Magyar Egyház, 1958 (37. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1958-02-01 / 2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 9 MAGYAR CHURCH THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA ELECTS ITS FIRST BISHOP Duquesne, Pa. February 21.—The VI. Constitutional Assembly of the Free Magyar Reformed Church in America, which was held on February 21st, in Duquesne, Pa., amended the Church’s constitution as recommended by the 1957. General Assembly of the Diocese. These amendments 1. changed the name of the Church to HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA, omitting the adjective “Free”; 2. instead of the office and title of Archdean established the office and title of BISHOP as the spiritual leader of the denominations; 3. established a BISHOP’S COUNCIL consisting under the chairmanship of the Bishop of the Chief Elder of the Diocese, the Deans and the Chief Elders of the Classes, the Ecclesiastical Secretary of the Diocese, the Editor of “Magyar Church”, and the Executive Secretary of the Missions Comittee. The issue of constitutional amendments by a referendum vote was removed from the Assembly’s agenda. All amendments were carried unanimously. The Constitutional Assembly was followed by a General Assembly of the Diocese which consecrated and installed the former Archdean, the Rt. Rev. Zoltán Béky, as the first Bishop of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. The Boards of Elders of 24 congregations have sent in their ballots; they were all cast in favor of the Rt. Rev. Béky. The consecration of the new Bishop took place at a worship service with Honorary Archdean George Borshy Kerekes reading the Scripture, Dean Louis Nagy giving the charge to the Bishop and Dean Gabor Csordás offering the Prayer of Consecration. After being sworn in by the Rev. Stephen Szőke, the Rt. Rev. Béky was consecrated by the Rev. Borshy Kerekes, Stephen Szőke, Louis Nagy and Gabor Csordás laying their hands upon his head. In his first sermon as Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Béky pledged the life and service of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America to the glory of God alone. The events at Duquesne have marked the completion of a 34 year long period of development and growth. Now we started a new era of greater challenge and still deeper responsibility toward both our people and the missionary call of Christ’s Church. YE DO NOT KNOW WHAT YE ASK Mark 10:37 and 38. They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Jesus with the twelve disciples is going toward Jerusalem. He clearly sees the terrible future, but He goes toward it without fear. He even prepares his disciples, saying: “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; an they condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles. And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him; and the third day he shall rise again” (Mark 10:33-34). James and John, the sons of Zebedee, hearing the future, step before the Master and boldly ask Him the favor that they should sit at His right and left side in His glory. What a childish, thoughtless hope, fearless faith. Some people already turned away from Jesus, one of the disciples is traitor in his heart, the others tremble with fear and these two dream of glory. On the horizon the clouds gather for the big storm, but instead of fleeing these two dream . . . and want to divide on the glory. Even now they compete against each other. Their fellow disciples also left father, mother, home, occupation for Jesus and now James and John want more reward than the others might receive. They also received the promise that for the lost worldly goods they will “Receive hundredfold now in this time . . . and in the world to come eternal life”. (Mark 10:30). But James and John were not satisfied with this, they wanted to be first, to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus. James and John were the two disciples Jesus especially loved. The Master took them to all His major journeys.
