主历2007年1月31日
亲爱的主内同工，
十六世纪于欧洲之宗教改革运动，上溯马丁路德，下承于约翰加尔文，使基督教会回转至基于圣经正统之教义与生活之传统，最后经英伦之清教徒，承传至北美洲，开垦了至今于北美洲仍生机勃勃，并于美加二国占基督教文化社会之主流力量。
自1979年之改革开放与1989年天安门事件之后，大批中国学生学者涌至北美洲各大学府，一方面深造于以科研为主之领域，另一方面亦透过许多不同之渠道接触基督教之信仰，许多人因此而信主；当中更有一些对正统神学与基督教文化有特别负担者，对历史性之改革宗传统，产生了深层之兴趣与研习。
基于以上之历史回溯与现况之反思，我们正身处于北美洲之基督教传统，与中国大陆及海外华人教会之神学与福音使命之交界点，而我们更进一步深信在此交界点上，可以承先启后、继往开来之基督教传统，就是我们所认信之历 史性之改革宗信仰。大成于加尔文，传承于清教徒之改革宗传统，可以使我们一群立足于北美洲之华人教会牧长与机构同工；一方面发扬纯正真理之信仰，另一方面承担广大之福音与文化使命，最终使广大同胞归主，更使基督教之真理落实于中国社群文化之中，由此迈向上帝于基督里所交付于我们身上之末世大使命。
基于以上之实况与信念，我们谨以谦恭更战兢之心怀，在此向立足于北美洲之广大改革宗与归正信念之同工、同道呼吁，恳请我们众人一同筹组一个基于改革宗信仰之北美洲华人教会、机构、神学院、牧师与信徒共同组成之国际改革宗归正福音网络。目的是团结改革宗归正信仰之华人同工，于我们现今之寄居地，一方面"为所信的福音齐心努力"，另一方面则"要为从前一次交付圣徒的真道竭力的争辩"。为基督，为教会，为中国，为上帝之国度。
我们相信此"国际归正福音团契"，可以使我们分散在美加各州省之同工，互相联系，彼此支援﹐在牧会植堂、布道宣教、社会关怀、研究出版、神学教育等事工上，得以更加与时并进，并更忠于正统之改革宗传统。藉上述众多事工中，我们盼望为借此国际改革宗归正网络，为全球华人教会栽培训练工人，由此将改革宗之神学传统，推广于普世华人教会之中，得以训练出一批批有异象、有心志、有学识之中国基督教归正福音同工。
前瞻未来，我们会透过各种渠道联系各地同工，我们视自己为促进大家讨论之催化者，因我们相信此华人"国际归正福音团契"是属于我们众人，由我们而立，为我们而设，至终却是为上帝至高之荣耀。
周
和博士‧美国宾州费城洪予健博士‧加拿大温哥华市
傅希秋牧师‧美国德克萨斯州
王一乐博士‧美国新泽西州
陈彪博士‧美国弗罗里达州
李绍沅牧师‧美国宾州费城
张康平教师‧美国宾州费城
蔡蓓博士‧美国马里兰州
麦安迪博士‧台湾台北
陈佐人博士‧美国华盛顿州
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 / 顾问团
- 唐崇荣博士 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 / 联署人 (alphabetical order)
- 陈佐人博士 Dr. Stephen Chan
Pastor, San Francisco, CA; Professor of Theology, Seattle University.
- 张康平教师 Joanny Chang
Ph.D. candidate, Westminster Theological Seminary.
- 陈彪博士 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.
- 傅希秋牧师 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.
- 李绍沅牧师 Rev. Steven Lee
Pastor, Philadelphia; Th.M. candidate, Westminster Theological Seminary.
- 麦安迪博士 Dr. Andy McGafferty
Ph.D. Pittsburg Theological Seminary.
- 蔡蓓博士 Dr. Pei Tsai
Studies at M.A. Reformed Theological Seminary.
- 王一乐博士 Dr. Yile Wang
Studies at M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary.
