7/10

中国的教会没有足够的牧者，许多教会正努力寻找教牧同工是众所皆知的事。然而，许多基督徒对神的仆人并不尊重，反而以世俗的眼光去看待他们，也有 基督徒曾受过不良牧者的伤害。中国教会不仅在数量上需要更多的教牧同工，且要质量上要求优越，有明确的呼召并受过充足装备的牧者。求主将敬虔的工人供给他 的教会，并让他们因着向神的委身和敬虔而嬴得会众充分敬重与爱戴。

It is a well-known fact that churches in China do not have enough shepherds and many are desperately looking for workers. However, many Christians instead of respecting God's servants hold a cynical view of them and some have even been hurt by bad shepherds. China needs more workers in the churches, not only in numbers but also in quality, a clear calling, and adequate training. May the Lord supply His church with faithful workers that will be respected for their dedication and sincerity.

7/2

看电影已成为中国最受欢迎的娱乐。2008年，中国制作了406部电影，票房收入持续保持25-30%以上的增长。虽然盗版DVD情况仍然猖獗，但有越来越多人愿意且有能力负担得起进电影院。新教会在许多城市纷纷盖起来。这些教会都安装了空调和各项设备，让会众有一个舒适的聚会环境。相对之下，较小或较旧的教会受限于设备和活动空间，要增长时就面对其它教会的「竞争」」压力。让我们为这些小教会祷告，求神使他们持守异象，有智慧合适安排设施来建立、牧养教会。

Watching movie has become the leading entertainment in China. China produced 406 movies in 2008, nationwide box office receipts have steadily increased by at least 25-30 % every year. Although DVD piracy is still rampant, more people are willing and can afford the movie theater experience. New church buildings are popping up in many cities, with air-conditioning and modern facilities and offering worshippers lot more comfort. Small or old churches face "competition" in church growth because their facilities and programs are inadequate. We pray for vision and bold decisions for the smaller congregations seeking to grow and expand.

6/29

每年有许多教会建筑物因老化或所属社区进行活化而需重建。由于当地经济复苏，为教会兴建新建筑筹款并不难，教会也拥有建筑物的业权。然而，教会一 旦有了新堂，会众往往转移焦点，较难全心事奉，也较易在商议过程中，如教会重建或迁址等产生分歧。让我们为所有需要乔迁新居的教会祷告，求主保守会众有合 一的心志，不因拥有新建筑物而矜夸，并善用新设备，借各项事工继续为主发光。

Every year, many existing church buildings need to be rebuilt because they are too old or the neighborhoods they belong to are being revitalized. As the local economy improves, congregations are able to give generously. Donations for a new building is usually not a problem. A great majority of these churches are registered churches who own their properties outright. Yet, it is often noted that after the new church is built, members lose focus and become less committed in serving the Lord. Division also happens whenever there is a major project , like a church relocation or rebuilding. Let us pray for all the churches who have moved into newer buildings. Pray for their ministries, unity of spirit and not being prideful to other churches.

6/28

中国教会不见增长有许多原因，有人归咎于会众老龄化，或教会设备简陋–只摆几张凳子，没有空调设备；新朋友难获接纳，不易融入群体。也有人认为： 讲坛不能针对知识份子的需求，也不能回应时代的需要。很多教会的同工对于不能吸引留住新朋友也感到沮丧。更新教会非一朝一夕可蹴，没有灵丹妙药。让我们祈 求上帝能按祂心意帮助教会在质和量上都增长。也与灰心的人一同仰望，愿教会能同感一灵，有同一异象，继续忠心事奉、等候神行奇妙大事。

One reason many churches are unable to grow is because their members are mostly old people. Church facilities are appalling and spartan, having simple stools on a bare floor without air conditionin g. Newcomers find it both difficult to fit in and be accepted. The preaching also does not target those with higher education; the sermons are not socioculturally relevant. Many church workers are frustrated because they are not able to attract and retain newcomers. Revitalizing old churches is not a simple task and there is no quick solution. We pray that God will answer the prayer of those who are seeking church growth. For those who feel frustrated, we pray along with them, for church unity and vision for growth, as they serve faithfully and wait upon the Lord to do great things.

