How do we live in unity with one another in Christ when we hold different views on sensitive matters?
This is the focus of today’s 12:15 pm information session on male-only eldership. We will briefly explain the issue and consider how we may continue to support one another in Christ. Everyone is welcome to attend, listen and ask questions.
At the General Assembly in July this year, the overture was supported by 136 votes to 61. The overture is now being considered by each presbytery. If a majority of presbyteries support it, next year’s Assembly may make it church law.
Records from the 2025 General Assembly show that there were 544 male elders and 68 female elders in NSW and the ACT, meaning that women made up just over 10 per cent of all elders. If the overture becomes church law, existing female elders will remain elders, but women could no longer be ordained as elders.
This matter has been debated for many years and has involved deep convictions on both sides. I witnessed moments of frustration and vigorous debate at the General Assemblies, as well as the hurt and struggle experienced by individuals. For some, this debate has contributed to the difficult decision to join another denomination in order to pursue what they understand to be their God-given calling. These experiences remind us that decisions on matters of faith and church practice affect real people and must be approached with humility and care.
At the same time, I remember sincere apologies from those who recognised that care had sometimes been lacking in the debate, including in attitudes expressed towards women. Personally, this has tested my faith and made me wrestle with whether I can continue to love God, his church and my fellow believers even when we understand these matters differently.
We are one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). Yet our differences remain and may cause hurt. Lord, have mercy on us; forgive us where we have hurt one another, and help us to respond with humility and care.
Let us continue praying for and supporting one another, especially women and others who may feel discouraged or disconnected through this process. Please also pray that sisters at CPC and across our denomination will have meaningful opportunities to serve according to the gifts God has given them.
我們如何在基督裡彼此持守合一，即使我們對一些敏感議題持有不同的看法？
這正是今天下午12:15的「只限男性擔任長老」（Male-only Eldership）資訊分享會的主題。我們將簡略介紹這個議題，並一同思考如何在基督裡繼續彼此支持。歡迎所有人出席、聆聽及提問。
在今年七月舉行的總議會（General Assembly）上，這項動議獲得136票贊成、61票反對。目前，這項動議正交由各區會（Presbytery）審議。若獲得大多數區會支持，明年的總議會便可能通過此動議，使之成為教會法規。
根據2025年總議會的紀錄，新南威爾斯州及澳洲首都領地共有544位男性長老及68位女性長老，女性只佔全體長老略多於百分之十。若這項動議成為教會法規，現任女性長老將繼續留任，但女性將不再獲准按立為長老。
這個議題多年來一直備受討論，雙方都有非常堅定的信念。我曾親身見證在歷屆總議會中出現的挫折時刻和激烈辯論，也看到一些人因此所經歷的傷痛與掙扎。對某些人而言，這場爭論更促使他們作出艱難的決定，轉往另一個宗派，以追求他們所理解、由神賦予的呼召。這些經歷提醒我們，信仰及教會實踐方面的決定，會影響真實的人，因此我們必須以謙卑和關懷的態度來面對。
與此同時，我也記得一些人真誠地作出道歉，承認在這場討論中，有時未能充分顧及別人的感受，包括在對待女性的態度上。就我個人而言，這件事也考驗了我的信仰，令我不斷反思：即使我們對這些議題有不同的理解，我是否仍能繼續愛神、愛祂的教會，以及愛我的弟兄姊妹？
我們在基督耶穌裡合而為一（加拉太書3:28）。然而，我們之間的分歧依然存在，並且可能帶來傷害。主啊，求祢憐憫我們；求祢赦免我們彼此傷害的地方，並幫助我們以謙卑和關懷的態度彼此相待。
讓我們繼續為彼此禱告，並互相扶持，尤其是那些在這個過程中可能感到灰心或疏離的姊妹及其他肢體。也請為CPC及整個宗派的姊妹們禱告，求神讓她們能夠有真正有意義的服事機會，按著神所賜予她們的恩賜事奉祂。
