Calvin Synod Herald, 2012 (113. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2012-07-01 / 7-8. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 1 CALVIN SYNOD AND THE UCC TOMORROW "If God is for us, who is against us?" “Once to every man and nation Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side ... Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet ‘tis truth alone is strong, Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne, Yet that scaffold sways the future, And behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow Keeping watch above His own. ” “For we are not contending against flesh and blood. But against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 Bishop John Butosi reported to the Calvin Synod’s Annual Meeting in 1984 that we were “not the only ones who were at odds with the United Church of Christ trends.” Many delegates were demanding that the Synod leave the United Church of Christ following its approval of the ordination of avowed homosexuals. In a bold response to them he said, “We cannot accept the newest statement of the denomination ‘that a person’s sexual orientation is not a moral issue.’ “ He added, “Instead of withdrawing, our Synod should participate in this new theological ‘fermentation’ and bring it to a healthy solution.” In the fifty-fifth year since the 1957 merger that brought the Hungarian Reformed churches into the UCC, the fermentation in the denomination has brought forth new wine with a worse than ever taste, and the voices calling for withdrawal are echoing again - not only in Calvin Synod, but throughout the Church. In fact several hundred churches have left, the entire Puerto Rico Conference, and others who remain hold on with only the most minimal connection. “Quo Vadis?” In the Gospel according to John, Peter asked, “Lord? Where are you going?” and Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you shall follow afterward.” (13:36). As our predecessors asked of the Lord in 1896, and often again in ensuing years, it is a question that requires an answer today. We find ourselves still in agreement with Dr. Butosi, that homosexual behavior is a moral issue, but after all these years we must admit the ‘healthy solution’ has been denied and this denomination has become a leader in affirmation and promotion of this immoral lifestyle that is contrary to the biblical revelation. Given all this, and the wasting of fifty-five years, the question needs to be asked, “Where are we going?” Someone once said (in the cadence of ‘The Church’s one Foundation), “Like a mighty turtle moves the Church of God, it is always treading where it always trod.” We all know that’s not good enough for true disciples of our Lord, and unbefitting the urgency of the Savior who sends us into the world. So the question begs a reply that can only be answered, “Upward and Onward.” I propose that there are three possible replies: (1) Continue with the status quo. (2) Withdraw from the United Church of Christ. (3) Reorganize Calvin Synod: (a) gather in full communion churches and ministers in accord with Scriptural and Reformation beliefs; (b) reclaim the revered heritage of our churches; and, (c) renew the health of this decadent denomination, by restoring the faith of our Fathers and the heartwarming spirit of our Mothers. Following Afterward -1 Continue with the status quo. After years of one foot in and one foot out, continuance of affiliation with the UCC ought to challenge Calvin Synod’s members and ministers to increased involvement, beyond mere acceptance and accommodation, in the denomination’s life. The present situation is akin to a marriage that has been officially declared and recorded, but still never consummated after many years. The official demise of this non-territorial Synod remains among the unfinished business of the UCC, and some have hovered like buzzards until that day when it closes up shop and they pick the bones of the corpse. Its persistence in insisting upon biblical standards and Reformation confessions is a thorn in the flesh as long as the Synod exists. Continuance will require exceeding patience and fortitude, probably with very little to gain by it except for some simplification in financial matters and participation in the healthcare program. Following Afterward - II Withdraw from the United Church of Christ. There are no legal barriers to withdrawal, other than the procedural ones according to the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws. If this appears imminent, the Synod should proceed forthwith to secure the legal instruments necessary for its independent status and the means for the churches coverage under its umbrella, for both legal incorporation and ecclesiastical affiliations. This would require revision of its instruments, both Constitution and Bylaws, with a special committee to draft and secure comments from the churches prior to its official presentation and ratification. Following Afterward - III Reorganize Calvin Synod. While this reply is contingent upon continued affiliation with the United Church of Christ, it is also contingent upon full recognition that the status quo is untenable and a drastic change in the way Calvin Synod operates internally and externally is necessary and acceptable. It will require major changes in the Structure of the Synod, * relationships with and among churches and ministers within the Synod, and a balancing of our traditional practices and those of others without a loss of essential values.
