Calvin Synod Herald, 1974 (74. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-06-01 / 6-7. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 3 THE BISHOP’S REPORT-1974 Fathers and Brethren: Our first word is one of gratitude to God for “the immeasurable riches of his grace towards us in Christ Jesus.” Despite the threatening clouds of political, social and economic chaos we were allowed to proclaim the Kingdom of God, work for the betterment of man and his society and to make our modest contribution to the household of faith here and abroad. Yet, we know that the seeds of discontent, frustration and disenchantment are sprouting both in society and the church. Undoubtedly, we are at the crossroads. The direction we take now will determine for us our life and our future. Calvin Synod stands on the threshold of new challenges and ministries. May God give us the vision to see our task and the courage to accept it. As we approach our National Bicentennial we are reminded that we have been a part of this nation’s history for almost 100 years. The contributions of our Hungarian people to America are almost without parallel. Although it is not in our nature to boast of our achievements, I bélivé that we have reason on this significant occasion to blow our own horn. It would be, I believe, most appropriate if Synod would consider the formation of an Ecumenical Bicentennial Committee to prepare for a common observance of this event together with our Protestant brethren; also to give whatever impetus necessary for the research and publication of our spiritual and cultural contributions to America. This becomes all the more urgent when one considers that the last historical documentation of our life and work appeared in 1940. The Ninth General Synod of the United Church of Christ was viewed by most of our pastors and congregations with incredulity, bewilderment and unbelief. Our worst fears were realized when the Ninth General Synod seemed to abandon all pretense of being a Church called to witness to the Kingdom of God when it succumbed to the temptation of acting as a socio-political entity in the best tradition of secular humanism. The Ninth General Synod was one in which blacks, women and young people were highly visible and vocal. For most of the delegates it was their first experience in dealing with the complex questions and issues of contemporary society. Theological, social and political grounding for many delegates was almost non-existent; thus reducing discussion and decision to the level of individual “feeling” and “emotional” reaction. Action, any action, seemed to be the motivating force in all the sessions. In seeking to promote, almost single handedly, racial and social justice, (an admirable task and goal but one best suited for the political order), the church has dissipated it’s physical as well as its spiritual resources. The time has come, I believe, for the church to end its windmill attempts to be all things to all men and to give attention to its own spiritual regeneration. A return to Evangelism which has as its primary task the proclaiming of the Gospel and the calling of His disciples to “lead to faith and obedience men in all nations” is imperative if the United Church is to survive as an effective instrument in the Vineyard of the Lord. It is premature, I believe, to call for the abandonment of the United Church at this time. I know that many of you question the wisdom of remaining in a secularized church. But I would remind you that our United Church is not a church of sociology or the behavioral sciences but the Church of the Reformation. I, for one, will fight to regain the church for it’s historical and scriptural ministry. We were most gratified that Dr. John Butosi was retained on the Executive Council for another two year term. Also the appointment of your bishop as a delegate to the North America Area of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches was appreciated. Although this recognition is a sign of an increasing awareness of our presence and work in the United Church, it is still little more than tokenism. Our pastors are indicating a very anxious concern for the future of our denominational pension plan especially in
