄们指望他来确定他们的责任，而会指点他们向那绝无人类错误玷污的唯一源头求助。他必拒绝作别人的思想和良心。……{GW 415.3}[8]
§22
The president of the General Conference, if he is walking in the counsel of God, will not encourage his brethren to look to him to define their duty, but will direct them to the only Source that is untainted with the errors of humanity. He will refuse to be mind and conscience for others. . . . {GW 415.3}[8]
§23
那受到不应有之信任的人处于强烈的试探之下。若有可能，撒但就会引诱他自满自恃，让人的缺欠破坏圣工。他将处在鼓励弟兄们信赖他的危险中，觉得凡与圣工有关的事都须由他过目。圣工就这样带上人的印记，而不是上帝的印记了。{GW 416.1}[9]
§24
The one who is the object of this undue confidence is exposed to strong temptations. Satan will, if possible, lead him to be self-confident, in order that human defects may mar the work. He will be in danger of encouraging his brethren in their dependence upon him, and of feeling that all things that pertain to the movements of the cause must be brought to his notice. Thus the work will bear the impress of man instead of the impress of God. {GW 416.1}[9]
§25
但是如果大家都愿学习亲自依靠上帝，许多袭击圣工领袖的危险就可以避免了。如果他犯了错误，让人的影响左右了他的判断，或屈服于试探，弟兄们就会就会纠正和帮助他。凡学会亲自向上帝求助请教的人，正在学习对于他们最有价值的教训。{GW 416.2}[10]
§26
But if all will learn to depend upon God for themselves, many dangers that assail the one who stands at the head of the work will be averted. If he errs, if he permits human influence to sway his judgment, or yields to temptation, he can be corrected and helped by his brethren. And those who learn to go to God for themselves for help and counsel, are learning lessons that will be of the highest value to them. {GW 416.2}[10]
§27
区会的职员若要成功地负起身上的责任，就必须祈求、相信、依赖上帝用他们作为祂的工具，维持区会各教会的良性运作。这是他们在葡萄园中应作的工。要有更大的个人责任感，更多的思考和筹划，在主的圣工中投入更充足的精力。这样就会扩大人的智力，使人更加敏锐地认识到应该做什么，怎样做。{GW 416.3}[11]
§28
If the officers of a conference would bear successfully the burdens laid upon them, they must pray, they must believe, they must trust God to use them as His agents in keeping the churches of the conference in good working order. This is their part of the vineyard to cultivate. There must be far more personal responsibility, far more thinking and planning, far more mental power brought into the labor put forth for the Master. This would enlarge the capacity of the mind, and give keener perceptions as to what to do and how. {GW 416.3}[11]
§29
弟兄们，你们将与困难作斗争，担负责任，提供指导，计划和实施，不断向上帝求助，在祈祷中工作，在工作中祈祷。作基督门下的学生，学祂的样式。{GW 417.1}[12]
§30
Brethren, you will have to wrestle with difficulties, carry burdens, give advice, plan and execute, constantly looking to God for help. Pray and labor, labor and pray; as pupils in the school of Christ, learn of Jesus. {GW 417.1}[12]
§31
主应许我们：“你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐与众人，也不斥责人的上帝，主就必赐给他”（雅1:5）。上帝要求担负责任的人经常聚集商量，恳求得到那只有主才能赐下的智慧。要少说话。许多宝贵的光阴已浪费在没有意义的谈话上。弟兄们要同心禁食祈祷，祈求上帝应许要丰富供应的智慧。要把你们的困难告诉上帝，要象摩西那样对祂说：“祢若不亲自和我同去，就不要把我们从这里领上去。”然后象摩西那样进一步祈求：“求祢显出你的荣耀给我看”（出33:15,18）。这荣耀是什么呢？就是上帝的品格，是祂向摩西所宣告的。{GW 417.2}[13]
§32
The Lord has given us the promise, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [James 1:5.] It is in the order of God that those who bear responsibilities should often meet together to counsel with one another, and to pray earnestly for that wisdom which He alone can impart. Talk less; much precious time is lost in talk that brings no light. Let brethren unite in fasting and prayer for the wisdom that God has promised to supply liberally. Make known your troubles to God. Tell Him, as did Moses, I cannot lead this people unless Thy presence shall go with me. And then ask still more; pray with Moses, Show me Thy glory. [Exodus 33:18.] What is this glory? --The character of God. This is what He proclaimed to Moses. {GW 417.2}[13]
