主曆2007年1月31日
親愛的主內同工，
十六世紀於歐洲之宗教改革運動，上溯馬丁路德，下承於約翰加爾文，使基督教會回轉至基於聖經正統之教義與生活之傳統，最後經英倫之清教徒，承傳至北美洲，開墾了至今於北美洲仍生機勃勃，並於美加二國佔基督教文化社會之主流力量。
自1979年之改革開放與1989年天安門事件之後，大批中國學生學者湧至北美洲各大學府，一方面深造於以科研為主之領域，另一方面亦透過許多不同之渠道接觸基督教之信仰，許多人因此而信主；當中更有一些對正統神學與基督教文化有特別負擔者，對歷史性之改革宗傳統，產生了深層之興趣與研習。
基於以上之歷史回溯與現況之反思，我們正身處於北美洲之基督教傳統，與中國大陸及海外華人教會之神學與福音使命之交界點，而我們更進一步深信在此交界點上，可以承先啟後、繼往開來之基督教傳統，就是我們所認信之歷 史性之改革宗信仰。大成於加爾文，傳承於清教徒之改革宗傳統，可以使我們一羣立足於北美洲之華人教會牧長與機構同工；一方面發揚純正真理之信仰，另一方面承擔廣大之福音與文化使命，最終使廣大同胞歸主，更使基督教之真理落實於中國社羣文化之中，由此邁向上帝於基督裏所交付於我們身上之末世大使命。
基於以上之實況與信念，我們謹以謙恭更戰兢之心懷，在此向立足於北美洲之廣大改革宗與歸正信念之同工、同道呼籲，懇請我們眾人一同籌組一個基於改革宗信仰之北美洲華人教會、機構、神學院、牧師與信徒共同組成之國際改革宗歸正福音網絡。目的是團結改革宗歸正信仰之華人同工，於我們現今之寄居地，一方面「為所信的福音齊心努力」，另一方面則「要為從前一次交付聖徒的真道竭力的爭辯」。為基督，為教會，為中國，為上帝之國度。
我們相信此「國際歸正福音團契」，可以使我們分散在美加各州省之同工，互相聯繫，彼此支援﹐在牧會植堂、佈道宣教、社會關懷、研究出版、神學教育等事工上，得以更加與時並進，並更忠於正統之改革宗傳統。藉上述眾多事工中，我們盼望為藉此國際改革宗歸正網絡，為全球華人教會栽培訓練工人，由此將改革宗之神學傳統，推廣於普世華人教會之中，得以訓練出一批批有異象、有心志、有學識之中國基督教歸正福音同工。
前瞻未來，我們會透過各種渠道聯繫各地同工，我們視自己為促進大家討論之催化者，因我們相信此華人「國際歸正福音團契」是屬於我們眾人，由我們而立，為我們而設，至終卻是為上帝至高之榮耀。
周
和博士‧美國賓州費城洪予健博士‧加拿大温哥華市
傅希秋牧師‧美國德克薩斯州
王一樂博士‧美國新澤西州
陳彪博士‧美國弗羅裏達州
李紹沅牧師‧美國賓州費城
張康平教師‧美國賓州費城
蔡蓓博士‧美國馬裏蘭州
麥安迪博士‧台灣台北
陳佐人博士‧美國華盛頓州
英文版
January 31, 2007
Dear Reformed Colleagues in our Lord,
The Reformation of sixteenth century in Europe, headed by Martin Luther and prolonged by John Calvin, was a movement which reformed and returned the Christian churches to the tradition of right doctrines and life. By their providential journey, the English Puritans brought forth this faithful tradition to the North America. The Reformed tradition continues to flourish in this land, and to become, in its own way, the central tenet of the Christian culture in USA and Canada.
On the other side of the world, mainland China embarked its “Open and Reform” policy in 1979, soon followed by the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989. These historical episodes brought waves of scholars and students to colleges and universities of America. As they pursued further studies in science and technology, a proportion of them encountered Christian faith by various ways. Many believed in Jesus as Lord. Furthermore, a special interest in Reformed tradition was developed, among those who longed for orthodox theology and Christian culture. They came to a conviction that the historical Reformed theology, with its comprehensive mandate of Gospel and culture, is capable to resolve many of their cultural, social, political, and religious dilemmas.
