Always Forward 總是向前 a new beginning in September 九月的新出發點
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groh....@gmail.com
Sep 5, 2020, 4:48:35 PM9/5/20
to Growing through TPCSTL
It's been a long time that our lives have many points for starting a new year. 我們的生活裡面有許多「新年的起點」已經有許多年了。
Other than the calendar years in two calendar systems, we have school year, fiscal year, tax year, mortgage year, age year, ... etc., with different beginning points. 除了有兩個年曆之外，我們還有學年、財報年、稅年、償貸年、齡年，等等，各有不同的年度始點。
No matter what we are counting and planning for, we move forward and add one or subtract one always. 不論是在計算什麼或是計畫社麼，我們總是向前移動，加一或減一。
How do we know if we are moving forward or not when it comes to the issues of our spiritual life, belief, or theological knowledge? 可是，談到我們的靈性生或、信仰、或神學知識時，怎麼知道我們有沒有繼續向前行呢？
Many religions actually are disciplinary and demand that the followers stay at the same place with the rigid rituals and follow the given religion leaders only and always. 許多宗教其實是講究紀律，要求信徒嚴守儀式紀律在原地踏步，而且總是只有跟隨指定的宗教領袖。Do we all know how to command in English for stepping without changing position nor direction? 我們都知道用英語怎麼喊出「原地踏步」而不改變位置跟方向的口令嗎？
Have we observed the forward changing in the rituals and other aspects of our church lives here st TPCSTL? 我們有沒有看出在新路意（聖路易）台灣人長老教會我們如何在禮儀跟其他方面持續向前走、改變的現象呢？
Presbyterianism includes this important factor of "keep forming" and "always forward" 長老教會主義包含這樣的「持續改革」與「持續向前」的重要要素。
We have a session that explores and find the resolutions for the needs/timing/methods/rules to change and for the changes. 我們以個小會定期開會在為了改變的「需求、時機、方法、規範」而商討、決策。
In almost every national conference of the denomination of PC(USA), there are always issues about changing the bylaw. 在每一屆的全美長老教會總會會議中總是會出現一些有關修改章程的議題或議案。
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How do we keep changing forward as a Christian and church participants? 做為基督徒跟參加教會生活的人，我們如何保持「繼續向前」的精神與步調呢？
Listening to and studying the sermons is one thing we all know. Participating in Sunday School and fellowship gathering is another well-known method. Dining and chatting with others at the church and other church-sponsored events are also common-practiced. 聽講道、研讀講道是我們都知道的事情。參加主日學和團契聚會是另一項眾所皆知的方法。在教會李的活動中以及其他教會相關的活動中與他人一起飲食聊天也是通常在實行的。
What we might have overlooked include listening without cutting-offing others' speeches, especially those not in the list of our interests or concerns.我們可能忽略的是情包括認真聽而不打聽別人講話，尤其是那些聽起來沒有趣味或不盡瞭解的述說，
Other than the calendar years in two calendar systems, we have school year, fiscal year, tax year, mortgage year, age year, ... etc., with different beginning points. 除了有兩個年曆之外，我們還有學年、財報年、稅年、償貸年、齡年，等等，各有不同的年度始點。
No matter what we are counting and planning for, we move forward and add one or subtract one always. 不論是在計算什麼或是計畫社麼，我們總是向前移動，加一或減一。
How do we know if we are moving forward or not when it comes to the issues of our spiritual life, belief, or theological knowledge? 可是，談到我們的靈性生或、信仰、或神學知識時，怎麼知道我們有沒有繼續向前行呢？
Many religions actually are disciplinary and demand that the followers stay at the same place with the rigid rituals and follow the given religion leaders only and always. 許多宗教其實是講究紀律，要求信徒嚴守儀式紀律在原地踏步，而且總是只有跟隨指定的宗教領袖。Do we all know how to command in English for stepping without changing position nor direction? 我們都知道用英語怎麼喊出「原地踏步」而不改變位置跟方向的口令嗎？
Have we observed the forward changing in the rituals and other aspects of our church lives here st TPCSTL? 我們有沒有看出在新路意（聖路易）台灣人長老教會我們如何在禮儀跟其他方面持續向前走、改變的現象呢？
Presbyterianism includes this important factor of "keep forming" and "always forward" 長老教會主義包含這樣的「持續改革」與「持續向前」的重要要素。
