Magyar Egyház, 1980 (59. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1980-05-01 / 5. szám
MAGyflg £Gyftnz 8. oldal MAGYAR CHURCH AN IDEAL It is a most reasonable wish if we, the members of the Hungarian Reformed Church, would like to make our church an ideal, true Christian church. By what can we recognize an ideal, true Christian church? An ideal, true Christian church is the one in which the minister, the elders and the congregation live up to the requirements of God. 1. Let us see first the requirements of God from the minister. Of the many admonitions, instructions and warnings the Bible contains concerning ministers, we mention these two: ‘‘Ministers, preach the Word of God, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. ” (I. Timothy 4:2.) “Ministers, take heed to yourself and to your teaching-, hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. "(II. Timothy 4:16.) These two Bible quotations very clearly say that the minister is required to preach the Word of God from the Bible and nothing else, at any time, anywhere and to anybody, wherever there is an opportunity to preach. The other requirement is also very clear. The minister should take heed to his own preaching. In other words, his own life should prove that he believes and lives by what he is preaching. A congregation can rightfully demand all these from a minister. However, the minister is a human being and he needs the help of God and your prayers to be a true minister. 2. Now let us see the requirements of God from the elders and church officers. The Bible has also many instructions and warnings as to what kind of person an elder or church officer should be. Let us mention this one: “Elders, tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.” (I. Peter 5:2.) To be an elder in the church of God is truly a great honor. But it is a very difficult task, too, because the elders must be examples to the members of the congregation. Examples in what? They must be examples in attending the worship services, in living with the Lord’s Supper, in helping the church according to their ability, and conducting a true daily Christian life. CHURCH Also, the elders should never forget that they are not elected to be domineering over the congregation but to promote in the congregation everything that is good and needed according to the Word of God. They have to do this in harmony and agreement with the whole congregation. As you see, the duty of an elder (or church officer) is no less sacred and responsible than the duty of a minister. The elders and church officers also need the help of God and your prayers to be worthy of the great honor of being elders. 3. Finally, let us see the requirements of God from the congregation. Almost two thousand years ago there was an ancient Christian congregation in Thessalonia. Apostle Paul wrote two letters to that congregation, which are in the Bible as the I. Thessalonians and the II. Thessalonians. In his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul writes: “ We give thanks to God always for you all . . . Remembering your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ... You became an example to all the believers.” (I. Thessalonians 1.) According to these words of apostle Paul, the church in Thessalonia was an ideal, exemplary church. Why? Because the members of the church were believers. They believed in God, they believed in Jesus Christ, they believed everything that Jesus taught about God, about our human life, about our death, about our resurrection and about our eternal life in heaven. Also, their faith produced good works for the benefit of others, from love and gratefulness toward God and Jesus Christ. It is obvious that the Thessalonian Christians joyously came together to worship God, to sing, to pray, to hear the preaching of the Word of God and to live with the Lord’s Supper. They taught their Christian faith to their children and to everybody who was willing to listen. * * * Now that we are aware of the requirements of God from the minister, the elders and the congregation, we humbly admit that our Hungarian Reformed Church is still not an ideal church. But we are not allowed to lower the high standard God set for ministers, elders and congreagtions. At least, we clearly see our goal toward which we must strive both individually and as a congregation. Rev. Stephen Kovács
