Time flies. I have been part of the CPC family for almost five months now. I am very grateful for the care, encouragement, and prayers from brothers and sisters, church leaders, elders, and other pastors over these past few months, which have helped me gradually integrate into this community.
I still remember the first time I preached, a sister’s words encouraged me to boldly step onto the high pulpit. Another time, I found that I had forgotten to bring the remote control for the slides while I was singing praise on the pulpit. As I was heading from the pulpit to the control panel, a brother caught me and prayed for my sermon.
In the blink of an eye, I have preached more times this year than the total number of times I preached during internships at various congregations over the past three years. Today marks my seventh time standing on the pulpit in the church's auditorium, continuing to proclaim God's word with fear and trembling.
The Apostle Paul exhorted and encouraged his spiritual son Timothy in this way:
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
Have I correctly handled the word of truth? Have I done my best? Can I be unashamed? I have much room for improvement. I welcome everyone's feedback so that I can improve.
Apart from serving on the pulpit, as a youth pastor, I need to invest time and effort in shepherding young people, whether they are Cantonese-speaking high school students, university students, or working youths within the church, or Cantonese-speaking university students on campuses. Thank God, after more than four months of getting along, I have started to become familiar with the youth in the church fellowship and understand more about their lives and spiritual conditions. On the campus side, thank God, after a semester, I have established relationships with the Cantonese-speaking university students, volunteers, and co-workers in three university fellowships.
The Apostle Peter exhorted church leaders in this way:
"Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:2-3
Have I shepherded these youths well? Have I cared for them according to God's will? Am I willing and eager? Have I been setting a good example to them? Just like preaching, I still need much improvement.
Finally, I want to once again thank God for His care and protection, and also thank everyone for your care, encouragement, and prayers. May we work together to build a Christian community with Christ as the head.
時間過得很快，我在雪梨華人長老會這個大家庭差不多五個月了。很感謝弟兄姊妹、信徒領袖、長老和其他牧者這幾個月的關心、鼓勵、代求，使我漸漸融入這個群體。
還記得第一次崇拜講道前，一位姊妹給我的鼓勵，讓我放膽踏上高高的講台。又有一次講道，在唱詩時我才發現我忘了拿投影片的遙控器上講台，我就在講台前往控制台的路上，被一位弟兄抓着，他為我講道祈禱。
轉眼間，今年我講道的次數，已經多於過往三年在不同堂會實習時的總數。今日我第七次站在教會大禮堂的講台上，繼續戰戰兢兢宣講神的說話。
使徒保羅這樣勸勉、鼓勵他屬靈的兒子提摩太：你當竭力在神面前得蒙喜悅，作無愧的工人，按着正意分解真理的道。提摩太後書 2:15
我有正確地講解真理的道嗎？我有竭力嗎？我可以無愧嗎？我實在有很大的進步空間，歡迎大家給我意見，讓我可以改進。
除了講台上的事奉，作為青少年牧者，就是要投放時間和心力，去牧養青少年人，不論是教會中說粵語的中學生、大學生和在職青年，還是在校園中說粵語的大學生。感謝神，經過四個多月的相處，開始跟教會團契中的青少年人熟落，亦多了解了他們的生活和屬靈狀況。而校園方面，感謝神，經過了一個學期，總算跟在三間大學團契中說粵語的大學生、義工和同工們建立了關係。
使徒彼得這樣勸勉作教會領袖的：
務要牧養在你們中間神的羣羊，按着神旨意照管他們；不是出於勉強，乃是出於甘心；也不是因為貪財，乃是出於樂意；也不是轄制所託付你們的，乃是作羣羊的榜樣。
彼得前書 5:2-3
我有好好牧養這些青少年人嗎？有按照神的旨意看顧他們嗎？甘心樂意嗎？有做他們的榜樣嗎？就像講道一樣，我還需要很大的進步!
最後，想再一次感謝神的看顧及保守，亦感謝大家的關心、鼓勵、代禱，願我們一起努力，去建立一個以基督為首的信徒群體。
