Calvin Synod Herald, 2005 (106. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-07-01 / 7-8. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Wilburn A. Roby Jr. Installed as Lay Minister After completing three years of training in the Lay Ministry Program at Johnson Bible College, Mr. Wilburn A. Roby, Jr. was installed as Lay Minister at the annual meeting of the Calvin Synod in May. The following is Mr. Roby’s story: This journey that I have been on is coming to a close. It started 51 years ago with my Conformation by Rev. Dr. Harangi. There were times that it got side tracked for a few years. I finally was able to go to college through the company I was working for. I have to thank the following people for the inspiration that they have given me: Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi, Rev. Dr. Joseph Posta, Rev. Nicholas Novak, Rev. Dr. Aldar Komjáthy, and Rev. Imre A. Bertalan. While still working, doing the job of Synod Treasurer, Chief Elder of the church, I started back to school for the Lay Ministry Program. At times it was very hard on me and my wife, Virginia. The two courses that I took at Johnson Bible College took me 3 years to complete. Finding the online course for Dubuque Theological Seminary did make it easier on me. You only have the one week to read and answer all of the questions. It is just like being back in the class room, but you are the only student. For most of the courses I was the oldest person taking the course. Being 64 I do not have the memory that I once had, and it makes it a little harder. Although Dubuque is a Presbyterian Theological Seminary, I tried to stay with my Hungarian Reformed background and teachings. I thought that this may give me problems with the classes. The opposite happen. The other students and teachers were thankful that I was able to bring another side to the class besides Presbyterian. They said that it was a pleasure to learn about their own plus another denominations ideas. My goal for the Lay Ministry Program is to help these small churches like Beaver Falls and Springdale. It is not my intention to try and take any minister’s pulpit; I am trying to help them in any way that I can. When the minister is unable to be present, I can hold the service and, if need be, serve Holy Communion. This past winter I was asked to give Communion to a shut in. 1 had to tell the person that I would like to but I am unable to give Communion at that time. Rev. Bertalan gave Communion to the person on the following Sunday. A lot could have happened to the person between Tuesday and Sunday. In His service, Wilburn A. Roby, Jr. Candidates for standing as lay ministers must follow many of the same rules which apply for full ministerial standing in Calvin Synod. What follows is the statement presented by Mr. Wilburn Roby at the 2005 Synod meeting. Mr. Wilburn A. Roby was installed as a Lay Minister at the annual meeting of the Calvin Synod in May My Personal Statement of Faith Wilburn A. Roby Jr. May 19, 2005 I believe in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God and the ultimate rule of my Christian faith and practice. My faith is guided by the Second Helvetic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Apostle’s Creed. I believe that I belong-body and soul, in life and in death-not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe that we were all put on this earth for a purpose, and God’s purpose for me now is to minister and care for the churches in need, those who have no pastor to take care of their spiritual needs. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. His Son Jesus Christ who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, buried, descended into hell, rose again on the third day, ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God. I believe in the two Sacraments. The Sacrament of Baptism, there is only one Baptism in the Church of God. For once it is received it continues for all our lives, and is a perpetual sealing of our adoption by God. The second Sacrament is The Supper of the Lord, or the Lord’s Supper. I believe on the night he was betrayed he instituted the Last Supper. The Lord said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” The bread and the wine are symbols of his broken body and precious blood that were shed for me. I believe in the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That God was not one person, but three in one, and that neither would go against the other. I believe in my life today, I must strive to live in fellowship and find joy from those that live in the Trinitarian life of the Christian Church. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves and to take care of this earth that we call our temporary home. I believe in the Ten Commandments that were given to Moses on Mount Sinai and which still govern our
