Magyar Egyház, 1960 (39. évfolyam, 1-9. szám)
1960-08-01 / 8-9. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 7 MAGYAR CHURCH CHANGING WITH THE SEASON Labor Day weekend is the divider between summer and autumn. The rays of the sun are still warm enough to enjoy a day on the beach or that last dip in the pool, but we all know that summer is over. For our young people it is a “back to school” order, for our elders just another summer added to their earthly life. For the majority, age 23-65 years, it is the realization that with the seasonal change we have to shift gears: less leisure and more work. It is certainly so in our church life. Those of our churches close to resort areas know well enough that the summer weekends are spent in refreshing our physical energies, but even in an industrial town the vacation schedules and family picnics play havoc with the attendance figure and serious church work. And although we strive to emphasize the need for recharging our spiritual batteries even during summertime, we all regard it natural to have the seasonal summer slump. What we must safeguard against is the slump becoming a general one, extending into the autumn and winter. After the summer rest we must redouble our efforts, even manifest a change in our church life. The first step in this movement should be the regular attendance at worship services, followed by an active participation in the work. There is a job for everyone, if you are willing to give of yourself. Labor Day is followed by Rally Day and the reorganization of groups. While this has to be done collectively in order to be most effective, one must not wait for the other to make the first move. We should all spring into action as the “GO” sign is given by the respective church calendars. Thus this seasonal change will change us, too, if we act in the right spirit, from being mostly followers to become leaders, from viewers to witnessing Christians. Stephen Szőke THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA AND ITS FUTURE DR. ZOLTÁN BEKY A paper presented to the Eastern Youth Conference on Staten Island, N. Y., May 22, 1960. (Continued from the previous issue) The trouble with us is that we are not aware of the spiritual riches of our traditions. Examples could be multiplied: our unique way of taking Holy Communion, or the recognition of the ancient church year, sick-communion and, above all, the dual leadership, ministerial and lay in all church judicatories makes our small denomination an important link between the more Catholic type of Churches to our right and to the more Evangelical type of Christians to our left. But it is just the starting-point. We are now accepted as equals in the three great church organizations in which we participate: the National Council of Churches in the USA, the Presbyterian World Alliance and the World Council of Churches. Now the real service of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America will start in the fellowship of our sister denominations and in the community in which we live. The very word on which our whole church life will be judged, is the word of mission. It has been the great discovery of the last century that mission makes the church become a church. It is the sign of its life. In this respect we have done a certain limited work. But now these limitations must be broken down. We need the vision of the Oneness in Christ as the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. If a church is started in California with our missionary worker there, it should not be regarded as a burdensome obligation, that we must donate a few dollars again, but with vital concern and interest, knowing the axiom, which many of our American sister-denominations have discovered and do practise: it is to my own good and spiritual benefit if I help my fellowship grow, especially if it is a Divine Imperative. To the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, missionary service is undoubtedly the Divine Imperative of this hour. I want to show you in figures what I mean. In the Presbyterian Church at least about 40 cent of every dollar which is donated towards the treasury goes far beyond the local church. It means that a middle-sized church with a budget of $15,000 would give about $6,000 for missions, central fund, and theological education. Now, in the first period of our existence it was impossible for us to do much beyond the local congregation. But now, with our large congregations, beautiful church buildings and educational centers, it is really shameful how little we give for the Mission Fund, Central Fund and Student’s Aid. I am afraid that in missionary zeal we are far from being real Americans. It should, however, be a challenge to the young people who are inclined to be critical of the already existing and the old ways. Urging for new and progressive roads they can set an encouraging example. But, believe me, it is not a matter of money alone. It requires primarily faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and hope.
