Magyar Egyház, 1970 (49. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-01-01 / 1. szám
12 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH Eugene L. Smith: YEAR OF CREATIVE TURBULENCE 1969 Year-end Summary 1969 has been a year of creative turbulence in the ecumenical movement. The turbulence comes from the upheavals in contemporary society. In the 1930’s the world had an economic crisis—producing major changes in production and distribution. The crisis of the 1960’s and 70’s is one of values. In such a crisis, the church is irrevocably involved. The sharp edges of the church’s involvement point outward at its redemptive task in the world and inward at its readiness for that task. The United States today is both prosperous and plagued. We are plagued by a war we can neither understand nor find our way out of; black demands which society cannot deny and is willing only slowly to meet; disintegration of city life; fear of crime; and confusion about our real goals. One of America’s great achievements has been the growth of the middle classes—which today are plagued by inflation, clogged schools, and an unprecedented generation gap. America’s self-assurance has been shaken. The end of complacency may be the beginning of hope. The church today is also shaken and searching. Critics, within and without, multiply, but in 1969 U. S. seminary enrollment increased. Some discount that trend as a result of the draft, though academic achievement has not declined and schools report good quality with increased concern for creative social involvement. Right and left wing attacks on councils of churches increase, while more and more churches join those councils. In 1969 eighteen churches in Africa took steps to join the All Africa Conference of Churches; the largest independent church in Africa and a major Pentecostal Church in Brazil, the Evangelical Pentecostal Church “Brazil for Christ”, joined the World Council of Churches; while influential and theologically conservative Reformed Church in the Netherlands voted overwhelmingly to join and the Pope himself has voiced publicly the question of Roman Catholic membership. Meanwhile, councils of churches on every level and in almost every part of the world, under a variety of names, are being reorganized for new tasks. The research for more adequate ways of evangelism, of worship, of service, and of attack upon social evils, multiply. The World Council program in the years immediately ahead focuses in seven major emphases: —a three year “crash” program in world-wide stimulation to Christians to make their contribution to economic justice and peace; —a study of the ethical issues paved by our technological development; —a new thrust on the church’s educational task, both within society and within the faith; —a study of the essential needs of human beings and the kind of societies required to meet them; —a five-year program to combat racism; —a study of worship, its relationship to morality, and its forms in secularized societies; and —a study of the meaning of salvation in our day, in its Biblical, personal and societal dimension. The participation of Roman Catholic, and of other non-member churches, in these programs increases. The opportunity has never been greater for the church through such tasks for mankind to find new life in Christ. Dr. Smith is the executive secretary of the New York Office of the World Council of Churches. LET US PRAY.... LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. On the threshold of another year we pause and acknowledge that this like all others is thy time and we are thy people. We thank thee for the gift of a new year. We confess that we did not do well with the old one. Many days in it we are ashamed of, when we think that they are inscribed forever in thy book of life. We would give much to erase the hasty word spoken in anger, the thoughtless deed done in selfishness. Help us, O God, to fill the days of the coming year so full of service and of love that all past failures may be forgotten. O Father, tenderly we remember before thee all who have passed through the portals of death during the year that is past, especially those near to us, whose passing has left an emptiness within us. We thank thee for thy precious promises by which we have faith that they are safe with thee. Fill our loneliness with the hope of eternal life and consecrate all holy memories unto increased devotion of our lives to thee and to thy kingdom. Lord God of hosts, dwell mightily in thy world these coming months. So strengthen the counsels of sanity that war may cease and come no more. As men in their extremity turn to thee let true penitence prevail. May the fear of thy judgment bear fruit not only in wisdom, but also in compassion, that the sufferings of the world’s people may be abated. Let the power of faith and the light of freedom dwell in us, for we put our trust in thee. We pray in the name of Him, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, even Christ Jesus our only Savior. Amen. Bertram J. Sathmary
