Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-02-01 / 2. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 7 WHAT IS KEY “Christians working together to share Christ with every person in North America,” Key 73 grew from the “Key Bridge Consultation” of 1967, when some 40 churchmen met to discuss new possibilities for cooperative evangelism. That enlarged consultation is now the planning body for Key 73. KEY T3 PHASES CALLING OUR CONTINENT TO REPENTANCE AND PRAYER The launch period for a year of Christian evangelism that appropriately addresses the sores and ills of our time. — Noon Prayer Call (Christmas. 1972-Jan. 5. 1973) -Faith-In-Action television special (Jan. 6) — Launch Sunday (Jan. 7) Simultaneous covenant services CALLING OUR CONTINENT TO THE WORD OF GOD A massive sharing and study of the Scriptures, that crosses every ethnic and cultural line. — Bible Distribution (Thanksgiving, 1972-Easter, 1973) — Use of media in sharing Biblical message (Jan. 7-March 7) — Interdenominational Bible study emphasis (Lent, 1973) CALLING OUR CONTINENT TO THE RESURRECTION Christian witness that makes real by action, teaching and demonstration the full impact of the Gospel.-Optional plans for a witness-survey (religious census) (Jan. 7-March 7) — Period of intensive Christian witness (March 7-Easter, 1973)-Easter television special (Easter weekend) CALLING OUR CONTINENT TO NEW LIFE A strong youth emphasis that identifies vital faith through the popular arts. — Video tape productions (to be created and aired locally) (Spring, 1973) —Teams of Christian artists, musicians, actors appearing where people are (Summer)-Sharing the Good New9 in leisure areas CALLING OUR CONTINENT TO PROCLAMATION Communicating the liberating Good News of Jesus Christ for a decisive response. — Youth outreach weeks (June, July, 1973) — Special Key 73 emphases at state and county fairs (Aug., Sept., 1973) —Area impact weeks (preaching, community contact and proclamation via available mediaradio, television and the press) (November) CALLING OUR CONTINENT TO COMMITMENT A witness to the oneness Christians share in their concern for the needs of the world.-An initiative to reclaim Christmas (December) —Television Covenant Special that focuses on the years events (December 29) — Local celebrations through cooperative witness and action (Sunday, December 30) THE OBJECTIVES 1. To share with every person in North America more fully and more forcefully the claims and message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. To employ every means and method of communicating the Gospel in order to create the conditions in which men may more readily respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit. 3. To apply the message and meaning of Jesus Christ to the issues shaping man and his society in order that they may be resolved. 4. To develop new resources for effective evangelism for consideration, adoption, adaptation, or rejection by the participating churches or Christian groups. 5. To assist the efforts of Christian congregations and organizations in becoming more effective redemptive centers and more aggressive witnesses of God’s redeeming power in the world. Key 73 proposes to raise an overarching Christian canopy in both Canada and the United States under which all denominations, congregations and Christian groups may concentrate on evangelism during the year 1973.-------------^ »»-----------------RATING THE SERMON Pastor Wilbur Rees of the First Baptist Church in Pocatello, Idaho, thinks there is some merit in the movie rating system and suggests it might be adapted to sermons as a kind of “early warning” to help the parishioners decide if he will get out of bed on Sunday morning. Something like this: G—Generally acceptable to everyone. Full of inoffensive, puerile platitudes such as “Go ye into all the world and smile” and “What the world needs is peace and motherhood.” This sermon is usually described as “wonderful” or “marvelous.” M—For more mature congregations. At times this sermon even makes the gospel relevant to today’s issues, in subtle ways, of course. It may even contain mild suggestions for change. This sermon is generally described as “challenging” or “thought provoking,” even though no one intends to take any action or change any attitudes. R— Definitely restricted to those who are not upset by truth. This sermon “tells it like it is.” It is very threatening to the comfortable. It is most often described as “disturbing” or “controversial” and usually indicates that the preacher has an outside source of income. X—Positively limited to those who can handle explosive ideas. This sermon really “socks it to ’em.” It is the kind of sermon that landed Jeremiah in the well, got Amos run out of town, and set things up for the stoning of Stephen. It is always described as “shocking” or “in poor taste.” The minister who preaches this sermon had better have his suitcase packed and life insurance paid up. Courtesy: Eastern Virginia Association, IMPACT, Oct. 1972.
