As August draws to a close, Sydney's cold and humid winter is finally coming to an end, and the vibrant spring is just around the corner. CPC in September seems particularly busy, with the return of the church fete, the Cantonese congregation's participation in the Sydney Music Evangelistic Rally, and the Mandarin congregation hosting its own musical drama gospel event. These activities and ministries have provided many opportunities for church brothers and sisters to serve together.
September is our missions month, and some missionaries will be joining the worship services of our various congregations to preach and share, bearing witness to how God's Great Commission continues to advance.
The goal of discipleship training is not limited to the personal growth of every Christian. As Christians we are constantly seeking a life of spiritual maturity and holiness and indeed this is the direction we should be pursuing. However, if we only focus on becoming a better person, we may miss God’s will and his plan in our lives. The mission entrusted by God to the church is to be a witness for the Lord and to make all people Jesus’ disciples. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the church’s discipleship training is to equip every Christian to proclaim and bear witness to our Lord in the world. No other group can fulfill this role — it is the unique mission of the Church and its members.
Thanks be to God, the Holy Spirit did not stop working in CPC. He stirred the hearts of our church brothers and sisters to seek to do their part in serving God and to devote their time and energy to plan and prepare for church activities. We are not perfect—perhaps lacking in experience or limited in energy. Those involved in organising events know well that we cannot be certain how many people will attend or what impact the events will have. However what is important is not the result, because the result is under the control of God. God values people's hearts. If we serve in order to please God then this simple desire to serve God and serve people will be duly commemorated and rewarded by God. In the process of serving we are given the opportunity to experience God. Whether it is through persistent intercession for ministry, participation in outreach events, or having the courage to invite new friends to church events or activities, every attempt and effort becomes an opportunity for us to encounter God's presence and power.
May the arrival of spring be accompanied by the bloom of fragrant spring flowers, the singing of birds and all of Nature’s vibrancy, but also a church full of life and vitality. May all of us in the church be spiritually awakened—eager and united in responding to the call of God's glorious gospel.
伴隨著8月即將結束，悉尼今年令人覺得寒冷潮濕的冬天終於也接近尾聲，充滿活力的春天即將來臨。 9月的CPC似乎也特別忙碌，有教會賣物會的回歸，粵語堂參與的悉尼音樂佈道會，國語堂自己舉辦的音樂戲劇福音聚會等等，這些活動和事工，為弟兄姐妹們提供了許多參與服事的機會。 9月是我們的宣教月，有些宣教士也將來到我們各堂會的敬拜中，透過證道和分享，見證神的大使命如何持續地進展。
門徒訓練的目標不僅限於每個基督徒的個人成長。生命更加成熟，生活更加聖潔，的確是我們追求的方向，然而，如果僅僅關注於成為更好的人， 很容易錯失神對我們的旨意。神託付教會的使命是為主作見證，使萬民作主的門徒。因此，教會門徒訓練的最終目標，是使得我們每個基督徒有能力可以在世界上宣揚和見證我們的主，沒有任何一個別的團體能夠做這樣的事，這是教會和教會成員的獨特使命。
感謝神，聖靈沒有停止在CPC的工作，祂激動一部分弟兄姊妹的心，渴望為神作些什麼，並且興起弟兄姊妹，實際地付上時間和精力，籌劃和預備這一切的活動。我們並非完美，或許經驗不足，精力有限，籌備活動的人心裡清楚，會有多少人來參加活動，產生多少效果，我們都無從確定。但重要的不是結果，因為結果是在神的掌管之中，我們所做的是為了求神的喜悅，神看重人心，我們內心有多麼單純地渴望服事神，服事人，神就會紀念和獎賞。在這些服事的過程中，也是我們經歷神的機會，無論是為事工持續不斷地代禱，還是親身參加外展活動，或者鼓起勇氣邀請新朋友，每一個嘗試和努力，都是我們經歷神的同在和大能的機會。
願伴隨春天到來的，不只是春暖花開，鳥語花香，充滿活力的大自然，也是一個活力滿滿的教會，願教會中的我們都靈裡被興起，熱切而同心地回應神榮耀福音的呼召
