Bethlen Almanac 2000 (Ligonier)
Cikkek - Articles
wishes as long as one feels at home in this congregations and extends to others this freedom and possibility. In a brief chapter, I evaluate my work and its effect on myself and on the congregation. Then, the closing chapter examines how ready we are to implement this model to the daily tasks of our church. Theoretically, every suggestion seems to be useful and desirable. In practice, however, only some portions of it could be used; even those gradually. Most of our congregations, humanly speaking, are not ready for a thorough, thought out and rapid change. The model, however, would require this. There was some interest, encouragement, but the great majority remained noncommitted. Even the disagreements involved only a minority; while the majority watched from the bleachers to see what would happen. Some suggested that this model was “40 years too late:” we were still strong then, in great numbers. This writer feels that for the strong it is even more difficult to change. Today, our very fragility, our “endgame” position may encourage the Spirit to try everything, even this model, at last. This study may be used as a master plan, which if gradually and in installments is implemented might lead us on the road of reconciliation and renewal. The final pages examine the relationship between language, ethnicity and religion, and also the relationship of the generations to each other. The Hungarian language and culture are of tremendous and unique value, well worth preserving forever. Yet, the American experience suggests that language is the first to go. Then, the ethnicity is practiced for several more generations, such as music, culinary arts, travel, etc. Religion is the last to go. The American Dutch Reformed people even today, after centuries, are Reformed in their Dutch way. One wonders if there are such Hungarian Reformed values which would be worthy to save in America? I have found some such values: the rhythmic singing of the psalms, or some of the original Hungarian hymns, but most of our congregations here barely know these. The immigrant first generation and the later generations who were bom here have different needs. In Christ, this is no reason for disagreement; in fact these are mission opportunities to love and to serve each other. We need to relinquish our obstinate fear of coming to an end. Aging and preparing for death can be a God-blessed process. The local congregations or denominations, after hopefully fulfilling their work, come to an end by the will of God. This is not the end of Christ’s 239
