Brother Andrew Yu’s Tribute to Brother James Churng
The publication work in the Lord’s recovery occupies a special place in the economy of God. Whereas the service of a local church is local, the service of the publication work is universal. Particular areas of work, such as, the young people’s work, meet the needs of the Body of Christ partially; the publication work meets the need of the whole Body. The ministry of the word comprises both giving and publishing messages. Whereas messages spoken in conferences and trainings are transient in nature, the publication work is permanent. Many can say that they have seen and heard the words of life, but the few who are involved with the publication work can say that they have “handled with their own hands” the words of life (1 John 1:1). Whether one is involved in editing translation, proofreading, typesetting, printing, or packing, he can say that he is handling the words of life with his own hands. Many enjoy the free flow of the stream of life as it spreads out in the broad and fertile plains, but those upstream involved with the publication work enjoy the restricted flow high in the mountains under blue skies and fresh air. Certainly, no one other than God can be the source of the ministry of the word, yet those who participate in the publication work contribute to the “completion of the word of God” (Col. 1:25). In this sense we may say that the publication work in the Lord’s recovery is universal, eternal, spiritual, and vital.
At the end of his life brother Lee summed up his ministry with a single word: sacrifice. All the saints involved in the publication work in any capacity have made sacrifices, Whether with regard to fame, wealth, position, health, or family. Since they are human beings, they cannot avoid going through periods of ups and downs. However, as soon as these saints begin to work on their assignment, they need to set aside all of their natural feelings and considerations and take up the mind that is in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5). In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “longsuffering” is composed of two words: Long and temper. Among those participating in the publication work, there is no room for temper or mood fluctuations. The sacrifice required for these saints is not only psychological and financial; it also involves a challenge to their physical wellbeing. Long hours of sitting at a desk is not conductive to their health; constant staring at a computer is detrimental to their eyesight; and occasional overtime and overnight shifts took their toll on them and their family. Their photos are seldom seen, their voices seldom heart, and their names hardly ever mentioned. Nevertheless, they do everything before God, not to before men. They shoulder the burden, yet the credit often goes to others. Just as a grapevine pours itself out to produce cheering wine for others, so also many of these serving once frequently need to endure long hours of work under the pressure of impending deadlines, and when the deadline is met, they have no time for self-congratulations but must rise to new challenges. Often they need to “labor,” “struggle,” and “travail” m bringing forth messages until they fulfill the stewardship assigned to them (Col. 1:25; Gal. 4:19). Even though the work is heavy, the support is meager, just enough for them to feed themselves and their family, not enough for them to become wealthy. Such thankless, unknown jobs can attract only those who have a vision and a calling to the publication work. These sacrifices are mostly hidden to those who get to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Yet all the serving ones who are involved in this labor can testify concerning the privilege mentioned in Brother Watchman Nee’s poem “Let Me Love”: “pouring out oneself for others’ blessing and giving up one’s peace for other’s comfort.” Although the serving ones need to pour themselves out and give themselves up time and again, their greatest joy is to see others blessed and comforted. Like Mary these ones have “chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away” (Luke 10:42). The issue of their life of sacrifice is portrayed in a stanza of one of Sister M. E. Barber’s poems: “Buried? Yes, but it is seed / From which Continents may feed; / Millions yet may bless the day/ When that seed was laid away.”
For thirty-five years, Brother James Churng participated in the editorial work of the Chinese section of Living Stream Ministry. He was involved with the translation of the Chinese New Testament Recovery Version under the oversight of Brother Witness Lee, the translation and preparation of the Chinese Old Testament Recovery Version, the translation and preparation of outlines for various conferences and trainings, the translation and editing of the Collected Works of Witness Lee, and the translation and preparation of various ministry books and periodicals. He served the Lord and His ministry faithfully and quietly for many years. He did not want any individual recognition or special praise when he died. Therefore, this brief note is written as a vindication of, and a memorial to, his service.
在神的经纶中，文字服事有其独特的地位，地方召会的服事是一地的，文字服事是全地的。专项服事是片面的，文字服事是全面的。讲台服事与文字服事同属话语职事，但讲台服事是即时的，文字服事是常时的。许多人对生命之话听过或看过，但文字工作者能说他们是“亲手摸过”。（约壹１。）无论是编辑，翻译，修改，校对，排版，印刷，包装，寄运，他们都能说他们是“亲手摸过”话语职事的人。许多人能有分生命水流广阔肥田间的下游，但少数人能有分生命水流蔚蓝天空下的上游。前者自由徜徉于一望无际的平原，后者受限于峻石丛生的山涧。虽然只有神才是话语职事的源头，但文字工作者却能在“完成神的话”里（西一25）有一份参与。文字服事是全面的、永恒的、属灵的、无私的。
李弟兄一生的职事以“牺牲”二字为总结。参与这职事之文字工作者，或多或少都在不同程度上有所牺牲—不论是在名利地位上、在个人身心灵魂上、或在家庭环境上。所有文字服事者都是人，都有心情好坏之时；但一坐在稿子前，就得牺牲个人感觉心情，放下自己意见，以主的心思为心思。新约里之“恒忍”一词，原文由“长久”与“心情”二字组成。作为文字工作者，个人时间心情常常需要牺牲，长久忍耐；此外，更需付上身体的代价：长期坐姿，有碍身体健康；日夜不离电脑，耗损眼力脑力；经常加班，更影响家庭生活。没有人看见他们的面孔，听见他们的声音，或知道他们的名字。劳苦归己，功劳归人；他们所作的，乃是作在神面前，而不是作在人面前。如葡萄倾倒生命供应美酒，文字工作者每季加班赶工，刚满足圣徒需要，又得重新付上心力，以应新的挑战。他们经常因赶稿期，劳苦奋斗，熬“生产之苦”，为求按时“完成”被指派之“管家职分”。（西一25，29，加四19。）他们工作劳苦，但供给微薄，仅供温饱，不能致富。如此无名无利之工作，若非有异象呼召，实难承担。此中种种牺牲，不为外人知晓。
所有有分这服事的人都能见证，他们的服事是“倒出生命来使人得幸福，舍弃安宁来使人得舒服”的服事。虽然在服事里有所倒出和舍弃，但最大喜乐，乃是能把生命供应别人，叫人得福。如同新约中的马利亚，这些人“选择那美好的分，是不能从她夺去的”。（路十42。）和受恩姊妹曾写一诗说：“埋矣！但所埋者乃种子，借它全地得生命，种子死后埋葬日，乃为万民得福时。”
盛建生弟兄，有分水流职事站华文部文字服事三十五年，长久忍耐；曾参与李常受弟兄中文新约恢复本翻译工作、中文旧约恢复本翻译工作、特会训练纲目翻译工作、李常受文集编辑工作、并其他许多属灵书报刊物编辑与翻译工作。盛弟兄生前默默无闻，死后不要人对他个人歌功颂德，故谨以数言，聊以表白并追思其服事。
余洁麟弟兄
Source: https://www.facebook.com/churchnews/videos/605651489973513/
