08 Jan 2023

I was at a queue outside the office of a community club. Some were there for the CDC vouchers and others for tickets for a CNY dinner. Most of the people queuing were elderly folks. The officer-in-charge was swamped and overwhelmed by these folks. The same questions were repeated asked by different folks. One of the questions was why they cannot pay using cash and had to use cashless means? They claim that they do not know how or they do not have bank cards, etc. Story short, they want their way.

The world had moved on and at a very fast pace too. The refusal to adapt to the digital age is obviously a futile effort that leads to a very miserable life going ahead. There is no way back or to stay put. The tide of change cannot be resisted. Yes, it is inconvenient to those who refuse to change, insisting on the old ways. Well, I can only say too bad for you, the rest of us are moving on.

Then there is the other group of “entitled” elderly. This “entitled syndrome” is not just a thing for youths. It is very prevalent among the elderly. Just because you are ‘old’ does not mean that others must do things your way. There is nothing to say that you know everything just because of your age. I would say: “Cross the road carefully, old age does not guarantee that someone needs to give way to you. Even more so as you deal with ‘entitled’ young people.” Mutual respect is very important. Respect is given to you when you also respect others. It also makes for a better society.

Brothers and sisters, the church had come about for more than two thousand years. It had gone through many seasons and trials. There is a need for us to learn to adapt to the tide of change. For sure our theology and belief in God do not change. Our expression of our faith, however, can take a different form. We cannot insist on the bible being printed media only. They can be read using electronic means. There is really nothing wrong with that, just different expressions. Let us build a strong foundation in God and express it in a way that is consistent with the times.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong


我正在一间民众俱乐部的办公室外面排队。有人在那里领取社里会的邻里购物券,有的是为新春晚宴的入场券而来。队伍中大多数是乐龄人士。负责的职员被这些乐龄人士所淹没且不知所措。不同的乐龄人士正重复着问同样的一个问题。其中一个问题是为什么他们不能使用现金而只能作无现金交易?他们声称他们不知道怎么做,或者他们没有银行卡等等。简单的说,他们一意孤行。

世界正在前进而且是急速前进。拒绝适应数字时代显然是徒劳无功的,也导致未来的生活会非常苦不堪言。没有退路或原地踏步。变化的浪潮是无法抵抗的。是的,对不愿意改变、顽固不化的人来说是不方便的。但是,我只能说是你吃亏了,其他的人已经在前进中。

此外,还有另一组“享有有特权”的乐龄人士。这“享有特权症状”并不只为年轻人所拥有的,它在乐龄群中也非常普遍。不是因为你年长,就意味着其他的人必须依循你的方式做事。没有说法指明因为你年长,你就什么都懂。我要说的是,“过马路要小心,年长不保证就有人需要让路给你。”当你与拥有“特权”的年轻人接触尤其如此。 互相尊重是非常重要的。当你尊敬他人的时候,你才会得到尊重。这也将造就更好的社会。

弟兄姐妹,教会已经历经了两千多年。她也经历了许多时节及试炼。学习适应变化的浪潮对我们而言是必要的。可以确定的是,我们对上帝的神学与信仰是不变的。然而,我们对信仰却可以用不同的形式表达。我们不能执着于圣经必须是印刷的。它们也可以通过电子方式来阅读,这并没有任何的错误,只是表达的方式不同。让我们在上帝里面建立坚固的根基,并且以能与时代同步的方式表达出来。

上帝赐福,
主里同工的,

Barry Leong

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