§33
要用活泼的信心将自己的心与上帝连接起来。要开口赞美祂。在彼此交往时，要存敬畏的心思考永恒的现实。这样，你们就可以彼此帮助，拥有属灵的心志了。当你的意志与上帝的意志相和谐时，你就会与弟兄们情投意合，基督也会在你身边作你的顾问了。{GW 417.3}[14]
§34
Let the soul in living faith fasten upon God. Let the tongue speak His praise. When you associate together, let the mind be reverently turned to the contemplation of eternal realities. Thus you will be helping one another to be spiritually minded. When your will is in harmony with the divine will, you will be in harmony with one another; you will have Christ by your side as a counselor. {GW 417.3}[14]
§35
以诺曾与上帝同行。每一位基督的工人也可以如此。你可以与诗人一同说：“我将耶和华常摆在我面前；因祂在我右边，我便不至摇动”（诗16:8）。你若觉得自己不富足，就当明白你的富足是在耶稣里面。你若指望象你一样必死有限的人提供所有的指导和智慧，你所得到的就只是人的帮助。如果你向上帝求帮助和智慧，祂绝不会让你的信心失望。{GW 417.4}[15]
§36
Enoch walked with God. So may every laborer for Christ. You may say with the psalmist, I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.[Psalm 16:8.] While you feel that you have no sufficiency of yourself, your sufficiency will be in Jesus. If you expect all your counsel and wisdom to come from men, mortal and finite like yourselves, you will receive only human help. If you go to God for help and wisdom, He will never disappoint your faith. {GW 417.4}[15]
§37
区会会长和总会会长拥有同一位上帝。他们可以亲自向智慧的泉源求助，不要依赖任何人，因为那个人也必须从这个源头获得亮光。{GW 418.1}[16]
§38
The presidents of the State conferences have the same God that the president of the General Conference has, and they may go to the Source of wisdom for themselves, instead of depending upon one man, who has to obtain his light from the same source. {GW 418.1}[16]
§39
也许有人争辩说，上帝赐这些身负重任的人特别的智慧。的确，他们如果谦卑地与祂同行，祂就会帮助他们工作。如果你本着同样的精神寻求，祂也就会帮助你工作。如果主照着祂的美意把重要的责任放在你身上，如果你凭着信心求祂赐力量履行职责，祂就会使你胜任这些职责。当你信靠祂，向祂请教时，祂必不撇弃你，让你依靠自己有限的判断力，制订不完全的计划，以致惨败。{GW 418.2}[17]
§40
It may be argued that the Lord gives special wisdom to those entrusted with important responsibilities. True, if they walk humbly with Him, He will give them help for their work; and He will give you help for yours, if you seek it in the same spirit. If the Lord in His providence has placed important responsibilities upon you, He will fit you to bear these burdens, if you go to Him in faith for strength to do this. When you put your trust in Him, and depend upon His counsel, He will not leave you to your own finite judgment, to make imperfect plans and decided failures. {GW 418.2}[17]
§41
【不要向人自白】
§42
每一个人都需要亲自信靠上帝的实际经验。不要向人自白，而当向上帝倾心吐意，告诉祂你心中的一切秘密。要把你的大小困难都带到祂面前，祂就会向你指出一条摆脱所有困境的出路。惟有祂知道如何为你提供所需要的帮助。{GW 418.3}[18]
§43
【Make No Man Your Confessor】
§44
Every one needs a practical experience in trusting God for himself. Let no man become your confessor; open the heart to God; tell Him every secret of the soul. Bring to Him your difficulties, small and great, and He will show you a way out of them all. He alone can know how to give the very help you need. {GW 418.3}[18]
§45
