Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1970-01-01 / 1. szám

14

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

commended “those members of churches whose conscience leads them to participate in such events (moratoria).”

For the first time in the history of the National Council, the Assembly declined to approve a proposed Message to the Churches.

—The Religious Newsweekly

On A Wider Christian Fellowship

... WHEREAS the representatives of the churches gathered in the NCC Assembly have expressed a desire to develop a more inclusive Christian instrumentality of our unity and mission,

BE IT RESOLVED that the General Board and the General Secretary be authorized to facilitate such exploration; and that the General Board be authorized to formulate and recommend to the next Assembly any changes in the constitution of the NCC that may seem desirable ... looking toward a more inclusive Christian fellowship.

—The Religious Newsweekly

Where Do Ministers Come From?

In one sense, every one of the

2,100,000 members of the United Church of Christ is actually a “minister.” In the more usual sense of the word, however, the United Church has only about 9,000 ministers—ministers who are professionally trained and ordained for specific tasks in the work of the church. They serve all over the world in many capacities after fulfilling certain standards of training and education. Like every institution, the church has the continuing task of recruiting enough professional leaders to fill vacancies and provide for expansion.

The Council for Church and Ministry notes several. First, it points out that the pastor of the local congregation is the key person in influencing persons for the ministry. He generally sets the model. His counselling and advice are valuable for any interested candidate. It is generally he who first thinks to invite young people in his congregation to consider the ministry. While career decisions are being made later in life than they were in former years, the influences that help shape a decision to enter the ministry are frequently present in early childhood and are particularly present at the time of confirmation.

The secondary step in recruitment takes place when the youth is away from home—at college or in the service. College and military chaplains frequently open windows to new understanding of what the ministry is all about.

While most who become ministers enter upon their training for their occupation immediately upon finishing college, others come to their training later after leaving successful careers in other fields in order to fulfill their sense of vocation in the ministry.

Where do ministers come from? They come from almost anywhere within the church. They may even come from YOUR congregation. Have YOU ever considered entering the ministry yourself?

Your best sources of information on the ministry are your local pastor, your conference office, and the Council for Church and Ministry, 289 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10010.

—UCC Conference News Service

Salary Survey Shows Ministers Income Low

In a national survey showing the income disparity between the clergy and other professional groups, the UCC ranked sixth in financial support of parish ministers.

The study, conducted for the Department of Ministry of the National Council of Churches, showed that the median income in 1968 for clergymen of 23 Protestant denominations was $8,037, including cash salary, housing value, utilities allowance and fees.

The median income for UCC ministers was $8,591, ranking behind the Unitarian Universalists, United Presbyterians, Reformed Church in America, Episcopal and Presbyterian U.S., in that order.

While the survey showed that most ministers feel they are underpaid, only one in 20 is thinking of leaving the ministry to secure more income.

A guidebook based on the survey, “A Fair Salary for Your Minister: A Guidebook for Local Congregations,” has been sent by the Pension Boards to all UCC clergymen to be shared with key laymen. Additional copies are available from Council for Church and Ministry, 289 Park Avenue South, N. Y. 10010. (Two copies are free; others, 25c).

An interpretive article on the salary study is being prepared for the March issue of THE HERALD by William T. Longsdorf, Penn Northeast Conference minister.

—Keeping You Posted

World Board Honors Missionaries

Nearly 200 people came to a “family” dinner at Old South Church, Boston, when the United Church Board for World Ministries honored retiring Rev. and Mrs. Walter C. Tong for 38 years’ service in the Philippines and Boston and NY offices. Near East missionaries present were also honored, in recognition of the 150th anniversary this year of board work in the Near East. Dr. Fred Field Goodsell, 89, veteran of 65 years’ service as American Board executive vice president and Near East missionary, addressed the gathering. Boston’s Park Street Church held ceremonies marking the 150th anniversary of work in Hawaii. —Keeping You Posted

New Eden Library

Complete library operations of Eden Theological Seminary and Webster College, both in Webster Groves, Mo., are combined in the new $1.2 million dollar Eden Library. The two institutions are located across the street from each other. Webster’s 50,000 volume collection was moved across the street and a joint library board will oversee operations.

—Keeping You Posted

Overwhelming Response To

Dutch Synod Plans

THE HAGUE — The decision of the Netherlands Reformed Church to call a “General Church Meeting” next Whitsun is meeting with an overwhelming nationwide response.

Throughout the country meetings are being held at which laymen and clergy are discussing points to submit to the Synod for inclusion on the agenda of the Whitsun meeting.

Attendances everywhere are reported to be high, and at the Church headquarters here numerous letters arrive daily with suggestions for the May event.

The General Church meeting has been called to give church members at the local level a bigger say in church affairs.

Already a provisional list of discussion topics has been published. It includes:

—A more highly specialized ministerial training.

—The concept of the house-church.

—A more careful scrutiny of church membership rolls to do away with “paper members”.

—The admission of women to all church- ly offices.

—No more costly churchbuildings, but meeting centers that can be used seven days a week.

—More support for the ecumenical movement.

—Open communion, also for families.

—The abolition of church jargon.

Apart from specially convened meetings, existing organizations within the Church are also considering the Whitsun meeting. Among them are youth groups, women’s organizations, catechumens’ classes, students, servicemen and Jewish-Christian associations.

Many of the positive reactions to the plan are coupled with the expression of the hope that the Synod — the Church’s executive body — will take seriously the many concerns that are brought to its notice.

—RPPS