Magyar Egyház, 1961 (40. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1961-10-01 / 10. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 9 The work of the World Council of Churches and its major divisions deals with international affairs, ecumenical action (laity, youth, cooperation of men and women in church and society), inter-church aid and service to refugees, and now world mission and evangelism. Morning and evening prayers and Bible study are planned for the assembly. The Bible study will follow a rather unusual pattern for such a large assembly. Rather than a lecture, the study will open with an introduction to the day’s text by the leader including one or two questions for reflection. Following ten minutes of silence and meditation, there will be comments and questions. Participating in all of this will be archbishops and bishops, local preachers and church officials, lay men and women, and young people. Not all of the delegates are professional theologians. Some are men of public affairs and education — like Sir Francis Ibiam, the Governor of Eastern Nigeria; President Nathan Pusey of Harvard; and former UN General Assembly President Charles Malik. There are 154 official delegates from 28 U. S. member churches. Fraternal observers, advisers, and guests bring the U. S. participants to 257. Seminary presidents, educators, lawyers, judges, businessmen, publishers, and church officials are included in the U. S. group. MISSION SUNDAY To All Congregations Dear Brethren: On Sunday, November 5th it will be our Fourth Annual Mission Sunday in the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Mission work is the life-giving center of all church work and service. The unity, the holiness and the apostolic character of the Church Universal can be summarized in one word: bringing the joyful gospel of our Lord to a hopeless generation in a fearful world not really knowing that message. It means more intensified mission work than ever. The deans of the three classes have arranged pulpit exchanges — whenever practicable — for this Sunday, November 5th as it has become traditional by now. An envelope to be used on this Sunday can be found in this issue of “Magyar Egyház.” Kindly give this envelope with your donation for our mission work to your church, or if it is impossible or inconvenient send it to the treasurer of the Mission Fund, Mr. Albert St. Miklossy, 23 Evergreen Avenue, Fords, New Jersey (his name and address appears printed on the envelope). We ask all our elders, every Church Council as well as Women Guilds to give special consideration to the needs of our mission work. We prayerfully recommend it to your Christian concern and generosity. John Darnay Dr. Zoltán Beky Chief Elder Bishop Stephen Szőke Chairman, Mission Board Sunday School Superintendents and Teachers of the Eastern and New York Classes: The Executive Board of the United Church Women invites you to attend a conference of Sunday School Superintendents and Sunday School Teachers on November 5, 1961 at Staten Island beginning at 2 p. m. The problems of teaching methods, curriculum, age grouping, etc. will be discussed. Mrs. Mary Lazar Secretary MINISTERS In our last article we made a few remarks about the government of the Christian Church. We realized that the tasks of the Christian Church are two-fold: spiritual and material. In order that the spiritual tasks of the church be fulfilled, God odered ministers. Who are the ministers of the Christian Church? They are servants of God, that is they receive their tasks and duties not from the people, but from God. And according to the Bible, God wants the ministers, above all to preach His Word. Furthermore, it is their duty to administer the two sacraments: the Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Also they are to instruct children and adults in the truths of the Bible and confirm them in their Christian faith. It is their obligation to console the sufferers, to encourage the despondent and to remind the neglectful of their God-given duties. Since the minister is the servant of God, it means, too, that only that person can be a minister who is certain that God called him or elected him to be a minister. In addition to this calling, it is necessary for the minister to be properly trained and educated and have all those qualities without which he could not fulfill his office. “The servant of the Lord must not strive, but gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves” (Timoth. 2:24). The Bible requests also that the minister be ordained. His ordination means that the other ministers of his denomination accept him as one whom God called and with the laying of their hands on him and prayer they invoke the blessings and help of the Holy Spirit upon the new servant. Only by the lawful election and agreement of a congregation is a minister able to be its pastor. The members of the congregation, however, must esteem their minister highly because of his sacred works, and they should obey him when he calls their attention to the will of God. The congregations are duty-bound to provide and maintain a satisfactory living for their ministers as the apostle warns: “The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” and “The laborer deserves his wages.” Finally, all ministers are equal in that respect that they are all servants of God, having the same tasks, responsibilities and honor in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, for the sake of good order and peace, it is proper that the ministers and the believers of a denomination elect one of their ministers as their bishop or dean and bestow upon him certain official power. The other ministers and all believers should respect and honor their bishops and deans and help them to discharge the duties of their offices. Stephen Kovács
