Magyar Egyház, 1972 (51. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1972-05-01 / 5. szám
12 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ NEEDED: A THINK TANK During the Second World War Winston Churchill and a brilliant scientist, Professor Frederick Lindemann of Oxford University, organized study groups to help determine the possible course of activities. Their work proved outstanding. Time and time again they anticipated German and Japanese moves. When, after the hostilities ceased, their records were examined, it was determined that they knew no more about any given issue than the enemy, but they had more carefully thought through the consequences of any given act. In other words, they beat the Germans and Japanese at their own game. The federal government has, over the years, used the services of the Rand Corporation and other study groups to assess its strategic position and help determine the consequences of given actions. Unfortunately, church groups have rarely done more than react to situations after they developed. This means that the Christian community has generally been the last to find out what is happening, and the consequences have usually been disastrous! We of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America are in a unique position. The overwhelming majority of our parishoners were born and brought up in America. They are free to affiliate with any denominational body of their choice. The fact that they have voluntarily chosen to remain with the church of their fathers means that they deserve the very best in leadership and program. What are we doing? Are we fully aware of the many changes that may well jeopardize our future? Do we know what the picture will be in 1982 or 1992? Are we really concerned with the future of American Christianity in a time when leisure will be more important than work, when the old ethic of responsibility will be replaced by the new ethic of governmental control ovér all of life? These questions have particular relevance to our Hungarian Reformed groups. Unless we have a valid reason for survival, we will simply be swallowed up in the cauldron of American life. It is time to organize a Hungarian Reformed Think Tank. It should include people from all walks of life. It should have specific objectives and should be able to present a number of alternative ways of reaching these objectives. But, most important of all, it must be willing to work long and hard and it must be ready to afflict the comfortable and to comfort the afflicted. After eighty years in America we must be ready to develop a form of church life that is relevant to modern American life. Our historic heritage must be maintained, of course, but within the context of a fast-moving urban society that is quick to recognize the artificial and ready to embrace the real. Charles A. Darocy ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE EASTERN CLASSIS The Eastern Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America held its annual assembly on April 16 in Bethlehem, Pa. with official delegates present from each constituent congregation; a good number of additional elders attended. The Rt. Rev. Louis Nagy, Superintendent brought greetings from the Ligonier Bethlen Home and reported on its present life. Among the guests present was the Rev. John David, pastor of the Hungarian Evangelical Reformed Church from Philadelphia, Pa. and two elders of that congregation. In his “State of the Classis” report Dr. Andrew Harsanyi, Dean, pointed out that while the management of the internal affairs of the congregations is prudent and efficient, their missionary outreach is low—about 5% of current expenses. In structure, worship and service he called for a sound balance between traditions and innovative trends. “With all the help and strength we draw from our traditions we are freely searching for Christ.”, Statistical data reported by the Dean are as follows: 42 infants baptized, 49 young people confirmed, 38 couples married, 62 church members buried; on the list of voters 1,654, total constituency 3,000 of whom 510 are children. There are seven congregations in the classis all having resident pastors two of whom, the Rev. Béla Pohóczky in Bethlehem and the Rev. István Török in Roebling were installed in 1971. The Assembly, among other resolutions, • expressed their congratulations to the Rt. Rev. Dr. Zoltán Béky on his 45th anniversary in the Christian ministry praying for his continuous god health; • went on record to be desirous of stronger interdenominational ties working for actual unity among the Hungarian Reformed Churches in the U.S.A.; • instructed the Dean and fellow officers of the classis to seek out individual congregations who would be willing to unite; • continued the names of 3 ministers—the Rt. Rev. Dr. Zoltán Béky, the Rev. Leslie Carey and the Rev. László Kovács—on the list of ministers without pastoral charge; • confirmed the election of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi, Dean and of Mr. John Nemish, Chief Elder who, by the votes of the congregations, were unanimously returned to their respective offices for a third term. • elected the following officers: the Rev. Béla Pohóczky and Mr. Frank Vérségi secretaries, Mr. Walter Kovács treasurer, the Rt. Rev. István Kovács and the Rev. István Török, Mr. Miklós Magyar and Mr. László Ruszkay council members, the Rev. László Hunyady and Mr. Joseph Jenei commissioners to the General Assembly. • voted gifts to “Magyar Egyház” and to Hungarian Reformed missionary projects in Belgium, West Germany, Switzerland, Italy and East Africa. For supper, the members of the assembly were guests of the Bethlehem church.
