Magyar Egyház, 1992 (71. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)

1992-03-01 / 3. szám

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

9. oldal

A LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL

Commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the ordination of Stefan Tötök to the gospel ministry by Bishop Andrew Harsányi, Perth Amboy, June 7, 1992.

I am fortunate to have known Stefan Török ever since he arrived in America in 1968. This gave me the opportunity to follow the unbroken witness of his ministry in the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, first for a while in Roebling, New Jersey, then from 1974 here in Perth Amboy. His excellent theological training in Prague, where he was a much liked student of Professor Jan Lochman, was followed by supplemental studies in American-Hungarian church polity and practice (partly by me). He was ordained on April 9, 1972. At the ordination Dezső Ábrahám was our bishop, Stephen Kovács the general secretary (now gravely ill), Gábor Csordás (died just a few months ago) and myself the deans. In his testimony Stefan Török said that “his dedication to the ministry was a grave decision” because “the Bible is open to all to read but it is a difficult task to teach and to lead others to Christ.”

Having had also the privilege to install him into the pastorate in the Perth Amboy Church on April 6, 1975, I can bear witness that he has ever been true to his dedication made at his ordination in 1972.

In his ministry — which included preaching, teaching, pastoral care and administration — he was conscious of living in a secular world. In a world immersed in a culture alien to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He did not transform the character of his ministry to become indistinguishable from the characteristics of the secular society compromising gospel standards with new morality expressed in violence, in licentious sex and in financial recklessness. With other words Stefan Török did not preach otherwordly spirituality but a this-wordly spirituality which, however, did not conform to the counterculture of the secular world, counter to the gospel, that is.

How did he manage to do so? What power did he possess? Stefan Török gave himself to the Lord; he trusted in God and thus it was God who acted (Psalm 37:5); he cast his burden on the Lord who would never let a good man to be defeated (Psalm 55:33); he had faith in God’s message as he learned it from the Apostle Peter in these words, “Cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you” (I. Peter 5:7).

Stefan Török was conscious of the fact that America was his chosen land and whatever was happening here was part of his life and of the people he was called to serve. But he was also conscious of the truth that there was another land where most of his family lives including his mother whose presence we are now privileged to enjoy. He has not and will not forget this native land and its culture and the consciousness

of the two lands of the Magyar Felvidék and of Hungarian America will remain indivisible in his heart and mind.

He lives his life as pastor of the Perth Amboy congregation and as administrator of the Eastern Classis in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel in no way intimidated by his opponents. He was firm in his stand in the congregation in doctrine and in discipline as well, but more so in the administration of the Eastern Classis in the midst of fights of corrupt forces, acing firm, wise and gentle at the same time (Philippi 1:27, II. Timothy 2:25).

We are here to express our high regard to Stefan Török for his ministry of twenty years but I want to add my praise to the Perth Amboy congregation as a whole and to so many of its individual members for their loving cooperation to the Reverend Török of which I am also a true witness. Cindy’s graciousness makes this witness even sweeter.

I always give thanks to God for Stefan Török and mention him in my prayers remembering before God his work of faith and his labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For I know that God has chosen him. Because the message of the gospel came to him not in word only but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; so that he became an example to all the believers (I. Thessalonians 1, paraphrased).

In my last words this afternoon I wholeheartedly apply the Apostle’s words: May the Lord increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as I abound in love for you.----------------*• » »»---------------DEAN ANDOR DEMETER AND CHIEF ELDER ZOLTÁN KUN REELECTED TO LEAD WESTERN CLASSIS

Congregations of the Western Classis and the Annual Meeting of the classis held May 30 in the Redwood City, California church, reelected Dean Demeter and Chief Elder Kun. he full list of new classis officers is as follows:

Dean: Very Rev. Andor Demeter;

Chief Elder: Mr. Zoltán K. Kun;

Members of the Judicial Commission: Rev. Jenő Katona, Rt. Rev. Paul Mező, Rev. Sándor Szabó (clergy); Mr. Ronald Sopo, István Farkas, János Kontz (lay);

Secretaries: Rev. Dénes Fodor and Mr. Zolten Ambrus;