When literary work is revived, the church will inevitably be revived
Interview compilation/Weng Jingyu
【Foreword】
Brother Ding Yuanping is the president of Tian'en Publishing House (hereinafter referred to as "Tian'en") and one of the consultants of this magazine. Tianen is the logistics and production unit of "The Kingdom of God Magazine". After the planning and editing of each unit carefully refines the articles, it is responsible for art design, printing and binding, shipping and distribution, list compilation, and promotion in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia.
"Brother Ding", who is always cheerful, has a smile and is full of ideas, has cooperated with the cultural planning of conferences, large and small, and published many books in cooperation with churches, individuals or organizations; he has promoted "Book Blessing" since 2000 Movement", advocating spiritual life and spiritual reading to this day, sparing no effort.
Question: What is the vision and mission of Tian En? Please briefly describe the current publishing status.
Tianen’s literary ministry began with the establishment of Tianlu Art Design Agency in September 1983. Then, with the encouragement of Pastor Zhuang Wensheng, the former president of World Vision in 1985, Tianen upheld the vision of "the revival of literary work, the inevitable revival of the church" , established Tianen Publishing House; moved to the current location in 2003, and established Tianlu Planning Company. Counting the grace-filled paths along the way, Tian En has entered its 23rd anniversary this year!
Looking back over the past 23 years, Tian En has registered and published a total of 736 books, plus 185 commissioned books, a total of 921 books have been produced. Everything is led and bestowed by the Lord, and it is truly beyond what I could ask for or imagine!
Q: How did you transition from Tianlu Art Society to the publishing industry?
In April 1995, Pastor Hong Jianzhou and his wife from the Ark Ministry unexpectedly visited the office. Pastor Hong said straightforwardly: "Yuanping, we would like to ask Tianen to publish a book "God Works the Night Shift" by Pastor Ron Mehl of the Four Directions Church in the United States. The translation has been completed. You Are you willing?" Due to the friendship between Mrs. Hong and Sister Huang Lixun when they were in the Holy Church College Fellowship, I readily agreed without thinking.
After it was published in September 1995, I was really encouraged to learn that the English version of this book won the ECPA (The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Inspirational Category Gold Book Award at the CBA International Book Fair (The Christian Booksellers Association) in the United States in 1995! For Tian En at that time, this was beyond his wildest dreams! Because books that win the Golden Book Award are often competed by major publishing houses to obtain Chinese copyrights, but this book gives Tian En a unique blessing and a taste of divine grace!
With the publication of "God's Night Shift", I established a good relationship with Pastor Rommel, and subsequently published his best-selling works one after another, opening a new page in the translation of Christian books from foreign publishers.
Question: How does Tianen cooperate with the teachers and students of the Kingdom of God Resources Literary Camp and the editorial team of "The Kingdom of God" to work together to revive the writing work?
On September 12, 1974, I attended the first Christian literature work training class at Tianmu in Taipei, which was a very critical milestone in my commitment to literature work. At that time, I worked for the Chinese branch of the Gospel Broadcasting Company of the Lord in all nations, as the director of broadcasting, and produced and broadcast two A popular program - "Vespers" and "Sacred Music of Ancient and Modern Times". After the graduation of that class, many became the communication elites of various gospel organizations, such as: Su Wenfeng, Lin Yiling, Liang Minfu, Liu Liangshu, Jiang Baozhen, Jin Peiji, Cai Zhongmei, Wu Shifang, Yan Caixiu, Chen Yiping, etc. The class teacher was Pastor Yin Ying of Daosheng Publishing House. His words - "Writing is the mother of mass communication" inspired me to devote myself to the ministry of writing.
▲The first Christian literature work training class.
When I was looking through my graduation photos, I suddenly discovered that Mr. Su Wen'an, the special editor-in-chief of "The Kingdom of God", was on my left! Later, Brother Wen An took over as the chief editor of the Taifu Communication Center in 1991 and came to Taiwan from the United States to discuss cooperation in publishing the Taifu series. We were like meeting old friends in a foreign country and became spiritual confidants in the literature ministry, working closely together until today's " "True Love" and "Kingdom of God" Literary Ministry. Counting on one finger, this friendship has been 33 years since we met Heavenly Mother!
