Calvin Synod Herald, 2010 (111. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-05-01 / 5-6. szám
10 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Prodigal UCC Spurns Beliefs ‘Faithful & Welcoming’ Ties A pall of discord over the United Church of Christ dampens its life, ever increasingly as it distances itself from its historic faith heritage, still tenaciously clung to by many of its deep rooted members and congregations. Bom in the bright sunshine of ecumenical hopes just over fifty years ago, its dismal record tells of the loss of half it members and the withdrawal of hundreds of local churches. Step by step, a radical turn to “progressive” agendas has spumed both the letter and spirit of the Constitution, which says of the UCC, “It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers.” Calvin Synod had its own resolution to seek fidelity to biblical truths given mere lip service, and that begrudgingly by the General Synod. (Oakland 1995) FWC Ties to Calvin Synod A new organization arose to bind together churches that have not thrown up their hands in surrender, but who commit themselves to strive to reclaim and restore their historic faith as the guiding principles of the UCC. Faithful and Welcoming Churches was organized at our Bethlen Heritage Center in Ligonier, PA, in 2005. Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig became its Secretary, and Rev. Albert W. Kovács a Director. We have long and strong historic connections to the Reformed churches of continental Europe. Along with the Swiss, Dutch and Germans, the Hungarians lived in close daily contacts with immigrants to their land from southern Germany who resettled there. The Muslims had massacred most of its ten million Magyars, so the King (Austria-Hungary’s dual monarchy) brought in Saxons, Bavarians, and others, to farm the open lands. Markets and cultural pursuits brought them together for years. After World War I, it was not too big a leap for the Hungarian Reformed churches on this side of the ocean to join hands with the German Reformed, who shared the same Heidelberg Catechism, theology and practices. After two hundred years in this blessed land, they had developed fine educational and benevolent institutions, reflecting their Calvinist values. They assisted the new immigrants from central Europe with loans for churches, training for young ministers, college and seminary aid CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM Name................................................................ Subscription No................................................. Old Address:...................................................... New Address:.................................................... in its superior schools, and trusted avenues for members to take part in foreign missions, schools and hospitals. The Reformed Church U.S. merged with the German-rooted Evangelical Synod in 1934, and the new Church amiably provided for organization of a special Magyar Synod. These historic connections cannot be discarded like old clothes, but are Christian friendships and solemn ties marked by mutual respect and cherished memories. They also bring with them a sense of responsibility for the present and future of these other churches. It was only Magyar (Calvin) Synod that voted against the merger, in fear of the loss of the beliefs held among most Reformed and Evangelical churches. The Prodigal Church's Journey As the leadership of the United Church of Christ led it astray, the congregations that had learned to trust and follow their pastors found themselves farther from still waters and their comfortable folds ofthe faith. Church school and youth materials were provided, but they were bitter lessons in developing social revolutionaries. More and more as years passed by, the denomination’s agenda became indistinguishable from the politically correct fad of the day. Left far behind were the biblically defined teachings about godly ways of life, along with all efforts to remember and teach the faith as expressed in the long revered creeds and confessions. After twenty years, the Synod addressed the Church to deplore “the progressive deviation and distancing of our denomination from biblical standards and these confessions so cherished and defended by our pious predecessors.” It is time for this prodigal Church to leave behind its selfdestructive ways, to admit its ways are not God’s ways and so they have failed. As Israel fell down before the idols and succumbed to the immoralities of the folk around them, the UCC’s support for programs that give credence to goddesses, forsake chastity and encourage same-sex unions, and accept the equality of pagan gods, has only served to increase divisions in the Church. Homeward Bound More than two or three have gathered together in Faithful and Welcoming Churches, who remember our goodly heritage. As necessary as it is, however, only one part of our task is to cause the churches to face the decline of the UCC and its cause in the repudiation of its roots, to know where we have come from. As the Church of the saving Christ, we also call out that we also share holy elements to remember Him, and show forth His death until He comes. We remember, too, apostles, martyrs, reformers, pioneers, founders, and the witnesses of the ages. We urge the churches that in good times they do not forget the hand of the Lord who led His people throughout, and whose works are known to us in the Holy Scriptures. A vision of his past led the Prodigal Son to return home, and our Father awaits our return with blessings for the United Church of Christ. Rev. Albert W. Kovács, Director Central Classis - 13 March 2010 First Reformed Church - Pittsburgh
