Calvin Synod Herald, 1984 (84. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1984-08-01 / 4. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 7 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA Modern Pastoral Training on the Agenda The seniors of the Danubian and Transdanubian Church Districts early this year in Budapest, under the joint chairmanship of Bishops Dr. Karoly Toth of the Danubian and Attila Kovach of the Transdanubian Church District, agreed that the requirements of an up-to-date pastoral training can only be met if the ministry of instruction and education is jointly carried on by the pastors of the sending congregations, the leaders of the seniorates and church districts and the professors of the Theological Academy. They again emphasized the following points: the task of the Theological Academy is to train pastors for the congregations; but this does not lessen the importance of theoretical training the relevance of which, however, should also be made clear to the practical work in the parishes. It was stated that the Theological Academy in Budapest had tried to fulfil these requirements. According to the reports of the two bishops and the dean of the Academy, the progress of the last years is indicated by the following facts. 1. As a result of changes in the personnel, the average age of the professors became lower, and their comparatively younger age gives a new touch to the work of instruction. 2. The new compound gives many facilities both in the work of instruction and of education. 3. The presence of foreign scholarship students enriches the life of the Academy. 4. The one-week conference preceding the admission facilitates a better selection of the candidates. 5. The abolishment of the institution of the so-called “exmission”, the parish service of students before the completion of their studies, assures better conditions for uninterrupted and concentrated study. 6. The Student Council has proved its usefulness both in terms of self-education and of self-training. 7. The new foreign books on theology and the lectures of guests keep the Academy in touch with the international work of theological learning. 8. Important steps have been taken for the pastoral care of students drafted for military service — a task which has become imperative in the last years. But there are still problems which call for urgent action. The conference made some recommendations about such problems. One progressively worsening problem is the inadequate educational equipment with some of the students come to the Academy, and their deficiencies of scholarly preparedness can hardly be made up by the study of the pre-admission study material. The curriculum too calls for reform, just as the method of instruction and also the order of examinations which should be simplified. The general level of instruction must be raised. Training in languages should also be improved. And, last but not least, the contacts of the students with the congregations should be fostered and supervised as a factor of utmost importance in a conscientious and faith-inspired theological education. Such contacts can be assessed on the occasions of the so-called “legacio”, special holiday ministrations of the students in the congregations when pastors and parishioners could greatly help the work of the professors by discussing with the students their pulpit proclamation and deportment. (HCP1 CCC GENERAL SECRETARY NEW YORK — The search committee for a new National Council of Churches general secretary, has set a mid-October deadline for its decision. The Rev. Dr. Donald Shriver, the committee’s chairperson, said the 28-member committee hopes to complete its work in three meetings. The committee will nominateone person for the general secretary’s poet to the NCC Governing Board meeting in November for election. Additional nominations for the position may be made from the Governing Board floor. The search for a new NCCC general secretary — the council’s executive officer — will include widespread consultation with leadership of NCCC member church bodies and with NCCC staff about the kind of person they would like to see fill that post, he said. NCCC General Secretary Dr. Claire Randall, who has served in that capacity since January 1,1974, has announced that she will not seek another term as general secretary and will complete her service this year. CHURCH WORKERS CONFERENCE On Sunday, September 30th the annual church worker conference will be held at the West Side Hungarian Reformed Church of Cleveland, Ohio (15300 Puritas A venue). Each year there is a conference on the last Sunday of September for Hungarian Reformed Churches of Ohio and their neighboring states. For over forty years delegates have been gathering to discuss common church problems. Safety tips 1. Do not ride in an automobile or get in the way of one — they cause 20% of all fatal accidents. 2. Do not stay at home — 17 % of all accidents happen in the home. 3. Do not walk around on the street — 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. 4. Do not travel by air, rail, or water — 16% of all accidents are the result of these activities. 5. ONLY .001% of all fatal accidents occur at Church. 6. OBVIOUSLY the safest place to be is in worship at Church. Let’s all try to be there this Sunday and every Sunday. BESURETOREADTHIS Ifyoufindthishardtoreadyouwouldhavea hardtimewithancientdocumentswhere theyleftnospaceinordertosaveveryexpen si ve parch mentinwri ting Didyouevercon siderthatsometimesyourlifelookslikethis WhenyouleavenospaceforGodinyourlifeit frequentlybecomesveryjumbledrunto getheranddifficulttosortoutlfyouhave takenthetimetodecipherthislittlenotecon siderspendinganequalamountonsome thingveryusefukyourrelationshipwithGod Thatcouldturnouttochangeyourlifeorat theveryleastgiveitsomebreathingroom (St. Ladislas Bulletin, Columbus) “Sent in the Spirit’’ “Sent in the Spirit” is the name of the new 1984—1985 packet of Church Life Resources for Laity and Clergy, produced by the United Church of Christ Office for Church Life and Leadership. The packet includes a worship/ program book containing twelve worship programs on the “Sent in the Spirit” theme, a booklet of worship services for special occasions, and a poster illustrating the theme. Also included are “Youth in the Spirit, ” an introduction to the youth and young adult priority in the UCC; “No One Said It’s Easy, ” helps for making language inclusive; and “Called, Transformed and Sent," a Biblical reflection. All of the resources in the “Sent in the Spirit” packet are written by UCC pastors and laypersons. These are only some of the eleven resources that make up “Sent in the Spirit.” To order this packet for use during the program year beginning September 1984, send $5 (add 10% of value of order plus $1 for handling and shipping) to: Church Leadership Resources 1400 N. Seventh Street St. Louis, MO 63106