Based on these historical reflections, we hold these convictions. We are placed providentially in the intersection of North American Christian tradition, and the Chinese churches. We inherit both the vibrant Christian ethos of North American churches, and facing the evangelistic and theological challenges of Chinese churches, both mainland and oversea. We believe, by God’s grace and guidance, we should reclaim and revitalize the faithful Reformed evangelical tradition begun by John Calvin and consummated by the Puritans. As Chinese ministers and coworkers in North America, we confess the true biblical reformed faith of Christianity, and resolve to discharge the evangelistic and cultural mission to all Chinese people. Our ultimate goal is to lead more kinsmen to Christ, and to disseminate Christian truth in the social-cultural milieu of China. We will press on, in this eschatological time, toward the goal of fulfilling the task which God has entrusted to us in Christ.
For the above reasons, we humbly and vigilantly call for our reformed colleagues and coworkers, to form and organize an International Fellowship of Chinese Reformed Evangelicals in North America. This will be an International Reformed Fellowship organized by church pastors, Christian organization coworkers, seminarians and lay people. Our goal is to unite Chinese Reformed colleagues and coworkers, to work in our residing land for the Gospel need of our mother land. On the one hand, “contending as one man for the faith of the Gospel”. On the other hand, “to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” For Christ. For Church. For China. For the kingdom of God.
We envision this International Fellowship of Chinese Reformed Evangelicals will connect and unite coworkers from various states and cities, and enable us to support each other in works of church planting, evangelism, mission, social concern and ministry, research and publication, internet ministry, and theological education. Our reformed ministry should be able to face the challenges of times, and continue to be faithful to the biblical and reformed traditions. Amidst all the ministries, we wish this International Reformed Fellowship will work together for the purpose of preparing and producing Reformed workers for the global Chinese churches. In order to distribute reformed theological tradition among Chinese churches, we pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth multitude of reformed ministers and workers into His harvest. Servants who are prophetic, resolute, knowledgeable Christian leaders.
As we embark our common journey ahead, we will broaden our network, to connect and contact colleagues and coworkers from close to afar. We see ourselves as facilitators to initiative our conversation. We believe this International Fellowship of Chinese Reformed Evangelicals should be an association organized by and for the Chinese Reformed Christians, and that its finality is for the highest glory of God.
Advisory Board / 顧問團
- 唐崇榮博士 Dr. Stephen Tong
Evangelist and Founder, Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International.
- 周
和博士 Dr. Peter K. ChowSenior Pastor, Trinity Christian Church of Greater Philadelphia.
- Dr. Peter Lillback
President, Westminster Theological Seminary.
- Dr. William Edgar
Professor, Westminster Theological Seminary.
- Dr. Richard Pratt
Founder and President, The Third Millennium. Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL.
Signatures of Open Letter / 聯署人 (alphabetical order)
- 陳佐人博士 Dr. Stephen Chan
Pastor, San Francisco, CA; Professor of Theology, Seattle University.
- 張康平教師 Joanny Chang
Ph.D. candidate, Westminster Theological Seminary.
- 陳彪博士 Dr. Biao Chen
Pastor, Orlando, FL; M.Div., Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando.
- 周
和博士 Dr. P.K. ChowPastor, Philadelphia; Ph.D. Temple University; Th.M, M.Div. Westminster Theological Seminary.
- 傅希秋牧師 Rev. Bob Fu
Ph.D. candidate, Westminster Theological Seminary.
- 洪予健博士 Dr. Yujian Hong
Pastor, Vancouver, B.C. Canada; MCS. Regent College, Vancouver, Canada.
- 李紹沅牧師 Rev. Steven Lee
Pastor, Philadelphia; Th.M. candidate, Westminster Theological Seminary.
- 麥安迪博士 Dr. Andy McGafferty
Ph.D. Pittsburg Theological Seminary.
- 蔡蓓博士 Dr. Pei Tsai
Studies at M.A. Reformed Theological Seminary.
- 王一樂博士 Dr. Yile Wang
Studies at M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary.
