So Much Change and Yet No Change│Zone Elder Dylan Olding

The 90th anniversary of the Tainan Holiness Church, marks a moment in time where we can look back and reflect. There’s been so much change in the last 90 years, different buildings, different technology, and different people serving. But there’s been no change in the mission of the church. In Matthew 28: 19 - 20 it says “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV) 

台南聖教會90週年紀念,我們回首過往,在過去九十年間發生了許多變化,不同的教堂,不同的科技,不同的服事者。沒有改變的是教會的使命。馬太福音28:19-20說:「所以你們要去,使萬民做我的門徒,奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗,凡我所吩咐你們的,都教訓他們遵守。我就常與你們同在,直到世界的末了。」

What a testament to God’s faithfulness that this mission still continues today. So many organizations start with a vision and a mission but somewhere along the way they lose sight of what they were doing and why they were doing it. They eventually close down. Many churches close down too for the same reason. Many stop doing the great commission and become social clubs catering for those who want to remain comfortable and undisturbed. Praise God that this is not true of this church. After 90 years of ups and downs, the world changing so much, and the church itself undergoing changes here and there, one thing remains the same, faithfulness to what God wants and to his commission.  

這個大使命至今仍舊持續,見證神的信實!許多團體一開始有著異象和使命,但過程中他們失焦,忘記他們的使命和初衷,以致於最後關閉。很多教會也因為相同的原因關閉。有很多教會沒有執行大使命,反而變成社團,迎合那些只想停留在舒適圈,不想被打擾的人。讚美神,這間教會不是這樣。九十年的起起落落,物換星移,人事變化,教會本身在不同層面也經歷改變,但有一件事沒有改變,就是對神的心意和託付仍舊忠誠。

When I first began attending this church I was struck by the love that greeted me. Here was a place where God’s love for all was real. After all these years this church hasn’t forgotten that God loves people. He is passionate about people knowing him and worshipping him for who he really he is. As we reflect back, it’s also an opportunity to look forward, and have hope and confidence, what is God going to do in the next 90 years and how can we join him? 

當我剛來這間教會的時候,熱情的愛打動了我。在這裡,神的愛是真真實實的。這些年來,教會沒有忘記神愛世人。祂熱切地要人來認識祂和敬拜祂。當我們回顧過去,同時也是展望未來的機會。充滿信心和希望,在未來九十年,神會做什麼事呢?我們又該如何參與其中呢?

◤ Zone Elder Dylan Olding ◢
第一軍團│English Zone


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