Calvin Synod Herald, 1990 (90. évfolyam, 2-6. szám)
1990-05-01 / 3. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 4 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA Former president of Princetoni and World Alliance Died eyes of even the hardest of personalities. But here is my point: Throughout her entire hospital stay, and up to the time of her death, there is no indication of any pastoral care whatsoever. You don’t even see a pastor or priest near her room or roaming the hospital hallways — none at all! An oversight by Hollywood? Perhaps, but I would guess that this is just another example of how the media feels about pastors — they are not necessary. It is not easy to be a pastor in a society that continually questions one’s work and worth. Thus, I suppose, the need for affirmation that so many pastors have. But then, pastors aren’t, or shouldn’t be, in the ministry in order to receive affirmation. Dr. Christ? Jesus spoke the most revolutionary sentence of all time when He said, “The Son of man came not to be served but to serve” (Matt. 20:28).* This pronouncement of His purpose turned the world’s understanding of leadership completely upside down. Jesus was indeed a leader. His followers called Him “Master.” He was, however, a “servant leader” and a “servant master.”** I have sometimes wondered whether Jesus would want to be called Dr. Christ if He were walking the earth today. Somehow that just doesn’t sound right. Somewhere along the way before accepting the call into the ministry, the prospective pastor should learn that worldly recognition is not to be expected. Receiving such recognition should not comprise even a part of the reason one goes into the ministry. Every human being needs affirmation, but pastors should receive that affirmation from within the community of faith. And no one should expect it from either the world or the church because of a Dr. in front of his or her name. I do not mean to say that receiving a doctorate is unimportant. But 1 am saying that before embarking in doctoral studies, pastors ought to evaluate carefully why they want that degree. If they are undertaking the work because they feel a need to improve their ministerial skills, then they ought to pursue it. If, however, in total honesty they see obtaining the degrees as a means of improving their social position or of receiving a higher salary or of being called to a larger church, then they sould question seriously which master they are choosing to serve. •All Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the Revised Standard Version. ••See Robert Greenleafs excellent book on this theme. Servant Leadership (Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press. 1977). Rev. Dr. James I. McCord, 70, former President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Princeton Theological Seminary died at the Princeton Medical Center on February 19, 1990. A world statesman and advocate for ecumenism, Dr. McCord had served as President of the World Alliance from 1977 until 1982. Prior to his election, however, Dr. McCord was instrumental in joining Congregational and Reformed churches at the Nairobi General Council of 1970 into the body now known as the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. His career in Princeton led him to becoming President in 1959, a position he held until 1983, when he retired to become chancellor and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Center of Theological Inquiry. Born in Rusk, Texas in 1919, Dr. McCord was graduated from Austin College (Texas) and went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Texas in 1942. He continued his studies at Harvard, the University of Edinburgh and Union Theological Seminary before receiving his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Ordained to the Presbyterian ministry, Dr. McCord served as pastor of Westminster Church in Manchester, New Hampshire and later in Austin at the University Presbyterian Church. In 1952, he returned to Austin Seminary where he was Dean and Professor of Systematic Theology. Dr. McCord has received numerous honorary degrees within European church and seminary communities that spanned the bridge between Eastern and Western Europe. Among them from the University of Debrecen. Husband of the late Hazel Thomspon McCord, Dr. McCord is survived by a sister, three children, and eight grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Saturday, February 24, 1990 at 10:00 a.m. in Miller Chapel on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Jane Dempsey Douglass, Professor of Church History at Princeton Theological Seminary and a Vice President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches represented WARC at the service. Our Calvin Synod gave him high recognition at our Annual Synod Meeting on April 23, 1980 in Pittsburgh, PA. Our Hungarian churches here and overseas never had a greater friend than the Scottish decent Dr. McCord. When receiving his D.D. the Hungarian Reformed Church of Debrecen gave him a Hungarian Calvinistic special robe (palást), which he had worn with pride not only in our churches as guest preacher but also on pulpits of Anglo-Saxon churches at numerous occasions. His memory will be cherrished by us through generations. United Church of Christ Personnel Changes — a 1990 Update Executive Offices Paul H. Sherry, president, and Doris R. Powell, director of finance and treasurer took office Oct. 1, 1989. Bernice F. Powell, former deputy director of the Commission for Racial Justice, began in Oct. as executive associate to the president. Charles W. Cooper, Jr., formerly executive assistant to the president, rejoined the Stewardship Council in January. Laurinda Hafner started in Jan., 1990 in the UCC secretary’s office as associate editor of the UCC Year Book.