经过试炼的时辰，你得到了帮助，上帝的灵明显地为你作工，你就有了何等宝贵的经验！你正在获得信心和爱心，就是“诚信真实见证”者劝你向祂购买的金子。你正在学习在一切困难中亲近上帝。你学会了这些信心的宝贵教训之后，就可以把同样的教训传给别人。你就这样不断地引领人进入更高的经验中。{GW 419.1}[19]
§46
And when, after a trying season, help comes to you, when the Spirit of God is manifestly at work for you, what a precious experience you gain! You are obtaining faith and love, the gold that the True Witness counsels you to buy of Him. You are learning to go to God in all your troubles; and as you learn these precious lessons of faith, you will teach the same to others. Thus you may be continually leading the people to a higher plane of experience. {GW 419.1}[19]
§47
州区会的会长正以自己的行为方式教育下面的传道人。他们也可以一起教育各教会。这样，各教会中的纠纷和困难就不必请区会派员来处理了。如果区会职员作为忠心的仆人，愿意履行上天所指派的责任，区会的工作就不至于如此纠结混乱了。工人们如果能这样做，他们就会成为坚强负责的人，在艰苦的地方也不会灰心失败。{GW 419.2}[20]
§48
The president of a State conference is, by his manner of dealing, educating the ministers under him, and together they can so educate the churches that it will not be necessary to call the ministers of the conference from the field to settle difficulties and dissensions in the church. If the officers in the conference will, as faithful servants, perform their Heaven-appointed duties, the work in our conferences will not be left to become entangled in such perplexities as heretofore. And in laboring thus, the workers will become solid, responsible men, who will not fail nor be discouraged in a hard place. {GW 419.2}[20]
§49
凡进到主面前的人，祂都能拯救到底。祂的应许难道不是广泛丰富的吗?“凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息”（太11:28）。我们为什么不愿意直接向能力的源头求助呢？在这件事上我们曾否远离上帝了呢？区会的会长与传道人难道不应该知道他们的帮助从何而来吗？……{GW 419.3}[21]
§50
There is One who is mighty to save to the uttermost all who come unto Him. Is not the promise broad and full, Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest? [Matthew 11:28.] Why are we so unwilling to come directly to the Source of our strength? Have we not departed from the Lord in this? Should not our ministers and the presidents of our conferences learn whence cometh their help?. . . {GW 419.3}[21]
§51
【工人的调动】
§52
有人问我，一位区会会长被调到新的地方工作，而他目前所负责的许多人却不愿意他离开，这件事是不是做错了呢？{GW 419.4}[22]
§53
【A Change of Laborers】
§54
The question is asked me if it is not a mistake to remove the president of a State conference to a new field when many of the people under his present charge are unwilling to give him up. {GW 419.4}[22]
§55
关于这个问题，主指示我：传道人不应该多年在一个地方工作，会长也不应长期在一个区会任职。调动不同恩赐的人，对于我们的区会和教会都是有益处的。{GW 420.1}[23]
§56
The Lord has been pleased to give me light on this question. I have been shown that ministers should not be retained in the same district year after year, nor should the same man long preside over a conference. A change of gifts is for the good of our conferences and churches. {GW 420.1}[23]
§57
传道人有时不愿意更动工作的园地。但他们如果明白调动的所有理由，就不会固执己见了。有些工人要求在原地再留任一年。这种要求往往得到许可。他们声称要完成比以往更大的计划。可是一年过去了，情况却比以前更糟糕。如果一位传道人工作不忠心，即使是再留在那里，也不容易弥补缺欠。教会习惯于受一个人的管理，以为必须仰望他而不仰望上帝。他的主张和计划就有了左右区会的力量。{GW 420.2}[24]
§58
