Reformátusok Lapja, 1969 (69. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1969-03-01 / 3. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

11

The Church of the Future

In the present time of rapid social change no other institution has come under as many attacks as the Christian Church. Critics, both within and without the Church, have written scores of books about its irrelevance. Activists have charged the Church with being the last refuge of the reactionaries. From all sides the complaint is voiced that the Church has lost its way and is no longer able to provide leadership and inspiration.

The local congregation finds itself in a situation unlike that of any recent time save the decade of the “twenties.” Then, as now, it was popular to assail the Church and its leadership. Then, as now, the opponents of the Christian movement had little to offer as alternatives.

While our American contemporaries find themselves overwhelmed by doubt, we of the Hungarian Reformed tradition can view this situation with an objectivity gained through centuries of adversity. To be brutally frank, American Protestantism has had an easy time for centuries. Its very freedom from fear of annihilation led its theological and executive leaders to play the game of church to their hearts’ content. This explains why our American church calendar includes the following designations for particular Sundays: Rural Life, World Order, Pensions, Boy Scout, Girl Scout, and a host of others. This is why American Protestantism is unhappy unless it comes up with a new slogan and a new program every season of the year. Emphases come and go, one year the Church presents itself as the “Servant,” the following year as the “Reconciling Community.” Little wonder that our laymen are confused by all the wheels that keep turning madly and the little that seems to be accomplished.

I am suggesting that the American Protestant Community richly deserves the censure it is receiving on all sides. It has been too busy to do its basic job: tbe winning of men to faith in Christ as Redeemer. It has avoided the pastoral role and sought instead the prophetic, without first making sure that its prophecy is God-centered. As a result, churchmen who live in expensive suburbs demand residential integration. I agree that their demand is morally right: I wish they would live in cities and back up their ideals by their practice.

I mentioned that we Hungarian Reformed Christians can take a long term view of even this appalling situation. Our Church in Hungary has spent almost all of its lifetime in imminent danger of destruction. Our people learned, the hard way, that the Church is serious business indeed! Even today they work and pray, and

do not lose heart. Even today they witness to the Resurrection, at a time when their nation is again along the way of Calvary.

That we can in any way bring about the much needed changes in American Protestant life is highly questionable. The American Church is now reaping the harvest of years of ease and prosperity. Perhaps these times are given to us by the Almighty as a sign of His will to test the Church through adversity.

It is sad to say, “We told you so.” When our first Hungarian Reformed clergymen began their labors here at the turn of the century, many of them noted that American Protestants don’t take their religion very seriously. Things haven’t changed much since then.

Charles A. Darocy

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Is There a Shortage of Ministers?

Any responsible answer to the question, “Is There a Shortage of Ministers?” must also consider a parallel question “Is there an over-supply of churches?” Within a denomination that reports approximately 25% of its congregations as having less than 100 members, most of which are unable to financially support a full-time pastor, we must generally assume that for this reason there will always be some churches without pastors.

Each month the Council For Church and Ministry lists approximately 400 vacant pulpits reported by Conference Ministers. Although some of these churches have been vacant for a long time because of their limited opportunities and/or lower compensation, some of these vacancies are in strong congregations quite able to provide more than the minimum salary recommendations. These latter congregations are looking for the “right” minister, generally from a long list of “Ministers Available.” The majority of these “Ministers Available” are serving congregations which they would have to vacate to accept another position.

Each year approximately 200 seminary graduates and 50 new ministers from other denominations (by “Privilege of Call”) become available. This new in-put of clergy manpower is offset by:

1) An average of 163 deaths per year over the last four years;

2) the retirement of an average of 145 per year;

and

3) the number that may leave the active ministry, reputed to be approximately 50 each year.