Magyar Egyház, 1997 (76. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1997 / 3. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 9. oldal guidance to the masses, fight against injustices, tyrannical rulers, caring for the poor, who can be against that?—On the other hand, many considers church life as a happy gathering ground for a certain group of people, a sort of social club, which keeps its boundaries, plays leadership, many times bickers among the ranks, where a pastor or minister is a necessity to keep together the structure and secure the tax exempt status of a nonprofit organization. And I could name a few more, like being a cultural guardian or in the shadowy decades of the cold war in Europe, many felt, that they sacred duty was in the freedom of emigration to be a mouthpiece of the downtrodden homeland and encouragement to its oppressed people. But here again we are talking about politics and compete against professional politicians. Do not be mistaken, I am not belittling or condemning those great humanistic efforts, where the Church should certainly be involved, especially to help the poor, the week and defenseless, but I am still searching deeper: is there anymore to the Church?—Is there anything really separate and unique function for the Church and none other?— I dare say there must be. And for an answer we have to go back to our roots, the very beginning of Christian religion. What was the purpose of the congregations of old?—To change the life of its converts. To make men different, than they were before. In modern words, to change human behavior, which is claimed today, but not too successfully, by modern psychology and sociology. Yes, the Church is, first of all, engaged in the great change of human behavior. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) was the first message of both John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth and echoed by the great missionary apostle Paul. The goal is clearly set before us in these words: change and the greatest happiness is at your reach. We, Church people of course know, that this is impossible without divine help. But nevertheless we have to revert to our unique and main purpose again, even if we have to make a new reformation, which was by the way, expected from us by the great reformers of old, in order, that Christian Religion in her many congregations and denominations should find her right place and justification for her existence in our modern age. May God help us to strive to that sacred goal! Now, as far as the greatest events are concerned, since our last meeting in June, 1996, the following may be mentioned: 1. The Illrd Assembly of the Hungarian World Federation had taken place from August 3rd to August 10th in Partium and Transylvania (former territories of Hungary), where our denomination was represented by the Bishop, Mr. Stephen Szabó Chief Elder of the Synod, and as official delegates: Rev. Denes Fodor (Hollywood, CA), Rev. Peter Toth (Carteret, N.J.) and Mr. Balint Balogh Chief Elder of the Eastern Classis. 2. The other memorable event was on September 15th, at our Trenton (NJ) Church the 100th year celebrations of both the first organized Hungarian Reformed Churches in the U.S.A. and the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. These grand events had received ample publications by articles and photographs in various newspapers, therefore I do not need further elaboration on the subject. (See also in our official organ the “Magyar Egyház” 1996, 1997 issues.) 3. On October 4th, Friday, the sad news spread around, that our good, scholar, former Bishop, the Right Reverend dr. Andrew Harsanyi had passed away. He served faithfully at the helm of our denomination for eight years. 4. At the beginning of the current year the great significant event was, when the Hungarian Reformed Church of Vancouver, Canada joined our ranks and officially applied for membership to our Western Classis. The Very Reverend Andor Demeter Dean had visited them in the month of April 5. I announce here, that the World Alliance of Reformed Churches will have her 23rd General Council meeting from August 8th to 20th at Debrecen, Hungary. Our Synod, as an independent denomination received an official invitation to participate in the grand event. We are entitled to send two delegates. Our official delegates are: the Right Reverend Dezső Abraham honorary Bishop personally representing your present Bishop and Mr. Stephen Szabó, the Chief Elder of the Synod. Our whole denomination will keep their journey abroad in prayer and we wish God’s richest blessing upon that grand meeting, where from all over the world hundreds of delegates gather and participate. Hopefully it will be fruitful for the spreading of the Gospel and reaping the harvest of our Lord. I respectfully make a motion to the Bishop’s Council to grant a $500.00 financial help to the Right Reverend Dezső Abraham honorary Bishop, who is a retired Pastor and needs at least this amount to partly cover his expenses. Otherwise I can say, as in the past years, that by attending the annual Conference of the Eastern Classis on March 2nd at the Perth Amboy (NJ) Church, as well as the annual Assembly of the Western Classis on May 31st at the McKeesport (PA) Church, there is harmony and order in the congregations of our denomination. The vacant positions have been filled, at least for a time. (Allen Park, MI; New York 82nd Street; Trenton, NJ) The only sour spot again is the Ontario Church in California, where the situation is still not settled. I was glad to serve the Lord in my official capacity as your Bishop during the second half of the past and the first half of the present year. I tried my best with Mr. Stephen Szabó Chief Elder to represent
