In recent years, the General Assembly of NSW/ACT has been considering questions about male eldership within our church. For those who would like to learn more about its background, a helpful English podcast is available here: https://www.pcnswwomen.org.au/podcast.
From the most recent Assembly, we learnt that there are currently 544 male elders and 68 female elders in NSW/ACT—so more than 10% of elders are women.
In response to the discussion, a group of female elders and friends have been meeting regularly online to share and to pray. These gatherings have become a space not only to bring the matter before God, but also to exchange stories of ministry opportunities and challenges in our churches. It has been eye-opening to hear how women are serving faithfully—some in small country congregations with limited resources, others in busy city churches with extensive responsibilities. Each sharing reveals God’s grace at work in unique and powerful ways.
Scripture reminds us that “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). Both men and women are called and gifted by God to build up the body of Christ. Throughout the Bible, we see this pattern: Deborah leading Israel with wisdom, Priscilla teaching with clarity, Phoebe serving with dedication. Today, we continue in that same story, as together we serve under Christ, who is the Head of the church.
As a woman serving at CPC, I am deeply thankful for the privilege of preaching, teaching, and leading. At times it can feel isolating, since the number of women in senior leadership remains relatively small. Yet God has graciously provided sisters with whom I can share, seek advice, and pray. What began as a challenging debate has, by God’s providence, opened doors for new friendships and deeper fellowship.
I encourage you to keep praying for and supporting one another—especially women and those who long for connection—so that together we may continue to grow in Christ, building one another up and serving Him with joy and faithfulness. Please also pray for adequate opportunities for sisters at CPC and across our denomination to serve according to the gifts God has given them. May the Lord, in His wisdom, reveal His will on this sensitive issue, and may we wait on Him with faith and humility.
近年來，新州與首都領地（NSW/ACT）長老會總議會，一直在探討有關男性長老的議題。若你有興趣進一步了解它的背景，可以收聽這個英語播客：https://www.pcnswwomen.org.au/podcast。
在最近的一次議會中，我們得知目前在 NSW/ACT 有 544 位男長老，以及 68 位女長老──也就是說，現任長老中超過一成是女性。
因應這些討論，一群女性長老和姊妹們定期在網上聚會，彼此分享並同心祈禱。這些聚會不單是把事情帶到神面前，更成為彼此交流事奉經驗與挑戰的空間。聽見眾多姊妹在不同崗位上忠心服事，實在令人眼界大開──有些在偏遠鄉鎮的小教會中默默守望，有些在繁忙城市的大教會中肩負多重責任。每一個分享都彰顯了神獨特而奇妙的恩典。
聖經提醒我們：「聖靈顯在各人身上，是叫人得益處。」（林前 12:7）神賜下屬靈的恩賜，無論男女，都是為了建立基督的身體。在聖經的歷史中，我們看見這樣的例子：底波拉以智慧帶領以色列，百基拉清楚地教導真理，非比以忠心服事教會。今天，我們延續這個故事，在基督──教會的元首之下，同心事奉祂。
作為一位在CPC事奉的姊妹，我非常感恩能有機會講道、教導與領導。雖然有時候會感到孤單，因為在較高層的領袖中女性人數仍然不多。但神卻賜下同路的姊妹，讓我能夠分享心聲、尋求意見、彼此代禱。原本是一個具爭議的議題，卻因著神的供應，成為建立新友誼和更深團契的契機。也請大家為CPC以及宗派中的眾姊妹禱告，求主為她們開拓合適的事奉機會，能照着神所賜的恩賜來建立教會。願主在祂的智慧中，向我們顯明祂在這敏感議題上的心意，並讓我們存着信心與謙卑等候祂。