Since 2002, they have collaborated to compile the "Word Camp Special Issue" and published the "Life Supplement Series". In 2005, "Kingdom of God Magazine" was founded. When Brother Wen An introduced Sister Li to share with me the vision and mission of "Kingdom of God Resources for Christ," the burden of serving the literature ministry was exploded again! We share the same feeling that using words to reach the Chinese people of this generation is a calling entrusted to us by our Lord and serving as our Lord. Therefore, we are willing to go the extra mile for each other and become a team of partners in the literature ministry. What’s even more rare is that the editorial team of “Kingdom of God” is all volunteered by students from the writing camp. We are both teachers and friends, offering different gifts from God, as described in the poem “True God’s Love”:
The oceans of the world are as ink, and the heavens are as paper;
Thousands of stems in the world are used as penholders, and literati from all over the world gather to work hard;
Try your best to describe the love of God...
How rich and infinite is the love of God,
Forever unchanged, ever steadfast, praised by angels and saints.
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Response from Gao Lili, founder of "The Kingdom of God Magazine"
Brother Ding and Sister Wang are not only consultants for Kingdom of God Magazine, they also agree with the vision of Kingdom of God’s resources and share in the ministry of Kingdom of God. I really want to say that without the support and encouragement behind Brother Ding, there would be no "Divine Kingdom Magazine" today; without Sister Wang's full support over the years, there would be no Brother Ding today. I am grateful to Father God with all my heart for having Brother Ding in the team.
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Question: In addition to publishing and planning, you have also been committed to promoting the "Book Blessing Movement" for many years. Please share the highlights.
The "Book Blessing Movement" is a revelation I received from God in the process of promoting spiritual reading in churches and believers for many years! In August 1999, I received training from the "Haggai Leadership Academy" on Mauli Island, Hawaii, just as I entered the watershed of my fiftieth year. Every morning I ran to the beach, facing the morning sun and waves, I prayed to God, Ask Him to guide me on the journey ahead!
After returning to Taipei, when I attended the 15th anniversary thanksgiving service of "Yilin Study Room", God called me to go out and promote the book club. I responded to God: "This is an old thing, the church is already doing it!" But I still obey God. , and began to receive the first theme: "Using Reading Club to Energize the Group".
Then God gives a theme on time every year, and also leads me from Taiwan to Hong Kong, East Malaysia, West Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, Beijing, Luxembourg, Belgium in Europe, and sharing at the Aishuyuan Monastery in North America. The "Book Book Blessing Movement" has received enthusiastic response.
We sincerely hope that spiritual practice and spiritual reading will become an indispensable part of every believer's career planning; regardless of personal spiritual practice, family worship, or group gatherings, "spiritual practice and reading" can be used to enrich faith life everywhere. , experience the full blessings of Jehovah.
So far, there are eight articles on the topic, all of which are fully included on Tianen’s website (http://www.graceph.com). Due to space constraints, I will share the following five articles:
Book Blessing Movement (1)
Three spiritual meals full of blessings
"Reading the Bible, praying, and experiencing God" is the iron triangle of Christian faith life. Through reading the Bible, we can absorb God’s words and become a lamp to our feet and a light on the road in our lives; through prayer, we can open our mouths to God, give thanks, praise, and pray for God’s will to be fulfilled; and to experience God, we need to There is a sanctified "spiritual life" and "spiritual reading" to practice every day. Among them, spiritual reading is an excellent way to experience God. Through various spiritual books, we can soar in the blue sky of faith of pastors and believers throughout the ages.
The famous evangelist Pastor Wang Zai once left a famous saying: "If you don't read the Bible, don't eat breakfast." This is indeed a good example of spiritual life. In order to cope with the busy life of modern people, I would like to use "three spiritual meals, Full of blessings" to share with readers:
1. Spiritual breakfast:
At the beginning of the day, go to God to "eat" spiritual food, and then have breakfast. If you are worried about forgetting, put a copy of "Spiritual Bread" and "Daily Arise" on the dining table, and you will see immediate results!
2. Spiritual Afternoon Tea:
After a day's work, the body and mind will inevitably be tired; if you can use the afternoon tea time, read some inspiring spiritual stories, such as "Life's Tonic", "Eight Sided Garden Vegetables", "Song of the Heart Garden", "Shadow of the Heart in the Morning", " With you all the way" and other inspirational and warm sketches, the soul can be nourished and inspired, and then start again, which can be said to be stronger than ever!
