Magyar Egyház, 1984 (63. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1984-09-01 / 4. szám
6. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ TOTAL U.S. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS UP According to the statistics in the newly published Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches US church membership continued to grow in 1982. This overall slowing of membership losses in mainline churches — which have lost literally millions of members since the mid-1960s — offers “some signs that we may he approaching a turning point, but it hasn't come yet.’ said Yearbook editor Constant R. Jarquet, staff associate in the Office of Research, Evaluation and Planning of the National Council of Churches. The 1982 membership figures, the most recent ones available from the participating churches, show that the churches membership increased to 0.83 percent with a net 1,130.445 new members. Among large US church bodies showing gains, the Assembly of God, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Southern Baptist Convention, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the American Lutheran Church. The Report on Clergy Salaries and Income in 1982 in 11 US denominations is based on responses to questions provided by 1.983 clergy out of a scientifically selected sample of 5, 400. Questions posed by the NCCC on clergy compensation and related matters were included in a questionnaire survey of continuing education conducting by Dr. Connolly Gamble. Executive Secretary, Society for the Advancement of Continuing Education for Ministry. Average clergy salaries vary greatly among the 11 church bodies, ranging from high of $24,420 in one church body to a low of $12,670 in another church body, the study shows. The average (mean) salary for all 11 bodies was $20,790. The study also found that in all full-time categories of pastor, associate and assistant, women clergy earn consistently less then men clergy. For pastors, the median salary for men was $20.000 to $22.000 and for women was $14.000 to $16,000. In addition to US and Canadian Church membership statistics, the Yearbook also provides financial data on religious bodies in those two countries and seminary enrollment figures, which is showing a slight upward move. Seminary enrollment reached a record high in 1983. with 55, 112 persons registered. Summer Youth ('.amp ]9H4 UNITY AMONG REFORMED CHURCHES A Statement of the WARC Executive Committee Cairo. Egypt, February 12-18. 1984 The General Council in Ottawa drew the attention of the member churches to the need of a new commitment to the unity of the chűrch. It affirmed in particular: “To this end the Reformed churches need to ask first how they can more effectively express unity among themselves. What are the reasons for the multiple splits which have occurred in Reformed churches and how can this tendency be overcome?” (Called to W itness to the Gospel Today, p. 241. As we look at the present situation of the Reformed family we see three major types of division or separation among Reformed Churches. In the course of history — Some Reformed churches have split over issues of doctrine, witness or order. In some countries. missionary activity resulted in founding several Reformed churches. In many countries, churches of Presbyterian/Reformed and of Congregationalist tradition live side by side. In 1970 the two families decided to unite. The question must therefore he asked whether the same process can take place also at the local level. In some countries Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches already united (England and Wales, Australia) . It is our conviction that the witness of the Reformed churches both in the world and in the ecumenical movement is seriously reduced by the present state of division. (WARC. Geneva) YOUTH CAMP - ANOTHER GREAT EVENT The Joint Youth Conference of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America and the United Church of Christ — Calvin Synod was held from August 12 to 18. It was a big success again. It was a time to learn about God and ourselves: a time to renew old friendships and to gain new ones; and a time to find out more about our Hungarian heritage. Miss Priscilla Hunyady and the Revs. László and Coralyn Medyesy were the Camp Directors. The assistance of all those who were counselors and counselors-in-training was. greatly appreciated. The HRCA churches from Allen Park, Duquesne, Perth Amboy. Roebling, and Trenton were represented, as well as churches from Chicago to Connecticut from the UCC. Visitors to camp included Bishop and Mrs. Dezső Abraham, Rev. and Mrs. Paul Kantor, and Rev. Louis Illés. A visit was made to the Bethlen Home where the entire group was treated to lunch. Several young people visited those who were in the Home from their respective churches. Thanks is given to the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, which again gave a generous gift to support the camp. About 125 people were at the Conference during the week 85 young people and most of them first-timers. It is encouraging to see new faces each year. This only means that those from previous years telltheir friends about the merits of the Camp and convince them to also come. The feeling throughout camp during the week was that ol one familv one in background (Hungarian) and one in faith (Ref orined). Hopefully, this feeling can he spread and we can look forward to an even larger group for Youth Camp from August 11-17. 1985.
