Magyar Egyház, 1993 (72. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1993-07-01 / 3. szám
10. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ will reflect on the Ontario situation. The last congregational meeting, chaired by the dean’s request, by the Rev. Eugene Katona and chief elder Stephen Farkas, San Francisco, was attended by 60 church members, peacefully conducted its official business. 7. The San Francisco and Vicinity Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Eugene Katona and chief elder Stephen Farkas, are working hard to pay their debt on the loan from the William Penn Association for their beautiful church. The recent great news was that the San Francisco “Hungarian House” sold its property and donated the proceeds of the sale to our church which is going to enable us to retire the outstanding debt. 8. The Windsor Church, the host congregation to this meeting, will observe the 60th anniversary of its foundation next September. Dean Demeter expressed his appreciation for the splendid cooperation of his fellow Classis-officers, also to bishop Andrew Harsanyi, Synod chief elder, Stephen Szabó and Mr. Julius Furrier, legal counselor of the Synod. *** THE MORNING DEVOTION of the Classis was held by the Rev. Sándor Szabó, pastor of the Ontario Church. Its theme, “The Good Shepherd - a Jo Pásztor”, delivered in Hungarian, is printed in the Hungarian section of this issue. The English version was distributed at the meeting. Western Classis Annual Meeting l. to r.: István Szabó Synod Chief Elder, Bishop Harsányi, Mrs. Harsányi, Dean Andor Demeter HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT OF MR. ZOLTÁN KUN, CHIEF ELDER OF THE WESTERN CLASSIS Dear Brothers and Sisters! Events during the past year have somewhat changed the circumstances which influence the life of the Western Classis. A few years ago a motion was made to split the Western Classis into two sections. One in the far west, the other in the midwest. The geographic spread of the Western Classis is indeed very extensive. The motion to split, therefore, had some logic to it. I had the suspicion, however, that there were personal reasons on part of those who proposed the motion. The proposers are no longer with us. Thus, it is reasonable to expect that this issue, if it is still alive, will be decided on its merit alone. ...Continuing their attempts to disrupt the Ontario, CA Church, its detractors continued their accusation-campaign. However, with our dean’s help, the church succeeded in isolating the disruptors and minimizing their influence. According to our constitution, this kind of matter has to be handled by the respective congregation. The Ontario Church showed good abilities in handling this problem. Their union is strengthening, thereby minimizing the ill effects of the accusations. ...To provide the spiritual care of our congregations...if the minister has all the desirable/ necessary qualities for this difficult task, the very same qualities would qualify him/her to be the director of a multi hundred million dollars per year business. In other words, the requirements embrace all aspects of our life. Let me list some of them. ...He/she should be a good psychologist. Not so much the analytical type but one who has an intrinsic understanding of human nature. Some business talents are also useful...The most important is the ability to come up with ideas for fundraising, for extra expenses, sometimes for mere survival. If the church has some property, good stewardship is important. ...Also, an instinctive organization ability to know what will work and what will not, and how to motivate the people of the congregation to actively participate in church related work. ...One of the most important factors: it makes matters a lot easier if the congregation likes/loves the minister. An often used vague expression: the minister’s chemistry to match with the congregation’s chemistry. If they have mismatching chemistries, there will be a continuous friction between how the minister wants to do things and how the congregation or the church counsel wants to do things... ...All these factors combined means that the minister must really be interested in his/her flock’s lives, giving strength to the members to carry their individual crosses. To be able to do so the minister must have gone through personal trials and tribulations experienced by the church members. No one can give as good a spiritual help as someone who sometimes needs it him/herself. ...Only with God’s help can we hope that we will succeed. We must humbly ask Him to give strength to both, the ministers and the congregations to serve together in this effort. *** INDIVIDUAL REPORTS ON THE LIVES OF THE CONGREGATIONS They were presented as a change from the customary procedure instead of the pastors by the chief elder (with two exceptions). ***