3. Spiritual midnight snack:
This is precious "family reading time". With a short thirty-minute "spiritual snack", you can have wonderful interactions with your spouse, parents and children, and enjoy spiritual sharing time. Recommendations for such books include: "For the Love of God" for individuals; "25 Questions of God" for couples; and "Victory Everyday" for parents; or a Bible outline devotional manual and the Daily Bread series of prayer-reading books published by Taipei Spiritual Bread Church. etc., combined with reading the Bible and praying, you will fall asleep full of joy.
Shu Shu Blessing Movement (2)
Three Spiritual Practices Gain Good Companions on the Pilgrimage
Psalm 1 is a catchy verse for many Christians, and it is also a good guideline for Christians to conduct themselves in the world. Especially verse 2: “Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night!” It is full of promised blessings. But how do we love His laws in our busy work and life? How to think day and night? I would like to share with you the "Three Gains of Spiritual Practice":
1.Music devotional
Not limited by time and space, you can use your music portable bag (MP3 player + spiritual music) to get closer to the Lord anytime and anywhere, just like listening to music with headphones on a plane. You can get closer to God through spiritual music. You can pray and meditate on God's words while listening, communicate with God, and ask God to guide your daily life. Times of use include: taking the MRT, taking the bus, in the office, at home, and is more suitable for long-distance travel.
2. Booklet of devotionals
Choose a booklet or pocket book about life edification every week or every month, and plan to use spiritual reading to nourish spiritual growth, and then share the harvest of your study with others; I particularly recommend the booklet "Exploration Series" published by Truth Culture.
3.Notes on spiritual practice
Believers are encouraged to bring a "Spiritual Notes" with them to take notes when attending various gatherings such as conferences, seminars, and Sunday services. Help yourself to listen attentively to the teachings of God’s servants, and write down your feelings and insights; encourage yourself to set your mind and implement it in your life, and then expand to develop the habit of recording key points and thoughts when reading. Such as: "Only Love You", "Only Jesus" private session spiritual diary.
Shu Shu Blessing Movement (3)
Choose good books, read good books, and study hard
How far and wide a person's vision can be depends on how high his tower is, and reading is the best way to help us reach the next level.
Once I attended the Golden Book Award Ceremony held by the Small and Medium Enterprises Division of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and saw that the award was in the shape of a little giant standing on the earth and looking forward; not only did I interpret the famous saying "Reading is looking forward on the shoulders of giants" The revitalized presentation further expresses the international perspective of standing on the earth, expressing that reading in the 21st century is not only innovative learning, but also lifelong learning.
Only by knowing how to choose good books, read good books, and read well can we be able to meet the ever-changing needs and challenges in the era of information explosion.
1. How to choose a good book?
From the title, back cover introduction, preface, preface, table of contents, index, etc., you can understand whether the connotation of a book is what you need? Then read a chapter to see if the actual content is meaningful and helpful, and then decide whether to buy the book.
2. How to read good books?
A good book can be read in three steps: browse easily the first time and enjoy absorbing new knowledge. Read it carefully for the second time, make key points, copy down good words and sentences, and remember the joy of learning. Study, think and take notes for the third time to express your thoughts and apply them in your work and life.
3. How to study while living?
Setting reading goals and reading different types of books can help us improve the breadth and depth of reading, for example: reading character - such as "Truth, Goodness and Beauty Character Textbook", "Daddy's Advice"; reading concepts - such as "Sharing Good Things", "The Second Half of Life"; read and apply - such as "How to Pray for Your Children", "Gospel Attack"; read examples - such as "The Biography of Lincoln", "The Secret of the Power of Spiritual Great Men", etc.
▲The husband-and-wife team of Ding Yuanping and Wang Rongdi (second from left) of Tianen Publishing House walk hand in hand on the road of writing. They often see their children helping at book fairs at various conferences.
Shu Shu Blessing Movement (4)
Use "Reading Club" to activate groups
Having devoted myself to literature ministry for thirty years, I have discovered that literature ministry is inseparable from three main missions: mission, equipment, and pastoral care. God has led differently in the past few years, starting with missions and then equipping. Looking at today, it seems that “pastoral” has become an area that literary ministry must focus on.
In addition, in recent years, the concept of small group churches has been gradually developed in various places. In today's society where interpersonal relationships are becoming increasingly weak, believers can receive supplies from small groups, which is indeed a great grace and blessing from God. But where should the focus of party sharing be?