6/27

在中国，每六个城市就有一个出现食水短缺。全国有400多个城市供水不足，110个严重缺水。另一危机是工业废物严重污染河道及水源的问题，政府 正尝试处理，但牵涉面复杂而成效果不彰。耶稣说：「人若喝我所赐的活水就永远不渴。」很多教会精于传讲神的话，却少有能真正连结日常生活，讲道流于形式 化。让我们特为负责讲台教导的同工祷告，愿神赐下自己的话语，带着属灵的能力权柄供应新鲜、丰盛的灵粮，推动落实生活实践，以美好见证荣耀神。

 

Saturday One in six cities in China have a fresh water supply issue. There are 400 cities that lack an adequate amount of fresh water. 110 cities have a serious chronic shortage of water supply. Pollution of water sources and rivers with industrial waste is another issue the government is trying to tackle with mixed results. Jesus said, "I am the living water. Whoever comes to me will not thirst." Many churches preach the Word of God but fail to connect the Scripture with daily life applications. Sermons are often the same and similar. Let us pray for powerful teaching of the Bible in every church. We must pray for those who preach and teach first. May the Lord give them a thirst to study and apply God's Word first, not just think that they are fulfilling an obligation.

6/25

近期经济衰退导致很多沿岸省份的工厂相继倒闭，政府种种优惠政策及更低廉劳动力使大量工厂往内陆迁移，形成新一轮劳工迁徙潮，促使他们更靠近家乡 或返乡劳动。对于曾流失大量转往城市打拼年轻信徒的农村教会而言，将有何转变目前尚难预测。或许新局面会为内陆地区所谓「二线城市」的教会事工带来新契 机。让我们祷告这些内陆地区及农村教会不仅能获益于经济增长，更重要的是再次经历灵性的大复兴。

The recent economic downturn has caused many factories on the coastal provinces to close. But, factories are also relocating to inland China en mass because of generous government incentives and much lower labor costs. This, in turn, creates a wave of factory laborers returning home and finding work much closer to home. We do not know how this will shape the rural churches, who have lost many of their young ones as they left for better-paying factory jobs. This will also open new opportunities for ministries in the so- called "second tier" cities in the inland provinces. We pray that churches in these inland cities and rural churches will benefit from the economic boom and, most importantly, experience spiritual revival.

6/24

中国主要刺激经济方案是利用新交通网络活化中部经济。总理温家宝曾说：「中部通，则全国通；中部活，则满盘活。」中部重点六省是湖南、湖北、江 西、河南、安徽与山西。六省中的九城又以湖北省武汉最为瞩目。河南和安徽是中国农村教会的根据地，由于年轻人到城市工作，农村教会渐趋没落。在面对交通网 络系统改善及随之而来的繁荣的同时，我们祷告农村教会不至随物质主义漂流，反能以敬虔、信德鼓舞并为其他省份树立典范。

The key piece of the Chinese economic stimulus plan is revitalizing central China with a new transportation network. "If Central China is connected, the whole country is connected; if it is revitalized, the entire nation is revitalized," said the Chinese Premier. Central China includes these 6 provinces: Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Henan, Anhui and Shangxi. Nine cities are considered key development points, Wuhan, which is in Hubei, is the most prominent. Henan and Anhui are the bastion of Chinese rural churches. Churches have suffered a decline as the young people leave for work in the cities. We pray, as the prosperity comes with the improved trasportation system, that rural churches will be prepared and not be swept away by materialism, but instead be a great source of encouragement and inspiration to other provinces.

6/23

武汉市将成为中国的新地理枢纽中心，新京广高速铁路二0一二年竣工后，武汉到北京及广州等其他口岸城市将缩短至五小时，交通往返时间缩短一半。相 对于各口岸城市的发展，历年来位于中国中部的教会不仅为数不多，也较为虚弱。让我们为武汉和邻近教会的复兴祷告，特别是为神学院和圣经学校代求，愿庄稼的 主差遣更多工人到这个发白的禾场收割。

The city of Wuhan will literally be the new geographic center of China. With the completion of high speed train lines in 2012, Wuhan is only 5 hours from Beijing, Guangzhou, and all the seaports, reducing the time of travel by half. Churches in central China, which are few, are historically weak in comparison with the coastal provinces. Let us pray for the revival of churches near and in Wuhan. We pray especially for the seminary and Bible schools there; may the Lord grant us more workers for harvest in this region.

