Calvin Synod Herald, 1975 (75. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1975-09-01 / 9-10. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD CONSULTATION ON CHURCH UNION The 1.3 million-member Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is the fourth of nine communions in the Consultation on Church Union to endorse steps toward “mutual recognition of members” across denominational lines. The overwhelmingly favorable vote at the Disciples’ General Assembly was termed the church’s most important union decision since “Disciples” and “Christians” united in 1832. Dr. Paul A. Crow, Jr., the church’s Council on Christian Unity president, made the assessment. The Disciples were being watched closely by other COCU churches on mutual recognition because Disciples baptize only by immersion and many of the church’s congregations require immersion of transfers from other denominations that use other forms. But the affirmation was supported strongly in a standing vote after it was argued that Disciples historically have acknowledged all Christians as part of the same body. Dr. Ronald E. Osborn, a former moderator of the church, challenged all of the churches in COCU to say that “since Christ has received you, so do we.” Some 6,000 Disciples were present for the vote, which was followed by spontaneous applause and the invitation to COCU general secretary, Dr. Gerald F. Moede, a United Methodist, to speak. Dr. Moede told Disciples that their action was highly significant and he was given a standing ovation as he left the podium. About 30 minutes of debate preceded the vote, with debate about evenly divided. Objections centered on the fear that the Disciples’ witness to immersion as the Scriptural form of baptism was being watered down. Dr. Crow said the action leaves room for congregations to dissent and still remain within the union movement, making their witness to the value of the symbolism of immersion. The action by the Disciples calls for work toward “removing any impediments” to receiving into full membership persons who are part of the “whole people of God.” It calls for study of the implications of mutual recognition to Disciples. Advocates took the position that the issue was not immersion, but commitment to the oneness of the church and to COCU’s effort to enable churches NEWS ITEMS to “live their way” toward union rather than legislate the way. The other churches which have acted similarly are the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., the Presbyterian Church U.S., and the United Church of Christ. Disciples congregations are not bound to decisions of the General Assembly. Membership determination, in particular, is a right guaranteed to the local congregation. In a related action, the church’s General Assembly encouraged congregations to take part in COCU’s local union experiments. A CENTURY OF SERVICE FIRST COMPLETE WARC HISTORY Geneva — The first complete history of the World Allance of Reformed Churches is due off the press within the next few months. The book, A Century of Service, was written by Dr. Marcel Pradervand, who was general secretary of the Alliance from 1948 to 1970. In an introduction to the book, Dr. James I. McCord, president of Princeton Theological Seminary, said: “Dr. Pradervand has traced not only the historical events in the course of the past century but has also captured the spirit of an organization which was designed to serve the Church of Jesus Christ and which has been content to remain small in program and staff and to resist the temptation to bureaucracy”. Said Dr. McCord: “Reading Dr. Pradervand’s volume will rekindle our memory of a century of service to Jesus Christ by one world family of churches, and will give us direction as we seek to be more faithful in the quest for the unity in Christ that will one day involve all mankind”. A Century of Service may be ordered from St. Andrews Press, 52 Queen St., Edinburgh, Scotland, or from the WARC office 150 route de Ferney, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland. rps CHRISTIAN ENLISTMENT: 1975 Many congregations will be completing their 1975 Christian Enlistment this month on Stewardship Sunday, Nov. 9th. In many of them, the theme for the day will be, “Give ... you can make a difference!” When we give—freely and generously —to the work of the church in our local community, in our conference, and throughout the nation and the world, great things can be accomplished for Christ and for the sake of humanity. Yes, when we give in this way we can make a difference! The delegates to the Tenth General Synod of the United Church of Christ last summer were asked to tabulate what difference it would make if the members of the approximately 700 congregations of which they were members were to take seriously the recommendation of a previous General Synod and give to the work of the church an amount equal to $1 per week for every $1,000 of annual income. When the individual tabulations were added together the total amounted to a staggering $41,171,587 possible increase! Just think what a difference it would make if all the members of our morethan-6,000 congregations were to follow this recommendation! It would empower in a new way both the local work of United Church of Christ congregations and of Our Christian World Mission. What can you do to strengthen the Christian influence in your life, in your community, and in your world? Give ... you can make a difference! BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. James Pall, a member of the Consistory of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Dr. Stephen Bessemer, Pastor, who became the Manager (Mayor) of the City of Stratford. CONGRATULATIONS also to Mr. William Seres, member of the same Church, who was installed as Mayor of the City of Bridgeport. FURTHER CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Frank Bero, also a member of the Bridgeport Church, who was reelected as a Director of the William Penn Association and received an illustrious citation. MRS. CHARLES SZELL, who was a member of the Bridgeport Church, in her last will left $4,000.00 to her Church and $1,000.00 to Dr. Bessemer. Her sister, Mrs. Stephen Menyhért, Sr. also donated $1,000.00 to the Church. Let this wonderful Christian act stand before all of us as a good example.