"Reading Club" is a good recipe - not only can everyone participate, but also everyone can "give" something. If it can be persevered, it can not only bring out the joy of reading, but also achieve: 1. Expand horizons 2. Building consensus 3. Deepening relationships and other three effects. As for using "reading clubs" to activate groups, it is recommended to adopt a three-month approach:
1. Book sharing session (first month):
Invite everyone to share and bring a book they read that month and exchange readings after the meeting. In other words, if many people help you read, you can enjoy the fragrance of many books at once.
2. Information charging meeting (second month):
Participants introduced the latest information from the journals they read that month, such as: "World", "Reader's Digest", "Campus", "Kingdom", "Cosmic Light", "God's Kingdom", etc.; they also brought journals with them after the meeting. Exchange reading.
3. Target reading club (third month):
Churches, fellowships or small groups can select books related to their quarterly goals as needed. Each person can order one book, read one or two chapters, and share the topic in the book club of the month.
▲Before the deadline for this issue of the magazine, Tianen held the first Book Sharing Festival to get more contact with serving pastors and readers. The picture shows all the co-workers, front row from left: President’s wife Wang Rongdi, President Ding Yuanping, third The first one from the right is Weng Jingyu, the editor-in-chief of this journal.
Shushu Blessing Movement (5)
Scholarly gifts, spiritual care
Reading good books is like making friends. It not only enriches knowledge in terms of knowledge, but also enriches connotation in terms of character. Share and recommend the good books you have read to your friends, and then buy a good book as a gift for your good friends. , will surely enhance the precious scholarly friendship.
1. Personal delivery of books:In celebrations of weddings and funerals, letters are given as gifts to relatives and friends.
2. The church delivers books:Use books as an auxiliary tool for pastoral care.
3. Send books with gratitude:Dedicate good books as an act of thanksgiving to God.
Question: What other actions can churches that are determined to carry out literal pastoral care take?
Colossians 1:28-29 says: “We preach Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. For this I also Work hard and do my best according to the power He exercises within me." Literary service is a long-term, profound and extensive work, and literal shepherding is the foundation for the growth of the church. The church can─
1. Establish a reading room
Collect 100 good Christian books and display them on open shelves in 10 categories. The basic equipment is 5 bookcases and 25 acrylic display racks. It can also be simplified to 2 bookcases, 10 categories of displays and flat display of key books.
If a display rack for new magazines and newspapers can be added, new magazines and newspapers subscribed to, or promotional publications of various gospel organizations can be displayed regularly. The main purpose is to promote the reading habit of "reading is life" and to select suitable books and periodicals for members; to make the church a life information supply station where believers and community members want to go.
2. Establishing gospel supply stations
Encourage members to invest in gospel preparatory work, purchase gospel booklets, audio-visual products and give them to the seekers who claim them; through gospel literature, people can go from being exposed to the gospel → thirsting for the truth → deciding to be baptized → making disciples in a step-by-step and planned way Launch the evangelistic action of "leading people to the Lord".
If there is a budget for evangelical ministry, the church can choose and donate freely and members can use it. The funds can be earmarked to promote evangelical actions where someone contributes money and others contribute.
3. Encourage reading culture
We hope that the church will become a scholarly church, the family will become a scholarly family, the group will become a scholarly group, and the office will become a scholarly sharing station. Let’s read good books together, and then buy good books to share the excitement of reading with others, and experience spiritual growth together.
To reward children's Sunday schools, youth fellowships, as well as adult Sunday schools, social youth fellowships, and couples' fellowships, it is recommended to choose good books as gifts - those who choose carefully will benefit from the readers.
Question: How should believers incorporate "spiritual practice" and "spiritual reading" into their "life planning"?
Philippians Chapter 2 Verse 13: “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” The aroma of books is recharged and full of motivation. Take a group of ten people as an example: resolve to read 12 books a year. , plus the 108 (9×12) books shared by others every month, you will experience the double nutrition of "book blessings" of 120 books a year!
1. Daily spiritual practice:Divide each day into three sections, read spiritual books and get closer to the Lord
★Pocket charging: spiritual daily bread, desert spring.
★Fixed charging: rise every day and win every day.
★Story charging: 101 life stories, life soup series.
2. Reading every week:Read a good book every month and finish it within four weeks
★Prayer book: personal, action, and battle.
★Life books: Parenting, marriage, and health.
★Professional books: information, expertise, innovation.
3. Sharing every month:Read and write notes, grow up without leaving any blank space
★Share with family members: Promote spiritual communication among family members.
★Share with colleagues: Motivate each other effectively in the workplace.
★Share with the group: Enhance mutual friendship among the group.