Ministers have sometimes felt unwilling to change their field of labor; but if they understood all the reasons for making changes, they would not draw back. Some have pleaded to remain one year longer in the same field, and frequently the request has been respected. They have claimed to have plans for accomplishing a greater work than heretofore. But at the close of the year there was a worse state of things than before. If a minister has been unfaithful in his work, it is not likely that he will mend the matter by remaining. The churches become accustomed to the management of that one man, and think they must look to him instead of to God. His ideas and plans have a controlling power in the conference. {GW 420.2}[24]
§59
信徒们可能看出他的判断有误，因此便低估了传道的职份。信徒们如果仰望上帝，依赖上天的智慧，就会得到极有价值的经验，至少在若干方面可以补助监督羊群者的缺欠。可惜人们往往对事情听之任之，由会长来负责区会各教会的状况，信徒则漠不关心，冷冷淡淡，不做任何事情使工作按部就班。{GW 420.3}[25]
§60
The people may see that he errs in judgment, and because of this they learn to place a low estimate upon the ministry. If they would look to God, and depend upon heavenly wisdom, they would be gaining an experience of the highest value, and would themselves be able, in many respects at least, to supply what is lacking in him who is the overseer of the flock. But too often things are left to drift as they will, the president being held responsible for the condition of the churches in the conference, while the church-members settle down, indifferent, lukewarm, doing nothing to bring things into order. {GW 420.3}[25]
§61
会长也许没有认识到，在叫别人成圣之先，自己须分别为圣的重要性。他可能不是忠心的守望者，只说讨人喜欢的话。许多人的品格在某些方面是坚强的，但在其他方面却软弱亏欠。结果一些部门的工作便缺乏效率。如果同一个人年复一年地担任会长，他所服务的各教会也必仿效他的缺点。但是某一弟兄的弱点，可能正是另一弟兄的强项。因此让他们易地服务，就能取长补短。{GW 421.1}[26]
§62
The president may not feel the importance of sanctifying himself, that others may be sanctified. He may be an unfaithful watchman, preaching to please the people. Many are strong in some points of character, while they are weak and deficient in others. As the result, a want of efficiency is manifest in some parts of the work. Should the same man continue as president of a conference year after year, his defects would be reproduced in the churches under his labors. But one laborer may be strong where his brother is weak, and so by exchanging fields of labor, one may, to some extent, supply the deficiencies of another. {GW 421.1}[26]
§63
如果大家都完全献身于上帝，这种明显的品格缺点就不会存在。但工人们没有达到上帝的标准，在他们一切的工作上夹杂着自私的成分，因此对于他们自己和教会来说，最有利的做法就是经常调动。从另一方面说来，工人如果因基督的恩典而在属灵上坚强，他就成了各教会的福气，他的服务也是各区会所需要的。{GW 421.2}[27]
§64
If all were fully consecrated to God, these marked imperfections of character would not exist; but since the laborers do not meet the divine standard, since they weave self into all their work, the best thing, both for themselves and for the churches, is to make frequent changes. And, on the other hand, if a laborer is spiritually strong, he is, through the grace of Christ, a blessing to the churches, and his labors are needed in different conferences. {GW 421.2}[27]
§65
我们处于特别危险的时代，有内外敌人的夹攻。上帝要你们在与你们的特殊工作有关的一切事上警醒。如果没有天父的特别帮助，你们就不要去尝试任何事情。祂正等着你们呼求，使祂可以对你们说：“我在这里。”祂说，你若寻求祂，就必寻见。祂的能力、恩典和公义，要赐给谦卑痛悔、专心寻求祂的人。{GW 421.3}[28]
§66
We are in times of peculiar danger from foes without and within, and God would have you alive to everything concerning your special work. You need not try to do anything without the special help of your heavenly Father. He is waiting for you to call, that He may say, Here I am. If you will seek, He says He will be found of you; His strength, His grace, and His righteousness will be given to the humble, contrite one who seeks Him with all the heart. {GW 421.3}[28]