Calvin Synod Herald, 2006 (107. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2006-07-01 / 7-8. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 2 Bishop’s Greetings Summer 2006 Grace and Peace to all my Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We are well into our summer season. In many of our congregations we are resting, regrouping and planning for the fall, when we start our new “year” in many of our churches with Sunday school and other yearly programs. Perhaps in our planning we should review the success of our congregation’s efforts in the past year, evaluate the goals and results, and consider if changes should be made in HUNGARIAN YOUTH CONFERENCE July 23-29, 2006 The Hungarian Reformed Church in America and the Calvin Synod are sponsoring the annual Hungarian Youth Conference at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Route 5, P. O. Box 145, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania 15666. Theme: “Deadly Sins” Romans 6:23 Sunday: Everybody’s Doin’ It Monday: Why We Sin Tuesday: Sinning Against God Wednesday: Sinning Against Others Thursday: Sinning Against Ourselves Friday: Rescued by Grasce For more information about the conference, please contact Priscilla Hunyady or Rt. Rev. Karl Ludwig from the Hungarian Youth Group. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CONFERENCE The Lakeside Classis of the Calvin Synod is sponsoring a Christian Education Conference/Sunday School Training Class on July 8. It will be held at the Hungarian Reformed Church, 1691 East 31st Street, Lorain, Ohio 44055. Our instructor will be a representative professional from the David C. Cook publishing center. This is going to be an outstanding opportunity for those who want to gain further training in teaching in Christian education. The event is for all members of the Calvin Synod who are interested. Conference Schedule Social Hour: 8:00-9:00 AM Idea Exchange: 9:00-11:30 AM Lunch: 11:30AM-12:30 PM Preparation: 12:30-1:00 PM Presentation: 1:00-3:00 PM Closing Remarks and Discussion: 3:00-4:00 PM Benediction: 4:00 PM 100th Anniversary Celebrations & Commemoration of 1956 Revolution’s 50th Anniversary at the West Side Hungarian Reformed Church, Cleveland, Ohio, on October 14, 2006. Our plans include a thanksgiving bilingual worship service, a wreathlaying ceremony, a festive concert and a banquet. We will also publish an Anniversary booklet. the future. Not just concerning specific programs, but as it relates to the whole life of the church. Ask the question, “Why are we together as a congregation? What is our purpose?” The answer should and must be “To fulfill our mission as the living body of Christ in the world today.” If this is not the purpose of your congregation, then you must do some serious soul-searching. What are measures of success in this area? We are sent out to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). In our congregations our first emphasis has always been on those of our own ethnic heritage. Bishop Bütösi once remarked “we have the right to minister to Hungarians because we minister to all our brothers in Christ.” So our question here is two-fold. First, are we ministering to “all our brothers in Christ”? Are we welcoming strangers into our house of worship? Do persons new to the area come to your church? Are they greeted with friendship? Do strangers feel welcome and comfortable in your church? I heard of an incident recently where a visitor at one of our congregations was invited to Sunday worship, and when she entered the sanctuary she attempted to sit in the last pew. She asked those who were already there “May I sit here?”, to which they replied “No, these places are reserved.” She went to the next pew and again inquired “May I sit here,” and again she was denied. Fortunately, a parishioner overhead these two exchanges and offered her a place to sit. Had a friend she was going to meet not invited this person, would she have stayed after the first refusal? Probably not. We should not only be inviting guests to join us for worship, once they are amongst us they must be made to feel welcome. Are your members actively inviting guests to worship? If not, you won’t experience this problem. Your problem is in fact much greater! The second part of this question concerns our ministering to the members of our own heritage. Are you experiencing regular attendance in your congregation from your traditional membership? Are “old members” returning to join you in worship? When persons feel their needs are met, they will come to church. These needs include spiritual sustenance and growth, a feeling of acceptance, and opportunities for involvement “to make a difference.” As you plan our fall season, you should base it on how successful you were the past year. After the initial start of the Sunday school program, did attendance decrease? If so, your congregation must reevaluate the program, the material, and the preparation by the teachers. Are old members returning to church? It is not the minister’s sole responsibility to invite them back. Remember, you knew them before the minister came to your church. Are members remaining active? If not, perhaps the church’s activities give them no reason to be active. Plan activities and programs that are inviting and involve all age groups, all interests. Finally remember that you are the “Church of Jesus Christ.” That is what people look for when they become members of a church. They are not looking for a social club, they are seeking spiritual edification and growth in a Christian atmosphere. When we provide this, we begin to fulfill Christ’s command. Rt. Rev. Koloman Karl Ludwig Bishop
