Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1970-02-01 / 2. szám

Hungarian Reformed Religious Paper

Founded in 1900

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE CALVIN SYNOD—UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

WHEN TO CALL THE PASTOR

Many people have the idea that the only time the pastor should be called is when someone is critically ill or when there is a death in the family. This is a limited and restricted view of the ministry and it is gradually being replaced by a wider understanding of the role of the Christian pastor in modern society.

The most obvious part of the pastor's work is preaching, administering the sacraments, and conducting the worship services.

However, the most intimate part of his ministry is quite often his relationship to families and individuals at the times of greatest significance to them.

Most pastors have had professional training in counseling. One of the first things the pastor learns is the limitations of his ability and the need to recognize situations that require other help. On the other hand, many church people simply carry their problems along all alone when there is immediate help available from their pastor.

The situations described here do not exhaust the occasions when the pastor can be helpful. The purpose is to indicate that there are many times when the pastor can bring to people the resources of the Christian faith.

BEFORE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL

If you are to undergo surgery, your pastor will make every attempt to see you at home or at the hospital before the operation and to express in prayer the Christian’s confidence and quiet trust in God. Ordinarily the best time for this call is the afternoon or the evening preceding the operation. If you are going for a medical checkup or for tests, the pastor would like to call sometime during your hospitalization.

Every pastor has had the experience of having a parishioner say to someone, “When 1 was in the hospital the pastor never came to visit me.” He cannot call unless he knows you are there!

WHEN LIQUOR BECOMES A PROBLEM FOR YOU OR FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE Some people in every community, and perhaps some of your friends, are out of control in their drinking. Several millions of people in our country are unfortunately in the same situation.

Certain attitudes that may be taken toward the problem by well-meaning people only make the situation worse.—

The alcoholic is not a hopeless sinner, lie is a

person who has become a problem to himself and to others.

There is no easy answer. Your pastor can help you understand the problem and can provide authoritative literature in the field. There have been many complete “recoveries.” Your pastor knows what resources are available.

BEFORE YOU ENGAGE A LAWYER This does not mean before you engage a lawyer for any purpose, but before engaging a lawyer when you are considering divorce or separation. In the marriage ceremony each party says, “And I do promise ... before God and these witnesses ...” When martial difficulties arise, the pastor is often consulted only after all arrangements have been settled, and in effect he is asked to give his blessing to decisions already made.—

You may need a lawyer, but if you take the Christian view of marriage seriously, you will wish to talk your situation through with your pastor long before matters proceed to the point of engaging legal counsel.

WHEN A BABY IS BORN

When a baby is born the pastor would like to call while the mother is still at the hospital, or shortly after mother and baby come home. He will rejoice with her and ask God’s blessing upon the child. The child is a member of “the household of faith,” and arrangements should be made for baptism.

WHEN A YOUNG PERSON GOES TO COLLEGE Your church wishes to maintain a close relationship with its young people during their college years.

—These are decisive years for students, and they need to know that their church is vitally interested in their college careers. The pastor would like to call in the home some evening before the student leaves for his freshman year. Since the date of departure is always known, the pastor can be notified several weeks in advance.

WHEN YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK OR PRAY ABOUT A DIFFICULT DECISION The big decisions of life are so important that they should be “talked out and prayed through.”

—Whom shall I marry? What shall I do as my life’s work? Should I change jobs? God never intended any of us to make these decisions alone; they should be shared with family, loved ones, and friends. Often the