Calvin Synod Herald, 2009 (110. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2009-01-01 / 1-2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 The New Year From Deuteronomy 34: 1-4 we know the following: And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naph ’tali, the land of E ’phraim and Manas seh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zo 'ar. And the LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 7 will give it to your descendants. ’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there. ” (Deuteronomy 34: 1-4) We are coming into a new year - 2008 is now behind us. The Lord has been gracious enough to give us another year to enjoy, and to serve Him. How do we prepare for this New Year, and all the “new years” to come? Moses was an interesting figure in the Bible. When the Egyptian Pharaoh decreed that all Hebrew babies be killed, Moses only lived past infancy because his sister Miriam intervened and was instrumental in having Moses adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter. After running into trouble with the Egyptians (he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew man), Moses went into the wilderness, married a non-Hebrew (a Cushite woman), and cared for the sheep of Jethro, his father in law on the “west side of the wilderness.” It was here that God called Moses to his destiny, to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery. Moses was not very enthusiastic about the task he was being given, and tried to convince God that he was not the right person for the task. Moses even objected that his ability to communicate would be a hindrance (“lam not eloquent, but lam slow of speech and of tongue. ” Exodus 4:10) Perhaps Moses had a speech impediment. But God prevailed, and in fact appointed Moses’ brother Aaron to be his helper. Moses was chosen partially because he was, as the Bible says in Numbers 12:3 “very meek, more than all men that were on the face of the earth. ” But I am also sure that part of the reason he was chosen by God was the years he had spent in the wilderness caring for Jethro’s flocks. During those years, Moses had become familiar with the wilderness, knowing where to care for and shelter the sheep. What better person could God have chosen to lead His people than one who was intimately familiar with the difficulties of life in the wilderness and knowledgeable about the most hospitable areas where these fugitives from slavery could survive? Moses was the “right person at the right time;” God chose the leader appropriate for the occasion. Each of us is also chosen for a specific task in life. Each of us, like Moses, might have a “checkered past” which we feel Mark Your Calendar! MARCH 20-22: Youth Camp Counselor Retreat at Scenic- View, Pa. More info in Mar/April issue. APRIL/MAY: Youth Conference, Trenton, New Jersey. Exact date, more info in Mar/April issue. JUL 19-25: REFORMED YOUTH CAMP! might disqualify us for the task God calls us to. We might feel terribly inadequate for the task He has chosen for us. But our Lord knows what our limitations are, He knows how he can best use our talents. He calls us, and we are to listen to His “Call,” we are adequate to the task and fulfill the mission He has for us. Look how well He planned Moses’ task! One other thing we should remember about Moses, his Call and his service. Remember, Moses led the Hebrew people in the wilderness for forty years. This is more than a symbolic number; this was the time for a new generation to come to maturity, to learn the ways of the Lord. Moses, the leader of the Hebrews, was promised by God to be the leader of His people. But Moses was also aware that while he led the nation, he himself could not go into the “Promised Land,” he personally did not “own” the future. God had a future plan for the Hebrew people - which did not include Moses. He was allowed to see the Promised Land, but he could not enter it. The Promised Land was to be conquered by the next generation, those who had been prepared under Moses’ leadership to secure this Land for the future generations of the Hebrews. In a like manner in our congregations, we need to assess our leadership. Are we teaching, encouraging and allowing our “next generation” to be the leaders as we come into a new year in our lives? Are we gracefully stepping back and helping our younger members to fully participate in the life and leadership of the congregation? We will not be here for the “promised land” of the decades to come in our congregations. Are we preparing our congregations for the transition, for the day when a new generation will be the “People of God?” Good leadership always makes plans for an orderly succession. Church leadership that is in the same hands for long periods of time eventually has negative results, regardless of “good intentions,” dedication and desire to serve. Even Moses stepped aside when his time had come, when the task for which he had been chosen was accomplished. Let us begin the New Year looking to the future of our congregations, and how we can best prepare the next generation for the challenges they will face. Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, Bishop CALL FOR ENTRIES *** CALL FOR ENTRIES Calvin-year Literary Competition! The year 2009 has been declared Calvin/Year to commemorate the 500th year of John Calvin's birth. To join in quincentenary celebrations around the world (which only happens every 100 years!) and in the tradition of previous such events in history, the Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ announces a Call for Entries for essays or poems from lay-people as well as sermons or academic studies from Pastors on the following topics: “What Does it Mean to Me to Be a Calvinist? or “The Importance of Calvin in My Life” (titles are flexible) Eligibility: Members of any Calvin Synod Church. Prizes: Pastors and adult lay-persons (either in English or Hungarian) 1st prize $500, 2nd $300, 3rd prize $200. Youth under age 16: 1st $100, 2nd prize $75. Young adults between 16 + and under 18:1st prize $ 100,2nd $75. Please note: Age cutoff is at or before the entry deadline of Jan 31 '09. Rules: Typed entries (digital format preferred), 10 pt font, double spaced; not less than 1 page, not more than 4 pages. Submit: mail to: Office of the Bishop - Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, Bishop 7319 Tapper Ave., Hammond, IN 46324 ore-mail to kkludwia@aol.com Deadline: mail entry postmark must be Jan. 31, 2009. E-mailed entries (preferred method) by end of day Jan. 31,2009. Winners/placements will be announced at the Annual Synod Meeting in May 2009.
