Magyar Egyház, 1968 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1968-12-01 / 12. szám

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

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for all of us to undertake now, while we are still able. But we must also realize, like our forefathers, that the time will come when we must pass on the work of the church to the young, for we will be unable to continue it ourselves. The question we must then ask ourselves is how well have we prepared our young for this responsibility, and the answer is, all too often, that we have not done as well as we might have. Perhaps, in some cases it has not been our fault, but in many cases, the responsibility for seeing that there is a place in the church for youth has been ours alone. Also, it is by our example that the young learn how to tend the affairs of the church. If we set a good example, then the great bulk of the job has been done, but if our example has been a poor one, we can expect little more from our youth.

Now you might ask what can the Elder contribute to the future of his church? First he must realize that the church involves not only the clergy, but all who are members. As you value your own home and property, so must you value that which belongs to your church. You must study and improve conditions. Check your church attendance. If it’s not up to par, try to find out why. But after you have found the reason, do something about it. To know the reason, if there is one, and do nothing about it is a violation of your oath as an elder. We realize that conditions are not the same in every church, but each must search out its weaknesses and seek to make necessary improvements.

I think the first thing we should admit is that we have not given the women of our church enough consideration. We love them and value them, but have we ever thought of electing them to the Board of Elders? Women have made their place in the world of politics, science, education and any other positions of importance in our everyday life. Our own women devote hours for their church preparing dinners, making hurka and kolbász, or making noodles, teaching Sunday School and doing many other important things. Without their help, we would be lost. At home, we value their opinions enough to discuss any important matter that may come up. They have the very important responsibility of raising our children and running a household. Why don’t we give them their rightful place in our church administration? I, for one, am 100% in favor of changing our by-laws to this effect. I cherish the tradition of my church, but I don’t think we should let tradition stand in the way of progress where the future of our church is at stake. With all due respect to the people who wrote the by-laws of the church, it may be that a review of our by-laws is past due and that they should be rewritten to fit a church which not only

reflects a long history, hut one which constantly keeps its eye to the future.

St. Paul spoke of the church as the body of Christ, and that all of the parts of the body must work together if harmony is to prevail. All too often, the parts of the body seem to be loosely connected, and here is where the church elder can make a very definite and significant contribution to the future of his church. If he can find the time to attend functions that bring various churches together, he will be taking a giant step toward building a better relationship between his own and other churches. Not only might he share a good meal, but he may also share some ideas that may help a brother from another church, or learn something that he can carry back to improve his own congregation.

We have already mentioned the importance of adequately preparing our youth to assume the work of the church in the future. This task must begin as soon as they are old enough to attend Sunday School. Just as you and I were given the God-fearing spirit of our parents, so must we do the same for our children. A person very seldom loses that which was taught to him as a child. If by example of his parents and other adults, he has developed the habit of regular attendance in church as well as Sunday School, he will continue to attend church beyond confirmation into adulthood. Many of our young people, however, stop attending church regularly after they have taken their confirmation. Why? It seems that it is a must to attend Sunday School until confirmation, hut after that, there is a tendency to become lax in attendance at church school which in later life is carried over into a similar attitude toward church attendance participation in congregational activities. It is at this stage that there must be a program to keep these young boys and girls coming to church.

Perhaps the best way to hold onto our young people is through the local young peoples’ fellowships. How active is your youth fellowship? What are you doing to make it more interesting for them? Do you ever offer to drive them to a conference or a youth social? Do you know what they do at their meetings? Perhaps if you have a child of your own as a member, or if you are an advisor, you know what’s being done within your own church, but has your interest been great enough to cause you to become really involved in improving the present program? If your young peoples’ fellowship needs an advisor, would you be willing to devote your time? My friends, these boys and girls are the future of our church. Let’s do all we can to hold on to them and help them in the best way that we know how in order to perpetuate this great church of ours.