On July 23, 2023, in the presence of God, I entered into a covenant relationship with グレーストロント日本語教会 (Grace Toronto Japanese Church). I don’t have words that can describe the ruthless grace God pours upon me, a hideous wicked sinner; he judged me faithful and has appointed me to his service (1 Tim 1:12). So, when the installation commission from the Eastern Canada Presbytery asked the following questions, I gave my serious and solemn answers before God who had called me into his service.
Questions to John Lee
ジョン・リー兄弟への質問
1. Are you now willing to take charge of this congregation as their pastor, agreeable to your declaration in accepting its call?
あなたは今、この招聘を受け入れるとの自身の表明に同意して、この会衆の牧師としての務めを負うことを望みますか。
Yes, I am.
はい、望みます。
2. Do you conscientiously believe and declare, as far as you know your own heart, that, in taking upon you this charge, you are influenced by a sincere desire to promote the glory of God and the good of the Church?
あなたは、この務めを果たすにあたり、自分の心を動かしているのは、神の栄光と教会の益を促進させる誠実な望みだけであると、その良心に従って信じ宣言しますか。
Yes, I do.
はい、宣言します。
3. Do you solemnly promise that, by the assistance of the grace of God, you will endeavor faithfully to discharge all the duties of a pastor to this congregation, and will be careful to maintain a deportment in all respects becoming a minister of the Gospel of Christ, agreeable to your ordination engagements?
あなたは、神の恵みの助けを受け、按手の誓約に基づき、この会衆の牧師としての務めをすべて忠実に果たすことに努め、キリストの福音に仕える者にふさわしく、すべての点において、一挙手一投足にも注意を払うことを、固く約束しますか。
Yes, I do.
はい、約束します。
Two months have already passed since my installation service. The last couple of months felt like two seconds. If I repeat this “two-second” period six times, then it means I have spent one year; a year will feel like twelve seconds. When I’ll have repeated this “twelve-second” period–Lord willing–twenty or thirty times, I’ll be very old and probably be gone from this world. Time is fleeting. Life is cruelly short. I will serve the LORD my God.