We have a session that explores and find the resolutions for the needs/timing/methods/rules to change and for the changes. 我們以個小會定期開會在為了改變的「需求、時機、方法、規範」而商討、決策。
In almost every national conference of the denomination of PC(USA), there are always issues about changing the bylaw. 在每一屆的全美長老教會總會會議中總是會出現一些有關修改章程的議題或議案。
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How do we keep changing forward as a Christian and church participants? 做為基督徒跟參加教會生活的人，我們如何保持「繼續向前」的精神與步調呢？
Listening to and studying the sermons is one thing we all know. Participating in Sunday School and fellowship gathering is another well-known method. Dining and chatting with others at the church and other church-sponsored events are also common-practiced. 聽講道、研讀講道是我們都知道的事情。參加主日學和團契聚會是另一項眾所皆知的方法。在教會李的活動中以及其他教會相關的活動中與他人一起飲食聊天也是通常在實行的。
What we might have overlooked include listening without cutting-offing others' speeches, especially those not in the list of our interests or concerns.我們可能忽略的是情包括認真聽而不打聽別人講話，尤其是那些聽起來沒有趣味或不盡瞭解的述說，
Talking to the pastors is a commonly neglected one. How many of us have initiated conversations with the pastors? Many might feel that they don't know what to say to or converse with the pastors. 講給牧師聽更是經常被忽視。我們當中有多少人曾經主動講話給牧師聽呢？或許有些人會說不知道要講什麼給牧師聽，或是拿什麼跟牧師對話。
Pastors are people who have no reason to resist or reject conversations from the church participants. This means those who feel left out in social activities could practice and advance social skills with the pastors. The conversation does require skills and practices. 牧師是一種「沒有理由排斥或拒絕跟會友講話的人」。這表示「覺得在社交活動中跟不上的人」可以透過「與牧師講話」的練習、磨練社交技能。「與人交談」的確是一種需要演練、磨練的技能。
More importantly, the pastors always need to adopt the comprehension inspired by the conversation with the others in the sermon and prayers. 更重要的是牧師們總是需要把「從交談獲得的靈感」納入講道與祈禱裡面。
How can we find out how the candidates for our next pastor are open to the congregation and good at listening to us? 我們怎麼知道可能成為我們下一位牧師的人選是如何樂於且善於聆聽我們的心聲呢？
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Tomorrow we will have an experiment in repeating one of the hymn-briefing and sing a hymn we have sung recently. If the hymn is remembered and we sing it with searching attention, we should be able to pick up new inspiration rather than feeling bored. 明天我們有一項實驗，重播一項聖詩簡介，唱出一首不久前剛剛唱過的聖詩。如果我們記得那首聖詩，而且用心唱，我們理該會有新的感動，而不是覺得是煩人的「老調重彈」。
Pastors are people who have no reason to resist or reject conversations from the church participants. This means those who feel left out in social activities could practice and advance social skills with the pastors. The conversation does require skills and practices. 牧師是一種「沒有理由排斥或拒絕跟會友講話的人」。這表示「覺得在社交活動中跟不上的人」可以透過「與牧師講話」的練習、磨練社交技能。「與人交談」的確是一種需要演練、磨練的技能。
More importantly, the pastors always need to adopt the comprehension inspired by the conversation with the others in the sermon and prayers. 更重要的是牧師們總是需要把「從交談獲得的靈感」納入講道與祈禱裡面。
How can we find out how the candidates for our next pastor are open to the congregation and good at listening to us? 我們怎麼知道可能成為我們下一位牧師的人選是如何樂於且善於聆聽我們的心聲呢？
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Tomorrow we will have an experiment in repeating one of the hymn-briefing and sing a hymn we have sung recently. If the hymn is remembered and we sing it with searching attention, we should be able to pick up new inspiration rather than feeling bored. 明天我們有一項實驗，重播一項聖詩簡介，唱出一首不久前剛剛唱過的聖詩。如果我們記得那首聖詩，而且用心唱，我們理該會有新的感動，而不是覺得是煩人的「老調重彈」。
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