Fraternity-Testvériség, 1965 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1965-10-01 / 10. szám

FRATERNITY

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5. We recommend that each section Vice-President form his own Committee and visit Elders’ meetings of other Churches in his section throughout the year, to implement the resolutions of the National meeting held in Ligonier.

6. We recommend that the above points, if accepted by the National meeting together with any other resolution passed by the National meeting, be presented immediately to the coming National Ministers’ meeting for their consideration and comments.

Highlighting the Conference in this spirit of cooperation and togetherness (which can be considered a first positive step toward unity and assurance of our future) was the report by the Rev. Joseph Kecske- methy, secretary of the Hungarian Reformed Federation, on “Our Youth Camp”. His eloquently presented report gave assurance that the Hungarian Reformed Federation, together with the Hungarian Reformed Church bodies, are taking immediate steps to create a Youth Camp at Ligonier, Pa. This place will provide a gathering place where “all” the youth from “all the Hungarian Reformed Churches can learn, work and play together.” This report and its intent were unanimously adopted by the Conference. (A detailed summary of this report will be issued at a later date.)

The meeting was called to order by the President, Mr. Joseph Benedek, of Cleveland, Ohio, at 2 P. M., on September 5, 1965. The formal aspects of the meeting were followed by an inspiring and informative discussion on “The Elder and the Minister”. The topic was introduced by the Rev. Dr. Aladar Komjáthy, of Passaic, N. J., and Dr. Sándor Kiss, Chief Elder of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. The Vice-President, John C. Nemesnyik, was the moderator. Constructive comments were made by Stephen Lippoczky (South Norwalk, Conn.), Sándor Csik, Rev. Alexander Daroczy, John Szabó (Passaic), Ernest Szucs (Cleveland), Dr. Stephen Haller, Rev. Julius Paal, László Eszenyi, Charles Kiss, Sándor Dombrady (Detroit) and others.

The discussion led to the realization that unavoidable circumstances of the past created practices which no longer should exist:

a) The Minister should devote his time and energy to the ministry and not burden himself with tasks that others can and should do. The Minister should take close to his heart the teaching of his people. The Minister should be ready and willing to divorce himself from things which do not add to his ministry.

b) The Elder must assume the full responsibility of eldership. Aside from maintaining a church in its physical aspect, the Elder must teach and aid his pastor in his ministry. The elders must recognize the needs of their ministers and provide accordingly. Recognition must be made of the fact that the Minister and the Elder are not the servants of the people, but servants of God.

c) The time has come when most of our Churches can have and should have ministerial aids in the services of Assistant Pastors, trained Directors of Christian Education, qualified Youth Leaders and Choir Directors, etc. We should endeavor to elect as elders men who fully understand and appreciate the responsibility of eldership. Serious consideration should be given to a training program for our elders.