Question: Regarding the eight plans of the "Book Blessing Movement", how should the church adopt them to achieve effective implementation?
The Know-How of these eight plans has been put in the soul sharing area of Tian'en website www.graceph.com in response to the needs of many churches or individuals. Pastors and co-workers of each church can choose the appropriate plan to promote according to the current situation of the members. For example: choose a theme every year, or promote a theme every quarter or every six months. The most important thing is to persevere and bring about the trend of "three spiritual meals" or "three spiritual gains", and then grow into "daily spiritual practice" , enjoy the bookish culture of reading. Here are two examples: Pastor Liu Jiantai of Taipei Fuxing Church invited me to share a book on the theme of blessing at the beginning of each year. He actively promoted "three spiritual meals" and "buy good books, read good books, and give good books" that year. Among other projects, the idea of "Giving Books with Gratitude" was the testimony of a sister from Fuxing Church who gave "How to Pray for Children" with a grateful heart. Pastor Zheng Huiguang of the Full Gospel Church in Johor Bahru, West Malaysia, was invited to share the "Reading Ladder" lecture in March this year, and immediately used the "Innovative Reading Club" program as a text pastoral helper:
★Each family is encouraged to buy two prayer books, "Prayer for Children's Spiritual Character" and "Prayer for Parents' Abundant Life", as shared readings for the weekly family altar.
★Purchase 150 copies of "The Ministry of Barnabas" for the group leaders as a ministry equipment book for visiting care.
★In conjunction with the Sunday preaching of the "Ten Commandments" message, we recommend Pastor Rommel's "Total Depend on the Lord—The Essence of God's Thoughts" as an extended reading book for believers.
The plan of the "Book Blessing Movement" is derived from the vision of "revival of writing work, and the inevitable revival of the church" before the Lord. Churches and believers are welcome to use it according to different needs. It can be downloaded from the Internet and published in the weekly newspaper Print or forward to brothers and sisters in Christ who love spiritual practice and spiritual reading.
Sincere blessings to all readers──
Books bring blessings to God’s family, and heaven’s grace rains down to moisten people’s hearts!
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A brief history of Tian'en Publishing House
1. Vision: Serving with words, inheriting the Lord’s way, and preaching salvation
2. Mission: Serve the church, edify believers, and preach the gospel
3. Establishment: *Tianlu Art Design Agency in September 1983
＊Tianen Publishing House, April 1985
*Tianlu Planning Co., Ltd. December 2003
4. Foundation: “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; where does my help come from—my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1, 2).
5. Concept: divine management, professional equipment, team commitment
【Ministry Works】
Over the past 23 years, God has led Tianlu and Tianen’s literary ministry to make progress every year, taking “co-worker mentality, inheritance of experience, and effective literature and publicity planning” as the ministry benchmark; there are three aspects to the breadth and depth of the operation: aspect-
1. Journal editing plan:
Make editorial plans for journals and annuals based on the characteristics and readership of churches and institutions, such as themes, columns, sharing, new knowledge, testimonies, major events, etc.
2. Book production planning:
For the written works of churches, institutions or individuals, we provide comprehensive professional publishing and production plans such as planning, editing, translation, copywriting, polishing, proofreading, marketing, packaging, and agency.
． Organization Series: North American Love Renewal Society, Chinese Christian Training Center, Lite-On Cultural and Educational Foundation, Life Publishing House, Ezra Ministry Center, Global Leadership Network, Messenger Association, Urim Publishing House, CBMC, Haggai Training Institute wait.
． Author series: Lin Zengxiufen, Zhang Lude, Wu Xianzhang, Shao Zunlan, Ma Youzao, Aofu. Ekman, Rommel, Saduk. Sun Dasuo, Mai Haishi, Shi Shengjie, etc.
3. Publicity plan for the special conference:
For various conferences, use different communication media (newspapers, radio, television, etc.) to write announcements, publicity, incentives, and momentum, and coordinate with prayers and mobilization for point-and-line promotion.
Participated in: Bao Le Evangelistic Conference, Sun Dacheng Evangelistic Conference, Tang Chongrong Evangelistic Conference, Zhao Yongji Evangelistic Conference, Armageddon Revival Conference, Impact City Revival Conference, Gospel Attack and Education Conference, God’s Night Shift and God’s Mind Education Conference, Yao True Love Concert, Kingdom Leaders Revival Conference, Workplace and Service Anointing Conference, etc.