Sister Zhou, a member of an urban church in Southern China, majored in English during college. To deepen her studies and broaden her understanding, she began reading the Bible.
She shared, "'Love never fails' deeply moved me. As a left-behind child, I never experienced the love of my family, let alone comprehended the boundless love that transcends blood relations."
Later, through her life in fellowship, Sister Zhou gradually moved beyond the Scriptures and entered into a genuine relationship of love. In time, the word "mission" also took root in her heart through the well-known hymn "China's Mission."
Starting with her own household, she extended care to many individuals and families. Reflecting on her pastoral journey, Sister Zhou highlighted "Four Requirements."
To be a good shepherd, the foremost task is to "feed," which is to nourish souls with patience, faith, and love. The content of this feeding is the Word of God.
Sister Zhou remarked, "A good instructor must be thoroughly familiar with the Bible. This familiarity goes beyond the surface of the words, which means being able to clearly comprehend and articulate the meaning of Scripture." She emphasized that a teacher must have a deep understanding of both the Old and New Testaments. In teaching, the Scriptures should be woven together, interconnected, and interspersed so that God's Word forms a beautiful string of pearls.
In addition, "Instructors must have direct interaction with the Holy Spirit, be sensitive to its work, rely on the Spirit, and teach under its guidance," Zhou emphasized.
Addressing the needs of church transformation, she noted, "It would be even more beneficial if instructors possessed some social experience and professional knowledge, as most people seeking help are facing real-life challenges such as workplace stress, marital issues, family matters, and interpersonal conflicts."
As a pastor, the priority is not to resolve one crisis after another but to adopt a people-centered approach, nurturing both the lives and spiritual growth of believers.
"To be a teacher, one's own life must first be transformed," Zhou stated. "It is not necessary to excel in teaching, encouragement, or comfort, but it is essential to have a genuine experience of life transformation."
In addition to managing housework, Zhou also cares for her two young children. As a result, she often schedules important conversations after putting the children down for a nap, allowing her to concentrate fully. Beyond dedicated tutoring sessions, she is particularly adept at identifying others' needs and struggles during casual conversations.
In counseling, Zhou excels at listening and asking insightful questions. She uses questions to prompt reflection, uncover areas of confusion, and gently guide individuals back to biblical passages or stories, interpreting them through the lens of biblical truth. By the end of most sessions, those she counsels often find their inner burdens lifted and their problems resolved.
She added, "My coaching skills have been developed gradually, like learning to hit a target. I started off missing the mark, then moved closer to the center, and now I'm able to approach with speed, precision, and effectiveness."
Originally published by the Christian Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Poppy Chan