6/22/2009

中国城乡居民收入差距持续扩大至3.36比1（相当于年收入差距超过1万人民币）。政府拟提高粮食价格以增加农民收入。农村教会由于信徒收入低， 加上信心不足，使得奉献的数量和心态相当保守，对于教会的发展有不利的影响。农村信徒一直认为他们必须依赖外来的接济。我们求主除去他们自怜的态度，帮助 信徒们愿意勇敢地迈开脚步，按神所赐的信心，尽心奉献和服事主。
The economic gap between urban and rural China continues to widen. City dwellers now make 3.36 times more than farmers (about 10,000 yuan a year). The government suggests that raising the food price can increase farmers' income. Among the rural churches, believers' giving continues to be low and lack of faith in giving seriously affects the growth of rural church. Believers constantly think that only outside help can help them. Let us pray that this self-pitying attitude will cease and that believers will be willing to step up boldly in serving God with what they have.

6/20/2009

 

中国教会虽没有如西方教会宗派之分，其实各教会自成一派，不相往来，甚至彼此敌视。现在的中国教会有几个主要的派别：灵恩派、基要派、改革宗、浸信会等。我们恳求主，不分宗派背景，祝福所有的事工。更求主赐给弟兄姊妹谦卑的心，令各人看别人比自己强，避免骄傲、自我膨胀。

 

Although churches in China do not have denominations officially; in fact, denominations exist and those of different theological grounds would not accept each other. Some are even outright "hostile" toward one another. China's churches are now divided into camps: the Charismatic, Fundamentalist , Reformed and the Baptist. We sincerely pray for the ministries and work of all the different denominational backgrounds. May the Lord grant us all a heart to see that others are stronger than us; a heart of humility for all believers, rather than an expanding of their own turf.

6/18/2009

新加坡成为中国官员培训基地。当地大学为这些中国官员提供严格的课程；对他们而言，学习「新加坡经验」对「个人仕途」很重要。新加坡也是许多三自 和家庭教会传道人的训练基地。他们在神学院毕业后，多会回到自己的教会服事。让我们为他们在异乡的学习祷告，求主让他们在灵性和知识上都得到造就，把祝福 透过他们带回各教会的会众当中。

Singapore has become the training ground for China Party officials. These management programs, offered jointly by local universities, are rigorous and such a "Singaporean experience" is essential for a future promotion. Singapore is also the training ground for many young Chinese pastors who will return to serve in their churches, both Three-Self and house churches. We pray for their learning and how the Lord will use them as they return to bless their congregations.

6/16/2009

电影「赤壁」在票房和影评上皆取得佳绩，开创了中国电影的新里程碑。该片是亚洲电影史上耗资最巨的影片，票房告捷，显示大陆观众态度已在转变，更 多人愿意付费钱买门票上电影院。教会中「经济和师资靠外援」的观念也该改变了，现在中国教会许多计划、事工和培训课程，已由教会和信徒亲自承担和包办。我 们为中国教会的成长和日趋成熟赞美神，也继续为体质仍虚弱的教会祷告。求主兴起更多本土的事工和计划来建造这些教会。

   The success of the epic movie "Red Cliff" both in critical acclaim and in box office was a milestone for a Chinese movie. It is the most expensive Asian-financed film to date and movie producers can stop worrying so much about not being profitable because of the illegal pirated DVD's. It also proved that Mainland Chinese are changing, more affluent and willing to pay for movie tickets. The idea of churches in China still needing foreign support whether financial or teachers is being challenged, too. Many projects, mission and training programs are now paid for and conducted by Chinese nationals themselves. We praise God for the maturing of the growing churches in China. Still many churches remain small and weak. Let us pray that more Chinese-initiated projects will benefit these small churches.